Yamaha XMAX Owner experience Pros & Cons in U.S. & Thailand.
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- Опубліковано 15 січ 2023
- I ride the Yamaha XMAX 300 in the U.S. and Thailand while sharing my rider experience. I compare the XMAX against a few of my favorite scooters (motorbikes), such as the Honda Forza 350, HondaADV 150, and the new Honda ADV 350.
My experience and opinions are from riding many hours on these scooters across different riding conditions and situations. The XMAX 300 is one of the best and most enjoyable scooters to own and ride. I've put 4,100 miles on my 2021 Yamaha XMAX. From winding mountain roads, interstates, highways, and city commuting in all weather conditions, from hot, cold, wet, and pleasant. Fun is the word I think of every time I ride my XMAX.
The ADV 150/160 and the ADV 350 feel as if they were built specifically for Thailand's unpredictable and sometimes bad roads. While the XMAX feels better suited for good-condition city roads, expressways/Interstates, and well-paved back roads, especially some nice twisty countryside roads.
The 292cc single-cylinder engine is silky smooth and puts out an impressive 27.63 horsepower. While the engine and drivetrain setup lacks the punchiness of the Forza and ADV 350 at low and mid RPM, the XMAX is impressive at the top end. After purchasing my XMAX, I went on a 900-mile interstate trip from Pennsylvania to Alabama. Sitting comfortably while passing cars at 80+ MPH was a surreal experience. I was impressed by the comfort and performance.
Yamaha has done an excellent job setting up the 4.3-inch front and 3.1-inch rear suspension travel. The ride is excellent in most situations. The Forza and XMAX have similar suspension travel, but the XMAX is much better at absorbing bumps and making the rider feel confident leaning into corners.
The ADV 350 has an unfair advantage with its Showa 4.9-inch front and 5.1-inch rear suspension travel. Making it the best "bad road" Scooter. The XMAX is the best cool and cold weather scooter; wind protection is excellent in stock form. The ADV 350 is the brute, and the XMAX is the silky smooth sport scooter.
The Yamaha XMAX is an excellent scooter (motorbike). Anyone that buys one will be very happy. However, I hope Yamaha puts much better headlights on the updated 2023 XMAX 300.
Finally a legit review of the XMAX. Most reviews just show how awesome it looks. Well I already know how awesome it looks. That's why I'm here . Thanks for the first in dept review.
You're welcome, and thank you. 🙏🏼
Just traded my 2022 Honda ADV 150 for a 2023 XMAX 300. Love the 300. Phone integration and lot more power for the interstate and still getting 74mph so far.
Awesome!
Good to see the comparison between countries. Thank you!
Good no nonsense video Jake.
I think this would be a good addition to my Ducati and Triumph. I looked at higher capacity scooters but I'm now convinced that 300cc is the sweet spot. Its light with enough power for just about any situation.
Thank you, and I feel the same about the 300cc - 350cc. Light and nimble for city commuting with plenty of power to cruise the highways.
Your videos bring out some interesting points (some good, some not so) about the Xmax, especially your video review of the ADV 350. I would love to see you get your hands on a 2023 Xmax and review it's redesign as compared to your 2021 model. Thanks for an educational and fun video, ride safe ! 👍👍👍
I've been searching for a 2023 XMAX to ride. I'm very curious to see if there are some meaningful improvements.
The headlights are TOTALLY different on 2023.....they are actually bright and what I like the most is the beam is wide to show all of road !!! Before I took my new one I had dealership take it into a closed dark room and we tilted them slightly upwards a little bit to get the maximum range and correct and most light out of them. It is rather easy to do !!!!
I think I'll still go for the Honda ADV 350, that would boil down to your preference. I tend to have a mix of a pave road and dirt. So I think the Yamaha Xmax is good with paving road, but might encounter difficulties with dirt roads. To each his own. But admittedly I was also eyeing the xmax 300 and 400 back home in the Philippines. But when the ADv 350 came it. I was sold. NICE REVIEW.😎👌
Thank you. 🙏🏼
The XMAX is a wonderful scooter, but the ADV 350 is so much better dealing with bad roads and dirt.
Hopefully the headlights will be better with the new design updates for 2023. Nice information. Looking at this one along with the Vespa GTS 300.
I'm currently looking for a 2023 XMAX to ride. I'm curious about the new tech upgrades and the headlights.
I hope so too. I came from a KTM made bike with excellent lights and was honestly shocked at how bad the Xmax´s lights are. I quickly found a solution and got a pair of SW-Motech fog lights. Crash bars are hard to come by here in Europe so I had to drill two holes in either side fairing, just below the EU spec indicators and just mounted the lights there with the screw that came with them.
They never moved a bit and give excellent side to side vision but the horrendous main beam still remains...
@@Watson2108 Yeah, the main beam. Lol
I've been riding for many years, all types of motorbikes. The XMAX main beam is the worst! Thank you for sharing your solution, I knew I couldn't be the only person that thinks the lights a bad. Lol
@@JakeSnowLiveSimple i own the xmax tech max, its much better for a daily ride in SEA as it's a slimmer machine. the main beam is much better and the suspension is ever so slightly better. it's overall a slightly better scooter but nothing much, but i own the 250 version cause i live in Indonesia, the acceleration is baaaaad😂
@@gelsakh2573 Thanks for sharing the info! Bummer you can't get the 300cc. I'm glad Yamaha fixed the weak high beam.
Will be doing same for home in Ubon Ratchathani and in Louisiana. Planning to bring some pricier aftermarket stuff over from US on my next trip and just carry it back-and-forth instead of buying for both bikes. Was gonna do this with a CB500x but will eventually get into an Africa Twin and just use the Xmax for around Ubon town.
Yeah saw ur in Patts and concur on the ADV 150 around there. Lived in Naklua and on Jomtien beach and anything over 150 is just to much to negotiate in traffic there but in Ubon its ok.
Good set up. It's nice having a home base in the US and in Thailand.
Excellent review. I'm comparing the Forza with the XMax currently. Test ride from Chiangmai to Chiang Dao including narrow mountain 'roads'. One thing for sure, 300 and 350cc is more than enough for Thailand roads. My 750 Kawasaki would be useless in traffic here.
Thank you! I agree; the 300cc range is enough. I rent big cc motorcycles for a few days for fun, but I always look forward to getting back on my ADV160.
The Forza, for me, blocks too much airflow in this hot Thailand climate. I feel like I'm riding around in a bathtub, swamp butt. However, I like the fairing-mounted mirrors and acceleration from a dead stop.
@@JakeSnowLiveSimple yeah sums it up nicely 👌
Been mostly looking at the Forza 350 but it's been mentioned they've gone cheap on tires and suspension for the Thai market, no such complaints on the European model.
That's interesting. Thailand models need the better suspension. The Forza ride was harsh compared to the XMAX. I like the low-end power of the Forza, but the XMAX comfort and handling make up for it, in my opinion. The 2023 Forza may be better.
Jake Snow thanks for all your information about thailand....you are the ADV 350 of the youtube lol
Lol, Thank you. 🙏🏼
U gotta review the kymco x town 300 next I never see any one does these bikes in English
I've been wanting to ride that Kymco.
thanks for using the metric system
You're welcome. 🙏🏼
at 85MPH, the XMAX is in the high rev range meaning greater longterm wear. Oil usage and level is important when at higher revs
I run my XMAX near max RPM often for long durations. So far it hasn't used any oil and runs perfect.
BTW…I worked in Casper in the early 80’s at radio station KVOC (The voice of Casper).
Wow, small world. It's not often I cross paths with people that have been in Casper. It's nice in the summer, but I'm sure glad I no longer spend winters up there. Thailand winter is much better. 😁
woww nice
👊🏼
I have this scooter, the new model and i love it
Awesome! I've been looking for the new model to rent. How are the headlights at night, specifically the high beams?
@@JakeSnowLiveSimple Sorry that Was a Mistake, i Have the tech max model 2022, not the last model 2023.i’m Sorry i can’t answer to you and i am in Italy. Here the 23 model is not yet to come.
@@alessandro5969 Oh, ok. No problem.
He Jake .. What if you are a tall rider like you ? i am 6foot and 1/2 inch . strugling with choosing a scooter to use in asia. the ADV 160 would be mu choice but it looks like the Xmax has a longer wheelbase and therefor also more leg room ? what is your idea about that ?
Hello! The ADV 160 and XMAX have similar leg room, the XMAX being ever so slightly more. The ADV 350 has the most leg room of the bunch. The ADV 160 has the best leg room for a small cc scooter compared to many others I've ridden. Check out this video I just uploaded comparing the ADV 350 and ADV 160. The XMAX 300 is similar in size to the ADV 350. ua-cam.com/video/BZAJUg5XCAI/v-deo.html
Nice
Thanks
I now own both a Honda ADV150 and an XMAX300 2023
Awesome! Good combo. I have a 2023 ADV160 with my 2021 XMAX. 👊🏼
I don't mind riding 125CC in Asia and feel safe but in USA San Francisco and Washington DC area. I wouldn't feel safe with anything less than 100 horse power in a 2 wheeler with cars and 18 wheeler regularly going down the highway at over 85 mph.
I know what you mean. 300cc is as small as I'll go in the US. I've ridden my XMAX in Houston and Denver. Another 50 hp to escape danger would've been much safer.
And the lights on 2023 are plenty bright at night .....I might raise them a little higher, maybe .......but they are bright !!!!
Nice! Thank you for sharing that info.
What phone mount are you using?
Does the xmax or Forza have a higher top speed?
I'm using the Yamaha phone mount. I had to order it from CMS in The Netherlands www.cmsnl.com/search/?section=all&q=B74-F81A0-10&tab= It only took a few days to arrive. It's no longer available in the US.
The XMAX has a higher top speed. The Forza has better acceleration.
@@JakeSnowLiveSimple Thank you Sir!
@@shanerichardson9568 You're welcome. 👊🏼
I’m looking to purchase a scooter soon. I’m 6-1” 260lbs… looking at the Xmax bc idk if adv 160 big enough for me?
300cc scooter or bigger would be more enjoyable for you. 160cc acceleration would feel sluggish at your weight. Especially once you add a passenger. Seat comfort will also be better on the XMAX; legroom is about the same. What country are you in?
@@JakeSnowLiveSimple Philippines
I just bought a 2023 xmax 300. I was talking to the parts dept guy about highway speeds. He says don't go over 4k rpm. I want to be able to cruise on the highway at 75mph on trips. Is the parts guy correct? Did I buy the wrong scooter?
You purchased the correct scooter. You're going to love that XMAX!
Yamaha recommends keeping the RPMs below 4,500 until the first oil change at 600 miles. 600 - 1,000 miles keep RPM below 5,400 RPM. After 1000 miles, the engine is ready for high RPM use.
Every motorcycle I've ever owned has a recommended break-in period. Speaking from experience, I've never been able to follow the low RPM recommendation. I take it easy for the first 100 miles and then ride it like I stole it. Over 25 years of riding, I've never had engine problems with any of the Japanese motorbikes. I ride my equipment pretty hard.
I purchased my 2021 XMAX new. I flew up to Rockingham, Virginia, purchased it, and immediately rode it down the interstate back to Gulf Shores, Alabama traveling 75 mph+. It was a 13-hour trip I spread over two days. It was a delightful trip, comfortably passing cars the entire way. Needless to say, I didn't keep it under 4,500 RPM.
I think if Yamaha brought out a 350 XMax and improved the suspension, it would dominate the market.
That would be an awesome machine.
Wish we can have adv 350 in US
Yeah, that would be nice to have more options in the US.
This or Adv 160 for Los Angeles, CA. 50 years young, second scooter since 15. 5 7..
Los Angeles is so spread out. I would get the XMAX. I love the ADV 160, but in LA I find myself hitting the faster road ways often. I was there recently visiting my Vietnamese friend. 👊🏼
The new Xmax comes with much better lighting and suspension
I've been looking for a new one to ride. I'm very curious to see how much better the bright beam is.
No comparrasin 23 is bright and very wide beam....They are as good as can get....Yamaha listened and changed the lights up and they are as good as any Maxi scooter !!!!! A 9.5 on 1 to 10
I bought xmax 300 2022 and the suspension is a real disappointment.
I thought the suspension was good for a scooter until I rode an ADV 350.
@JakeSnowLiveSimple My old Piaggio x8 2005 model with 85000 km on the back was much more comfortable than my new xmax. And the disappointment doesn't stop there. With two people on the scooter the stand is very easy to find. The rear brakes are not new and drag on the disc and as for the distribution network and support from where I am, let them go. It's a shame to pay 7000 euros and buy problems with good morning. I am seriously considering going to Honda. The only positive thing is that the scooter is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing your experience. 👊🏼
Xmax 300 or Honda forza 350?
The XMAX ride and handling is better than the Forza. I like the Forza's low end torque coming from the engine and the drive train set up.
In Thailand, ride quality is #1 for me on these rough roads. So the XMAX is an easy choice over the Forza. The XMAX overall is more enjoyable to ride.
@@JakeSnowLiveSimple new question, xmax 300 or adv 350?
@@joshbaliwag8845 In Thailand, the ADV 350 is better on these rough roads. Yamaha has done an excellent job setting up the XMAX suspension, but it can't match the ADV, which has much more rear suspension travel and better compression and rebound damping front and rear when hitting big bumps and holes in the road. The ADV 350 feels like it was built for South East Asia.
@@joshbaliwag8845 ADV 350 over the XMAX. Yamaha has done an excellent job setting up the XMAX suspension, but it doesn't match the ADV's greater rear suspension travel and better compression and rebound damping front and rear. Everything I love about the XMAX, the ADV 350 does better.
It's like Honda built the ADV 150 and 350 for South East Asia.
However, the XMAX has much better wind protection if I'm riding in cold weather. It's a much closer call in a seasonal climate, unlike always hot Thailand.
@@JakeSnowLiveSimple I don't think it would be an issue upgrading thr suspension on the Xmax here in thailand.
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XMAX are are easy to sell in the US and hold their value well. I think Thailand is the same. The XMAX is still one of my favorite scooters.
don’t think these scooters exist in the US
The XMAX is easy to find in the US, new and used at dealerships and online with the Cycle Trader app. I purchased my 2021 in Virginia last year and rode it down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Riding 6 hours/day for 2 days was very enjoyable and comfortable.
Walked into dealer 2 weeks ago and picked one up, limited to 1-2 per dealer around KC area, but they are there.