Yamaha Tmax Tuning

But now, the T-Max is sold here. It arrived just in time for four-buck gas in SoCal, when Yamaha couldn’t keep the smaller Vino in stock. The tuning forkers had visions of selling a freeway-capable scooter to people with longer commutes. I, for one, hope that the current blip back towards a buck-something gas doesn’t dampen the company’s willingness to promote this product. Although the high end of the scooter market will take some developing, I believe there’s role for the motorcycle as a primary vehicle.

At 5’7”, buffeting from wind coming over the windshield wasn’t an issue for me. However I did notice quite a bit of wind noise. The solution would be ordering the much taller and wider ‘Touring Windscreen’ from Yamaha.

The T-Max was totally revamped for the 2008 model year, which is the version we now get Stateside for 2009. A new body style, which grows on you, conceals an all-new alloy frame, which replaces the old tubular steel chassis.

The first impression on approach is that it’s extraordinarily long. Then, when you sit on it, the seat feels firm, high, and wide. The T-Max does not have a completely flat floorboard, like a classic scooter. Still, the relatively low step-through threshold makes it easier to get on and off than a conventional motorcycle. The seat height comes into play when paddling the bike into and out of parking spots. I found myself sliding forward off the seat, so that I could plant more of my own weight on the ground when pushing it around.

With a full tank of fuel, it weighs close to 500 lbs. It takes a fair amount of effort to get it up on the center stand, but the passenger grab rail provides a solid grip for that job. I found I noticed the weight more when I had to rock it off the stand. It is also the first bike I’ve ridden with a parking brake.

The starting protocol is simple: With the key and kill switch in the ‘on’ position, there’s a momentary delay while the fuel injection system pressures up. Then you hold either brake lever in and hit the starter button. (There are no foot controls. The rear brake is operated by the lever on the left handlebar, and the front brake, as usual, on the right.) There is no kick starter, nor is it possible to bump-start it.

Yamaha Tmax Tuning

Yamaha Tmax TuningAn automatic centrifugal clutch engages when you increase revs. I noticed a slight delay in the clutch engagement that was frustrating when I was trying to get away at low throttle openings. To set out perfectly smoothly, I found myself holding the left (rear) brake in until I felt the clutch bite, then easing off the brake to roll away. I own a Yamaha Vino 125, which clutches flawlessly, so I suspect this glitch might come down to a minor setup problem on Motorcycle.com’s particular test bike. As soon as you’re underway, the low center of gravity keeps it unthreatening even at parking-lot speeds.

Despite being half a foot longer than say, an R1, the T-Max is very maneuverable in town. If you’re out running errands, there’s room for a good-sized bag of groceries, or a full-face helmet under the seat. The seat is held in the open position by a pair of hydraulic lifters, and there’s even a light in the storage compartment. There are also two non-locking ‘glove compartments’ in the front cowl. I imagine that, in Europe, commuters usually these for a pack of Gauloise cigarettes in one and a flask of Grappa in the other. Or maybe just coins for tolls.

Yamaha Tmax Tuning

Yamaha Tmax Tuning

Yamaha Tmax Tuning

Yamaha Tmax Tuning The new alloy frame feels as stiff as a modern beam frame. The fully-stressed motor bolts to the back of the frame. The swingarm pivots on the engine castings, so unlike most scooters the motor is sprung weight. That takes some pressure off the single rear shock, which is positioned about where it would be on a sportbike.


The net effect of fork, frame, shock and Dunlop Sportmax tires is taut, confidence-inspiring handling that easily compares to conventional motorcycles. It’s capable of carrying a downright surprising degree of lean angle through the corners. More importantly (considering its daily commuting brief) the T-Max is amply capable of cruising in the fast lane on the freeway without the alarming vagueness of some other maxis.


The 360-degree parallel-Twin is an interesting piece. It’s a long-stroke, undersquare motor; a choice made to emphasize torque and provide a good spread of power. You’d expect that the two pistons, moving back and forth together, would create vibration. There is a third piston that’s 180 degrees opposed to the two ‘real’ ones. The result is an essentially vibration-free ride. As with all counterbalanced motors, the price for smoothness is paid with the currency of inertia, so the motor doesn’t want to spin up too quickly.