Back on 2 wheels after 6 months
Discussion
Fek it! I thought. Money in an ISA that won't do much if I eventually get to retire so bought a 2016 Bronze T Max.
Don't laugh! I have ridden all sorts of sports bikes and nakeds since 1979 but in 2015 a friend offered me her 2009 Vespa GT300 for a crazy low price and I couldn't say no.
Within minutes of riding it in London, I was converted. Why hadn't I tried a pretty zippy twist and go before? I wish I'd had one when I was dispatching in the 80s on a GPz900R.
Only problem with the Vespa was riding on fast A roads like the A3 and fast country roads especially at night. Tiny wheels and rubbish head light.
Still, I did move to Surrey and still used it to commute to London from time to time but I kept getting jealous of those T Max riders looking steady as they overtook me on the motorway and blasting through the London traffic.
Unfortunately whilst moving back to London in January my Vespa got nicked when I stupidly left it at the station car park, intending to go back down to pick it up after I moved the last of my stuff by car.
Picked up the T Max on Saturday afternoon and took it on a 80 mile get to know you ride.
Quick and steady on the motorway and a joy on the A and B roads. It handles really well, you can even sort of hang off it
and have you seen the T Max racing series on YouTube.
I even saw 70mpg on the ride out although it has settled down to 54mpg running around London.
Anyone on here got one?
I tried the Maxi Scooter forum but still waiting for the email plus most of the posts are old. Doesn't look well frequented.
If you have got one, a question?
Took my son to school on it this morning. The rider's seat part is quite long, about as long as the whole seat on a sports bike, so the passenger is pushed quite far back.
I last took him at age 12 on the Vespa and it wasn't really a problem, but now he's almost 16, 6' 5" and 16 stone, and the handling on the T Max at low speeds was downright dangerous, plus I would not have fancied any higher speed evasive action.
I also took my younger son later in the morning who is 12 and told him to sit closer to me and I could barely feel him on the back. He's also tall and a big lad for his age.
Reading on-line, it would seem that having a passenger heavier than the rider is not a good idea on a bike. Makes sense I suppose.
I'm 5'11" and 12 stone 10lbs btw. So my son is over 3 stone heavier.
I am pleased with the bike so far and I have spent hundreds of pounds on locks, covers and alarmed disc locks as I know they disappear. It's parked within earshot of my bedroom window and I'll just have to decide if it's worth taking it on certain jobs of mine if there is no safe parking.
Shame we have to think this way.
The bike is actually a special edition called a Bronze Max and although it's a 2016 and still has a few months of Yamaha warranty left, it's a previous generation. It looks like the latest model but no bells or whistles and no ABS or Smart key.
Be great to hear impressions and advice from other owners. Cheers.
Don't laugh! I have ridden all sorts of sports bikes and nakeds since 1979 but in 2015 a friend offered me her 2009 Vespa GT300 for a crazy low price and I couldn't say no.
Within minutes of riding it in London, I was converted. Why hadn't I tried a pretty zippy twist and go before? I wish I'd had one when I was dispatching in the 80s on a GPz900R.
Only problem with the Vespa was riding on fast A roads like the A3 and fast country roads especially at night. Tiny wheels and rubbish head light.
Still, I did move to Surrey and still used it to commute to London from time to time but I kept getting jealous of those T Max riders looking steady as they overtook me on the motorway and blasting through the London traffic.
Unfortunately whilst moving back to London in January my Vespa got nicked when I stupidly left it at the station car park, intending to go back down to pick it up after I moved the last of my stuff by car.
Picked up the T Max on Saturday afternoon and took it on a 80 mile get to know you ride.
Quick and steady on the motorway and a joy on the A and B roads. It handles really well, you can even sort of hang off it
and have you seen the T Max racing series on YouTube.I even saw 70mpg on the ride out although it has settled down to 54mpg running around London.
Anyone on here got one?
I tried the Maxi Scooter forum but still waiting for the email plus most of the posts are old. Doesn't look well frequented.
If you have got one, a question?
Took my son to school on it this morning. The rider's seat part is quite long, about as long as the whole seat on a sports bike, so the passenger is pushed quite far back.
I last took him at age 12 on the Vespa and it wasn't really a problem, but now he's almost 16, 6' 5" and 16 stone, and the handling on the T Max at low speeds was downright dangerous, plus I would not have fancied any higher speed evasive action.
I also took my younger son later in the morning who is 12 and told him to sit closer to me and I could barely feel him on the back. He's also tall and a big lad for his age.
Reading on-line, it would seem that having a passenger heavier than the rider is not a good idea on a bike. Makes sense I suppose.
I'm 5'11" and 12 stone 10lbs btw. So my son is over 3 stone heavier.
I am pleased with the bike so far and I have spent hundreds of pounds on locks, covers and alarmed disc locks as I know they disappear. It's parked within earshot of my bedroom window and I'll just have to decide if it's worth taking it on certain jobs of mine if there is no safe parking.
Shame we have to think this way.
The bike is actually a special edition called a Bronze Max and although it's a 2016 and still has a few months of Yamaha warranty left, it's a previous generation. It looks like the latest model but no bells or whistles and no ABS or Smart key.
Be great to hear impressions and advice from other owners. Cheers.
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