Yamaha TMAX

XP 500 TMAX

Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Company
Production	2001–present
Class	Maxi-scooter
Engine	Counter-balanced, water-cooled parallel-twin
Bore / stroke	66 mm × 73 mm
Ignition type	Digital Transistorized Coil
Transmission	CVT
Suspension	Front: Telescopic forks Rear: monoshock swingarm
Brakes	Front: Dual 4 piston monoblock calipers / 267mm rotors Rear: Single dual piston monoblock caliper / 267 mm rotor
Tires	Front 120/70R15 Rear: 160/60R15
Wheelbase	62.2 inches
Dimensions	L: 86.4 inches W: 30.5 inches H: 56.9 inches
Seat height	31.5 inches
Fuel capacity	4 Gallons
Oil capacity	3.08 quarts
Fuel consumption	47 mpg
Turning radius	110 inches

The Yamaha XP 500 TMAX is a maxi-scooter manufactured by the Yamaha Motor Company. It was introduced in Europe in 2001 with the second generation TMAX being released in 2008. The second generation TMAX was also released into the USA market for the 2009 model year.

The XP500 was the second Yamaha maxi-scooter introduced, the first being the XP250 Majesty in 1996. The TMAX combines motorcycle performance with the convenience and flexibility for commuting of a scooter. The TMAX follows a large scooter configuration with a parallel-twin cylinder, counterbalanced water-cooled 499 cc, fuel-injected engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) supported by a cast-aluminium frame. The final drive to the rear wheel is a chain inside the left swingarm in an oil bath and the engine is mounted on the frame rather than on the swing arm, which is the convention on most scooters. The TMAX also has quad piston brake calipers in front similar to the Yamaha YZF-R6 sport bike, and 43 mm telescopic forks.

First generation, 2001 - 2003

2001 marked the launch of this revolutionary scooter with the riding behaviour and performances of a motorcycle.

The twin cylinder, 500cc engine was completely novel at the time.

Unlike any existing scooters, the TMAX had a high-rigidity frame with the engine mounted fixed to the frame.

Other scooters had single cylinder engines that were one unit with the swingarm, rotating in the frame so on every bump the whole engine had to move up and down.

TMAX roadholding capabilities were unrivaled, also because the engine was mounted far to the front. This made the weight distribution like a motorcycle, with much better feel for the front wheel.

The excellent wind protection and ample space for rider and passenger made it possible to make long trips. This scooter was not confined to the cities anymore!

Being great fun to ride on small twisty roads as well as on motorways or in the cities, TMAX was a big success. Thanks to its excellent roadholding, it far outsold competitors who came to the market later, with higher-cc machines that were actually not as much fun to ride as TMAX!

François-Marie Dumas, scooter enthusiast, author of publications on scooters and motorcycles and consultant to Yamaha Product Planning, was involved in T-Max's early stage of concept development. He looks at history of big scooters and draws his conclusions: T-Max, the first horizontal parallel twin 4-stroke ever built is the synthesis of scooter and motorcycle. He recalls engineers dreams to combine this two categories in the last century.

First generation, 2001 - 2003

Engine	499 cc parallel twin
Bore / stroke	66 mm × 73 mm
Compression ratio	10.1:1
Power	44 bhp (33 kW; 45 PS) at 7,000 rpm
Torque	45.8 N·m (33.8 lb·ft; 4.67 kg·m) at 5,500 rpm
Suspension	Front: 38 mm telescopic forks Rear: swingarm
Wheelbase	1,575 mm (5.167 ft)
Dimensions	L: 2,235 mm (7.333 ft) W: 775 mm (2.543 ft) H: 1,410 mm (4.63 ft)
Seat height	795 mm (31.3 in)
Weight	197 kg (434 lb) (dry) 217 kg (478 lb) (wet)
Fuel capacity	14 L (3.1 imp gal; 3.7 US gal)
Oil capacity	3.6 L (0.79 imp gal; 0.95 US gal)

Second generation ( Upgrade ) 2004 - 2007 ( ABS )

Engine and chassis changes:

• Engine with increased compression ratio and fuel injection instead of carburettor raises the power output from 40 to 44 HP.'• The front fork size is increased and the wheels feature an updated 5-spoke design instead of 3-spoke. Front and rear tyres are wider and the rear wheel size is now 15 inch instead of 14 inch.

• The front brake system is changed from single disk to dual disks. A parking brake system is fitted to the rear brake.

• Dashboard design is updated and now incorporates an rpm counter, and an anti-theft immobiliser system is also fitted as standard equipment

 ABS introduced on 2005 model.
   2006 model - New BLACK MAX Special Version 
  • Matt-black fairing and gunmetal-painted frame cover 
  • Red-painted brake calipers plus two-tone red/black seat 
  • Polished front and rear rims

Third generation, 2008 - 2011

• Complete redesign with new bodywork and new frame

• Aluminum frame instead of steel frame for lighter weight

• New wheel design and 15 inch front wheel instead of 14 inch

• Front fork diameter increased from 41 to 43 mm

• More sports oriented setup of suspensions and more aggressive brakes with monobloc front brake calipers

• Fuel tank capacity increased from 14 to 15 litres

• New dashboard/interior design with second glove box added and ignition key location moved to the center

Third generation, 2008 - 2011

Compression ratio	11.1:1
Transmission	CVT, chain final drive
Suspension	Front: 43 mm (1.7 in) telescopic forks Rear: swingarm
Wheelbase	1,580 mm (5.18 ft)
Seat height	800 mm (31 in)
Weight	222 kg (489 lb) (wet)
Fuel capacity	15 L (4 US gal)

Fourth generation (XP530), 2012 - 2014

TMAX 2012. More lightweight, more power, more TMAX than ever.

The previous TMAX was already a perfectly balanced vehicle" says Naoki Segawa who was guiding the development process.

"Our challenge was how to improve the performance while keeping all the good points of the previous model."

For 2012, the engine capacity was increased to 530 cc, the chain drive was replaced by a belt to reduce maintenance, and the swing arm is made of aluminium.

Project Leader Takahata adds:

"It was quite difficult to achieve our targets while keeping the fantastic balance of the current TMAX. But our team made a huge effort, believing that "Only TMAX can exceed TMAX”!

Fifth generation (2015) - present

For the 2015 model year Yamaha further improved the style and handling of the TMAX and added several new features. Handling was upgraded via a switch to inverted front forks. These new forks are slightly smaller diameter (41mm vs 43mm) and have the same travel (4.7”) but the inverted design reduced unsprung weight and should be more sensitive.

Yamaha also switched to a new radially mounted 4 piston caliper for the front brake. The specs are the same as the previous front brake (4 piston caliper, dual 267mm discs) but performance is claimed to be improved.

The rest of the 2015 changes focused on amenities and style. Yamaha added a “Smart Key” that remotely controls the fuel cap and storage compartment locks. There’s also been a switch to LED headlights and updates to the LED marker lights. Also new are the mirrors (which still fold like the 2012 - 2014 mirrors) and a 12V accessory port. In terms of style, Yamaha restyled the front end to achieve a closer resemblance to their sport bikes. It’s a good look that reduces the busy styling of the second version. Yamaha also revised the front fender. With the changes, the TMAX gains 4 pounds to 485 lbs.

External links

• Official TMAX model home
• scooters at DMOZ
• http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/designcafe/en/index.aspx?view=article&id=442660&segment=&archive=false&page=1