Anyway, down to the nitty gritty.
Looks - a lot of features taken from the TMAX. Let's just say it looks pretty if you like the Manga-cycle sort-of-thing. And sporty.
Build - much better than the scoots I saw at the show in Milano. The build still isn't up there with Yamaha, but it's getting there. I looked at the new TMAX 530 the other day and it is definitely better finished. The big eyesore is the chain bath casing which looks like it has been cast in sand! Sort it BMW!
Performance - the scoot only had some 75 miles on the clock when I took it out. I returned it an hour and a half later with 150 miles on it. It's fast. Acceleration is rapid and controllable with excellent throttle response and better engine braking than I have felt on any scooter. On the move it is refined, but on take off it judders and shudders a bit, a bit like the 500 Piaggios. The Yamaha parallel twin is much smoother, but then that has an extra balancer piston. The engine has a lovely twin warble and the exhaust is muted but pleasant in tone and timbre. Sounds much less drony than the Yamaha. The economy was remarkable. I achieved 60 mpg imperial, which is the best I've ever achieved from the TMAX. I suspect that touring it would better 70. Downside is that it is heavy to move around - it weighs as much as a GP800 or a Mana, but doesn't feel heavy on the move. I rode it on the motorway up to 90mph indicated and did some really twisty stuff and it excelled on both.
Equipment - I rode the highline version which is worth every penny more. It has heated seats and grips; the display even tells you when they are on. The screen is adjustable and it has lovely LED drls which can be turned on or off. It also has ABS but unlike the X10, no traction control. The luggage flex case is very clever. You can see it in the pictures. Basically it gives you an extra helmet stowage space (two full face) when the scooter is parked, by dropping an expanding compartment onto the rear wheel. The light grey release lever is visible in the pics.
This is a very quick review and I might come back and revise it as I remember more stuff. Here are some pics of the machine; any questions feel free to ask.
One answer to a predictable question... Am I going to buy one? No, I think I will wait this one out. Once reliability and build issues have been sorted/finessed, I might. It is pricey and I would have to think very carefully about spending so much on a scooter. I also think that the 650 GT might be the one to go for. I will be riding that one sometime in September. I reckon prices will come right down within a year, as UK sales won't be that hot. (I could be wrong!)
That's utterly ridiculous even with the extras that's at least £3k overpriced. I thought the point of scoots (even maxis) was cheap transport? Sorry I just don't understand the ethos behind it, obviously there are peeps who'll pay that I'm sure BMW have done researched it but £10k? You could get numerous (proper) bikes which will do everything better in every way for that kind of outlay. Seems BMW are relying on their badge marque.