2009 Yamaha T-Max
STEVE BOND FOR THE TORONTO STAR
Although the Yamaha T-Max’s seat is comfortable during long-distance jaunts, taller riders may wish that the built-in backrest didn’t lock the rider into one position.
With the skyrocketing price of fuel, many commuters have turned to scooters for strictly economic and practical reasons, but why does it have to stop there?
In Europe, where gas has been much loot per litre for a decade or more, scooters don't languish in the garage after the 9-to-5 grind. Euros not only commute on their scoots (now there's a catchy slogan), they use them for recreational riding and touring, too.
Enter the $9,999 Yamaha T-Max, the first true supersport scooter. Available in Europe for several years, this latest version of the Max boasts an aluminum frame and swingarm, Yamaha R6 sportbike-inspired brakes and large 15-inch wheels.
Power is ably provided by a liquid-cooled, four-valve-per-cylinder, 499 cc twin-cylinder that's bristling with state-of-the-art technology.
Nobody publishes horsepower figures (marketing types found their noses growing alarmingly) but the Max's 34 lb.-ft. of torque are nine more than Yamaha's mid-sized 400 Majesty scooter and only three less than the company's popular motorcycle cruiser, the 650 V-Star.
The 43 mm front forks soak up bumps with 120 mm of travel while the rear shock (that's "pulled" rather than compressed by the swingarm) has 116 mm of travel. This longish travel (for a scooter) allows for more controlled damping and T-Max never lost its composure over choppy bumps and frost heaves.
The large, 15-inch wheels are shod with sticky sport rubber (a 120-section front and a 160 rear!) that give the T-Max motorcycle-like handling. And I'm not talking cruisers or standards here either – this thing corners like a sportbike. Apply a touch of front brake to aid turn-in and the Max bends easily into the corners without the pitching and pogo-ing you expect when riding scooters fairly hard. It's rock solid too, never wavering from the line you choose unless you want it to.
When you get to the apex, just feed in the throttle (as hard as you dare) and the Max accelerates away like a sportbike – without the vague, nervous feeling you get with most scooters. The fuel injection is well calibrated and when you twist the throttle, the Max rockets away from stops.
With a dry weight of 222 kg, it's no lightweight but the low centre of gravity combined with the fairly long (1580 mm) wheelbase really helps with handling as well as stability. Yamaha engineers did their job; putting the Max on the centrestand is not a cause for grunting and groaning – it's dead easy.
Even the brakes are sportbike-inspired with dual floating 267 mm front discs squeezed by R6-type monoblock calipers. It's eerie to grab a handful of right lever and have the T-Max stop in an amazingly short distance with virtually no nosedive. A word of warning to veteran motorcycle riders: the natural instinct with scooters is to squeeze the "clutch" lever when coming to a stop. This action will apply the rear brake and stop the bike like you've hit a wall. Don't ask ...
The stepped seat proved very comfortable during a 200 km jaunt although, being tall, I wish the built-in backrest weren't there as it locked me into a position I didn't want to be in. Legroom is ample for average or shorter riders but taller ones (like me) will bash their knees with the handlebars during tight turns in parking lots.
The underseat storage area easily swallows a full-face helmet but overall, I think the Majesty has a larger storage area. Wind and weather protection is excellent as I got caught out in a sudden rainstorm (without raingear, of course) and remained relatively dry as long as I was moving.
Instrumentation is legible and well thought out, although why a scooter, even a sporty one, needs the sweeping LCD tachometer is beyond me as the CVT transmission makes it impossible to over-rev the motor.
Yes, it's sporty and fun but the practical set should take note that my fuel consumption averaged 4.8 to 5.0 L / 100 km, indicating a potential 300 km from the 15-litre tank. Ten grand seems a lot for a scooter and it's a shame T-Max is classified as such. It has the performance and handling of a middleweight sport-touring motorcycle but the ease of operation, economy, cargo capacity and weather protection of a large scooter.
Who says taking advantage of Toronto's free scooter parking (and HOV lanes) has to be boring and practical? The T-Max can economically commute during the week and still do some serious sport-touring on weekends.
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