[Test Ride] Yamaha's Sport Scooter "XMAX" Gets a Color Change! Racer-Inspired Blue Appears for the First Time

Among Yamaha's sport scooter "MAX series," the "XMAX" is highly praised for its all-around ease of handling, including highway riding. Its 2026 model has undergone a color change. In addition to the continuing colors of Black and Gray, new colors Blue and Matte Dark Gray have been added, bringing the lineup to a total of four colors. This time, we test rode the Blue model to re-experience the ride of the "XMAX."

文：小川浩康　写真：コイズミユウコ

High Comfort Achieved Through Meticulous Craftsmanship

The "XMAX" is equipped with Yamaha's unique liquid-cooled 250cc "BLUE CORE" engine, which achieves a high level of balance between environmental performance, fuel efficiency, and riding enjoyment. Blue, symbolizing Yamaha's racing activities, is adopted for the first time on the "XMAX."

The styling, with its boomerang-motif side covers and dual headlights, inherits the characteristic look of the "MAX series."

The "XMAX" was first released in Japan in 2018 as a new big scooter after a 10-year gap since the "Majesty." Equipped with a liquid-cooled 250cc "BLUE CORE" engine, it offered sporty riding while also providing ample storage space under the seat, earning high marks as both a sport scooter and a commuter. In 2023, it underwent a full model change with a renewed style. The "BLUE CORE" engine was also updated to comply with stricter emission regulations. Convenience features such as LED headlights and smartphone connectivity were also improved.

Furthermore, a minor change was implemented in 2025. While retaining the MAX series' characteristic body design, new features such as a new TFT display, an electric screen, and an emergency stop signal that flashes the front and rear turn signals during sudden braking were added to further enhance convenience.

For the 2026 model, there are no changes to the specifications or equipment, but Blue, symbolizing Yamaha's racing activities, is adopted for the "XMAX" for the first time. Additionally, Matte Dark Gray, using a metallic-textured paint called "Crystal Graphite," has been added. The price remains unchanged.

The LED headlights and LED position lights are laid out in an "X" shape. They are dual units, symbolizing Yamaha's sport scooter identity.

When the LED stop lamp is lit, it is designed to form an "X" shape along with the LED tail lamps. Visibility is also excellent.

The display features an LCD on the left and a TFT on the right. The bolts around the display are painted matte black to prevent reflections on the screen.

The TFT display can show the navigation app "Garmin Street Cross." The TFT display is clear and easy to see while riding, which is a significant advantage.

専用アプリ「Y-Connect Connects with a smartphone equipped with the [app name] app to display calls and SNS notifications on the screen. The smartphone side can display riding logs, etc.

The seat has ample fore-and-aft space, allowing for a high degree of freedom in riding position. It also ensures a comfortable seating position for the passenger.

The under-seat storage space, with a maximum load capacity of 5kg, can accommodate two full-face helmets. It is also equipped with LED lighting, making it convenient as a commuter.

The pocket with a maximum load capacity of 1kg is equipped with a USB Type-C socket as standard. The fuel tank capacity is 13L. The fuel tank lid and seat can be unlocked with the smart key.

The electric screen can be adjusted steplessly over a 100mm range. The image shows it in the lowest position. Even at this position, the wind protection effect is high.

The electric screen in its highest position. Wind protection is further enhanced, contributing to comfortable riding even in rainy weather.

The front is equipped with a 15-inch wheel, balancing high stability with natural handling. ABS is equipped on both front and rear.

The rear is equipped with a 14-inch wheel, contributing to excellent off-road capability with reliable grip. Traction control is also installed.

Checking the XMAX's Ground Reachability

The rider's height is 172cm, and the seat height is 795mm. The seating position and foot placement can be adjusted, allowing for a highly flexible riding position.

When trying to place both feet on the ground, with the wide floor area, only the toes touch. When maneuvering the bike while seated, the size and weight of the vehicle are noticeable.

The rider's height is 156cm. The initial handlebar position has been moved 20mm closer than the previous model. "It's a comfortable position when sitting back."

"I can place one foot firmly, but the width of the bike makes me uneasy about quickly putting my foot down. The weight isn't an issue, but the bike feels large."

Enjoy Sporty Riding Without Feeling Intimidated!

The "XMAX" doesn't feel heavy when maneuvering while riding. Light machine control is achieved through throttle operation, allowing anyone to enjoy sporty riding.

The 2025 minor change primarily focused on improving convenience. The "BLUE CORE" engine, front and rear suspension, and frame remain unchanged from the previous model. The "BLUE CORE" engine idles at approximately 1500rpm, with practical torque kicking in from 4000rpm. To start smoothly in urban areas, you'll use around 4000rpm, but it quickly reaches this point with just a slight twist of the throttle from idle.

Even when maintaining 4000rpm, it provides solid acceleration, making it easy to handle and free from the sluggish response often associated with ATs. Furthermore, opening the throttle further to 5000rpm delivers acceleration that can lead the flow of traffic, allowing you to experience the speed of the "XMAX."

The wide floor area means that when you need to put your foot down suddenly, you'll be on your tiptoes, and at such times, the bike's size and weight are noticeable. However, once you start riding, the front wheel's road feel is clear, and the handling has a good amount of feedback, allowing for agile machine control through rider weight shifts, handlebar inputs, and throttle operation. Additionally, with torque available from low RPMs and no sluggish throttle response, leaning forward on the seat to increase front load and firmly gripping the center tunnel with your ankles allows you to enjoy cornering.

While it lacks the latest electronic devices like a "riding mode selection" to change engine characteristics or a "downshift" function for sharp acceleration/deceleration like a manual transmission, the "BLUE CORE" engine's inherent output characteristics and the bike's balance create a decidedly sporty tuning for the "XMAX's" ride. The V-belt automatic transmission makes this sporty ride accessible to a wide range of riders without feeling intimidated. Its high level of refinement means the ride doesn't feel dated despite the lack of electronic aids.

"BLUE CORE" is the name of Yamaha's unique engine design philosophy that emphasizes three key aspects: high-efficiency combustion, superior cooling, and reduced loss.

The V-belt type continuously variable automatic transmission contributes to a pleasant acceleration feel and ease of handling at practical speeds.

The Refined Ride Enhances Touring Enjoyment

The long wheelbase provides stability, the electric screen offers wind protection, and the flexible riding position contributes to improved comfort. The "XMAX" is an automatic sport that makes touring enjoyable.

The "XMAX's" "BLUE CORE" engine is easy to handle across its entire range and offers responsiveness that allows for sporty riding. Despite this, it doesn't transmit unpleasant vibrations, allowing for comfortable continuous riding. The electric screen also contributes to improved comfort. Even in the lowest position, wind hitting the rider is minimized, and in the highest position, it's further reduced. While the highest position offers a view through the screen, the screen is clear, so there was no sense of stress.

Unpleasant vibrations and wind pressure are reduced, the front and rear suspension smoothly absorb shocks from the road, the seat is comfortable, and the high degree of freedom in seating position prevents buttock fatigue. The long-wheelbase chassis offers high straight-line stability, but it also possesses handling characteristics and engine characteristics that allow for enjoyable cornering, so there was no boredom despite not having clutch or gear shifting. In fact, I felt like I could ride like this comfortably for a long time.

As mentioned earlier, when needing to put a foot down suddenly, or during low-speed riding or U-turns, the bike's size and weight are felt, making it challenging to maintain balance. On the other hand, being an AT, there's no risk of sudden stalling and falling, which is a benefit. This low-speed maneuverability will likely be overcome with more riding experience.

Within the MAX series, the "NMAX125/155" excels in maneuverability, and the "TMAX560" offers superior high-speed cruising余裕, but the "XMAX" is the best for all-around ease of handling. While its maneuverability, high-speed cruising, and economy are not outstanding, they are balanced at a level that doesn't pose a significant disadvantage to users. This time, I clearly experienced the well-balanced combination of commuter convenience suited to Japanese road conditions and traffic, and the dynamic performance of an automatic sport.

If you want to enjoy your daily commute with sporty riding and also easily enjoy weekend touring on a single bike, I highly recommend the "XMAX." Personally, I believe the "XMAX's" easy-to-handle and comfortable ride is perfect for tandem touring.

A motorcycle-type front suspension with inner tubes that extend to the handlebar crown. It offers good cushioning and clear road feel.

The rear suspension comes standard with a 5-step preload adjuster. It can be adjusted according to the rider's preference or tandem riding situations.

While the wide floor area was noticeable when needing to put a foot down suddenly, when stopping is anticipated, shifting your hips slightly allows you to place one foot firmly on the ground.

Yamaha XMAX Main Specifications

・Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height: 2180 x 795 x 1410mm (1505mm when the screen is raised)
・Wheelbase: 1540mm
・Seat Height: 795mm
・Weight: 183kg
・Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke SOHC 4-valve single-cylinder 249cc
・Maximum Power: 23PS/7000rpm
・Maximum Torque: 2.4kgf・m/5500rpm
・Fuel Tank Capacity: 13L
・Transmission: V-belt type continuously variable transmission / Automatic
・Brakes: F=Single Disc, R=Single Disc
・Tires: F=120/70-15, R=140/70-14
・Price: 737,000 yen