Motorcycles

Commuting needn't be boring on the Yamaha TMAX 530

Electronic throttle control makes its Yamaha scooter debut on the TMAX
Electronic throttle control makes its Yamaha scooter debut on the TMAX

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of all the beastly super-nakeds and concepts being released at EICMA, but there are also plenty of interesting things going on in the (admittedly, more mundane) world of scooters and commuters. Take the new Yamaha TMAX 530, which has been treated to an electric throttle and a lighter frame for a sportier, more engaging ride.

According to Yamaha, fitting the TMAX with a new electronically controlled throttle will make for a much smarter, sportier ride. Loz Blain discovered just how much fun maxi scooters are while chasing a Repsol Honda Fireblade on the launch of the BMW C650 Sport, so it will be interesting to see if the TMAX possesses the same superbike-humbling potential.

The electronic enhancement on board doesn't stop with a new throttle, though, because traction control is now standard across the range. Buyers who spec their bikes in more luxurious DX trim will also get cruise control and an electronically height-adjustable windscreen.

Although electronic tweaks make up a big part of the TMAX upgrade, they're not the only changes. A fresh exhaust frees up more torque from the 530 cc engine, and the link-type rear suspension has been designed to deliver a smooth ride across the worst highways and city streets Europe can throw at it. Beyond city limits, keen riders are likely to notice the scooter's totally redesigned frame, which is now 9 kg (20 lb) lighter than before.

At the moment, the TMAX is aimed firmly at Europe, where Yamaha hopes to shift 15,000 units in the its first full year on sale. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the new TMAX 530 is unlikely to cost much more than the current model, which starts from US$10,490.

Source: Yamaha Europe via MyNewsDesk

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3 comments
paulblez
Never mind all that high tech stuff, have the tight-wads at Yamaha fitted a simple phone/GPS/WHY electrical charge socket as standard yet? It's unbelievable that it was still a $200 'optional extra' on the first Tmax530 back in 2011 when all the other manufacturers had been offering them as standard for the previous decade! Equally important, but not mentioned either, is whether this new rear suspension actually offers any adjustment, unlike the previous 4 iterations of the Tmax!
Tom Lee Mullins
I find that to be very appealing. Not one for motorcycles since they have a manual transmission, I find the scooter more appealing with its CVT plus it does not have the negative image that motorcycles have. I find this one to be very desirable.
YouAre
It's a great looking and superbly engineered scooter that I could buy if I didn't know that an average velomobile (vm) fitted with a good hub motor and a DIY battery produces a safer, healthier, and cheaper result. Just for one person, slower and need some muscle work, but a vm offers a better range for much less money.