THE 2018 KYMCO AK550 V TMAX 530 | ROAD TEST

When the Yamaha TMAX was introduced way back in 2001, it would have been a foolish man who suggested that Kymco would, in time, be producing a maxi scooter to rival, or at the very least compete with what was set to become THE sports maxi scooter.

The Taiwanese scooter giants have come a long way though, in a relatively short space of time. Their models not only sit alongside their Japanese counterparts (both physically and metaphorically) but in some cases are even rebranded as a competitor’s machine. Yamaha has also spent those intervening years updating, honing and polishing their flagship scooter but have they done enough to hold back the Taiwanese invasion?

We put the two head-to-head to find out…

VIDEO | TMAX V AK550

The Yamaha TMAX 530, classy and class-leading

Yamaha TMAX

Maxi scooters rock

Back in 2001, a Yamaha TMAX would cost £8299 – a lot of wonga back then (or now for a scooter), hence why us Brits don’t buy them in bulk like they do in the rest of Europe. We equate a modern scooter to a simple mode of transport, a commuter tool, or a frivolous waste of money. We find it hard to justify spending this kind of cash on ‘just a scooter’. Well, it’s about time we woke up and saw what many two-wheeled enthusiasts are missing out on. Maxi scooters rock.

More fun than a car

Overseas with milder year-round conditions a hefty purchase like this is easier to swallow, a maxi purchase is made instead of a second (or even first) car. It’s a practical, fast and efficient means of transport but is also great fun to ride. Go to any European city and you’ll see and hear TMAXs being ridden everywhere. On the recent Honda Forza launch in Nice, it seemed like every tenth scooter was a TMAX, you can hear their distinctive twin-cylinder engine note way before you see them. With our climate and seasons changing for the better we too can start to use a scooter year round in the UK.

Big investment

At just one pound short of ten grand, the TMAX is still a chunky investment. Add in a few extras (like the sports screen and Akrapovic exhaust on our long-termer) and your new scooter could soon cost upwards of £11,000. You’ve got to be a serious scooter lover or commuter to warrant that kind of investment, or maybe just switched on to how useful a big scooter can be?

Kymco’s AK550, quicker, cheaper and with a better spec

Kymco AK550

The AK550 is very similar in many ways to the TMAX. It has a similar twin cylinder engine configuration for starters. The ergonomics are pretty close as well and to a certain extent the styling is alike. It also costs around the price of a small family car.

At £8879 the AK550 is £1120 cheaper than the base model Yamaha though and comes with the ‘Noodoe’ system, which now includes navigation, making it much more than just a gimmick. It also has heated grips as standard, so winter rides will be more pleasant and it has top-notch Brembo brakes. The AK is well built, looks good, is lovely to ride and quick

Kymco’s keyless multi-position dial is a bit of a faff

The TMAX benefits from a simple button

Kymco’s keyfob is twice the size of the Yamaha’s

Keyless ignition

Both scooters come with keyless ignition. Although, the Yamaha system is easier to use and less of a faff than the Kymco’s with its multi-position dial. Keyless ignition with remote cut-out would be a much better use of the technology and help to fight bike crime/scooter jacking. Incidentally, we sell an anti-hijack device that will cut your engine if a thief takes it from you in our SLUK Shop

At least with the TMAX you can simply press the on/off button to unlock the steering and enable the scooter to be started on the familiar starter button. Aside from the usual immobiliser the TMAX also has Datatag and a centre stand that locks when you lock the steering. Like all attractive scooters though you really need to invest in some heavy-duty mechanical security as well.

Throw a Kymco key fob at a scooter thief and you’re likely to face manslaughter charges. It’s a hefty piece of plastic for sure. It’s twice the size of the Yamaha fob, the range it operates at is a bit worrying, Sticky parked the Kymco outside his kitchen window and was able to start it without taking the fob out of the kitchen with him. The Yamaha fob has to be within a metre of the scooter.

Styling/equipment

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Both scooters look sharp, modern and have most of the features you expect on a scooter of this calibre, TFT dash, ABS (traction control on the Yamaha), decent storage space, top spec suspension and plenty of power. With its glossy black paintwork, non-standard sports screen and aftermarket Akrapovic exhaust the TMAX looks stunning but you’re looking at another £1092 on top of the list price for those extras.

Meanwhile, the Kymco has a deep-throaty sounding exhaust as standard and subtle detailing, like the well-crafted stitching on the seat, for instance, horizontal in-yer-face rear suspension and a certain mean look to it. For me, it’s slightly more up to date and aggressive than the 2018 TMAX in standard trim. Not that either machine have been hit with the ugly stick. These both ooze ‘look at me’ styling and beg to be ridden fast and hard, luckily that’s how we like to ride our scooters at SLUK.

Get used to filling both scooters up

Range

Both scooters need a better more accurate fuel gauge. A scooter capable of covering long distances should have a better range than either of these two. They both have a 15-litre tank (which should be plenty) but ridden hard, neither of them can do over 100 miles without the fuel gauge flashing ominously at you. I recently rode the TMAX back from Heathrow in the middle of the night, expecting to be able to get home to Nottinghamshire on a full tank (135 miles). By Leicester, the fuel gauge was on empty and the range was showing zero, not wanting to risk running out and waiting for recovery at 2 am I bottled it and filled up at Leicester Forest East, it still had 5-litres left in the tank. Incidentally, late night riding leads to quicker speeds and I arrived home getting a personal record for the Heathrow trip. Ridden sensibly the TMAX is capable of a much longer range and a sensible MPG.

I found the Kymco’s fuel gauge even more annoying. It’s hard to ignore a big flashing display, even if it is reading much earlier than is absolutely necessary. I hate stopping more often than I need to. Especially on a scooter that is as comfortable as these two are, where long distance riding and a few hours in the saddle isn’t an issue.

What about the power?

The Kymco’s in-line twin cylinder, 8-valve engine is 20.4cc larger in capacity and produces 8.32 bhp more than the TMAX’s 530cc lump. It’s a forward-inclined parallel twin, whilst the Yamaha has an inline twin layout. Similar but different both in characteristics and power. The Kymco, with its standard exhaust, sounds meatier than the TMAX, even with the added carbon Akrapovic system.

A2 licence friendly?

Yamaha have kept the TMAX below the 47bhp A2 licencing limit so restricted licence holders can ride one. The Kymco has punched its way out of that bracket though with 53bhp on tap. That means if you’re on an A2 bike licence you can’t ride one. It’s worth bearing in mind if you’re unsure which one to choose.

Three figure speeds

It goes without saying that both engines are quick and very usable, they’re smooth and deliver their power very well. Although the AK has a momentary lag on acceleration. Not that it matters too much because it still beats the TMAX off the line and holds it at bay until around 80mph. To be honest, though there’s not much to separate them on performance in the real world, neither machine will outrun the other for long (check out the video above). Both are capable of three-figure speeds, with the TMAX topping an indicated 110mph, the Kymco 114. Although 90-100 mph is where they’re both comfortable to cruise at. You can find yourself on the wrong side of the speed limit quite easily on these scooters thanks to their aerodynamics and linear power delivery.

Talking of cruising, the short TMAX screen actually works better for me than the original higher screen, you still get buffeted on either scooter but sometimes a taller screen just deflects the blast directly at your neck and makes it noisy inside your lid. On a quick scooter like these, you really need to wear earplugs if you’re not planning for future tinnitus.

Wind protection

The standard Kymco screen (and TMAX screen) is adjustable, although it’s a tools out job to move it, in reality, both scooters should have an easy to adjust, (or preferably an electric) screen. If Honda can do it on the 125/300 Forza I’m sure these boys can on their maxi scooters. Yamaha does offer an electric screen, heated grips and heated seat on the higher spec TMAX DX but that model isn’t available in the UK this year, although it’s listed on the Yamaha website at £11,349 so you can probably order one in.

Weather protection from the large frontal plastics is also very good on both scooters, you can get through a good few miles of rain on them without having to stick your waterproof trousers on and they’ll keep your legs warmer in winter as well.

Noodoe on the Kymco now also includes a useful sat nav

The TMAX dash isn’t as overcomplicated as the Kymco’s

What are they like to ride?

To put it simply you’ll enjoy riding both of these scooters, they’re both powerful enough, although the Kymco has more power and torque so it’ll out accelerate the TMAX. Not by much but from a standing start to 80mph it’ll be out in front, after that the TMAX starts to claw it back a bit. Similarly, with a side by side roll-on, 50-60mph on a dual carriageway, pin the throttle and see who takes the lead, the Kymco won that one as well. You can feel the extra torque on the AK550, blasting around country lanes. Using the same corner repeatedly on both scooters for photos the Kymco has more drive on the exit. You feel as though you could almost spin the rear tyre if you wanted to. The TMAX has Yamaha’s TCS – Traction Control System though to prevent wheelspin (although it can be turned off if you wish).

s we mentioned a while ago in our original Kymco AK550 road test, the scooter does have a momentary lag in the transmission if you whack the throttle open. It is only for a split second but you do notice it. A Malossi variator would no doubt cure that though.

Handling

Both scooters handle really well, although the Yamaha suspension is slightly better, not there’s a lot in it really. They’re both perfect for having a bit of fun on the twisties and can cover long distances easily enough. The TMAX has always been the finest handling maxi scooter as far as I’m concerned and it still is but both of these are as capable as a mid capacity bike, the 15″ wheels on both scooters help to keep things under control, 160-section rear tyres gripping the tarmac perfectly. They’re well planted and easy to ride slowly in traffic, you can also perform a feet-up U-turn on both pretty easily despite their size.

Brakes

You don’t find top spec Brembo brakes on many scooters but Kymco have fitted them to the AK and it gives the scooter the edge on stopping power, twin 270mm discs (slightly larger than the Yamaha’s 267mm discs) provide more than enough up front bite. Although the TMAX has a 282mm rear disc, compared to the Kymco’s 260mm disc. Both scooters stop very well but ridden back to back you can feel a difference with the Kymco. Having said that, the ABS isn’t as intrusive on the Yamaha, it doesn’t cut in as often when you’re having fun but is there when you really could benefit from it.

The TMAX looks mean with gloss black paintwork and the sports screen fitted

Kymco’s underseat area can be tricky to load

Similar space on the Yamaha but the seat shape makes things easier

Storage space

Both scooters have generous underseat storage, large enough to fit a full faced helmet and a few other bits under there. The TMAX space is easier to load though, the underneath protruding shape of the Kymco seat means space has to be packed carefully or the seat won’t close.

Don’t expect to fit more than a small bag of clothes under the seat of either scooter though if you’re using it for a night or two away. On my recent airport run I Roc Strapped a small Givi case to the pillion seat, it worked well enough but if I was two up we’d both have to pack very carefully to fit as much under the seat as possible, I’d also need to have some kind of tunnel bag in between my legs and my passenger would probably need to wear a rucksack. Still more practical than a bike though for sure. Talking of pillions, both are comfortable twos up although a top box with pillion pad would be a good addition.

oth scooters would benefit from an additional luggage rack/top box really to make them even more practical. My vintage Lambretta may not have any storage space beneath the seat but it carried enough stuff for a recent two-week Spanish camping tour on the rear luggage rack. Both the TMAX and Kymco also have additional cubby holes behind the front plastics, they’re useful for smaller items and include a charge point.

Life’s a blur with a maxi scooter

Verdict

I love both of these scooters and find it hard to choose between the two. The TMAX is, well it’s a TMAX. A proper full-on sports tourer. It’s good looking, fast and great fun. It’s got 17 years of Yamaha sports scooter heritage behind it and does exactly what it was designed to do. The Kymco also boasts many of the TMAX characteristics but it’s also more powerful, a little bit quicker and comes with a better spec for less money. Heated grips and Noodoe navigation/connectivity are well worth having – especially when those ‘extras’ come as standard on a scooter that costs over a grand less than the base model TMAX.

Residual value

With a scooter of this calibre and price you need to choose carefully, you also need to consider the future residual value. A secondhand TMAX is often a good way to get into maxi scooter ownership. A 500 mile old, 2017 model TMAX with luggage rack and top box can be bought from a dealer for £6495. That’s a lot of scooter for the money. Sticky still runs around on his 2001 first generation TMAX and loves it, that scooter may be old and tired but has served him well since 2003. Future pricing on the Kymco is a little hard to predict, it’s a new model from a manufacturer that isn’t as instantly recognisable as Yamaha. Still a manufacturer with an impressive history and reputation though.

If money is no object and you want a scooter with a well-proven history then the TMAX is a great first choice. It’s a scooter that has evolved over many years. It’s also a scooter with plenty of aftermarket (and official) accessories to help you customise it further. Buying a TMAX gets you into a worldwide club of existing happy owners.

Buying the Kymco will no doubt save you some money and you’ll be different to the usual maxi scooter gang, it also might make your new scooter less attractive to thieves (the TMAX is high on Britain’s most wanted list). Whichever way you choose to go you won’t be disappointed, these two scooters are the current top two maxi scooters as far as I’m concerned.

Words: Iggy, photos: Sticky

Video edit: Iggy

Kymco AK 550 specs

Engine: 550.4cc, in-line twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valves

Power: 53bhp and 41 ft lbs of torque

Suspension: Front 41mm upside down forks, rear horizontal trailing arm

Chassis: Aluminium twin-spar frame

Weight: 226kg

Brakes: Front 270mm twin discs, with Brembo calipers, rear 260mm single disc

Tyres: Front 120/70-15, rear 160/60-15

Tank capacity: 15 litres

Price: £8879