Yamaha XMAX 300

The Yamaha XMAX 300 steps up from the 125 class into genuinely bigger-engined territory, a flagship scooter built for riders who want real overtaking performance to go with everyday city practicality. It wears the same purposeful MAX family styling as its smaller sibling but backs it with the muscle to feel just as at home on a fast A-road as it does threading through town.

Its 292cc liquid-cooled single, with a 70.0mm by 75.9mm bore and stroke, a 10.9:1 compression ratio and an SOHC four-valve head, produces 20.6kW at 7,250rpm and a strong 29Nm of torque at 5,750rpm. Fuel injection and a V-belt automatic transmission put that performance under a simple twist of the throttle, giving confident, decisive acceleration out of roundabouts and past slower traffic without ever needing to think about gears. Fuel consumption of around 3 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 76g/km reflect the trade-off for that extra performance over the smaller 125.

A tubular steel underbone frame, telescopic front forks and a unit swing rear keep the chassis composed at the higher speeds this engine allows, riding on 120/70-15 front and 140/70-14 rear tyres with 135mm of ground clearance, while matching 267mm discs front and rear bring genuinely strong, well balanced stopping power, backed by traction control and ABS for reassurance in poor grip. At 183kg kerb weight and with a 775mm seat height, it remains manageable at a standstill despite the extra performance on offer.

Everyday convenience runs deep too. A connected LCD dash relays call and message notifications, a USB-C socket keeps devices charged on the move, and the keyless Smart Key system unlocks the seat, fuel cap and ignition without a conventional key ever coming out of a pocket. Underseat space for two full-face helmets and a well padded dual seat with foldable passenger footrests mean it works as well two-up as it does solo. It suits riders who want a bigger, more capable scooter without giving up any of the convenience that makes scootering appealing in the first place. Arrange finance and book a test ride at GT Motorcycles, your Yamaha dealer in Plymouth, covering Devon, Cornwall and the wider South West.