Test Ride] "TMAX560," the top automatic sports model that has been supported for a quarter of a century

The Yamaha TMAX560 automatic sport bike has maintained high popularity for 25 years. The TMAX560 is also available in the "TMAX560 TECH MAX" lineup, an advanced model with added comfort features such as heated grips and an electrically adjustable screen. We took the TMAX560 TECH MAX for a test ride. Text: Hiroyasu Ogawa Photo: Yuko Koizumi .

Improved environmental performance and enhanced equipment for comfort and convenience

The Yamaha TMAX sports commuter, equipped with a liquid-cooled inline 2-cylinder 499cc engine, was first introduced in 2001 with the concept of harmonizing "motorcycle-like fun riding" with "commuter comfort. It became a popular model in Europe, selling 5,000 units in the first six months after its launch. After that, it underwent a series of refinements, including color changes and the adoption of a newly designed aluminum frame, and with the full model change in 2013, its displacement was increased to 530 cc and its name was changed to "TMAX530. The maximum output was increased from 38 PS/7000 rpm to 48 PS/6750 rpm, and the maximum torque was increased from 4.5 kgf-m/5500 rpm to 5.4 kgf-m/5250 rpm. The respective torque generation rpm ranges have also been lowered to improve ease of handling. In addition, equipment has been enhanced almost every year, including inverted front suspension, a smart key system, an electronically controlled throttle, and a lightweight aluminum frame, and displacement will be increased to 561 cc in 2020. The car was also renamed TMAX560. The maximum output remained the same at 48 PS, but the engine speed was increased from 6750 rpm to 7500 rpm. On the other hand, maximum torque has thickened from 5.4kgf-m to 5.7kgf-m, while the 5250rpm generated rpm remains the same. 2022 is equipped with Yamaha's unique lightweight "SPINFORGED WHEEL," and also features Yamaha's first electric tank cap. It also features a 7-inch high-brightness TFT meter with smartphone connectivity. The styling has also been redesigned, making it more compact. And for the 2025 model year, the ECU has been changed to improve environmental performance. The intake funnel was newly designed to achieve a clear intake sound with no muffled noise. The joint between the exhaust port and exhaust pipe has been "TIG welded," and the inner surface of the muffler has been smoothed to achieve a linear response to throttle operation. The maximum output of 48 PS remains the same, but the engine speed has been lowered from 7500 rpm to 7000 rpm. The maximum torque output remains at 5250 rpm, but is slightly thinner (5.7 kgf-m → 5.6 kgf-m). However, by changing the clutch weights from 12 to 10 and optimizing the clutch spring, the jerkiness at very low speeds has been reduced and start-up acceleration is smoother. In addition, the "BC (brake control)" function is also included, in which information from the "6-axis IMU," front wheel speed, and rear wheel speed are integrated into the "HU (hydro unit)" for calculation and brake control according to the bank angle, which is also reflected in the brake pressure when ABS is activated. The D-MODE (Driving Mode Switching System) has been redesigned to clarify the characteristics of the S (Sports Mode) and T (Touring Mode) modes. The redesigned TFT meter is now compatible with the " Y-Connect " smartphone app and can also display navigation functions if "Garmin Motorize" is installed on the smartphone. Safety and convenience features such as the "Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)," which notifies following vehicles of a sudden stop, have also been improved. The position lamps have a new "T" shaped design, and the front face has been redesigned with a slightly jowly appearance. The higher-end TMAX560 TECH MAX model is newly equipped with hairline-finished machined wheels, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors tire pressure while riding, and heated grips that are easier to warm. Features such as a cruise control system, electrically adjustable screen, heated main seats, adjustable rear suspension, handlebar switch backlight, and one-push start also continue to be available.

Check out the TMAX560 TECH MAX's footing.

The car feels large, but it is easy to maneuver when driving!

The "TMAX560 TECH MAX" weighs 221 kg, so I felt its weight when pushing and pulling. However, the bike feels stable, so I was not worried that I would suddenly feel wobbly. The seat area is large, allowing a high degree of freedom in the riding position, but considering the ease of steering, I had to sit in the front of the seat, which made me feel the vehicle's large size when the vehicle was stationary. This area is probably intended mainly for foreign riders of average height. However, as the bike moves forward even a little, the handling becomes more nimble, allowing the rider to make tight turns at narrow intersections in the city. The TMAX560's body layout is not a swing unit, in which the engine moves with the rear wheel as on a commuter, but rather the engine is mounted on the frame as on a sport bike. This contributes to the centralization of the weight mass, and is probably responsible for the well-balanced chassis that makes the rider feel light and nimble while riding. The engine characteristics can be switched between "T (touring mode)" and "S (sport mode). Both modes idle at around 1200 rpm, but in the "T mode," torque starts to build up from 3000 rpm, and a practical amount of torque is produced between 4000 and 5000 rpm. In "S mode," torque starts at 2500 rpm, and at 3000~4000 rpm, the car has the acceleration and cruising speed to lead the flow of traffic. In T mode, the rpm rises slowly and the torque does not have a strong push. This results in little change in the vehicle's posture, and the driver can feel the smooth and gentle acceleration, and the ride is comfortable. In S mode, on the other hand, the engine responds quickly to throttle operation at any rpm range, and the torque comes out with a thump as if it is being pushed out. The vehicle's attitude changes significantly, but the acceleration is also overwhelmingly strong, and the time it takes to reach 100 km/h seems shorter than that of a sport bike, since acceleration is extended without clutch operation or gear shifting. The front and rear brakes are easy to control and provide consistent braking power, and the frame is rigid, so handling is stable. Knee grip is not possible, but the center tunnel can be gripped with the ankles, allowing the rider to enjoy fluttering machine control in "S mode. The advantage of the automatic transmission is that the rider can concentrate on handling and throttle operation for sport riding without operating the clutch or shifting gears, and I personally find such a riding experience enjoyable. The good balance of the center of gravity can also be felt as a sense of lightness, which explains why Yamaha calls the "TMAX560" an "automatic sport. I was able to test riding with a tandem, and thanks to the seat's large seating area, I did not feel cramped. In addition, although sudden acceleration and braking can cause large changes in posture, the front and rear suspensions had the stiffness to maintain a flat body posture as long as the tandem rider maintains the same posture, and the vehicle maintained a high level of stability during acceleration and braking. The shock-absorbing properties of the front and rear suspension probably contributed greatly to this. Even when crossing poor pavement or wadachi, there were no jolting impacts that were transmitted to the rider's body, and the ride was smooth and smooth, even when going over bumps and gaps. The TMAX560 combines the sporty ride of a sport bike with the comfortable cruising performance of a tourer, which is a key feature of the TMAX560.

Top class driving comfort among the "MAX Series."

The "TMAX 560 TECH MAX" is an advanced model with additional equipment for the "TMAX 560". Among the new additions are Yamaha's unique machining on the SPINFORGED WHEEL, TPMS tire pressure monitoring system while riding, and heated grips that are easier to warm up. Continuing from previous TECH MAX models are a cruise control system, electrically adjustable screen, heated main seat, adjustable rear suspension, handlebar-switch backlight, and one-push start. Of these features, we particularly benefited from the heated grips and main seat heater and the electrically adjustable screen. Both can be turned on and off and settings changed using the joystick and display on the left side grip, which is also intuitive and easy to operate. The grip heater and main seat heater can be adjusted to three different temperatures, and we felt warmth immediately at all levels. The electrically adjustable screen is infinitely height-adjustable, and even at the lowest position, the wind did not hit the rider's body. However, the helmet was exposed to the wind, which caused wind noise. When the screen was set to the highest position, the wind noise was completely eliminated. Tandemar also commented that wind noise was eliminated, so we can say that the windproofing performance is quite high. Although the temperature dropped to 10°C on the day of the test ride, the hands and buttocks felt warm and very comfortable as the driving wind did not blow against the body. Considering its convenience in touring, I wished it would be a standard feature of the "TECH MAX" series. Although I have test-ridden other MAX series models, this was the first time for me to test-ride the TMAX560. Even so, I could understand that what I had felt in previous MAX Series models originated in the TMAX560. Although there are differences in torque and power due to the difference in displacement, I got the same impression of the styling image, rigid chassis, and good acceleration. The "TMAX560 TECH MAX" is the top model in the "MAX Series" that has been perfected with both comfort and sportiness in mind.

Main specifications of the 2025 Yamaha TMAX560 TECH MAX

・Length x Width x Height: 2195 x 780 x 1415 mm ・Wheelbase: 1575 mm ・Wheel Weight: 221 kg ・Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-valve in-line 2-cylinder 561 cc ・Max output: 48 PS/7000 rpm ・Max torque: 5.6 kgf・m/5250 rpm ・Fuel tank capacity Fuel tank capacity: 15 L ・Transmission: V-belt continuously variable/automatic ・Brakes: F= double disc, R= single disc ・Tires: F= 120/70R15, R= 160/60R15 ・Price: 1,664,500 yen [images] An automatic that has been supported for a quarter century TMAX560, the top model in the sport (24)