MILAN SHOW: Yamaha's TMAX gets reinvented

The TMAX pretty much defined the idea of the executive sports scooter when it was launched 15 years ago, and it’s still dominating the market today. Why? Because it works so well, delivering huge versatility and usability.

For 2017 the flagship scoot gets a serious makeover, and will be available in three distinct models, the TMAX, TMAX SX and TMAX DX (while it’s as yet undecided if the SX will come to the UK). Common to them all are a raft of modifications and features that move the game on again in the sector, including traction control and even an inbuilt tracker on the SX and DX models – underlining a commitment from Yamaha to start tackling scooter crime.

Highlights

• Three new editions
• 530cc parallel-twin
• Traction control

The facts

• 60bhp (est)
• 212kg
• Seat height 800mm (est)

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All three share a stylish new body, recognisably TMAX, but updated for 2017 with a more compact face and LED lighting. Nestling beneath the bodywork is essentially the same 530cc parallel-twin, but now with a new upswept exhaust, new catalytic converters and airbox modifications which all conspire to gain it Euro4 compliance. Add to this the YCC-T ride-by-wire throttle first seen on the firm’s sportsbikes, and the TMAX should feel sharper and more responsive, whilst also benefiting from a modest performance gain. The addition of YCC-T also enables the fitment of traction control, which works by retarding the ignition timing when slip is detected.

There’s also a new aluminium chassis, a narrower carbon fibre drive belt, lighter tyres (saving 1kg) and a narrower rear wheel rim (now 4.5”). The underseat storage compartment has grown, and the dash gets a new TFT central unit sitting between the analogue tacho and speedo, while the TMAX is also now keyless, and prepped to connect with Dainese’s D-Air system, should you fancy an exploding jacket as the ultimate last line of protection.

So what do the other two models get in addition?

TMAX SX

The SX is the sportier version, and comes in racier paintjobs, whilst also getting a ‘D-Mode’ selector that allows you to switch between rider modes T (for town) and S (for thrashing). It also gets My TMAX Connect, a smartphone interface through which you can interact with your bike, and track it if some thieving swine decides to steal it. 

TMAX DX

The DX is intended as the luxury option, for those who want to use it for longer journeys. It too gets its own exclusive colours, and also benefits from cruise control, D-Mode adjustable power modes, an electronically adjustable windscreen, heated grips and rider seat, an adjustable rear shock, and the My TMAX Connect system.

All three will be available in March 2017.

 

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