Newbie-Friendly Maxi-Scoot – Yamaha XMAX

By motoph admin on August 20, 2018

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Yamaha XMAX, Availability, Specifications and Price

I have been riding motorcycles almost half of my life. I rely on my scooter for my daily commute especially now that you can get stuck on Manila traffic in an instant. Riding your scooter can make you wade through a sea of four wheeled vehicles lined up along the thoroughfare. I was excited when I was informed that I will be joining a group of riders in Mindanao, and to add to that excitement was that I get to ride Yamaha’s Maxi Scooter, the XMAX 300. This will be different from my usual routine in the metro and a perfect opportunity to ride the XMAX 300 in different road conditions.

So here is my take on this beauty, first thing’s first, it exceeds my expectations. At first I thought it would be just a supersized scooter, and will be difficult to handle because of its size. But after a few minutes on it I began enjoying its ease of handling. I rode this scooter for few hundreds of kilometers for a day for three days. Riding it around national highways and even busy streets, you won’t feel exhausted after the end of the day, that should speak for its comfortable seat and exact level of handlebar. By the way, you can adjust the handlebar to suit your riding style. In terms of maneuverability, it is very easy to handle even on busy street. It is also stable on open highway rides, just make sure that you are following the speed limit for everybody’s safety. You can easily keep up with the traffic flow and because it is very stable, vehicles overtaking you will not shake your ride. The acceleration is very smooth and linear. Despite its 300cc engine, which lets you really feel the power, it is quite the opposite in terms of vibration. I sometimes forget that the engine is on because the scooter is so quiet and smooth.

I personally experienced two of its advanced safety features, first its anti-lock braking system, which kicked in when I needed to stop abruptly because of a swerving motorist. I can hear the brake pulsing as I looked for a way out while trying to remain calm. Good thing, I did not lose control of the scooter even if it was really a hard brake and I was able to safely stop. I let the guy pass without any incident. This feature is really a great help, but it is still better to keep a safe braking distance and always pay attention on the road and other motorist around you. The second one is the traction control system, after passing through an unpaved muddy road I immediately accelerated (noob issues), that is when my tire almost slipped, good thing that the traction control helped me adjust the power so it will accelerate naturally. It happened twice, so I went off the scooter to remove some of the mud that got stuck on the tire.

More Photos here

For those who will use this scooter as their daily bike, you can benefit from the large underseat compartment that can easily hide two helmets. The large space is very handy, do keep in mind though that it is directly above the engine so do not put any heat sensitive and perishables underneath the seat. Another thing is the power outlet on one of its side compartment, you can charge your phones and gadget on the go. The XMAX 300 ignition can be activated without a key thanks to the smart key. It is very helpful for those like me that sometimes forget to pull out the key off the ignition. It can also help you locate your ride by a press of a button on the remote. The compartments and fuel access can also be access by a touch of a button.

More Photos here

By the way, you might need some assistance when parking this huge baby on an uneven ground. A power-assisted center stand would be perfect but that’s asking too much from a P249,000 price tag.

Specifications

Category:

Maxi-Scooter

Price:

Php 249,000

Engine Type:

Single Cylinder, 4-stroke,

SOHC, 4-valve,

Engine Displacement:

292 cm3

Transmission:

V-Belt Automatic