TMax test!

[atadaskew]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/yamaha/2009-yamaha-tmax-500-review-87665.html

[chornbe]

Good review.

I'm telling you, this thing is getting closer and closer to the center of my radar screen. I could ditch the 'Glide and get one of them, shave off $10k worth of cost and still enjoy some occasional 2-up riding with the kid. Damn this is tempting.

[atypical1]

This is a telling quote and explains why I don't "get" maxi-scooters...

If you’re looking for the two-wheeled equivalent of a Honda Accord, this is a strong contender for your next bike

james

[atadaskew]

This is a telling quote and explains why I don't "get" maxi-scooters...



james

I think that Honda Accord reference is meant to suggest it's practicality i.e. ease of use and luggage capacity.  Not that it is plain vanilla and boring.  There isn't any bike or scooter (everything from 50cc scoots to Ninja 250s to Wing 1800s etc) that I have owned that I would say is Accord/Camry-like.  They've all been fun in one way or another.
James, go to the Long Beach show this weekend and demo a maxi scooter.  Let us know what you think. Seriously.

[atypical1]

James, go to the Long Beach show this weekend and demo a maxi scooter.  Let us know what you think. Seriously.

I'm not going to have the opportunity to head up there or I would. I probably should go test one though at some time.

james

[Tar Snake]

I liked the blue, but I'm a sucker for yellow

Must resist urge to go into debt, must think about the economy........

[Baz]

Good review.

I'm telling you, this thing is getting closer and closer to the center of my radar screen. I could ditch the 'Glide and get one of them, shave off $10k worth of cost and still enjoy some occasional 2-up riding with the kid. Damn this is tempting.

I don't know if I would like the words I heard when I told my kid to "Get on".  

[atadaskew]

Good review.

I'm telling you, this thing is getting closer and closer to the center of my radar screen. I could ditch the 'Glide and get one of them, shave off $10k worth of cost and still enjoy some occasional 2-up riding with the kid. Damn this is tempting.

It would seem that maybe it would be a better replacement for the Sportster? Or even replace both with the Tmax..

[gritsngravy]

Looks like a pretty nice machine for commuting and trips to the store.   Actually if the thing is anywhere near accord like that is a positive attribute.    Having owned a few accords I actually like the so called bland characterless ride.   Feels really good to be warm and snug in the middle of a shite storm just knowing  you are gonna make it home.  

[Tar Snake]

Looks like a pretty nice machine for commuting and trips to the store.  

Even if the store is in Seattle and you live in Los Angeles.  

[Tar Snake]

Well I sat on a T-max at the IMS show in Long Beach today. It was nice but my lower back wasn't crazy about having my feet out front like a cruiser. Yesterday I did 100 mile bicycle ride so that may not be fair as I'm still a bit sore all over, but then again maybe the aches and pains are similar to all day in the saddle at speed .

I liked the Aprilla Mana it feels position-wise to me like a 955 speed triple, good all-around position, but for leg room the Shiver beat it (it has more legroom than the Mana) and if I had to buy something tomorrow it would be a Shiver or Versys.

For me I'd need to rent a maxi-scooter for whole day and put ~300 miles on it to make sure, but you know how personal ergonomics are.

[atadaskew]

I demoed the Tmax at the bike show.  It was really fun.  Great 2-up bike, the handling did not seem to suffer at all.  I can't now see how it can be compared to an Accord as I really doubt people have sh1t eating grins on their mugs when they drive around in Accords!

[chornbe]

It would seem that maybe it would be a better replacement for the Sportster? Or even replace both with the Tmax..

You know that lost, stray puppy with one ear bitten off that you found when you were a kid and he ended up sleeping at the foot of your bed for the next ten or fifteen years? The one you would still have kicking around under your feet if he didn't die of old age, being the best, most loyal friend you ever had? The one that the other kids would say, "dude, your dog is ugly but cool!"...? That's my Sportster. I can't see myself ever getting rid of that unrefined, rambunctious, yappy little mutt.

Ever. I love this thing. It could do a lot of things better, but when I'm on this thing, I grin like an idiot in my helmet and think "now THIS is motorcycling".

[cbolling]

I can't wait to sit on a Tmax when the show gets to South Carolina.  I did a demo ride on a Silverwing this summer and had a great time.  In a 24 hour period I demoed a VFR, Goldwing, ST1300, VTX 1800, and Silverwing.  I had more fun on the Silverwing than on any of the others.

The big "Scooters" are really getting to me a viable substitute to a motorcycle.

[Oilhed]

Well I sat on a T-max at the IMS show in Long Beach today. It was nice but my lower back wasn't crazy about having my feet out front like a cruiser.

On a scooter can't you bend your legs and put your feet further back in the step thru with heels raised and toes on the floor?

[FJRmgm]

I demoed the Tmax at the bike show.  It was really fun.  Great 2-up bike, the handling did not seem to suffer at all.  I can't now see how it can be compared to an Accord as I really doubt people have sh1t eating grins on their mugs when they drive around in Accords!

+1 - had the same experience at the bike show.  I could ride one.

[Tar Snake]

On a scooter can't you bend your legs and put your feet further back in the step thru with heels raised and toes on the floor?

I couldn't get them quite as far back as say foot pegs on a VFR, Sprint, Bandit, type of bike. I felt better on the Vespa 250 has I sat more upright, less slouchy.

Maybe I'd get used to it? I had  a cruiser 20 years ago, but then I was 20 years younger!

[cbolling]

Well I got a chance to ride a TMAX at the Greenville, SC show on Saturday morning.  

I rode a Versys, FZ6, and TMAX.  

Of these 3 I had the most fun on the TMAX.  I was super comfortable, had great wind protection, good power, lots of storage, and handled great.  I got it to almost 90mph on the highway without any effort.  

I am about ready to sell my "Motorcycle" and get a "Maxi-scooter".

[atadaskew]

Of these 3 I had the most fun on the TMAX.  

I had more fun on the TMax than any other bike I demoed at the bike show.(KTM 990 Adv, Guzzi Vintage, Harley XR1200, Piaggio MP3 500).

[cbolling]

I had more fun on the TMax than any other bike I demoed at the bike show.(KTM 990 Adv, Guzzi Vintage, Harley XR1200, Piaggio MP3 500).

What did you think about the MP3?  I sat on one, but they were not offering demo rides.  It is cool, but I didn't like the fact that you can't stretch out your legs.  I think being able to move your legs and feet around is one of the biggest advantages of a scooter.

[atadaskew]

I got to ride that too, they had demos at Long Beach.  The MP3 500 was really stable moving off, coming to a stop - much more so than any bike (scooter or motobike) I have ever ridden.  Of course due to the 2 wheels on the front!  It too was a blast to ride, and really felt solid in the corners - better than the Tmax.  The Tmax had better brakes (but you could use them harder on the MP3 with less chance of a wipeout due to the 3 wheels), a smoother and seemingly more powerful engine, nicer suspension, better wind control, better seat, better passenger accomodations, nicer instrumentation.

The thing is, the MP3 chassis (the 2 wheels on the front thing again) is just so flippin great, that it almost, almost out weighs the Tmax benefits.
If I could, I'd take the Tmax with the MP3 front end... Otherwise Tmax for the experienced rider, MP3 for someone new/older/with disabilities as the front stability would help out those peeps.

[Oilhed]

The thing is, the MP3 chassis (the 2 wheels on the front thing again) is just so flippin great, that it almost, almost out weighs the Tmax benefits.
If I could, I'd take the Tmax with the MP3 front end... Otherwise Tmax for the experienced rider, MP3 for someone new/older/with disabilities as the front stability would help out those peeps.

I love the MP3.  I would love it with the Burg650 motor/tranny.

[sharkey]

I'll throw my 2 cents in - Having about 17K on 2 Burgman 650's I can say the Maxi-Scooters are pretty versatile.  You will get off w/ a grin on your face.  Excellent 2 up and will take the curves very well.  Tires last way longer than a cycle and insurance is cheaper.  Open the seat and put your helmets away. People were bitchin' about the high price but in 07, I bought a 06 w/ 15oo miles on it for 6,700.
For what it does, that is a bargain.

I also own a 03 ZZR600 and though that is a fun ride, I know I'm not selling the scooter.  I just wish Gilera would import some of their stuff to the states.  I'd like to ride a TMax but haven't done so yet.

[atadaskew]

 I'd like to ride a TMax but haven't done so yet.

It's been 5 months since I test rode one. And I'm still thinking about it.
 

[2006FJR]

I own an FJR AE and we bought my wife a Vespa 250 scooter about 14k miles ago. She is thinking about some more power and it is going to be the Tmax or the Burgman 650.  

[atadaskew]

Tmax is lighter and has better suspension and chassis.  One clue is the swingarm/rear shock on it is just like a regular sport bike.

[JoBu]

It's been 5 months since I test rode one. And I'm still thinking about it.
 

Well, I just added it to the top of my list of bikes to test ride.  I'm pretty excited about throwing a leg of it (or through it - being a scooter and all).  

Cheers,

Joe