Yamaha T-Max 530 – Road Test

What is it?

The Yamaha T-Max is technically a scooter, but things have moved on a bit since Yamaha gave us the Passola, those more-noise-than-motion two-stroke irritations from the 70s and 80s.

This is the new 530cc T-Max, recently released as an upgrade of the first-generation, 500 cc edition from 2001. It’s part of the recent trend of large displacement scooters (called maxi-scooters) that are purpose-built for commuting in cramped cities and heavy traffic.

Engine/drivetrain

This is a proper, modern low-emission engine based on the latest engineering principles. Double-overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, large intake valves and combustion chambers designed for optimal ignition all make for a well-designed, effective power unit.

The 530 cc parallel twin uses an automatic V-belt transmission, and therefore no gear changes are required. In typical scooter fashion you just twist the throttle and go.

Style, instruments and equipment

The T-Max 530 has a super-comfy seat and rather funky instrumentation design, both practical and appealing to look at. The windscreen is adjustable, but only using a hex key. The little cubbyhole cover is flimsy, but it puts a garage card conveniently within reach at toll booths.

Your helmet can be stored under the seat; enough space for two would have been better, so a top box will be a useful addition (if you don’t mind looking like the pizza delivery guy – ed).

The single dumbest thing about the T-Max 530 is that to operate the locking mechanism for the storage bay, you need two hands free – one to turn the key and the other to lift the lid. Inevitably, you will have something like a helmet in one hand, which you then have to put down first.

Night riding is no problem as the headlights are exceptionally good. There’s a pair of large handles for the pillion passenger to hold on to. ABS is an option.

Performance

To reduce weight, Yamaha redesigned the frame, which is a lightweight aluminum unit. Lighter wheels than on its predecessor also help keep the weight down and the 33.5 kW and 52 Nm is more than enough to push you back into the seat when accelerating.

Don’t pay too much attention to the peak power figure, because the availability of the power at different speeds is what is needed to handle varying traffic conditions. Yamaha paid specific attention to this with the 530 cc version and these efforts paid off. Merging in and out of traffic at any speed is exceptionally easy. In short, when you twist the throttle there is enough power and torque to pull you out of traffic and past that dodgy Corolla without a number plate.

Soon to become a cliché is that everyone who has ridden a T-Max 530 will talk about the look on motorists’ faces when being overtaken by a scooter at 120 km/h.

Ride and handling

Handling and ride comfort were as welcome a surprise as the acceleration. The suspension on the T-Max 530 is very reactive and large-diameter wheels, for a scooter, add to high-speed comfort and handling stability. The test unit was without the optional ABS, but the dual front, single rear disk brakes were nonetheless very effective.

When idling, the CVT autobox is not engaged and you need just a small turn of the throttle to amble along at a stroll. This makes squeezing through stationary or slow-moving traffic a breeze and the autobox ensures youre in the right “gear” for immediate acceleration as the traffic starts to flow.

Likes/dislikes

Like: For commuting its hard to fault and as a city runabout for bread-and-milk trips it excels. That little cubby hole, although a bit flimsy, is a nifty feature.

Dislike: The price is a problem, as is the limited under-seat storage space.

Verdict and rating

The T-Max 530 is exceptional for commuting and certainly an option for anyone who is looking for a machine that can take on highway traffic. I’d be more impressed if it wasn’t so damn expensive, though. 7/10

Also Consider

BMW C600 Sport, Suzuki Burgman AN400, SYM GTS 300i

Specifications of the Yamaha T-Max 530

  • Engine  530 cc, parallel twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve
  • Gearbox  constantly variable (CVT), belt final drive
  • Power  33.5 kW @ 6 750r/min
  • Torque  52.3 Nm @ 5 250r/min
  • Weight  217 kg  (wet, ready to ride)
  • Seat height  800 mm
  • Fuel capacity  15 litres
  • Fuel consumption  5 litres/100km (claimed)
  • Warranty and servicing  Two-year unlimited kilometres warranty
  • Price  R105 950 (R109 950 for the ABS version)
  • Review and pictures  Louis Fourie, December 2012

More info from yamaha.co.za

 

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