Yamaha TMAX 500 Scooter Review

by Steve
(Baltimore, MD)

Yamaha TMAX 500

Yamaha TMAX 500

On my Yamaha TMAX 500, I like everything but the seat height, because I have to stand on my tip toes. It handles much better than a lot of motorcycles I've ridden over the past 40+ yrs, plus gets better gas mileage.


There is some wind noise, but I think a higher windshield would fix that.

Comments for Yamaha TMAX 500 Scooter Review

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Sep 05, 2014
Rating
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Tmax 500 NEW
by: Jerbear

We have (3) 2009 Tmax's in our Family! They Kick Ass against most Motorcycles in the 600cc to 1000 Range! We have taken 1200 mile Trips many times and are always asked "What the Hell are those" Like my Wife has said to other Motorcycle Riders she has outrun, "they are motor scooters, and not only did you get outrun by one, you got outrun by an Old Lady on one!

Sep 05, 2014
Rating
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Tmax 500 NEW
by: Jerbear

We have (3) 2009 Tmax's in our Family! They Kick Ass against most Motorcycles in the 600cc to 1000 Range! We have taken 1200 mile Trips many times and are always asked "What the Hell are those" Like my Wife has said to other Motorcycle Riders she has outrun, "they are motor scooters, and not only did you get outrun by one, you got outrun by an Old Lady on one!

Jul 04, 2012
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Poor Engine NEW
by: Gordon

Test rode the 2011 TMAX feels great, excellent brakes, comfortable it has everything you want but the let down in my opinion is the engine.

It's very noisy and has poor power. Maybe I am expecting more torque but the engine certainly does not satisfy me.

Jul 04, 2012
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Poor Engine NEW
by: Anonymous

Test rode the 2011 TMAX feels great, excellent brakes, comfortable it has everything you want but the let down in my opinion is the engine.

It's very noisy and has poor power. Maybe I am expecting more torque but the engine certainly does not satisfy me.

Jan 16, 2012
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A proven performance.
by: Anonymous

Hi Raydoug,
I can understand your situation coming from such a place where scooters are looked upon as something for ladies the perception can be quite negative, but you have opened their eyes and proven them wrong.
Well done!!! Ride hard and ride safe!! :)

Jan 16, 2012
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Max Baby!
by: Anonymous

TMAX: Raydoug!
I Live In Evansville In Love My Max.
A My Friends Ride Harley's And Victory's
I'm The Out-Kast... LOL That Said They Where Taking A Trip To Atlanta. It's About
A 6hr Ride. I Said I'll Go They Laughed At
Me And Said You'll Slow Us Down... LOL
15 Of Us When 9 Made The Whole Trip.....
The TMAX Is Now Respected! All Over Evansville In :)

Nov 08, 2011
Rating
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My favorite bike, the T Max 500
by: Trublue

I am now 53 and was riding a 2005 Gen 1, Hayabusa and a Honda Silver Wing 400. This was because although the Hayabusa was a very good bike I had problems when I need to carry a bit of stuffs with me bec it is more of a Hyper Sports Bike than a tourer which it claimed to be. After riding the Busa for around 2 years I got myself a Silver Wing 400 with very low mileage of 16,000 kms and at a good bargain.
I was beginning to ride more and more of my Silver Wing that I soon realised that the Busa was almost neglected to the point that her battery went flat. Noticing my predicament, my regular mechanics promoted the T Max to me claiming it to be a much better performing bike than the Silver Wing. Then one day a very nice and beautiful condition 2009 T Max with a mileage of 6,200 miles came in for sale. My mechanics quickly called me up and without hesitation I traded both my bikes for the T Max. This was because it serves to replace both my previous bike and scooter well, with speed, agility, great cornering better than a sports bike and much of everything that I needed.
Don't get me wrong, the Busa was a fantastic bike which never failed me but there were times that I get a little worried because it wld accelerate like nothing effortlessly once on the highway, easily touching 140 km/h once I reached top gear. I guess I have been lucky because in the 3 years I rode it I never got a ticket for speeding, but I did get one on the Silver Wing by a speed trap.
As the T Max performs well and pick ups are nonetheless quite good as well, it seems almost a natural transition for riders who have had their fair share of fun on the Busa and want to "step down" going for the T Max as the next bike.
However, the just launched T Max with its 530cc engine looks like a let down, many was thinking and hoping that it would be a 750cc engine upgrade.

Nov 08, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
My favorite bike
by: Trublue

I am now 53 and was riding a 2005 Gen 1, Hayabusa and a Honda Silver Wing 400. This was because although the Hayabusa was a very good bike I had problems when I need to carry a bit of stuffs with me bec it is more of a Hyper Sports Bike than a tourer which it claimed to be. After riding the Busa for around 2 years I got myself a Silver Wing 400 with very low mileage of 16,000 kms and at a good bargain.
I was beginning to ride more and more of my Silver Wing that I soon realised that the Busa was almost neglected to the point that her battery went flat. Noticing my predicament, my regular mechanics promoted the T Max to me claiming it to be a much better performing bike than the Silver Wing. Then one day a very nice and beautiful condition 2009 T Max with a mileage of 6,200 miles came in for sale. My mechanics quickly called me up and without hesitation I traded both my bikes for the T Max. This was because it serves to replace both my previous bike and scooter well, with speed, agility, great cornering better than a sports bike and much of everything that I needed.
Don't get me wrong, the Busa was a fantastic bike which never failed me but there were times that I get a little worried because it wld accelerate like nothing effortlessly once on the highway, easily touching 140 km/h once I reached top gear. I guess I have been lucky because in the 3 years I rode it I never got a ticket for speeding, but I did get one on the Silver Wing by a speed trap.
As the T Max performs well and pick ups are nonetheless quite good as well, it seems almost a natural transition for riders who have had their fair share of fun on the Busa and want to "step down" going for the T Max as the next bike.
However, the just launched T Max with its 530cc engine looks like a let down, many was thinking and hoping that it would be a 750cc engine upgrade.

Jul 19, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Tmax 500
by: Sue

How did you cut the seat to lower the tmax??

Jul 10, 2011
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seat height
by: Christos

I have a 2009 T-Max with 11000 klm. I am very happy with is except the seat height because I am 5'5". So I had the seat cut out about 2 inches. Now the height is much better but on long rides it is uncomfortable and tiring.

Aug 11, 2010
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Yep! Seat is too high but I LOVE my TMAX!
by: Nancy

If you go to shoebuy.com, you can order a pair of platform boots that will give you any where from three to seven inches additional height. You will have to see what they have there for men but for women, you can choose the "Frankensteins" I just ordered or pick more of a "Bordello" boot. I am not into the Gothic look (or Bordello) but if it gets me out of the garage easier...who cares??

Until there is a lower seat option, I will happily be the bride of Frankenstein for my TMAX 500.

Happy Biking!

Jun 15, 2010
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Not a race bike
by: Anonymous

I own a 2009 Tmax and I am always forced to prove its race ability against crotch rockets.
Its not near as quick or fast as a crotch rocket, but it can handle tight curves as good as or better than most crotch rockets.
I can take the Tmax around a curve faster and with more confidence, most times I can leave a crotch rocket in my dust around a curve.
The crotch rocket riders have to brag about how they passed me up, but I have to tell them its a "scooter"! and remind them how I out-did them on the curves. They must be an unexperienced rider when a scooter passes their crotch rocket on a tight curve!
#1 The Tmax IS NOT a racing bike! Its a scooter!
#2 Don't buy the Tmax to race or pop wheelies
#3 You will get harrassed by other bikers
#4 The stock windscreen sucks
#5 Its heavy and difficult to back up
#6 gas mileage isn't that great 45-50 mpg
#7 brakes can be improved

Apr 21, 2010
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No, Rider it too short :)
by: Anonymous

There are really not a lot of height adjustments options for the TMAX. I've looked. It's not just the height, the seat is rather wide compared to other bikes. If you are on the shorter side you find yourself moving forward on the seat (where its narrower) when you stop so you can easily reach. If you're shorter than 5'4", I would sit on one in a showroom to check your fit.

It's generally not a problem however, since the bike is well balanced with a low center of gravity. It's just an annoyance for an otherwise great bike.

Apr 19, 2010
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Scooter too tall?
by: Anonymous

I am sure you can have the height altered. The first thing I would do is to see if the seat can be cut down to give you a few inches without having to mess with the shocks. (shock?) There may even be a custom seat available. There have been complaints, so look to see if you can buy one and simply bolt it on. Wouldn't be surprised to see a seat that goes down 4 whole inches.

Apr 12, 2010
Rating
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Good but a bit expensive...
by: Anonymous

Ive owned my 09 TMax for almost a year. Overall it is an excellent bike. I say bike because its borderline sport bike rather than scooter. If you are considering a motorcycle but dont want to deal with gears this is a great alternative.

Even though the bike is expensive, my insurance premiums went down considerably because its a scooter even though its 500cc engine is almost as big as the 650cc motorcycle I traded in on it.

So far no major complains. I generally use it to run back/forth to work and around town, but it easily keeps up with highway traffic.

Pros:
* Plenty of pickup and good stopping.
* Good storage plus glove boxes.
* Better insurance rates than a motorcycle (since its a scooter)
* Despite its weight its easy to handle (has a low center of gravity)
* Comfortable on long rides.
* Ok mileage for a scooter (40-50 mpg)
* Looks like a bike (other bikers will wave rather than look the other way)
* Can easily handle two riders even on long trips.
* Can easily keep up with highway traffic (70-80 mph)

Cons:
* High seat height means tip toes for a lot of people (me included)
* Turning radius could be better (backing out of my garage is annoying)
* Seems overly wide, reminds me more of a snowmobile than a bike.
* Pricey for a scooter (but of course its the top of the line)
* Takes up alot of floor space in the garage.
* Forget trying to work on it yourself. (Everything is covered by molded plastic)

Apr 08, 2010
Rating
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Love It
by: Anonymous

I love my TMAX 500, I love everything about it, the way it handles, the style, it's comfortable, like I said everything except for the height. In the state I live in, we can not test drive/ride motorcycles or scooters, and standing and sitting on a bike is one thing but to get out there and ride is different.

I am 5-3", I should have been smarter, and I believe that the store should have never sold me the TMAX, because I can not safely touch the ground. I have made it work; I had 2 inches added to my booth so I can reach the ground.

Does anyone know of a lowering kit for the TMAX?

May 25, 2009
Rating
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I LOVE MY TMAX 500
by: Anonymous

I just bought a Tmax 500 a week ago and I LOVE IT! I test drove many bikes before buying this one. I to had wished the seat was a little lower because I am only 5-7", but you get use to it. Also you can put both feet flat on the ground if you scoot up off the seat. Which was recommended to me. Easier to manuver out of parking spaces without losing balance.

Like I said I test drove many bikes. I drove the Aprilia Mana 850, a Ridley, and a CF-MOTO and the only one I liked was the Aprilia Mana 850. Until I road the TMAX 500. The Tmax is easier to control, more comfortable, seat and foot position. So many things I like! Anyway I can't shift a motorcycle and needed an automatic something. I tried them all and I love the TMAX 500.

Dec 30, 2008
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TMAX accessories
by: Eilish

There are lots of accessories for the TMAX made by Yamaha for example, luggage options like a portable console bag, rear rack and lockable luggage case, tinted sport windshield, a DC outlet plug for rechargeables. This scooter is new but will be a major player for discerning riders. http://blog.yamahagenuineparts.com/search/label/TMAX

Dec 10, 2008
Rating
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More Detail Would Be Appreciated
by: Kathi

I'd love to see more detail on this scooter, Steve, if you can share by leaving additional comments here. Or, if anyone else knows the Yamaha TMAX?

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