YAMAHA TMAX 530 (SX, DX)

The iconic maxi scooter, the Yamaha T-Max 530, gets a makeover for 2017. Take a look: There are three variations in the catalog: a larger coffret, antipatinage, and an electric bull!

The Yamaha T-Max has been the king of maxi scooters since 2001. Despite numerous attempts, no builder has been able to challenge his leadership. The TMax's appeal extends beyond its affiliation with Yamaha: "I ride in a TMax" has supplanted "I ride with a Yamaha TMax" in common parlance. Few motorcycles, including the BMW R1200GS, can say the same. Yamaha has sold 233 000 T Max in Europe over the course of its five-year career, and the TMAX 530 has held the title of best-selling scooter since 2012 (deja!). Although there have been some minor tweaks throughout time, the phenomenon has evolved further for 2017 and now includes two additional variants, the TMax SX and TMax DX.

Yamaha TMax 530 2017: YCC-T as on motorcycles

At the retouched line, all TMax 2017 models will be recognized. The front face, the LED lighting, the recognisable profile with the habillage that imitates a boomerang-shaped frame, the rear coque, the oscillating bras, and the escape line are all brand new. What can you do to update your look while keeping the T Max style?

From a technical standpoint, the T Max 2017 features an electronic accelerator, a first for a Yamaha maxi scooter, and is available directly from the company's technology catalog. The YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle), which is found on the YZF-R1, YZF-R6, and FJR 1300 (A, AE, AS), is now available for the first time on a motorcycle with a variator transmission.

This necessitates a significant amount of engineering development and raises a lot of questions. In fact, the connection between the gas tank and the rear wheel has always been one of the T Max's strong points; rapidity, precision, fluidity, transmission, and accelerator have all shown to be unbeatable, and they've established themselves as a segment leader. What will the future hold for the electronic accelerator? We'll double-check during the test.

However, the implementation of the YCC-T has aided the arrival of new piloting aids in a technical sense. The Yamaha D-Mode (on SX and DX models) gives the rider the option of basculing in one of two modes: T (tourist) or S (sport) (sport). In fact, the engine's cartography changes, as does the character, with a more or less active response to the accelerator. The Traction Control System (TCS) is standard on all 2017 TMax 530 models, ensuring that everyone's safety is ensured. This antipatinage, which works on the advance of illumination, injection, and electronic acceleration, is already widely used on high-end motorcycles. On motorcycles, it can be adjusted to several levels of intensity, although it only comes with the T Max 530.

9 kg lighter thanks to the ubiquitous aluminum!

On this millennium, the part-cycle is not yet complete. Yamaha is making a comeback in the music industry. The use of aluminum is still prevalent, although Yamaha has reduced the weight by a few kilograms. Similarly, the oscillating bras are still beautifully made of aluminum and are 40 mm long to aid with cap mobility and retention. The entire final transmission has also been given special attention. The secondary courroie uses a new carbon fiber texture and is limited to a diameter of 25 mm. The work done on the belts also contributed to a total weight loss of almost 9 kg as compared to the model 2016! (Recall that the previous T Max Iron Max weighed in at 221,6 kg.) This weight loss should be beneficial.