Longtermer PART 1: 2024 Yamaha XMAX 300 | REVIEW

Back in August we road tested a Yamaha RayZR 125 and picked up a longterm Yamaha XMAX 300 to keep and use for a few months.

It was the first time I’d ridden the XMAX since we reviewed after the launch in Italy back in May 2023. It’s always good to have more time with a scooter than ‘just’ a glamourous quick blast along a pre-prepared route in perfect riding conditions in a lovely foreign country. As nice as the ride from Milan to Lake Como was, sometimes you just need a few home comforts. Stuff like rain, cold, wind and fog.

Morning commute?

Getting a ‘longtermer’ is great if you’re commuting to an office. Every day gives you some time in the saddle and something to write about. Sadly in these days of home working (I actually bucked that trend many years ago and have worked from home since 2003) it means for people like myself, getting mileage covered isn’t quite as easy. Luckily, sometimes I do have to go out to do some work.

‘Allowed’ out

It was on one of those odd occasions that I got on board this XMAX for the first time. I had to make a trip down to The Cotswolds to see a SLUK reader and his collection of fast scooters. Talking of fast scooters, although this one is ‘only’ 292cc it certainly packs a punch. I think a lot of potential buyers overlook the 300 class and go for larger capacity when it’s not always much of an advantage. Yes, if you have the spare cash and a yearning for a twin-cylinder 562CC TMAX you’ll not be disappointed, they’re a proper weapon. Most riders don’t really need a 14 grand maxi scooter though.

Maxi scooters come with extra power but also extra costs involved when it comes to maintenance, servicing and running costs. They’re also heavier and not quite as agile. Personally, I love the 300-class scooters.

Keyless ignition

The XMAX 300 is at the top of the class as far as I’m concerned. Like most decent new scooters, the Yamaha now comes with keyless ignition and the XMAX is one of the less ‘faffy’ ones to use. With some scooters, it’s more hassle than simply using a key. With this, just get close to the scooter with your key in a pocket and the proximity sensor picks it up. Then you can simply press and turn the dial to turn the scooter on. Pull a brake lever in, prod the starter button and the XMAX bursts into life.

Comfortable?

A 200-mile blast is the kind of job this scooter is very good at, it’s effortless to ride long distances. Comfortable, fast and it handles very well. The only thing that lets it down for me is the screen height, it’s very noisy for me (I’m 5’10”). Despite wearing earplugs there were times I found myself crouching down behind the screen to get a bit of peace and quiet in the still air. The standard screen is adjustable by 50mm but it’s still not quite right for me. I’m going to experiment a bit with a different screen or two, hopefully, that will turn a great scooter into a near-perfect one. An electric screen would be money well spent by Yamaha on this scooter, the Honda Forza has one and it makes it much more comfortable to ride at speed.

Heated grips

Our longtermer came with the optional heated grips fitted, even at the end of summer I found myself using them. Setting off on a cold, windy and misty summer’s morning soon had me glad to get some heat. The grips are pricey (£179) but they’re also discreet, have three heat settings and do a good job of keeping your hands warm. They’ll be a godsend in the middle of November when I’ve got a late night/early morning long ride to and from a London airport. It’s also worth noting that the XMAX comes with a 12-V lighter socket, rather than USB point. For me that’s a good thing, I can plug a heated vest straight into it and use an adaptor if I want to charge my phone.

This standard XMAX doesn’t come with the 4.2-inch full-colour screen of the Tech MAX so if you need a visual sat nav display it’s worth spending the extra £500 for the Gamin-compatible sportier version, which also comes with aluminium footplates, leather style seat and enhanced colour bodywork.

Three figures

If you’re the kind of rider who enjoys pushing on a bit, the XMAX 300 is quite nippy. Once loosened up a bit you’ll see three figures on the multi-function digital dash. Now that’s a top end you can’t grumble about on a 300-class scooter.

The kids loved the XMAX in Bourton on the Water…

Having had a thoroughly enjoyable 200-mile ride on a mixture of A-roads and motorway I got off it when I reached home feeling like another 200 wouldn’t be a problem, in fact, I’d have looked forward to it. This is the type of scooter that you can enjoy covering distance on, but it’s also versatile enough to be used for a nip to the shops, or running local errands on.

Since getting the scooter, I’ve been using it whenever I get the chance and other than the noisy screen I’ve enjoyed every mile so far. I’ll look forward to getting more miles on the clock over winter.

Words and video: Iggy

Photos: John Goodman