Picture courtesy of Murat Beser.
| Build quality | 9.3/10   |
|---|---|
| Reliability | 9.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 7.4/10 |
| Reviewer Rating | 9.1/10 |
| Overall Rating | 8.1/10 |
Full review by
guest111
on 15th Sep 2008
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
Good Points: power, power, and more power! Solid, flickable, handles and brakes extremely well
Bad Points: No lockable glovebox, immobiliser (for the US market), no flash-to-pass or hazards.
General comments: I ' ve wanted a Yamaha Tmax for about 8 yrs now, when Yamaha first introduced them to the European market. Unfortunately, it wasn ' t available when I bought my last scooter- a 2003 Burgman 400. I never gave up hope that eventually they ' d stop depriving us... and earlier this year I found out I was right! This is definitely a scooter with racing genes. It ' s purpose-built to be a "Sport scooter" and it doesn ' t disappoint. Compared to the Burgman, it sits a bit taller, rides a bit firmer, and is a LOT more nimble. Not that the Burgman 400 is a slug, by any means. I used to ride the B400 WFO on the freeway in the carpool lane. That means a comfortable 90mph or so. The Tmax? I haven ' t been able to use full throttle very often, or for very long. The 2 cylinder, 500cc engine is extremely smooth and quiet compared to the 400cc 1 cylinder of the Burgman 400. Gas it from a start, and it takes off VERY quickly. The big surprise is when you hit about 35mph and the engine note turns to a low growl and things in the rearview mirrors start to shrink.Storage is adequate, but the trunk is smaller and there are only 2 cubbies, no glove box. Gas mileage is probably about on par with the B400 when flogged, but it requires 91 octane. Again, these two tradeoffs are no big deal for the extra performance.
guest111's review and ratings | 265 words
Review by
peanuts6blonde
on 30th Aug 2008
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
I bought my Yamaha T-max 2001 model on Monday morning in Tasmania Australia put it on the ferry that night over too the mainland then roade it 2200klms back home to Queensland very comfortable in 3 days what can I say but dam this is a good machine not bad for a 69 year old, 5.5lts per 100klms @ 125kp.
peanuts6blonde's full review | 63 words
Review by
Guest.
on 27th Aug 2008
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
I went to a dealership to have a look at the 2009 Yamaha TMAX 500. I first saw the bike on the Yamaha Website and was intrigued by the claim of sport bike performance in a scooter package. After reviewing the specs, I decided it was worth seeing in person. However, I have a problem with fitting on scooter style bikes. I'm tall and I have long legs, so I can't sit comfortably on many of the models. My knees are either pressed against the instrument panel, or I can't turn the handle bars all the w ...
Guest.'s full review | 208 words | 1 comment added.
Review by
Guest.
on 2nd Aug 2008
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
This bike is my dream bike, a big bike that rides like a scoot. The thing is I haven't owned one but my friend who happens to have one lend me his bike, I like the comfort and the handling of the bike, and the speed is awesome. The guys at yamaha did a very nice job in that bike, hope someday I can own one.
Guest.'s full review | 67 words
Review by
Diesel Dave
on 31st Jul 2008
User Rating : 7
Respect :
+1
It's the most practical 2 wheeler I've ever owned and despite having several other bikes in the garage this is the one that racks up the mileage year on year, Mine is the original Mk1 so has crossply tyres and carburettors. Later Mk2's have fuel injection and radial tyres.
The tank is quite small at 15 litres, but if your gentle with the throttle 180 miles can be covered without needing a refill.
If you need to park 2 helmets then add a topbox - the Givi rack is very solid and Givi also do a set ...
Diesel Dave's full review | 919 words | 1 comment added.
Review by
David Superman
on 28th Mar 2008
User Rating : 8
Respect :
0
Very comfortable and fun. Easy to ride. You get a lot of looks from people trying to work out what you are riding and why it goes so fast. Also it has has good storage. It also makes a great noise. I do like this bike because I hate gears.
I've only owned the bike for 3 days and I love it
David Superman's full review | 66 words
Review by
reddex
on 22nd Feb 2008
User Rating : 5
Respect :
0
A general service on my Yamaha TMAX was £250 and the 12000 service £550 with belt change, new pads. Alternator went at 16,000 just out of warranty, quoted £550 for new so had old one rewound and fitted for £250 and sold it at 18000miles. Depreciation was horrific for the 2 Years and 4 Months of ownership from new, dropped £2,700 on a discounted purchase price despite the bike being immaculate. No interest for 2 months in Autotrader and MCN. The most expensive bike t ...
reddex's full review | 97 words
Review by
Ninja John
on 15th Feb 2008
User Rating : 10
Respect :
+1
I have had quite a few bikes/scooters of different makes ranging from ordinary to crazy (Diblasi/Italjet dragster 180/Formular 125/Yamaha 500LC 2 stroke/Ducati 900 monster/Kawasaki ZZR1100/Vmax 1200s etc.
This bike is not the fastest by far but...It has the best combination for a real world biking with comfort with an ability to keep up and or sometimes out pace a lot of bigger bikes because of the handling and twist and go effect. One last thing I think that really helps with this bike is the f ...
Ninja John's full review | 248 words | 1 comment added.
Review by
Guest.
on 15th Feb 2008
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
A very reliable motorscooter with loads of fun to ride. - reliable, comfort, steering, acceleration, design and brakes with ABS.
Also very easy to ride, with fast acceleration. Bad points fuel consumption.
Guest.'s full review | 32 words
Review by
Guest.
on 23rd Jan 2008
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
This is simply the most sporty and funny bike in scooterland.
Lots of performance & very reliable, it never let me down !
Yamaha the real thing !
Guest.'s full review | 87 words
Review by
tmaxrider
expert review 
on 23rd Dec 2007
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
I've had a Yamaha Tmax 500 for a few months now and really like it. I used to have an x9 125cc which I got rid of because of poor handling, and very poor reliability. The Tmax is in such a different league. It has really got me into riding again, and I will be planning some large trips soon.
The ride is very confidence inspiring: Very well grounded on the road, goes over bumps with no effort. It has a very low centre of gravity offering sure footed cornering. It is pretty heavy, but I think ...
tmaxrider's full review | 269 words
Review by
Dandeleo
on 12th Dec 2007
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
A good buy. I've gone from being a bike owner to a scooter owner as I became lazier with age. This is still bike enough that it's fun and handles well, but scootery enough that I can stack away my helmet and jacket when I park (even more with the top box) and I don't have to think about gear changes and clutch stuff. And people look at it with envy... who would have thought it? If I buy another scooter it will only be to upgrade this to a more recent T-Max.
Dandeleo's full review | 185 words
Review by
Mike Behr
on 27th Jul 2007
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
Owned a Yamaha TMAX for 4 years before trading in for Black Max in July 2006.
At terrific commuter with great performance - the scoot has a power commander and Akropovic performance exhaust.
Mike Behr's full review | 49 words
Review by
harpoon
on 1st May 2007
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
Sold it in 06 with "0K miles done for a new Bulldog, love it but Bulldog is made in Italy, and the build quality is terrible. Rust on every chrome part, fork legs have pitted.
I am getting a new Tmax next week.
harpoon's full review | 114 words
Review by
Al Shutt
on 30th Apr 2007
User Rating : 10
Respect :
+2
Is it a bike or is it a scooter? Its a scooterbike!
I may have owned my Yamaha TMAX 500 for only 4 days, but I have given it a lot of thought.
My last two bikes were both Honda's - a Hornet and a Blackbird. Both super fast and fun but both had their faults - a pain to keep clean, a real pain in the arms, wrists and shoulders to ride any distance, my girlfriend had one go and hated it, little carrying capacity and having to dress up like a Borg on a hot summers day. And even worse is, given ...
Al Shutt's full review | 381 words | 2 comments added.
Review by
udipur
on 31st Jul 2006
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
I have driven big and small bikes in various countries around the world. This is by far the best bike I have ever had. Comfortable, fast, easy to use, bags of storage (with a top box as well), I absolutely love it. A BMW 1200GS rider pulled up next to me on the lights and said that it was fantastic and took off like a rocket - he had to get one of those! I have realised that by the time the other bikes have got through 2nd, 3rd and possibly 4th, I am miles away, happily zooming off into the hint ...
udipur's full review | 172 words
Review by
mdwysc
on 2nd Apr 2006
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
I have owned large motorbikes, Lambretta's, Vespa's and all sorts. I sold an SV 100SK3 to get this Yamaha T-max. What a fantastic machine. I have toured Spain, Belguim, Scotland, Holland and all over UK. Nobody waves at you as they are all bike snobs. With a high screen and handlebar deflectors no rain is ever going to get near you. Both me and my Dad have T-max's now. Not as many toys as the other large scooters but the best one on the road by far.
mdwysc's full review | 119 words
Review by
Hajo
on 22nd Feb 2006
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
The Yamaha T-Max 500 is a great ride. I drove it new from Eindhoven Netherlands to Boltana and Barcelona in Spain in 6 days. 2 days one way, 2 days back. Very zippy in passing cars going from 80Kmh to 120Kmh at one twist of the wrist. Very comfortable too. My previous bike was a Honda ST1100. Good bike but to bulky for the commute to work. I still have a Voxan CafeRacer to enjoy superbike handling. Commuting wise there is no better vehicle. Even with snow and ice. It stay's very stable!
Hajo's full review | 98 words
Review by
Mike Behr
on 18th Jan 2006
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
I have owned my Yamaha T-Max 500 since June 2002 and have covered 26,000 miles and would highly recommend this scooter if you want a sporty cruiser and you can afford to run it. It is easy to commute around town and is very comfortable for the passenger. It is the next best thing to a bike but has the added benefit of plenty of storage and wind protection.
Mike Behr's full review | 105 words | 1 comment added.
Review by
Bruce Dibben
on 1st Oct 2005
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
The Yamaha T Max is so good, it is a mystery that at least the more mature riders are not queing up to change their Honda Pan European for a cheaper to run ride like the T Max. I have had both and must admit the Pan has more street cred but with our restrictive speed enforcement, 100 MPH is surely fast enough with handling to match. Yamaha are demanding £74.00 for a speedo sensor which I broke but I only want one part of it which they will not supply. Consequently I will not be buying Ya ...
Bruce Dibben's full review | 111 words
