2012–2013 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
City Errand Runner, Zero Fuss
The X-Max 250 Sport is Yamaha's 250 cc maxi-scooter, and its job description is clear. A liquid-cooled single makes 20 hp at 7,500 rpm and 15 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. Those are modest numbers, and nobody's pretending otherwise. Everything else is laid out for daily use: a steel tube frame, a 120/70-15 front and 140/70-14 rear tire, a 30.9 in (785 mm) seat and 386 lb (175 kg) wet. The Sport name means special graphics and colors. Mechanically, it's the regular X-Max 250. A center stand comes standard, and ABS was offered as an option. Pure utility.
On paper, this hardware is built for the city and the commute around it. A top speed of 78 mph (125 km/h) covers urban expressways. The economical single and 3.2 gal (12 L) tank keep fuel bills small, and the generous underseat storage takes the stuff you carry every day. The rear shock takes preload adjustment for passenger or cargo duty. This isn't Yamaha's Dark Side. It's the brand's sensible streak, aimed at you if you want to park anywhere and keep running costs down. Don't buy it for thrills. Buy it to get things done!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 20 hp (15 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 15 lb-ft (21 Nm) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 250 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 120/70-15 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-14 |
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 386 lb (175 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 gal (12 L) |
| Top speed | 78 mph (125 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Exhaust corrosion
The standard exhaust rusts prematurely, often leading to holes.
Engine tapping noise at low speeds
Some owners report a metallic tapping or rattling from the engine when cruising or over uneven surfaces. This is typically caused by valve lifter clearance needing adjustment and usually resolves after the first service with an oil change and valve check.
Where this Yamaha X-Max 250 Sport 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 X-Max 250 Sport is actually built for.
Short hops, tight parking, low costs: that's your daily life, and it's exactly what the X-Max 250 Sport is built for. Generous underseat storage and light handling make it the best fit here.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
It handles your city commute well. With 20 hp and a 78 mph top speed, though, weekend ridge roads become a relaxed cruise, not the main event. It's a solid weekday tool, not your weekend toy.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2010–2013
City Machine, Full Stop
Compare to the previous model →