RE: PH2 ridden: Yamaha TMAX
Discussion
Harry H said:
Why would you buy a Tmax over say a GS800 which is more economical and has the legs for a run to far flung places. Slightly less practical for the commute but the potential for greater uses.
Again, you're comparing apples with oranges.TMax is a utility for urban/semi-urban commuting.
GS800 has legs, sure, but it isn't for the urban commute.
spareparts said:
Again, you're comparing apples with oranges.
TMax is a utility for urban/semi-urban commuting.
GS800 has legs, sure, but it isn't for the urban commute.
That's not my point though. The GS800 is only slightly less practical than a TMax as a commuter and if you take the superior fuel consumption into account one could argue it's actually a better proposition. The GS also has the added benefit of not being a one trick pony. TMax is a utility for urban/semi-urban commuting.
GS800 has legs, sure, but it isn't for the urban commute.
The Tmax is a great tool for one specific job, commuting. But it's to expensive to buy and costs too much to run. That doesn't apply to other bikes cause they have the "want" factor so who cares about the cost.
Dagnut said:
SleeperCell said:
Then there are the Jay Lenos and many other rich types around Hollywood who probably have a whole fleet of luxury cars at their disposal, which would more than counteract those who don't have a car.
How many of those do you really think their are? There are probably 2 million people in LA living day to day
Harry H said:
spareparts said:
Again, you're comparing apples with oranges.
TMax is a utility for urban/semi-urban commuting.
GS800 has legs, sure, but it isn't for the urban commute.
That's not my point though. The GS800 is only slightly less practical than a TMax as a commuter and if you take the superior fuel consumption into account one could argue it's actually a better proposition. The GS also has the added benefit of not being a one trick pony. TMax is a utility for urban/semi-urban commuting.
GS800 has legs, sure, but it isn't for the urban commute.
The Tmax is a great tool for one specific job, commuting. But it's to expensive to buy and costs too much to run. That doesn't apply to other bikes cause they have the "want" factor so who cares about the cost.
As I said, "too expensive" is relative to the DI you have and priorities.
sprinter1050 said:
£8500 !!
Not that I would but gimme a bike anyday. Plenty of choice at that money.
The thing is with us brits, we dont get the whole scooter market, in sunnier climes they will be comparing a scooter as transport, not againts a bike but looking at the running costs and price Vs a car.Not that I would but gimme a bike anyday. Plenty of choice at that money.
Anyone who has riden in Europe knows middle aged women in their work wear and gents in their suits commute on these things, thats the main market , a "proper" bike doesnt isnt in the equation.
I love them..great fun to ride and with the fuel economy and range , over distance they are often quicker than a sportsbike, we had a 650 Burgman that we "bumped" into at every other fuel station heading down to the South of France, I was on a Busa, my friend a Blade , we was cruising along at 120MPH canning our petrol but with an extra stop inbetween, our average speed wasnt no more than the bloody scooter!
There is a growing band of Maxi Scooter owners in the UK, plenty are available ie Burgman 400/650, Honda Silverwing, Tmax and soon the BMW C650GT and C600 Sport, Aprilia SRV 850 etc.
Will they become more popular? only time will tell, if BMW are breaking into the market they must have some idea that it will sell.
My Silverwing will average 55mpg (admitted the range is naff, but it gives you an excuse to have another pee stop) on a tootle and has topped 115mph, this will do for me.
The test rider of the Tmax forgot to mention the amount of scooters in Paris where they are used as taxi's (along with Goldwings).
OK I didn't ride a big bike for long (CBR600 and Diversion 600) but will be up there waiting for the BMW to arrive
Will they become more popular? only time will tell, if BMW are breaking into the market they must have some idea that it will sell.
My Silverwing will average 55mpg (admitted the range is naff, but it gives you an excuse to have another pee stop) on a tootle and has topped 115mph, this will do for me.
The test rider of the Tmax forgot to mention the amount of scooters in Paris where they are used as taxi's (along with Goldwings).
OK I didn't ride a big bike for long (CBR600 and Diversion 600) but will be up there waiting for the BMW to arrive
While the BMW scooters might well be the kick in the whotsits for Yamaha, the Honda Integra thingy is an interesting alternative. Not too sure about the price, but it promises better economy that the Yamaha for sure, and a more "bike" like style, (or a dogs dinner depending on your viewpoint). It also offers a DCT gearbox, which should remove the awful max revs, on-off noise that you get from a CVT type box.
(ETA, according to Doble Honda, the price is £7500 OTR, which is £1000 cheaper than the T-Max)
It's true to say that we don't "get" scooters in the UK, but that also partly down to the fact that most of us are bikers first, enthusiasts for want of a better description. The weather certainly comes into it, but that is also integral to the european market. I would go so far as to suggest that most scooter riders on the continent are not bikers in the same sense that we are, and use scooters as the most convenient and least intimidating way to use two wheels for commuting.
Perhaps an exception, but as I said in a previous post, even the great Agostini rides a T-Max to his office as his daily commute, and you can't say that he's not a real biker.
I can't say that I would ever have a scooter as my only two wheeled machine, but given the funds, one would certainly be in my stable of bikes.
Perhaps if more of us "real" bikers used them, some of our God like riding skills and parking etiquette (Fleegle) might rub off on the scooter riders.
(ETA, according to Doble Honda, the price is £7500 OTR, which is £1000 cheaper than the T-Max)
It's true to say that we don't "get" scooters in the UK, but that also partly down to the fact that most of us are bikers first, enthusiasts for want of a better description. The weather certainly comes into it, but that is also integral to the european market. I would go so far as to suggest that most scooter riders on the continent are not bikers in the same sense that we are, and use scooters as the most convenient and least intimidating way to use two wheels for commuting.
Perhaps an exception, but as I said in a previous post, even the great Agostini rides a T-Max to his office as his daily commute, and you can't say that he's not a real biker.
I can't say that I would ever have a scooter as my only two wheeled machine, but given the funds, one would certainly be in my stable of bikes.
Perhaps if more of us "real" bikers used them, some of our God like riding skills and parking etiquette (Fleegle) might rub off on the scooter riders.
Edited by Mad Jock on Wednesday 14th December 16:07
Have to say, I don't get them. I love scooters and big motorbikes, but the reasons I love scooters are their value, economy, size, weight and practicality. Bikes like the T-Max seem to have all of the drawbacks of a big bike with none of the benefits.
Spareparts loves his though and it's obviously working for a lot of people given the sales.
Spareparts loves his though and it's obviously working for a lot of people given the sales.
spareparts said:
Have you ever commuted on a GS800 through London?
Not on a GS800 no, but every day for the last two years on a GS1200 and for two years before that on a TMax. So I've done it for 50,000 miles on both bikes which kinda makes me an expert in my book.In all honesty there's not a lot in it between the two apart from the GS is a darn sight better once I get on to the 15 mile stretch of A3
Why so much? I don't hate scooters, I just don't see the point in them. A Hornet or Bandit with a topbox will do just as well, for half the price and twice the fun. I know the Auto box is a plus side when in town and traffic, so a rev and go can be quite nice. I would not mind a little rev and go scooter for going to work on. But £8,500?! wow.
Having tried to ride through LA I am inclined to agree with the 1.8 statistic! Our American hosts gave us the stats and judging by the queues I wouldn't argue! Having said that, I've also ridden through Sau Paulo and Rio in Brazil and that was pretty bad. Anyone been to LA? It's amazing how many of the bar girls 'are actors'...
Harry H said:
spareparts said:
Have you ever commuted on a GS800 through London?
Not on a GS800 no, but every day for the last two years on a GS1200 and for two years before that on a TMax. So I've done it for 50,000 miles on both bikes...
Article said:
I was also impressed by the bike's stability - approaching traffic lights the TMAX was easy to balance at low speed, meaning you could roll up to the lights at walking pace without putting your feet down.
I commute through London on a BMW K1200GT, a pretty hefty bike, and I can quite happily ride at a slow walking pace through traffic. I could do the same on my old Trophy 900, not exactly known for carrying its weight low.I also get 45+ to the gallon, so 50 for this thing is pretty weak. I get the point of an 80mpg small scooter, but this thing seems pointless.
For those of you who don't "get it", just once, ride one for 10 miles through town, narrow b-roads, even motorways.
EVERYone who does comes away in love with it. I promise you.
And all this "8500 pounds for a scooter" nonsense means you don't get it. Look at the build. The components. The frame. The transmssion. The dash. Those are extremely high quality components. You want a cheap scoot? PCX 125. End of. You want something special? T-max.
EVERYone who does comes away in love with it. I promise you.
And all this "8500 pounds for a scooter" nonsense means you don't get it. Look at the build. The components. The frame. The transmssion. The dash. Those are extremely high quality components. You want a cheap scoot? PCX 125. End of. You want something special? T-max.
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