Yamaha T max

[shepski]

I have a Honda S Wing 125 and the other day i had a go on a T Max 500 lets just say that i am hooked and would like one,

Any known problems with the Mk 2 and Mk 3 T Maxes? do they run to high mileages without major problems?

If anybody has, or knows of a nice Mk2 or Mk3 for sale then please let me know

[MrGrumpy]

Well, they are normally pretty reliable. Not immune from electrical problems though - I had problems with the Alternator on my mk2, and I'm told that rectifiers can give trouble, though I've never had any problem. I had hassles with the radiator on my mk3, and had rusty centrestands on both my mk3 and mk4 but I've never heard of anyone else with these problems.

The only thing to be aware of when upgrading from smaller scoot to Tmax is that maintenance and running costs are a lot more expensive - tyres are at least £100 each, V-belts are £100 or so, lots of filters to change at 12,000 miles. So - you are hooked - welcome to the club! But be prepared to open your wallet!

[maxiscoot nz]

Well, they are normally pretty reliable. Not immune from electrical problems though - I had problems with the Alternator on my mk2, and I'm told that rectifiers can give trouble, though I've never had any problem. I had hassles with the radiator on my mk3, and had rusty centrestands on both my mk3 and mk4 but I've never heard of anyone else with these problems.

The only thing to be aware of when upgrading from smaller scoot to Tmax is that maintenance and running costs are a lot more expensive - tyres are at least £100 each, V-belts are £100 or so, lots of filters to change at 12,000 miles. So - you are hooked - welcome to the club! But be prepared to open your wallet!

Mr Grumpy is correct you need to be able to do most of the maintenance your self if its a cost thing.
If its not then i would suggest you buy a new 530.
eitherway thats what these forums are all about
Im hooked too these big scoots are another level

[shepski]

Thanks for the advice Guys, i have always had big motorbikes and do nearly all the maintenance myself including valve clearances. So i would like to work on the T Max as well to keep the costs down.

It always amazes me just how much it costs to keep a motorbike/large scooter going far more than a car !!

[Funkycowie]

Most of the general maintenance is a breeze to do even for a complete amatuer like me.

in my two years of ownership of my MK3 I have done all services, the filters have all been changed once at a cost of about £30, the oil filters have been changed twice at a cost of £15, the belt will need changing in 3000 miles at a cost of about £100, changed the coolant at a cost of £15, front brake pads have been changed 4 times at a cost of £25 per go including bleeding. x4 oil changes at £15-£20 per go, Chain Bath oil changed once at £15. Spark plugs at £25 for the two new Brisk ones I have just bought.

So overall I have spent £380 in two years or 12000 miles... or will have and its looking like I will need a new rear tyre shortly... this has lasted 12000 miles, not sure about the front as that came with scoot when I got it second hand and I reckon I could get another 3-4000 out of it.

Cost in time however probably spent many many hours, but I enjoy it


I have not had any electrical problems but I have changed out the Fuel pump at a cost of £30 and 5 hours work and the thermostat at a cost about £15 (probably didn't need to though), also I vinyl wrapped it at a cost of £110.

TMax's have had a problem with fuel pumps but this generally only affects the ones in hot countries and wer changed under warrenty... or it seems if you have iridium spark plugs

[tha-mask]

I take it the V-belt is a dealer only change because of the special tools required to hold the variotor whilst you try and get the but off which is done up to over 100NM.

[Liam]

I take it the V-belt is a dealer only change because of the special tools required to hold the variotor whilst you try and get the but off which is done up to over 100NM.

Not necessarily. You can buy a special tool http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1257498356" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A bit expensive maybe. But much better than this.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Var ... 3f28c88f90" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Being a cheapskate I bought a similar one to this and bent it straight away.
So then I made one from 2 lengths of steel and a few nuts and bolts.

[Liam]

If anybody has, or knows of a nice Mk2 or Mk3 for sale then please let me know

I might be selling my 08 reg. Mk2 soon. Ive been keeping it until I convince myself that my mk4 is so much better.
It's taken me 5 months and I'm starting to get used to the newer one but still not totally convinced.
I'm not an expert reviewer but basically the mk4 is not as comfy and the mirrors are rubbish but handles a bit better. Mk 2 has better underseat storage, more room for your feet and I'm getting similar mpg. 58 to 61 for both.
I have got to change the rear pads on the mk2 as the mot is due beginning of May and also tidy it up a bit. The fuel pump has been sorted (this affects late mk2 and early mk3's ) and the only other problem I had was a misfire , sorted by 2 new plug caps.
So all I need to do now is decide!! And then get one or the other on Ebay.
Decisions... Decisions!

[MrGrumpy]

I'm not an expert reviewer but basically the mk4 is not as comfy and the mirrors are rubbish but handles a bit better. Mk 2 has better underseat storage, more room for your feet and I'm getting similar mpg. 58 to 61 for both.

Its a long time since my mk2 was sent to the great scrap yard in the sky, but my recollection is that the mk4 is probably the most comfortable of all the models - certainly more than the mk3, whilst the mk2 was generally OK but was upset by some road surfaces (but swallowed big bumps like they didn't exist). Mk2 probably had a little more room for your feet - again mk4 better than mk3. I've never noticed any difference in the underseat storage space for any of them. Mk4 mirrors are OK, but stick out too much, though they do fold (forward & back). I thought the mk3 had the best mirrors.

[Funkycowie]

this is my special tool for disassembling the variator, the two M12 coach bolts slot against the bit s the sliders go up and down on... the bolts are wrapped in electrical tape so as to not damage the variator.