YAMAHA TMAX 500 compared to a KAWASAKI J300

[kayz1]

Its mid range power is more important performance wise (if you want performance) and tmax will always win that one being a twin and extra 200cc's .To make power you have to burn fuel that's all there is to it don't get nothing for nothing

but then on the Scotts trip we just did i was only putting the same amount of fuel in my tank as you were, some times less and i had 550cc more than you

[pikey]

Yes true had to rev nuts off but mine was only £700 yours £7000 and I'm double your weight

[MrGrumpy]

Or putting it another way...
The Yamaha TMax is kinda like buying and running a 3.2 Porche Boxster...
The Kawakymco J300 is kinda like buying and running a 2.0T Ford Focus ST...

A bit exaggerated IMHO - the TMax is like running a Golf GTi, whilst the Kymcosaki is more like a Ford Fiesta (normal spec model).
A BMW S1000RR / R1 etc would be more like the Porsche

[SOOTYGULL]

What did I start here ?

I'll try to be clearer, last year I had a fall and suffered a skull fracture, brain hemorrhage and pneumonia. When I came out of hospital I could only shuffle but after a 3 month NHS sponsored fitness recovery course at the GYM, I can run, cycle etc and have been approved as safe to ride again.

Whilst I love the superb handling and performance of my TMAX, I don't have the strength I had before and commonsense says get something lighter as I find it a bit heavy when wheeling it around and with some low speed maneuvers.

My riding is purely leisure days out with my TMAX riding pal who rarely exceeds 80 mph, so I am wondering whether any of the newer breed of 300s will be nippy enough, say up to 85mph - of course I don't expect a scooter half the capacity to equal my TMAX but want something that will still put a grin on my face !

[gromet]

"A bit exaggerated IMHO - the TMax is like running a Golf GTi, whilst the Kymcosaki is more like a Ford Fiesta (normal spec model).
A BMW S1000RR / R1 etc would be more like the Porsche"

LOL.... you need to have a go on a Downtown or a Kymcosaki...ya might just get a shock....

[gn2]

A nice Xevo 400 might be a good option, more poke and lighter than the J300

[michaelphillips]

i am probably same as grommit here... the j300 handles great and comfy, mid corner speed is great and can power through the apex out of a corner, mid range power to hand, i would say the difference is how you look at it, if i was to compare to the nexus 500 i had and the tmax ,then they are different scoots altogether to the 300cc class .. the 500cc are more relaxed rev wise using the torque curve, the j300 is more happy at 30 40 or 50 or 60 at 5000rpm shown, i remember i bought a cheap belt once for the nexus of m&p of ebay for a spare, when i measured it it was 35mm shorter than the standard,so ran that for three weeks on the nexus , with the belt being tighter on the pulleys the scoot seemed to be higher in the rev range that the norm belt, as the variator was spinning faster than norm, yet the scoot performed/pulled faster at lower speed pick up, but thought the belt would not last under the strain so put stock one back in.. so this is how i describe the 300cc scoots rev wise, the 300cc scoots are a hoot to ride always in the 4 to 5000 rpm and a twist of throttle goes straight to 6800 rpm and i have not been over that as when you settle on back down at 70 mph you at 6000+ revs.. sorry to hear your issues and glad your getting there lad, i would go try one as thats the only way you will find out if it would suit your needs

[anonstarter]

My riding is purely leisure days out with my TMAX riding pal who rarely exceeds 80 mph, so I am wondering whether any of the newer breed of 300s will be nippy enough, say up to 85mph - of course I don't expect a scooter half the capacity to equal my TMAX but want something that will still put a grin on my face !

The J300 goes like stink, has fab reviews, and looks awesome...

The claimed figure is 28hp, five less than a Suzuki Burgman 400. I would have believed the J300 made 35. Automatic CVT scooters can lack a crisp throttle response, as though the twist-grip is connected to an elastic band. The J300’s is more immediate. There’s no waiting for the engine to wake up. Whack the throttle open and it goes, with surprising swiftness.

The rev counter gives an insight into how the CVT system gets the most from the engine. With the throttle wide open, the needle rises quickly to just over 7,000rpm, roughly where peak power lies, and stays there as speed climbs. Only at about 80mph, a happy cruising speed, does the rev counter needle begin to slowly rise again. Flat-out this 299cc single-cylinder scooter will touch an indicated 100mph, and smoothly, with minimal vibes. At 60mph there’s enough in reserve to confidently overtake. It feels much faster than Vespa's GTS Super 300, and closer to maxi-scooter territory...

See: http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-fir ... z382ppPOMP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(You may find the "Can I beat a GSX-R600 off the lights?" Kawasaki J300 long-term review of interest too: http://www.visordown.com/road-tests/kaw ... 24858.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )

The only 'slight' is that it doesn't have the commuter-scooter friendly 8000 mile service intervals that the Fab Forza has.

A bit exaggerated IMHO - the TMax is like running a Golf GTi, whilst the Kymcosaki is more like a Ford Fiesta (normal spec model).
A BMW S1000RR / R1 etc would be more like the Porsche

Mister Grump's you're not following the Scoot' theme!
The S1000RR and the R1 etc are Superbikes. I would've thought the car equivalents were Bugatti Veyron's & Ferrari's etc. IMHO

[StephenC]

It's not all power to weight though. Kawasaki have done something with the transmission taken from the Downtown so the J300 takes off like a scalded cat. I reckon the Tmax would have a hard time putting clear air between them.

I'm not an expert on these things, but the new Polini variator thing for the J300 and the original Downtown require different weight rollers (or something): http://www.insella.it/news/variatore-po ... 00-e-kymco" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Liam]

It's not all power to weight though. Kawasaki have done something with the transmission taken from the Downtown so the J300 takes off like a scalded cat. I reckon the Tmax would have a hard time putting clear air between them.

Have they waved a magic wand at it?