2025 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
The Daily Commute Done Right
The TMAX is the scooter for riders who secretly want a motorcycle, and this generation keeps that promise. A 562 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin makes 48 hp and 41 lb-ft. It sends that through a twist-and-go CVT and a belt final drive, so the power arrives smoothly with no clutch or shift lever to manage. The steel-tube frame and 62.0 in (1,575 mm) wheelbase give it real motorcycle poise. The equipment list is complete: cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes, cruise control, keyless start, and a TFT with smartphone connectivity and navigation. Among maxi-scooters, this is the sporty reference point.
In daily use it is about as easy as two-wheelers get. The 31.5 in (800 mm) seat, keyless start and friendly, accessible handling make it simple to live with in traffic, and the bodywork keeps weather off you better than most motorcycles do. Build quality is solid and reliability is strong, so it ages well. It suits the rider who commutes all week and wants a good back road on Sunday without owning two vehicles. The honest caveat: 481 lb (218 kg) is a lot of mass for a scooter, and with no suspension adjustment at either end, you can't dial out a rear shock that lets sharp hits through.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 48 hp (35 kW) @ 7,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 41 lb-ft (55 Nm) @ 5,250 rpm |
| Displacement | 562 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 267 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-15 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-15 |
| Wheelbase | 62.0 in (1575 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 481 lb (218 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
Equipment check
Connectivity
Lighting
Safety
Over the years I've heard plenty about the TMAX: in paddocks, at club nights, from owners over coffee, and in the messages riders send me directly. On this generation the pattern is clear. The praise is about how it rides, and the complaints are about what it costs and a few everyday details.
Owners praise the handling more consistently than anything else. They say it tips into corners with an agility they didn't expect from something this size, and they trust the front end, with several crediting the tires it wears. The engine gets the same warm reception: thrust owners describe as linear and almost electric, no lag from the CVT, strong pull from low revs and a sporty eagerness to rev out. Riders also say the new dash and electronics give it a high-end feel that holds up against many full-size motorcycles.
Fewer owners bring up complaints. The main one is the price, which is higher than many middleweight motorcycles and makes cheaper maxi-scooter rivals hard to ignore. Some find the width a handful when traffic gets tight, and the limited clearance around the grab rail comes up as an everyday annoyance.
Harsh rear suspension
The rear monoshock lacks initial sag and damping finesse, transmitting sharp bumps and ridges directly to the rider, especially with rider weight on the seat.
Limited under‑seat storage
The storage compartment cannot accommodate larger full‑face helmets, and there is no charging socket under the seat, reducing everyday utility.
Where this Yamaha TMAX pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the TMAX is actually built for.
You'll like the TFT, phone connectivity and keyless start, and it gets through the city easily all week. On Skyline it's more fun than you'd expect. It's gas-powered, though, not electric.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
It's an easy commuter with great weather protection, but at 481 lb it's much heavier than a small scooter. The seat won't hold a big full-face helmet either, so check yours before you buy.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
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