2022 Yamaha TMax 560 review - upgrades give the already athletic maxi scooter extra speed and poise

We’ve never embraced maxi scooters like the Yamaha T Max 560 automatic motorbike in the UK, but in mainland Europe, especially in France and Italy they’re everywhere. This bike's a replacement for the 2012 T Max 500.

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Think of the T Max as the ultimate high-speed commuting tool - a fast, practical, jam-busting alternative to a car or expensive annual train ticket. It’s also a two-up holiday buddy that will swallow your groceries one minute and scratch ably through backroads the next.

⏱️ Join @Neevesy33 for #60secondswith the newest version of the Yamaha TMAX maxi-scooter. pic.twitter.com/GkgWP4sW07

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) November 21, 2019

Suspension upgrades and a Euro5 engine overhaul don’t move the T Max game on by much for 2020, but they give the already athletic twist and go a subtle injection of extra speed and poise.

It’s still as adept at cutting through traffic as it is pounding motorways and giving 'proper' bikes a wake-up call when they sneer at you. It’s a lot of cash, but when you consider it has the practicality of a scooter, the equipment level of a tourer, genuinely sporty performance and lots of useful security features, it isn’t hard to justify the cost.

For 2022 the TMAX introduces its eighth generation TMAX. There wasn’t much wrong with the old one, or any of the models before, but Yamaha have continued their tried and tested path of steady evolution with the latest version.

It’s still smooth and easy-going with strong performance, but now it has a much sportier feel, thanks to its firmer suspension settings and grippier tyres.

That said, it still has a plush ride and with its more canted forward bars and new backrest, long distance comfort is improved, which will give TMAX fans something to smile about, as will its slightly quieter screen, fresh new colour dash and sharper styling.

Once you've read this review and our owners' reviews, you may want to join an online community such as the Yamaha T Max Facebook group.

2022 Yamaha T MAX 560 video review

Buried beneath its boomerang-shaped bodywork is a twin spar aluminium frame, which is the secret to the T Max’s motorcycle-like handling. It also wears upside down forks, a single rear shock (preload and rebound adjustable on the top spec Tech Max), 15in wheels and four piston radial brakes.

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That’s all unchanged for 2020, but suspension gets stiffer springs at each end and revised damping, giving the Yamaha even more poise and sharper steering for when you’re feeling racy (never underestimate the speed of a well ridden T Max), but for cruising and around town its comfortable, light steering and easy to ride.

Wheels may only be 15in, but standard issues Bridgestone Battlax SC tyres give 'big bike' levels of grip and confidence, especially on cold and wet tarmac.

Everything about the T Max is big-for-a-scooter, from its engine, speed, price tag and physical dimensions. Weighing 220kg, 4kg more the 2017-19 model the Yamaha isn’t heavy or difficult to manage at any speed, but it’s long and wide, which can make it a leg-splayer for rider and pillion.

For 2020 Yamaha have slimmed down the tail section and seats. It’s slightly easier to get feet down at a standstill, but it’s still a broad old bean. On the flip side the big seat and spacious riding position gives the T Max a sense of palatial robustness that sets it apart from regular scoots, but with all your weight centred on your coccyx and arms and feet stretched forward, back pain can set in on long motorway rides.

With its tilted-back riding position the previous TMAX could give you back ache after a while, but for 2022, Yamaha have canted the rider forward with sportier new bars. They’ve also added a back rest (more of a bum-rest, really), which adds to long distance comfort, especially in the furthest forward of its three positions (0/15mm/30mm).

Footboards are longer to give you more room to shuffle your boots and the seat is slimmer to help you get your feet down, but it’s still wide and even six-footers can’t get feet flat on the floor. Pillions also get more room with 5mm lower pegs.

Bodywork and cockpit infil panels are new and with its shorter overhangs and sharper lines, the TMAX looks even more superbike-like. Twin projector-style LED headlights are more compact and there’s a new aircraft style filler cap replacing the old fuel flap.

The electrically adjustable screen is reshaped with a central air-intake to reduce high speed buffeting, although it can still be noisy when it’s windy. Its ali beam frame and suspension is unchanged, but firmer damping settings give the Yamaha a much sportier feel and support in corners. Lighter spin-forged ali wheels help lighten the steering and grip is improved thanks to Bridgestone’s excellent SC2 rubber.

2020 Yamaha T MAX 560 video review

Increasing capacity seems to be the way manufacturers are hitting their Euro5 emissions targets without sacrificing power and the T Max motor grows from 530cc to 562cc. Power is up 2bhp to an A2 licence-friendly 47bhp and torque boosted by 6%.

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The parallel twin also gets bigger intake valves, new 2mm wider forged ali pistons, con rods, camshaft, a lighter crank, improved cooling, new throttle body, injectors, air filter and a twin cat Euro5 exhaust. CVT gearing is tweaked for stronger acceleration and a lower rev cruising speed. Yamaha claim 10% better fuel consumption and a couple more mph top speed.

One of the joys of the T Max and what makes it so exciting for a scooter is that it doesn’t hang around. The Yamaha T Max 560 top speed is 115mph, and it has enough get up and go to win most traffic light Grand Prix. The 2020 model is subtly crisper and more urgent on the throttle, but still smooth at cruising speeds with friendly throttle manners in traffic.

Like the previous model it’s powered by the same Euro 5-friendly, 562cc parallel twin cylinder engine, producing 47bhp and 41lb-ft of torque with belt drive and a CVT ‘rubber band’ gearbox. It has two power modes (Touring and Sport) and a new, full ride-by-wire throttle grip, replacing the old cable and pulley system.

Performance is still as impressive as it always was, which is what’s made the TMAX so appealing over the years, even to riders coming from big bikes. It’ll top 115mph and there’s never a situation in town, on the motorway or out of corners where you’re left wanting more oomph.

The T Max is screwed together with the same love, care and attention as any of the Japanese firm’s motorcycles. It’s robust and won’t let you down but ridden through winter the exhaust and centre stand can rust.

Our Yamaha T Max 560 owners' reviews show a happy owner who wants a bit more power for the price. Fred thinks the fact it's A2 compliant will put a lot of seasoned riders off the TMax 560.

The T Max is screwed together with the same love, care and attention as any of the Japanese firm’s motorcycles. It’s robust and won’t let you down but ridden through winter the exhaust and centre stand can rust.

In top spec Tech Max trim, it’s significantly more expensive than its rivals, but when you look at the top-level equipment and performance you get for the money, it’s easier to justify the cost. Oil services are every 3000 miles, so you’ll be seeing your dealer more than you’d like and insurance generally isn’t too scary, unless you live in London. The Yamaha T Max 560 has rivals including the Honda X-ADV, Kymco AK 550, Suzuki Burgman 400 and the BMW C 650 GT.

The top spec Tech Max takes over from the current DX with a November 2019 launch cost of £11,649 (£10,199 for the base model) and comes with the same array of bells and whistles: two power modes (Tour and Sport - the only one you actually need), an electric screen, cruise and traction control, heated grips and seat, keyless ignition, ABS and a multi-function digital display.

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Up front, new LED indicators are the biggest change, but the rear seat unit has been sharpened and the rear LED tail and stop lights are formed in a T shape. In addition to the official accessories available, Yamaha will also sell you Sport Pack, which includes things like a tail tidy and smaller screen, an Urban Pack with extra storage and Winter Pack featuring a 'scooter blanket' to keep you warm and dry in the winter.

For such a beast of a scooter it’s a surprise to find space for just one full-face lid under the seat – not great for two-up trips.

An immobiliser, steering and centre stand lock make the T Max as secure as any motorcycle and who wouldn’t use extra locks, anyway? A subscription tracking app, which is free for the first year, will alert you the second it’s tampered with, too.

The base model now comes with more standard equipment including the locking centre stand, keyless ignition, rider modes and traction control, but historically most T Max owners go for the top model, which on a PCP deal, adds little to the monthly payment.

For those riders wanting something extra from their maxi scooter, the T Max Tech MAX features everything found on the standard model, as well as access to Yamaha's subscription ‘MyTMAX Connect’ app, which allows owners to track their bike via GPS.

Like the previous top spec DX model, the more premium machine also benefits from an electronically-adjustable screen, cruise control, heated grips, heated seat and a preload adjustable rear shock.

In March 2021 a special edition version was announced to celebrate 20 years of the T Max.

Yamaha sell very few base model TMAXs, so they’re only bringing in the fully loaded, top spec Tech Max model into the UK. Standard equipment includes traction control and non-cornering ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition and a lockable centre stand.

It also has a heated seat and grips with more scope to fine tune them than before via the dash, but they’re nowhere near as hot as a rider would want through a UK winter. There’s space under the seat for a full-face lid, plus change (or two open face helmets) and a cubby hole down by your right knee.

It’s out with the old twin analogue dials and in with a new 7in colour TFT dash – bigger than you’ll find on your average big-buck tourer, adventurer or sportsbike. The multi-function display has an anti-glare coating, sun visor and three clear and easy to read layouts, which instantly gives the TMAX a fresher feel.

Everything is now easily controlled by a joystick on the new backlit switchgear and the dash also links to your phone via Bluetooth via Yamaha’s MyRide App where you can control music, calls and a full map Garmin sat nav, which is available via a monthly or yearly subscription.

30 new accessories are available for the new TMAX, including top boxes (34 or 45 litres), sports screens and levers or full titanium Akrapovic exhaust systems.