Steve_D wrote:
The rider in front hasn't even got his left hand on the bars or looking where he's going and to me he looks like he's either playing with himself, zipping his flies up, texting or reading a text, so maybe he wasn't even trying too hard?

They weren't hanging around though... the SRV rider did a mini-stoppie at the lights!

Cheers for the reply's I cancelled my reservation and will wait and try the C600 and wait until there is a comparison write up between the MK 3 and Mk 4 . So there is one for sale at Pand H !!

Anyone yet got a 530? the BMW launch has been delayed

Try Lamba motorcycles in Carshalton.I am sure i read somewhere that they have a new tmax on demo.

Just had a test ride from Bowers in Bury St Edmunds.

First my friend who rides a 2010 TMAX took the 530 out.

He thought it felt slightly lighter and more agile; he did not think there was much difference in performance.

He mentioned to the dealer that there was a yowling noise bang on 30mph (nothing before and nothing after) ... the dealer said they all do that !

My turn next, so my friend jumped back on his TMAX and led me round a mix of fast, windy rural roads, through town and finally along the A14 dual carriageway.

I ride a Honda SH300i so this was a revelation to me !

Aaaah the power, the power - where do I sign !!!!

It did everything he is always talking about, lovely torquey engine, instant ooomph on tap, no need to worry about getting past anything; really powerful brakes - not surprising really as I think they are similar to those fitted to the Yamaha R1 or R6. Nicely balanced at low speeds.

Two bad points, first the awful yowl just as you approach 30mph and second the list price of £8800.

The previous model had more shiny paintwork panels whereas this model use more matt grey panels - not a deal breaker but we think the previous model looks better.

I know these sell in their thousands in Europe and I can't believe they would put up with this yowling noise - has anyone else experienced it or read about it in any reviews ?

SOOTYGULL wrote:Just had a test ride from Bowers in Bury St Edmunds.

First my friend who rides a 2010 TMAX took the 530 out.

He thought it felt slightly lighter and more agile; he did not think there was much difference in performance.

He mentioned to the dealer that there was a yowling noise bang on 30mph (nothing before and nothing after) ... the dealer said they all do that !

A yowling noise??????? I can't quite imagine that. You sometimes hear odd squeals from the CVT - mine made some worrying noises for a while then vanished - but I've never heard of a yowling noise.

Interesting that your Tmax owner friend didn't seem to think there was a lot of difference between mk3 and mk4 Tmaxs. Whilst I know that the TMax is in a whole different league to the SH300 (including price), it kind of suggests that there is no pressing reason for existing mk3 owners to rush down to the dealer and buy a mk4....or that if you did, you might wonder what you shelled out £8800 for....

Quite right about him not rushing to buy - he has got a cracker of a TMAX, tip top condition and a nice darkish blue.

No he is not interested right now, maybe in September - I said to him I'll take yours off you.