Yam XMAX-anyone got one? Opinions?

[WhiteNoise]

Sorry, I'm backing up a moment folks.
Glen did you make the trip? Weather good to you? How'd it go with the Xmax? Or did I miss your report?

[Jge64]

Trip was great… Averaged about 65 to 68 miles per gallon, but I am hard on the throttle. As I've written I believe in getting off the line as quick as possible to save the clutch glazing, one thing that I think is different between this and the PCX, is this bike is far more sporty, handles better, takes curves better… It truly is a sports oriented application. Overall I'm not enamored with these radial scootsmart tires, I think they make noise and ride a bit hard, replacing with city grips sometime in '19. Also very happy with the new scorpion pipe, at cruise it's virtually silent, but at idle and acceleration it's got a real nice throat to it with the DB killer installed. Stock windshield in the up position with a puig deflector makes the ride virtually wind free.

The optional comfort seat is starting to really mold in well, it's memory foam. 3 1/2 hours in the saddle both ways, and no butt pain at all. I love that I no longer need saddlebags or a rear top case, I think the bike looks so sleek without luggage, and everything fits under the seat for a five-day trip…my 30L Kriega bag straps to pillion area if I need it.

[Old Grinner]

The optional comfort seat is starting to really mold in well, it's memory foam. 3 1/2 hours in the saddle both ways, and no butt pain at all. I love that I no longer need saddlebags or a rear top case, I think the bike looks so sleek without luggage, and everything fits under the seat for a five-day trip…my 30L Kriega bag straps to pillion area if I need it.

I know exactly what you mean about not needing more storage capacity . . ..

Glad your optional seat is working out. As I've said before I'd still have my PCX if the seat was more comfortable for me. No sense riding in pain.

I've got a 2019 XMax set aside for me right now. . .didn't need a week to decide after all. . . it seems that good!

I told the salesman today I decided not to order the backrest and since I've got a top box on my Zuma 125 for around town errands I think having one on my XMax would be redundant. After watching a bunch of videos and comparing the options I think I like it better just the way it is. When I saw the volume of storage capacity first hand I was amazed. The seat seemed really comfortable too but that was just sitting on it in the showroom. I feel confident it will be fine. Actually I was more concerned about the leg room but that exceeded my expectations.

At this stage it looks like I'll have it in my garage the week after next. Just as well. . .we are expecting snow next week and I don't want it delivered in a snow storm.

[Jge64]

Look for the $15 piece of acrylic off eBay that divides the xmax luggage compartment into two sections so stuff doesn't roll around… Well worth it. Or make your own by taking the measurements and going to Lowe's.

A bunch of us with Xmaxes are showing mods here, start on about page 50 or so…

https://advrider.com/f/threads/new-xmax ... 78/page-40

[Oldie]

Just a small point re the Xmax - I found that the footboards were a little tight for space if I wanted to bring my feet back, although I just might have big feet

[Old Grinner]

Just a small point re the Xmax - I found that the footboards were a little tight for space if I wanted to bring my feet back, although I just might have big feet

I'll check that the next visit to the dealership.

I did look at Jge64's photo and can see the potential for narrowness if one tries to move their feet back. However, I've been so used to having my feet forward on the Zuma that when I sat on the XMax it felt natural having my feet where they lined up on the footrest board. For my height my legs are on the shorter side so maybe that helps also.

Just for curiosity sake I'll also see what it's like trying to use the passenger foot pegs if I sit or lean back more. But my first impression is that could be awkward. They may be only useful from the pillion . . ..

[Jge64]

Somewhere on YouTube or a review, it was pointed out that Yamaha didn't want your feet sliding back-and-forth and around , it wanted them locked in place for sport riding… Makes sense....

[Old Grinner]

Look for the $15 piece of acrylic off eBay that divides the xmax luggage compartment into two sections so stuff doesn't roll around… Well worth it. Or make your own by taking the measurements and going to Lowe's.

A bunch of us with Xmaxes are showing mods here, start on about page 50 or so…

https://advrider.com/f/threads/new-xmax ... 78/page-40

Yeah. . . I may join that Forum also. Seems like a lot of Yamaha fans there too. I guess they call the members "Inmates".

[Old Grinner]

I saw this on YouTube and although it pertains to and older TMax 500 and it's a bit long in the tooth I thought it may be a good idea if someone was thinking about putting an accessible battery charger link on an XMax 300. Just guessing because I don't have mine yet to study. But the batteries/fuses are in the same general area up front and the right side glove box can be opened at any time.

From what I understand a "Panel A" and a couple of screws need to be removed from the front of the scooter below the windscreen to access the XMax 300 battery. It may be too much of a hassle but figured I'd post this anyways. . ..

The XMax seems like a refined scoot with a lot of tech engineered into it but I hope it won't be a battery eater or need recharging often. There may be time times. . .especially in the colder months. . . where I won't get to ride it often. That said I do use my Zuma 125 all the time as long as the roads are clear and it's not extremely cold.

[Jge64]

you are overthinking...rather than extrapolating how the xmax might work, download an owners manual and read that twice.

the battery is accessable with two screws that slide off the front end in about15 secs....

[Old Grinner]

the battery is accessable with two screws that slide off the front end in about15 secs....

Most excellent!

Thanks for letting me know. . .15 seconds works for me and I'll be careful not to crack anything.

I've heard the maintenance on the TMax is more difficult than the XMax. Clearly the video showed what the guy had to go through on his older model just to access his battery.

I've had the Yamaha XMax (2018) Owner's manual file downloaded for some time now and am glad Panel "A" is an easy removal even after the two screws are removed.

As far as reading the manual? I've figured it's going to take beaucoup study sessions to assimilate all that knowledge. Just the "Smart Key" and "Multifunction Display" sections alone are going to be worth sending out for a pizza now and then.

I did notice that the specs for the coolant are a bit vague. They have the capacity noted but basically tell you to take it to your Yamaha Dealer to get the coolant changed. I prefer to do it on my own. And that said I think the Honda HP Coolant that doesn't contain any silicates to be non-abrasive . . . the same stuff to use in the PCX . . . may be my "go to" coolant. It can't hurt. And it's good for -34 F. up to 265 F. with a 15 psi radiator cap.

If space allows hopefully I'll be able to get the terminal clamps in there for the Battery Tender without removing the battery . . . or maybe I'll hook up the the permanent connection and just leave it loose and "plug in" when needed. There are 7.5A inline fuses already built into the cables.

100_5573a.jpg

As an added note I've discovered over the years that those plastic zip-shut packs that you get in some stores that sell blankets or furniture covers and stuff really come in handy as storage containers later on or even for carrying stuff on a motorcycle or scooter to keep the contents relatively dry. I've been using the big one shown in the pic for my Battery Tender items and I've used smaller ones for keeping various items together when transporting them in the scooter. The ones I've gotten seem to last forever and for just being packaging you'd think they'd fall apart in short order. Free stuff is great!

[Jge64]

@ 4 months/3000 miles, batt is perfect....replaced stock batt with a lithium, just cause I like 'em ...5lbs lighter thsn stock....

coolant? I'll worry about that in a few years....

batt tnder cable easily pokes out of front under windshield for easy connect anytime.

I love batt up front vs under seat, much easier to get to....

[big bear]

the front cover is not hard to take off i but leads on my terminals and have a wire coming out under the front panel i hook the battery tender up when its parked

[E. Foster Salsbury]

...I love batt up front vs under seat, much easier to get to....

I like having the battery under the seat on my Forza. Keeps it low and centered in the bike.
You only need to get to it every 4 years anyway.

[Old Grinner]

I like having the battery under the seat on my Forza. Keeps it low and centered in the bike.
You only need to get to it every 4 years anyway.

I guess it depends upon how the sprung weight is distributed and how it effects handling overall. The Engineers can have at it . . ..

One of the Italian reviews I watched that directly compared the new Forza 300 to the XMax 300 basically summed it up that both machines were good and choose the one that works best for you. That said they remarked that the Forza was more relaxed and lay back whereas the XMax was a bit faster and sportier.

Having a little extra weight over the front end may not be such a bad thing for keeping the wheel planted and it may open up more space for storage under the seat. It seems like an OK idea to me. I'm relieved that it's not a major task to remove the front panel to access it. I'll know how it all works when I take it for that first ride. I can say that moving it on and off the center stand and maneuvering it around the showroom floor a bit gave me a "balanced" feeling. The front end didn't feel unusually heavy or burdensome to steer.

The electronics and frills of the newer high tech machines put more demand on the batteries even when they aren't being ridden. Which means that we who live in the regions of the planet that get cold and unruly for a few months of the year may not ride as often as we'd wish. So the machines sit idle and the background electronics (like the clock etc . . .) march onward sapping the battery of it's strength. Riding often gives it the spark and vitality it needs but no activity means it's time to engage the trickle charger and hope the "fully charged" indicator comes on eventually.

TBH I can do without a "Smart Key", clock, fuel gauge, fuel economy calculation in several different modes, "Welcome" statement, voltage readout, service reminder, and anything else above and beyond a key to turn it on . . . open the seat or lids . . . or lock the steering head, a speedometer, tripmeter, odometer, and fuel reserve switch.

Somehow I was able to ride all these years without having something reminding me or letting me know the latest and greatest. I didn't want to marry it . . . just ride it.

I remember back in the '70's when one of the members in my college motorcycle club bought a Suzuki 380 GT. We thought it was fast and all that but considered the gear shift indicator an insult to the rider. It's like we didn't feel we needed to be told what gear we were in. If we didn't know then maybe we shouldn't be riding the thing in the first place. It's all a matter of perspective of course.



But the times change and new features are what sells and in any business only the strong and those adept in the market place survive.