Yamaha Tmax SX, the sixth generation is the sportiest ever [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

Who would have thought that in its first 5 generations it would be able to find well 230 thousand customers, Of which as many as 140 thousand in Italy itself? A price certainly not within everyone's reach has made it a status symbol instead of driving away customers, making a case study (this is technically defined as inverse price elasticity of demand). With time and with the first used examples becoming accessible to a wider audience, Yamaha ended up having an image problem. There's no denying it, if we think about the Tmax, the idea that immediately comes to mind is that of someone who drives it in a rude manner, perhaps with a bowl-shaped helmet and a cell phone stuck in.

The sixth generation aims to raise the bar and make us forget this image, with a sporty look, but more refined and elegant and with considerably more equipment. A half revolution, even if it also remains faithful to all the characteristics known to its admirers, first and foremost the perfect mix between performance and comfort, as well as the very high perceived quality.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Sharp look and an extra touch of elegance

A successful product cannot be changed, or at least it is done while remaining consistent. At Yamaha they have been able to evolve the Tmax over its six generations, leaving its style and some elements, which have become a trademark, unchanged, while inserting some new ones. For example, the external and clearly visible final drive belt, which debuted with the fifth generation, the one which saw the engine rise to 530 cc. The evolution, just to give a small summary, saw the second Tmax equip itself with the double front disc in 2004, and then in 2008 even move to the same braking system as the super sports cars from the Iwata company, together with the adoption of the aluminum frame and of the 15" rim. The fourth Tmax is perhaps the least revolutionized, but two years later comes the transition to a higher displacement and a substantial package of innovations, both technical and technological, given that it is also the first without a physical key.

A charismatic and easily recognizable product that has been able to repel the various attempts of the competition, remaining the undisputed king in its segment. With the latest version the nose has become more compact and elegantly aggressive, thanks to the chrome profiles that frame the lenses, but above all thanks to the four LED headlights. The swingarm is longer and more visible from an aesthetic point of view.

The Smart Key system is confirmed, but it has been renewed and also offers new features, such as locking the central stand. It is now more intuitive and immediate in its use. The instrumentation is new, modern and captivating, with a nice monochrome TFT display, in the center of the two circular instruments. A defect? The Tmax may not be perfect, but it has very few, one is the position of the buttons to open the saddle and tank, which have been placed in front of the saddle, where however it is easy to touch with your legs, especially if you ride a bit forward to avoid having your arms stretched too far forward.

Engine and performance:

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The 530 has a sportier character thanks to the new electronics and gains the TCS

Already touched by a growth in displacement with the previous generation, the twin-cylinder 530 remains substantially unchanged in terms of its numbers, with the power of 46 horsepower delivered at 6.750 rpm, with a torque of 53 Nm (+1) at 5.250. However, the news is still substantial, because first of all it passes to the directives Euro 4, then finally comes the traction control, combined with a type throttle control ride by wire, which however retains the wire to keep the command feedback unchanged. On the SX of our test we also find the D-MODE to choose between T (touring) and S (Sport) modes, which act on the power delivery and therefore also on the sound of the exhaust, which becomes more polite or sporty. The transmission belt is also new, still in plain sight, but now just 25 mm wide instead of 40, thanks to the use of carbon.

Despite compliance with more severe directives in terms of pollution, the exhaust manages to be more compact than the previous one, as well as more inclined upwards and therefore a little more aggressive and with character. The engine is confirmed by double soul, because the Tmax can be very sporty, but also sweet and smooth from the minimum, so much so that you can easily proceed even at walking pace, without the slightest hesitation. The merits, for the first time, also come from the management of the throttle control, which adopts the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle solution (YCC-T), for the first time in combination with the automatic transmission of a scooter. A practically mandatory solution to get the Traction Control System (TCS), which many have been asking him for some time. Of course, the power of 46 horsepower isn't scary on paper, but giving full throttle with the wheel at an angle or in non-optimal grip conditions could very easily cause the rear to slip, which is now kept at bay by the reins of the electronics. It acts on two levels, depending on the driving mode selected, without almost ever becoming invasive. The classic city cobblestone produces a little more cut than would really be necessary, but nothing particularly annoying.

An engine that is truly spot on and refined and improved by the new electronics, which is loved in city use as well as in mixed extra-urban use, but which manages to have a pleasant acceleration even on the motorway, where at code speed you travel easily, without forcing the engine speed is too high.

Ride and handling:

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He goes on a diet and changes his odds, the feeling remains unchanged, his performance increases

As mentioned, the Tmax are now three. In addition to the Standard the SX and the DX arrive, the first sporty, the second luxurious, with a very rich equipment and many comforts. The new front is sharp, defined by the full LED light unit. Attention to every detail, under the skin he loses 9 kg, dropping to 213 (3 more than the DX), above all thanks to the frame, again in aluminium, but with the rear area in plastic, which also gives greater capacity to the underseat compartment, which can now also contain two helmets.

The chassis dimensions change, the trail increases while the wheelbase decreases by 5 mm. The rear swingarm is 40 mm longer, to the benefit of stability and traction. The tire sizes are unchanged, 15" and with a 160 at the rear which however now rests on a 4.5" channel, compared to the previous 5. Solution which, together with the new original equipment covers, in this case the Bridgestone Battlax SC, has allowed a reduction in unsprung masses of 1 kg.

The riding position is an almost perfect mix of comfort and sportiness. The Tmax is the sportiest scooter and improves a lot with its sixth generation. The low center of gravity gives it record-breaking handling in the city, despite its not so small weight and dimensions, but it is when leaning, on tight or fast curves that the king of sports scooters shows its true soul. Also in this case, an expansion of the differences between city use and more sporting use was sought, with the suspensions now being more progressive in their action, also thanks to the new system, precisely with progressive linkages for the rear shock absorber horizontal, which thus manages to digest the roughness better, but at the same time to be more consistent in the next part of its excursion.

Price and consumption:

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It raises the bar, even in price, but offers many interesting innovations

With My TMAX Connect it is now possible to connect the scooter with a smartphone, taking advantage of the functions linked to the use of the vehicle, with a report on distance traveled and much more, but also in terms of safety, given that the Tmax uses a GPS (standard on the SX or DX) which signals, by raising an alarm, any movements when it is off, as could happen if a thief had loaded it into a van.

As for the price, we said at the beginning, the high cost was one of the reasons thanks to which the Tmax became a status symbol and a best seller. This confirms a demanding price list, given that they are 11.490 euros to buy a Tmax Standard, you go up to 12.290 for the sporty SX version, while the comforts of the DX cost 13.390 euros. In the latter case, Cruise Control, electric windshield, adjustable rear suspension, as well as heated grips and saddle, make it the king of sports scooters in terms of comfort and medium and long range touring. In all cases, with YamahaGo, it is possible to finance the purchase, with monthly installments of 149 euros and with the option, after 3 years, to change, keep or return the Tmax.

All three Tmax offer the predisposition for the Dainese D-AIR safety system, while the colors available are Midnight Black for the standard version, Matt Silver, Liquid Darkness for the SX, Phantom Blue and Liquid Darkness for the DX. As for consumption, they are confirmed as good, but not excellent (especially if you make the comparison with the Honda Integra or its "SUV" variant X-ADV). The final data of our test stood at an average of 18.5 km per liter, in the middle of what can be achieved with a sporty style (15-16 per liter), or a more relaxed one (even over 20 km/l ).

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Performance, quality, ability to adapt perfectly to urban and non-urban use
We do not like it:
Position of saddle and tank buttons, price (but it is a key element of its success)

Yamaha Tmax SX MY 2017: the Motorionline Report Card

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Tester clothing:
Gloves: Dainese Carbon D1 Short
Jacket: Dainese Bryan Leather Jacket
Pants: Dainese Bonneville Regular
Shoes: Dainese Street Rocker D-WP
Helmet: Caberg Ghost Carbon