You might be wondering why the words “sport” and “scooter” appear together in the headline of this story. And, you might be asking yourself why we are covering the launch of a new scooter here on Asphalt & Rubber. Those are fair questions.
No, we haven’t lost our minds, and the Yamaha TMAX is no normal scooter. While we may be into our flashy sport bikes here at A&R, there is a whole world that revolves around the TMAX, which gives way to a rich tuning culture and cult status in markets outside of the United States.
Try this on for size, now in its seventh generation of production, Yamaha has sold over 275,000 TMAX scooters in the last 20 years, and now for the 2020 model year, the Yamaha TMAX 560 counts itself as the most powerful version ever produced.
As the name suggests, the 2020 Yamaha TMAX 560 gets a 6% displacement bump (now 562cc) by increasing the bore on the parallel-twin engine by 2mm.
All the while, the reciprocating mass has been reduced by 1%, says Yamaha, thanks to a new forged piston design and new con-rods. Of course, the motor is now Euro5 compliant.
Despite the tougher emission regulations, all of these changes to the motor are good for a 3.5% increase in horsepower, as well as 6% more peak torque, which by our math means a 47hp (35 kW) motor, with 41 lbs•ft of torque on tap.
Interestingly, Yamaha has spent a lot of time optimizing the CVT transmission on the TMAX 560 too, and says that the new belt design offers an increased transmission capacity.
The overall reduction ratio and automatic shifting characteristics have also been changed to give the equivalent of higher gearing at a given rpm, which Yamaha says ensures a smoother and more relaxed feeling at the typical cruising speed range.
The revised gearing also contributes towards the TMAX 560 having increased acceleration.
More of an update to the current generation of the machine, for the 2020 model year, Yamaha has refined many aspects of the TMAX, including rethinking the design of the rear motorcycle.
The Japanese brand says that the bike is now easier to get off and on, and that the body panels make it easier to rest your feet while riding and to find the foot pegs.
The suspension settings have also be revised for 2020, with Yamaha tuning the suspension for the added power and torque from the motor.
Other items of note are the LED indicators that have been integrated into the TMAX bodywork, as well as split LCD display dash. Power modes and traction control come as standard.
Never a light girl, the 2020 Yamaha TMAX 560 will tip the scales at the curb with a stout 480 lbs, and come with 4 gallons of fuel capacity.
For those that want a little more luxury (heated grips and seat, adjustable rear suspension, and cruise control), there is also the Yamaha TMAX 560 Tech Max available for 2020.
Source: Yamaha Motor Europe
Be sure to follow all of our 2019 EICMA show coverage this over the coming days, for the latest news and releases for the 2020 motorcycle model year.
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