Need a second bike for the commute? I've picked these five used maxi-scooters you'll want to look at

What makes a scooter a maxi-scooter? Basically, big engines (300cc+), lots of weather protection, big seats and somewhere to stash loads of luggage. The result is great commuters often bought by mature riders who maintain them properly. Cross the Channel and they are everywhere but they are growing in popularity here too. Just be warned that thieves like them as well; especially in cities.

• Related: High-vis vests for commuting

Read on for our expert guide to mega maxi-scooters!

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MCN Recommended: 2001-2019 Yamaha TMax 500 – £4391

MCN Best Buy – pictured above

Spec:

• Power 530cc
• Engine capacity 46bhp
• Seat height 800mm
• Kerb weight 217kg

Arguably the best-handling maxi-scooter, partly due to its monoshock rear end and certainly since it got a motorcycle ladder-style frame in 2008. A parallel twin motor helps it cruise happily at 70-80mph and the machine is well equipped with an adjustable backrest and multi-reflector lighting. New, the Yamaha TMax 500 has always been expensive. Used, they’re affordable. The Yamaha received fuel injection, radial tyres and twin front discs in 2004, and these are the ones to go for.

Yamaha TMax used buying advice

The TMax (or XP500 as it’s also known) is heavy, it’s maybe not as weighty as its Burgman rival, but is hefty nevertheless. There were fuel pump issues on 2006-2008 models (many were fixed under warranty); the single disc model is underbraked (but an R6 four-pot caliper bolts straight on). A lightweight Malossi variator improves acceleration. The stock windscreen causes turbulence but aftermarket ones are better with Givi the pick of the bunch. Dealer servicing can be quite expensive, too, due to how the TMax is packaged, but home servicing isn’t beyond the realms of possibility for a competent home mechanic.

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2003-2015 Suzuki AN650 Burgman – £1895

The Game-Changer

Spec:

• Power 638cc
• Engine capacity 54bhp
• Seat height 750mm
• Kerb weight 238kg

The original 400cc Burgman put maxi-scooters into the mainstream a couple of decades ago while the more recent and bigger Suzuki Burgman 650 is in a different league again. With two power modes and five push-button gears its big twin will hit 110mph but it’s also so big it’s too heavy to handle as well as the opposition. It’s comfy, though. They’re hellishly expensive when new and depreciate badly, so used ones can be bargains. Otherwise, the 400cc single-cylinder version may be a better all-round choice.

Suzuki AN650 Burgman used buying advice

Corrosion attacks the big ‘Burgervan’ especially at the rear under the plastic where it can’t easily be seen. Early models with gear final drive are difficult to push backwards. The sidestand cut-out switch can fail and aftermarket screens are popular.

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2001 Honda Silver Wing – £1999

The Golden Oldie

Spec:

• Power 582cc
• Engine capacity 48bhp
• Seat height 740mm
• Kerb weight 218kg

The Honda Silver Wing is from the same era as the original 400 Burgman and it shows. On the plus side, there’s plenty of Honda quality and reliability, the fuel injection is good, there’s lots of stash space and it’s well-equipped. On the downside, the powerful (for a scooter) twin-cylinder engine isn’t as economical as more modern designs, returning around 54mpg, and its tank is not the biggest, either. As a result expect 130-140 miles between fill-ups. Because the Honda has been around a while there are plenty to choose from, some at great prices.

Honda Silver Wing used buying advice

The Honda has relatively short (every 4000 miles) service intervals. Always make sure you close the seat properly to extinguish the courtesy light or it’ll drain the battery. Corrosion on the rims can cause tyre pressure loss.

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2003 Piaggio X9 500 – £940

The Italian Job

Spec:

• Power 460cc
• Engine capacity 39bhp
• Seat height 780mm
• Kerb weight 213kg

The X9 is sort of what you’d expect from a super-scooter from Italy: it’s decent fun, peppy, handles well (although not as well as Yamaha’s TMax) and stops well, thanks to its linked Brembo brakes. But you’d better be prepared for some Italian idiosyncrasies, which is why the Piaggio is a cheap used buy. They’re also well-equipped, with a three-way screen, backrest as standard and a 12v charging socket.

Piaggio X9 500 used buying advice

A tendency to stall at idle often results in having to shell out for a new throttle body (for about £100). The electronic instruments can die, too, while checking the oil means removing a panel. Never, ever buy without the brown master ignition key. The powered centrestand fails while an ECU light could just be a failed reg/rec. An A J Costa variator, meanwhile, improves acceleration.

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2016 Kymco Xciting 400 – £3999

The Top-Value Option

Spec:

• Power 399cc
• Engine capacity 34bhp
• Seat height 795mm
• Kerb weight 213kg

Arguably the best non-Japanese Asian scooter manufacturer if for no other reason than Italy is rammed with Kymcos and the Italians know a good scooter when they see one. With twin discs, Bosch ABS and a list price roughly a grand less than Japanese rivals, they’re not wrong, either. The Kymco is light (nearly 80kg less than a Burgman 650) so it performs well, while its engine is good enough to be used by BMW themselves in their own 600 and 650 scooters.

Kymco Xciting 400 used buying advice

The Xciting doesn’t have the lowest seat height, nor as much stash space under the seat or in the dash. It’s too early for mechanical issues to come to light but some owners have said it vibrates a bit and its fuel range is relatively poor.