Yamaha SMAX: The best middle-weight scooter?

[@allanvillar7583]

My Smax 10th year Birthday today. 🥳🎂🎉

[@jmcminn1076]

Unfortunate that Yamaha no longer makes this as of 2020. When I got my M1 license, I rented one of these to take the observation test at the DMV (I had taken the safety class, so I didn't have to do the skill test, but since I didn't have a class C license I had to do an observation test). I was overall impressed with this little scooter. I ended up with an electric scooter for my short jaunts, and an XMax 300, which Yamaha does still make. While I would have definitely still opted for the XMax, it'd be nice if the SMax was still an option since the XMax does cost almost double what this thing cost when it was availabilty.

[@joeycottontail943]

Best scooter I’ve had by far. I’ve also been on a PCX150 and it’s ok. This is better and much easier to disassemble the plastic than PCX. Waaaay easier.

[@swamivandermerwe]

I put a little old white towel over the seat with a strap, seat doesnt get hot in the sun, and a wee bit more seat protection😂. I use silicone spray on all knobs,switches,turn signals...protects electrical components from ,water,debris etc. Put a bracket and box on it , you can carry a big can of tyre fix in the box in case of flat tyre. Enjoy. I own the 2023 nmax 155 version, Only dislike is the EKS fob...they only give one, keyless entry is expensive if you lose ,break the keyless fob R7000 in SouthAfrica or $450in US.

[@1966johnnywayne]

WOW! I don't know how I missed the fact that i can use less expensive automotive engine oils in my scoot. I've been buying overpriced motorcycle oils for my bikes for decades, and just assumed that i would need the same for my scoots. Thanks for that awesome bit of info...gonna save me some money going forward.

[@jedidavid]

I'm picking one of these up tomorrow as my "winter beater" to accompany my new MT09. I'm super excited, seems trouble free did you do a valve adjustment at any point?

[@DriveTimeMoto]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it. Thankfully the original owner had dealership receipts of work done, which included valve adjustment. After looking it up, inspection/adjustment looks like a novice mechanic (like me) should be able to tackle the job!

[@robmx2324]

Middle and maxi scooters are the future of motorcycling in the US.

[@hectoralmonte3629]

I agree 100%.

[@三島武彦-f3s]

リアインナーフェンダーは、ぜひ付けましょう。自分のと、ウィンカーの位置が違います。どこの国向け仕様ですか？

[@vinicalzone894]

How about two riders? Good enough? Thanks

[@DriveTimeMoto]

Excellent question, my wife and I (combined ~300lbs), works perfectly up to 55mph. Can get faster but extended wot is not recommended.

[@swamivandermerwe]

Oh yes turn off TC traction control to go faster uphill, TC slows it down, even wet uphill turn it off....test it and see. ABS will prevent locking brake not TC😢

[@tigonridge]

6:50 This is a baseless assumption. More power doesn't mean more resources were put into developing or building an engine (of the same displacement size). Honda designs their scooters for fuel economy and high mileage, whereas Yamaha apparently tunes theirs for thrill junk-I mean-performance. Honda is more reputed for reliability. The PCX/ADV can accelerate a bit slow right out of the dealership, but after a break-in period, they can accelerate very quickly. The top end speeds of the 160's line of PCX/ADV are now 70-75mph, but I don't think most people prefer riding on highways anyway. After weighing all the pluses and minuses, the main thing the SMAX has going for it is pricing. Otherwise, there's no reason to pick this scooter over an ADV 150, unless you really need that 70 mph.

[@zoidzoid87]

Let me guess, Honda fan boy. Yamaha has been building engines for decades. They're just built with more sport tuning in mind. But just as reliable as any ole Honda.

[@tigonridge]

@@zoidzoid87 There is no such thing as a sports-tuned engine that is just as reliable as an engine designed specifically with reliability in mind. Any mechanical engineer or mechanic worth their salt could tell you that. Auto repair shops are full of BMWs and sports bikes. There's not a single Honda that is as reliable and long-lasting as an aspirated engine Toyota. There goes your "honda fan boy" theory, kid.

[@zoidzoid87]

@tigonridge I didn't say sports tuned engine. And I didn't say anything about bmws and sports bikes because we know about that already. We are talking about scooters. Yes, yamaha reliability is just as good as Hondas. When it comes to these bikes. It's some old school Hondas and yamaha scooters that still run to this day without a problem. Also, manufacturers tune bikes differently. This, for example, is why a Honda helix of the same cc and class as a yamaha majesty doesn't handle or accelerate the same. It's not all about engine tuning or engine performance that makes a good bike. And maybe you should do some research on what you would call a" sports tuned engine". Because it's scooters on the market that are tuned for more sport oriented driving people.

[@tigonridge]

@@zoidzoid87 Good grief. When people talk about reliability, they are implicitly talking about the engine and drivetrain (edit: and these days, sensors and electronic systems). What the hell does handling have to do with reliability? Research...right, sure. Research this, genius: There are millions of these scooters in developing Asian countries, and these people do not use them for their "sport oriented" tuning. They use them to get around reliably and cheaply; hence the high number of high mileage old, old Honda scooters and super cubs on the road, and the fact that the Honda's 150cc scooters yield >90 mpg minimum. The vast majority of scooter riders are riding them for utility. Yes, certainly they can also be fun, but that is far from the primary goal. Maybe you're different, since you seem to be from America, but don't speak for others. Anyone who has worked on motorcycles know Hondas and particularly Goldwings have yielded the highest mileage by far. Yamaha gets up there, and is considered fairly reliable, but thinking they are equal in this aspect is where you're simply misinformed. Yamahas don't quite have the same mileage. When two engines of the same displacement are placed side by side, the one the optimized for performance can never be equal in reliability to the one optimized for mileage and efficiency; else Honda would've already figured this out and made their scooter with this unicorn engine that doesn't exist, since they are reputed for being the number one most prolific manufacturer of engines of many kinds in the world, especially those that are balanced between reliability, efficiency, and performance. The PCX/ADV accelerate more than fast enough for 95% of their owners, especially after break in. Have you seen how quickly they go from 0-40mph? The only real limitation in their 150 models is the top end, which the 160 line has raised. Learn some humility, kid. You lack too much knowledge in engineering to jump on a high horse about this topic.

[@stevenstern2199]

Since 1965 I have had 16 scooter. 50-650cc. Most every brand. Yamaha the Best

[@rochrides8730]

It’s liquid cooled

[@DriveTimeMoto]

Great catch. I did add the subtitle to correct that!

[@piddupiddu9311]

Top speed?

[@DriveTimeMoto]

Thanks for your question. Highest I've had it on level ground is about 75mph on the highway.

[@joeycottontail943]

75.9 on GPS for me but it’s not recommended 72-73 is fine.