Maxi scooters

[philjayel]

Arthritis dictated that I either rode a scooter or nothing at all so in my case it wasn't a terribly difficult decision but I have to admit that the Yamaha T Max is a brilliant machine in it's own right and surprisingly quick in the area that I ride namely the hills around the Rolleystone area south east of Perth Western Australia. One thing that has occurred to me since I've had the T Max is how much easier it is to concentrate on getting the best lines through corners and getting the braking spot on when you aren't having to think about the gears. I'm not a novice rider by any means, over 40 years and 20 odd bikes from 1950's british through 1970's japanese and later on 3 bmw's and now a japanese maxi scooter and the T Max has made me a better rider. Another advantage is having the rear brake on the handlebar, it's easier to brake with your fingers than your foot, you have far more feel. Much better for riders who like to trail the rear brake a bit to settle the back end down going into a corner. Anyway, as a new poster, I thought I would try and get you guys views on Maxi scooters. PS I know nothing looks sexier than a sportsbike but I'll attache a picture of my T Max anyway.

[CB700S]

Geez, couldn't you at least have gotten something like a DN01? :P

Seriously, though, I understand that scooters do work in other places. Around here, scooters are a good way to discover the pavement the hard way as a pothole eats your front wheel and sometimes the entire scooter - so not a great idea.

[philjayel]

Originally Posted by CB700S

Geez, couldn't you at least have gotten something like a DN01? :P

Seriously, though, I understand that scooters do work in other places. Around here, scooters are a good way to discover the pavement the hard way as a pothole eats your front wheel and sometimes the entire scooter - so not a great idea.

Yeh the 14" wheels are a bit small, on later models they went to 15". Still a bit small though. I remember when the Japanese first tried 16" wheels on sportsbikes they weren't universally loved but I've never ridden one. But hey I can fit all my camera gear or a few bears under the seat though.

[philjayel]

That should have been BEERS not BEARS. LOL.

[mrhonda1987]

LOL if u can fit bears under the seat.

[Bigdaa]

If you can still ride something you are still living, mate.

I shit my britches when Yammie came out with that scoot. I saw the size of the engine and dropped a loaf right next to my shoe!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember thinking you could grab rubber and wheelie on it!

[PAULIBIKER]

I was impressed with my wifes Majesty. Comfy, easy to ride, quicker than you think, & great wind protection.

I worst thing was having to wear a full face helmet with a tinted shield so nobody would recognize you.

I hear the T-Max is a great machine.

[philjayel]

Originally Posted by Bigdaa

If you can still ride something you are still living, mate.

I shit my britches when Yammie came out with that scoot. I saw the size of the engine and dropped a loaf right next to my shoe!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember thinking you could grab rubber and wheelie on it!

No wheelies I'm afraid,the centrifugal clutch is a bit too slow for anything that exciting.

[honda ng gingsa]

Scooter racing is actually pretty popular here as it costs a lot less than proper track machines. Though the clutched "underbone" models are better suited, but people race everything from vespas to maxi scoots.

Underbone racing is meant to be an affordable way for new racers to get into racing but the funny thing is since the racing community is so small here, you see the same guys in the superbike class join and win in the scooter/underbone class on a race weekend.

[philjayel]

Originally Posted by honda ng gingsa

Scooter racing is actually pretty popular here as it costs a lot less than proper track machines. Though the clutched "underbone" models are better suited, but people race everything from vespas to maxi scoots.

Underbone racing is meant to be an affordable way for new racers to get into racing but the funny thing is since the racing community is so small here, you see the same guys in the superbike class join and win in the scooter/underbone class on a race weekend.

Hey it looks like those guys are getting their knees down too. Looks like fun. Do they have to use street tyres or are there slicks available?

[honda ng gingsa]

Originally Posted by philjayel

Hey it looks like those guys are getting their knees down too. Looks like fun. Do they have to use street tyres or are there slicks available?

From what ive seen, theyre on sticky treaded street tires. These 150cc bikes are light and pretty modest in the power dept. But they go full throttle all around the track with hardly any braking needed. I tried one of these races years ago on a borrowed italjet scooter, i couldnt keep up.

[philjayel]

Originally Posted by honda ng gingsa

From what ive seen, theyre on sticky treaded street tires. These 150cc bikes are light and pretty modest in the power dept. But they go full throttle all around the track with hardly any braking needed. I tried one of these races years ago on a borrowed italjet scooter, i couldnt keep up.

Do they race on a full size track? I reckon it would be good fun on a go-kart track.

[honda ng gingsa]

Kart track as well as a smaller half-lap loop of our full track.

[philjayel]

Originally Posted by PAULIBIKER

I was impressed with my wifes Majesty. Comfy, easy to ride, quicker than you think, & great wind protection.

I worst thing was having to wear a full face helmet with a tinted shield so nobody would recognize you.

I hear the T-Max is a great machine.

Yeh the T Max really took me by surprise.I was actually looking for a 250 when I came accross the T Max in the classifieds so I went for a look and the rest is history as they say. Once I'd ridden it I was hooked. I don't think it's as comfy as a Majesty from what I've heard but it sure puts a smile on my face. I have an open face helmet, but I always wear my full face on the scooter for some reason lol. The only thing I hate about it is the underseat storage gets very warm. Not good for beer storage.