It’s not hard to figure out the audience Yamaha wants to target with the long-awaited U.S. introduction of the TMAX. Sport bike looks and capabilities captured in a versatile hi-tech step-through design aims the TMAX directly at riders who want the ultimate performance machine in a Big Maxi scooter.
That’s the essential image Yamaha markets, and there’s little doubt that the third incarnation of this sport-scoot lives up to the hype. Yes that’s right, this is the third generation. Riders throughout Europe were already impressed with the performance of the original 2001 TMAX parallel-twin DOHC despite limiting features such as a carburetor and bias-ply tires. Three years later came a substantial performance improvement with fuel injection and radial tires. An even-greater performance hike comes with the latest incarnation: a lighter, stronger aluminum chassis design replacing steel tubing, improved fuel injection mapping, 15-inch wheels front and rear replacing 14 inchers, an easy-to-detach tall windscreen yielding a funky urban mini-screen, and remarkably enhanced sport styling.
So, it isn’t surprising that Yamaha is pulling out all the stops in marketing the TMAX as the ultimate performance sport-scoot. Frankly, we’re not sure the Yamaha marketers are aiming high enough. With such a heavy emphasis on machismo, the TMAX might get unfairly positioned to compete with a wide array of capable middleweight sport motorcycles that simply don’t stand up to the excellent everyday riding characteristics and sophistication of this flagship scooter.
The latest TMAX is a stunning package with great fit and finish, excellent lighting front and rear, superb display instrumentation, precision-balanced weight distribution, exceptional braking, plenty of weather protection and visibility provided by the stylish front cowling, and enough storage capacity to make your daily commute a joy ride. Yamaha has seamlessly combined hi-tech performance and beauty with the ease of use and utility scooterists demand.
Despite pricing in a range similar to the Honda Silver Wing and Suzuki Burgman 650, comparing the only three U.S. parallel twin scooters isn’t an easy task. All three are easily capable of dealing unflinchingly with the briskest freeway speeds and heavy traffic. The Honda (582cc) and Suzuki (638cc) both have greater displacement, but the refined 499cc Yamaha utilizes a modern chassis and advanced four-valve per cylinder engine design that proves quicker and more nimble around town. While the Honda is a venerable and dependable commodity that offers an ABS option, the Silver Wing in other ways simply cannot match the newer and more-advanced TMAX engineering. With some major image-altering accessories, the TMAX could narrow the gap with the Burgman 650 for touring capabilities. However, the TMAX’s stylishness is compromised by adding a top case and other touring accompaniments. While the TMAX would be just fine for typical weekend excursions, it wasn’t designed to challenge the big Burgman for two-up riding spaciousness and cross-country touring comfort. At the same time, Suzuki’s big Burgman typically won’t match the TMAX for agility in town and responsiveness along those twisty back roads.
Complaints about high-speed wind blast with earlier versions of the TMAX largely have been addressed with the latest restyling. Kudos to Yamaha for two substantial upgrades to a model that already had received much praise at introduction – major advances accomplished in less than a decade. On this side of the pond, we don’t often see concerted R&D upgrade efforts applied to maxiscooters. Now that Yamaha has packed so much advanced technology into the TMAX and inevitably must price it accordingly, we will find out if Americans can appreciate and embrace such a highly advanced flagship offering.
