Best scooter for NYC?
Short hops, tight parking, low running costs: that's the job this scooter is built for. Twist-and-go, 50 mpg, standard ABS and real storage under the seat make you its best fit.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
2012–2013 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Majesty 400 ABS (MY2012)
Maxi Comfort, Minimal Hassle
The Machine's Character
The Majesty 400 ABS is Yamaha's mid-size maxi-scooter, and its priorities are plain to read: practicality first. A liquid-cooled 395 cc single makes 34 hp and 27 lb-ft (36 Nm), sent through a twist-and-go automatic and a belt final drive. On paper that's good for 95 mph (153 km/h), so freeway stretches belong to the job description. ABS comes standard, and so does a center stand. Add generous wind protection and a big storage compartment under the seat, and you've got a scooter that takes the everyday seriously. It's Yamaha in sensible shoes!
Read the spec sheet and the target is obvious: the daily commute, with enough in reserve for a weekend run. A 29.9 in (759 mm) seat height keeps your feet close to the ground, and the 14-inch front and 13-inch rear wheels keep the package compact. Rated at 50 mpg with a 3.7 gal (14 L) tank, it's built to keep fuel stops rare and running costs low. The rear shock takes preload adjustment for a passenger or a full load. If you want your day's gear stowed under the seat and the weather kept off you, this is the hardware for it. Utility first. Always.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment
| Power | 34 hp (25 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 27 lb-ft (36 Nm) |
| Displacement | 395 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 267 mm |
| Front tire | 120/80-14 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-13 |
| Wheelbase | 61.6 in (1565 mm) |
| Seat height | 29.9 in (759 mm) |
| Wet weight | 492 lb (223 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 gal (14 L) |
| Top speed | 95 mph (153 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 50 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Yamaha Majesty 400 ABS pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class
Head-to-head: Yamaha Majesty 400 ABS vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
The 'Should I Buy It?' Score
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Majesty 400 ABS is actually built for.
Best motorcycle for Bay Area?
It's built for your weekday commute, and 95 mph on paper covers the freeway in between. On weekend ridge roads it's the sensible pick, not the showpiece. If you want the latest tech, look elsewhere: no TFT, no smartphone link.
Made for San Francisco Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard · Big Sur Coast Highway
Alternatives to the Yamaha Majesty 400 ABS
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Yamaha Majesty 400 ABS. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
