2017–2019 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
City Miles, Done Right
The TMAX SX is the sport trim of Yamaha's maxi scooter, and it's built like a motorcycle where it counts. The 530 cc parallel twin makes 46 hp and 39 lb-ft, sends it through a CVT and a belt final drive, and sits in an aluminum twin spar frame. That's the key: there's a real chassis under the bodywork. Yamaha's YCC-T chip-controlled throttle, ride modes, ABS and traction control are all standard, along with a TFT display and smartphone connectivity. In the scooter class it plays the athlete, with a 100 mph (161 km/h) top speed to back it up.
On the road it's lively off the line and sportier in the corners than its weight suggests, because the mass sits low. It ages well too: build quality and reliability are solid, and running costs stay low. The one known annoyance is a wiring loom fault, where a broken wire under the fairing can stop it from starting. It's tedious to find and simple to fix. This is for you if you want one machine for the weekday commute and the weekend ride. The caveat: fork and shock are non-adjustable, and there's no cruise control. Still a Yamaha with soul!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 46 hp (34 kW) @ 6,750 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 39 lb-ft (53 Nm) @ 5,250 rpm |
| Displacement | 530 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| 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 | 470 lb (213 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
| Top speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 42 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Comfort
Connectivity
Lighting
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Fueling
This picture comes from years of listening: paddock talk, club-night chatter, owner conversations and the messages TMAX SX riders send me directly. The pattern is consistent. Riders praise a scooter that goes and steers like something bigger, and their complaints center on cost, the screen and carrying a full load.
The engine gets the most praise. Riders describe brisk getaways from a standstill and relaxed cruising at highway speeds. Handling comes next. Owners call it agile and stable at speed, and many say it corners like a proper motorcycle. Some use it as a light tourer and mention a plush seat and relaxed ergonomics that keep fatigue low over long days.
The gripes are spread more evenly. The stock screen needs tools to adjust, and some riders complain about buffeting behind it. Others say the headlight can dazzle oncoming traffic once the bike is loaded. Cost comes up too. Owners call it expensive to buy, say belt and valve-clearance servicing adds up, and point out that used examples still fetch strong money. One isolated report adds that the rear sags noticeably two-up with luggage, with no adjustment available, and that this hurts handling and ground clearance.
Wiring loom fault causing no-start
A broken wire under the fairing can prevent the engine from starting. Diagnosis can be time-consuming, but the fix is typically straightforward once the fault is located.
Where this Yamaha TMAX SX 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
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the TMAX SX is actually built for.
City all week, ridge roads on Sunday: the TMAX SX does both, with TFT and phone link to match your taste. It's a gas twin though. If your heart is set on electric, this isn't it.
Made for San Francisco Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard · Big Sur Coast Highway
For the daily city run it's easy to ride, swallows your gear and costs little to keep. Just know it's 470 lb (213 kg) and long. For short hops and tight parking, that's a lot of scooter.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.