1000mile update. X Max 400

[bugsy]

Well I said I would update you after the running in period and first service so here we go.

Having sorted the small problems out after delivery, things have settled down nicely. The Piaggio X10 has just been sold this week by the Yamaha dealer. Been in the showroom for two months, which surprised me bearing in mind the great shape it was in.

The first service was labour free but parts amounted to £30.

The X max is never going to set the world on fire but riding it gives us a very dependable feel. I seem to have got used to the engine beat through the handlebars.The shorter wheel base makes cornering less wallowy and I can turn the bike in the garage with ease now. This is important to me.

I am normally always two up and the misses says she feels better on this bike. She said at low speed on the X10 she always felt that I didn't have complete control making tight turns at low speed. I know what she meant. The seat is hard but the back rest on the box is comfortably positioned and she can reach the foot pegs easily. She had problems with the Piaggio. As I said before the speedo can be read easily on this bike. Both my Vespa GTV and the old X10 had KPH foremost and you had to look hard for the mph. It would have been so easy for the X10 digital dash to show the actual MPH instead of the silly MPG info. The X max side panels have no hairline cracks that the Piaggio managed to have from new and the back box colored mounts were never the same ice white as the rest of the bike. The Piaggio touch up paint was like water and covered nothing. Embarrassing for the dealer.

I like the engine protection underneath, cleaning is less a problem underneath. The gloss blacking on part of the engine casing will prevent so much aluminum oxidation come the winter. Checking the engine oil is easier and the coolant level can be checked quickly in the glove box with a tube indicator.

Suspension seems better and quieter. To illistrate the point he X10 was noisy and squeaky, both mine and my friends bought at the same time were very noisy if you held the front brake on pressed down on the front end.
The main stand is very solid and the bike doesn't rock like the X10 would on its rather small stand which would occasionally seize up and would need undoing and greasing. A problem on a lot of X10's apparently.

The X max has no secondary brake on the side stand.That was a nice addition as was the lit controls on the handlebars and light under the seat.

The very upright stance of the X Max screen and fairing make wind resistance less of a problem for me at speed, but I wonder if this is at the expense of MPG. She is averaging 70 to 75mpg at the moment- mixed roads and town. The battery charging plug in the front pocket is more convenient than the' lack of' with the X10. I had to run a cable from the battery in the back and tape it to the back of the inside of the 'pet carrier' leaving the seat open while charging.
Braking is much the same without the ABS of course.

Having run in I can't say I notice the extra 50cc of this bike over the X10. In fact I think the 10 was more torguey. However at 70mph the X max engine seems more comfortable. Does that make sense.

I have followed the forum with interest as others try to make the decision as to what bike to buy. For me it was simple. The trade in is always important but probably more is the availability of the dealer and aftersales service. I have two local Yamaha dealers who were both recommended despite my first delivery problems. This is paramount as is the availability of spares. Anyone with a Piaggio probably knows the occasional parts availability issues with the Italians who still insist on closing the factory for their summer vacation. The dealer now even needs to photograph the warranty issues and request Piaggio authorise any repair. This never used to be the case.
The residual value of the bike is also an issue few buyers take account of.

So there you have it. As the miles pile on I will let you know how things go.
Whatever bike you own or you are thinking of buying just be safe out there.

Bugsy

[anonstarter]

Thank you Mister Bugsy for your great update review!

[VOZZA]

Great update Bugsy, sensible things to think about when changing a bike or scoot.

[MrGrumpy]

The main stand is very solid and the bike doesn't rock like the X10 would on its rather small stand which would occasionally seize up and would need undoing and greasing. A problem on a lot of X10's apparently.

The Bev must have the same centrestand as it rocks around a bit disconcertingly on it! However, the TMax stand rusts like hell, so keep checking that the Xmax's doesn't as well! I got a new one under warranty...

[gn2]

As I said before the speedo can be read easily on this bike. Both my Vespa GTV and the old X10 had KPH foremost and you had to look hard for the mph. It would have been so easy for the X10 digital dash to show the actual MPH instead of the silly MPG info.

So I'm not alone...

[SH125Paul]

glad you are enjoying your XMax 400
Just coming up to 9000 miles in just over a year.
Mainly Commuting 35m a day and the odd Sunday jaunt down the lanes...
never been 2 up or on the motorway with it... may have to do a stretch on the A21 / M25... just to see

[wozza]

Good write up. After years of purchasing bikes with no local dealer nearby, I thought exactly the same as you when I decided to purchase a Honda from my local dealer who is only 2 to 3 miles away - good spares availability and the ability to have any problems sorted out close to home.. However, this has turned out to be a complete farce as those fecking idiots Honda can't supply me with a set of handlebars for my bike for 6 weeks. So my bike has been sitting in my garage for weeks waiting for a handlebar and a footrest mount.
I thought Honda were supposed to be the best in the business when it came to spares, but obviously not.

I will not be purchasing another new Honda again.

[Data]

Hi Bugsy, don't worry. You'll notice the difference over the X10 very soon. It may have finished it's initial running in but it's still much too tight to give it's best power and torque. It takes just a little time to finish conforming. Probably at least 6k miles but she will continue to improve in performance and economy for ages yet and it will be very noticeable as she does so. Glad you like her.