YAMAHA XMAX 300 (2017 - on) Review

Back brake pretty effective, but front needs a good squeeze, feels a little dead. After the disc and pad change it was much better, the pins had been properly lubed. Front end not bad, but be aware most weight is on the rear, so watch it in the wet. Rear suspension seems very soft, and floaty and soon bottoms over big bumps. But cruising on traffic free roads, feels good, upright position behind the screen ( on its tallest setting) is comfy for 100 mile plus. Can cruise 70+mph but watch it drink fuel, buffeting does get worse at high speed

Pulls well from starting and mid range, just slower at top end - it is only 28bhp! Vibration only shows a little at tick over, mirrors always clear.

Well built, no rattles. but lower bolt holding swing arm seized and its into the engine case...so changing the back tyre was a challenge. Front disc seriously scored and a little warped and replaced under warranty at 7K. Main switch can be fiddly, if you get it wrong, the filler cap opens when you are trying to lock the steering! ( plus it has no illumination)

Fuel is good around town ( considering its stop start all the way) and 95+ mpg on open roads. back tyre needed changing at 7500 miles.

MPG and temperature easily viewed on screen. I fitted a 113db horn because pedestrians are morons in London. Michelin City Grip tyres are great in town, I had them on a previous scooter, stick with what you know

Ride quality is far to firm, brakes have a slightly vague feel to them although stop you ok.

Sublime engine, can't fault it

Very well made

Very cheap to run, great mpg 95mpg....v belt at 12k

Michelin city grip tyres are good

The rear suspension is a bit of a let-down. Even replacing it for something a little more plush doesn't greatly improve matters. The issue is one of suspension travel and you'll need to grit your teeth a bit over the harsher roads. I found this a limiting factor on roads out of town.

The engine is it's best feature. Smooth acceleration all the way up to max speed and great mpg. Also it's very smooth whilst your ticking over (which cannot be said for the 400). Enough power at motorway speeds to overtake easily. Impressive for only 300cc.

It's never broken down exactly in 8000 miles however I have run the battery down twice. The alternator does not produce as much juice as I need and a few hours wearing a heated jacket & gloves in city traffic will send the battery flat. This isn't true of all scooters btw, my old Honda PCX 125 would cope without raising a sweat. It took more than a few calls to Yamaha to establish the cause and yes, the design amp output couldn't keep up. This likely won't affect most people but I like to stay toasty.

Pretty low service costs as you'd expect. Had to replace the front disc but that's my fault as I forgot about my disc lock :-/

The Michelin city-grip tyres that come as standard don't seem the same quality as those you'd buy as Retail. That's common of course but worth swapping these out. Touring screen useful for motorway speeds but cut it down to the height you need.

After 7000 miles there seems to be a steering issue that only I can feel apparently. Brakes are weak for a bike that can cruise at motorway speeds. Seat uncomfortable after 200miles or so, and the little "bum stop" really is a pain in the arse for anyone over 5'6"...at 5'9" there is too little leg room to stretch cruiser style and too little to bend upright style. A large screen is a must but why haven't they made hand guards?! Regularly cover 250 miles a day and guards are required in winter.

Tops out on a track *innocent look* at 97mph with a 92kg rider. Shame it hasn't got a tad more acceleration (0-60, 9s)...and as I said the oil seals or similar went at 1000miles despite very careful run-in for 700 miles (

Seat issue and oil seals went. Oil seals should have been fixed for free as far as I'm concerned. Seat issue seems minor but is bloody annoying: need to press button AND pull seat or it didn't unlock therefore one has to put down (often in the wet) what needs to go under the seat. Yamaha can't fix it.

Oil deals required replacing after just 1000 miles despite obeying full run-instructions. Disappontingly was charged for it.

Should be shipped with tall screen and handguards. Tyres seem OK but can "let go" suddenly in the damp or wet so real care needed in those conditions. Loads of underseat storage, large laptop bag plus helmet or shopping... Although my seat no longer releases without two hands which is a pain that yamaha couldn't care about. "we don't know how to fix it, but it can still be opened so just put up with it", direct quote from dealer