[FAQ] All you need to know about TMAX

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Introduction

Currently Tmax is in his 8th generation with 560 and a controversial facelift that shocked many Tmax enthusiasts coming into the market early 2022, preceding his 7th Gen brother in a short 2 years of debute. Tmax is one of the most popular since its debut in 2000. Through out the years, Tmax had seen various upgrades from engine capacity, drive train, transmission and outlook. Tmax remains till date, one of the most popular maxi scooter in the market. 

Tmax is amazing in handling in its class due to its shorter wheelbase compared to the rest of the maxi scooters. However, earlier models suffered a loss of compartmental space due to the positioning of the rear suspension. In 2017, the introduction of the Tmax DX, underseat storage allows up to 2 jet style helmets.

Tmax had moved up its engine capacity over the years, from 500 to 530, lastly 560 in 2020 and a facelift in 2022 with the same 560 engine. Let's look at the specifications of the differences between 530 and 560 Tmax.

Bike Specifications

6th Generation Tmax 530 comes in 2 version, version SX and DX.         

7th Generation Tmax 560 comes in 2 version: Standard (E) / Tech Max
Both version are equipped with: Keyless Remote and Ignition Start, ABS, Traction Control, Main Stand Lock

Tech Max version will have additional features, Power Mode Tour/ Sport, Electric Powered Wind Screen, Cruise Control, Heated Grip and Seat. 

Visual difference between Gen 6's Tmax 530 and Tmax 560;
New Front LED Signal Light, New Rear Side Panel Design (for passenger's leg comfort), New Brake Light Design, Improved Rear Shock.

Internal Differences are better engine cooling, better transmission ratios, separable Throttle Body. 

8th Generation Tmax 560 comes in 2 version: Standard (E) / Tech Max
However, Singapore same as most countries will only bring in the higher spec Tech Max due to its previous sales of 70% of the total market compared to the standard version. 

All Tech Max features are retained.

 

Tmax 530 DX/SX 2017-2019

 

Tmax 560 Tech Max/ E 2020-2021

 

Tmax 560 Tech Max 2022-2023>

 

The few most noticeable changes in the New Techmax 2022 are:

1. 7 inch TFT screen
2. New Spin Forged wheels
3. Facelift (headlights, positions of signal lights, body shape)
4. Revamped seat
5. Fuel Cap

The less noticeable differences are:

1. Retuned front forks and suspension for improved handling (also due to the lighter wheels)
2. Lower CG compared to previous 560
3. Bluetooth/Wifi connectivity to headsets and phones
4. Slightly smaller underseat compartment space compared to previous 560
5. Handlebar slightly lower than previous 560
6. Pillion pegs lowered by 5mm
7. Bigger Floorboard for rider
8. Stronger windscreen brackets
9. Fully electronic Fly By Wire throttle
10. "Restricted" mode (can be overcome by flashing ECU)

 

Credits to @JJBuBBle for additional information

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Brakes

Often or not, when it comes it modification, a lot people neglected the brakes. In this post, I'll elaborate a bit on how to improve your brakes on Tmax.

Stainless steel brakehoses

One of the easiest upgrade to have a better feel. Most Japanese bikes still comes with rubber hoses from factory to keep the manufacture costs down. These hoses based on manual are to replace every 4 years. I personally replaced them at 3 years' mark, I take it as an upgrade together with replacement. There's no meaning to replace them back to factory rubber hoses. being said that many Tmax out there are still on their stock rubber hoses and running fine. It's a good upgrade, hoses are not expensive, however the labour costs are.  You will be looking at about $550 for this job.

Changing these hoses not just a maintenance upgrade/replacement but it's also a aesthetics upgrade too.

See the coloured banjos and banjo nut!!

Brake Rotors

Tmax comes with 267mm diameter dual front brake rotors.  Another easy way to upgrade is to change to a bigger rotor. This upgrade is easy due to the radial mounted calipers. Simple physics in this upgrade, bigger rotor needs less effort to brake.

Normally it's upgraded to a 300mm rotor, spacers are needed to "push" the calipers out to accommodate the enlarged rotor. In this case, a 16mm spacer is needed.

 

As attached photos, you can see that the aftermarket rotors are significantly bigger. This is also one of the easiest way to upgrade your braking system. I'm using Galfer rotors and they are great in term of performance and looks.

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Brake Calipers

Calipers upgrades are one of the ways to get a better brake feel and at the same time bling up your Tmax. However, do note that changing to aftermarket calipers will need to have proper spacers to stack up as these aftermarket calipers do not have the same mounting axis as OEM calipers. Do take a look at the below photos for the spacers differences.

Let's see some of the calipers upgrades from all over the world.

 

Brembo M4 is a pair of very popular calipers among Tmax riders. However it had to be paired with RCS to give a firm feel at the levers.

 

 

Brembo GP4RS is the improved and newer M4. They weighed lesser and have better cooling capabilities due to the cutting of the calipers. The pistons are also same as OEM calipers, brake feel will be similar to OEM calipers. Not necessary to change brake pump in this case.

 

Brembo GP4RX are higher grade of the GP4 series. However, change of brake pump is needed as these set of calipers have significantly bigger pistons and will give a very soft brake lever feel.

 

Brembo .484 calipers are very popular in Taiwan and they also hold a premium value and are the only calipers that comes in piano black. They costs about the same value as GP4RX.

 

Of course there are better and more expensive options in the GP4 series such as RB, RR, LM which can be quite daunting to an average SG biker. 

[SBF]

@biting_point @JJBuBBle

Thanks for the effort in creating this thread. Very helpful especially for potential TMAX owners (hopefully me soon).

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Primary Pulley Greasing

Some of you had PM me asking me why should we use the proper grease for our primary pulley.. let me explain in detail..

1. This Yamaha Grease J is specially formulated for penetration and will turn lower viscosity when heated.. our primary pulley will be very hot once you start rolling.. then will penetrate the gearing teeth to lubricate and remove heat..
2. the high temp blue grease that most of you think that's working, will not turn into lower viscosity fluid like Grease J during high temperature.. it will just be centrifuged out, thus the blue grease wouldn't be able to lubricate the inner gears teeth of the primary pulley..
3. The blue grease not only will not lubricate the primary pulley, it will cause the shaft to get rusty and thus making it shear on its own gears.. the replacement is a easy $2k for the shop as the engine needs to be tear apart to change out the primary shaft.
4. Agent is charging $120 for greasing service, and another $40-60 for cleaning out that wrong grease u using..
5. Do not use other grease except for Yamaha Grease J!! Some shops use similar brown grease but does not have the same function at all..
6. Greasing should be done as a maintenance job yearly due to our SG climate as water and heat will wear the grease.

Attached video is showing the primary shaft that's badly damaged by using the blue grease (blue grease had been cleaned out), pay attention to the sharp teeth..

 

Attached photo is showing a primary shaft that's on Grease J and the primary pulley being detached without any cleaning done yet! notice the gear teeth are not sharp..

This last photo shows a comparison between the good teeth and the sharpened bad teeth..

feel free to PM me if any of you need a greasing good time..

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On 12/8/2020 at 10:49 PM, JJBuBBle said:

Visual difference between Gen 6's Tmax 530 and Tmax 560;
New Front LED Signal Light, New Rear Side Panel Design (for passenger's leg comfort), New Brake Light Design, Improved Rear Shock.

Top Speed........ more or less about the same, so no need to ask. 
 

i just done some research.. not just only these differences in visual..

560 had a better cooling, new engine block with additional water cooling..

Throttle body, manifold, injectors and throttle position sensor are all removeable unlike SX/DX models..

better transmission ratios..

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Engine Check Light (ECL) issues 

One of the most common issue is the O2 (Oxygen) Sensor, the other issue will be the wheel sensor.

Scenario can reset 
1. Forget connect O2 sensor during CVT change 
2. O2 sensor dirty (stuck lean)
3. Error reading

Scenario cannot reset 
1. Broken circuitry (due to heat)
2. Wires broke during CVT change

With ECL lighted up, there's no way to go into menu at all for Gen 6 and above models.

Not all shops have the diagnostic tool to erase the ECL.

Most of the time, the replacement of the O2 sensor will solve the problem.

HL is selling the new sensor at $240 without GST and installation..

Hit me up if you have this problem, I have a cheaper option and have the tool to reset the fault code.

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CVT/Torque Driver Issues and upgrades

Do religiously maintain your CVT as the V belt can break from over usage.

Recommended mileage is 20,000km (12,500miles)

These broken belt not only will spoilt your day but may also do some damage to your CVT components.

As these vbelts broke, they will scratch the smooth surfaces of your CVT components, inevitably may cause some weird sounds when your new vbelt goes over that area; worse will be premature wear and tear of your vbelt. Therefore, it is very important to take care of your CVT servicings. 

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Most scooters will have the V belt indicators lighted up when the mileage is reached.

Before this indicator lighted up, you should have prepare the consumables for your CVT servicing.

If you are using stock variator, the following are needed:

1. V belt (Different years will have different part numbers)
2. Rollers aka weights (Different years will have different part numbers depicting different weight)
3. U-clips aka sliders (same thru out all 530 to 560 models)
4. Right side Round filter (same thru out 530 to 560 models) 
5. Left side square filter (2012-2016 are different from this attached photo, 2017 till present is the same)

The left and right filters are commonly left out, these 2 filters gets quite dirty.

Above photo shows the left side CVT filter. This side there's no reusable one, this piece costs $40 without GST.

 

 

However the right side round piece have after market one that washable and reusable. This filter have minimal performance indication, the purpose for these filters are just to cool down your CVT and prevent debris from going in.

Costing $40 for OEM, it's definitely economical to buy this Malossi one at about $80..

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Aftermarket Variators

Currently to my knowledge, there's Jcosta, Malossi and Polini in the market for 530 and 560.

Each of these variators worked slightly differently from each other and to the stock variator.

Basically an aftermarket variator changes the speed and time duration to your 0-100kph acceleration in short. When using aftermarket variator do take note of the need of its consumables and the type of belt needed. Some variators need to use their own brand specific belt, some can use back your OEM belt. 

For money saving tactic, I would suggest to change your variator to aftermarket kit during your CVT servicing; not only you get a new reset of the vbelt, you get to feel the difference between OEM and aftermarket variator without wasting extra money for installation.

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Aesthetics upgrades

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Forks & suspension

When Tmax was first introduced in 2000, the unique rear shock design makes a big difference in its better handling and shorter wheelbase compare to other scooters. The unique pull shock eliminates the usage of conventional dual rear shocks as seen on most scooters; this important design had helped Tmax gain its popularity for its nimble and stable cornering.

However this pull shock design was proved more expensive to manufacture and even aftermarket suspension replacements were no where to the word cheap.

Then in 2017, the debut of the new rear suspension design using a arm relay, conventional dog bones and simple flick of the suspension upwards, it changes the need of the "pull" shock and now it becomes a normal "push" shock. This significant change in the shock design had lower costs; an Ohlins with preload and rebound adjustment for as low as $950. Higher options with compression adjustments at $1800, additional preload remote adjustment for $2400.

Tmax have the following options:

• Ohlins
• Bitubo
• YSS
• Matrix
• HyperPro
• RPM/MSP (not readily available in SG)

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Clutch issues and upgrades

Although Tmax is classed and advertised as a scooter, but its clutch functions are almost as similar to any other manual shift bikes, using wet clutch plates; instead of being actuated by cable/hydraulic clutch lever, it engages by using centrifugal forces.

Therefore clutch plates maintenance is essential and by far had costed many Tmax owners shocking bills and wastage of time when their Tmax had worn clutch plates.

Back before the revision and update of a newer OEM clutch plates, before year 2020 OEM clutch plates had the tendency of their friction materials dropping out from the clutch plates prematurely and ultimately caused an overhaul job due to stuck friction material stuck inside the strainer causing a block in the upstream lubrication.

This blockage can be easily diagnosed by looking at the oil window, and if it's similar to the attached video means the oil passage had been blocked by friction materials.

oil not flowing.MOV

Below are some photos of the dropped friction materials.

 

Some shops reused the o-rings that was supposed to be changed with every clutch service. but they realised the coolant will leak, hence slapped copious amount of silicone on the water pump and pipes to prevent the leakage. 

 

After the 7th Gen Tmax was introduced, Yamaha revamped and improved their clutch plates. Hence, such cases will be rare unless your Tmax is still using old clutch plates. 

Aftermarket Clutch Plates/Clutch Housing

There's only a few aftermarket clutch plates and housings for Tmax due to its unique clutch function and niche market.

• Malossi clutch plates
• Jcosta clutch plates and housing
• Jetprime clutch housing
• FCC clutch plates (not readily available in SG)

 

Malossi Clutch Plates

A widely used replacement before Yamaha revamp the new clutch plates. Current retail price is about $250. Buying this set of clutch plates comes with the clutch springs that can be used to change the engagement RPM. 

 

Jcosta Clutch Plates and Housing

A newer brand in the market compared to Malossi. The retail price is also about $250. Jcosta also had a clutch basket that works similarly to its variator. Similar "bullet" style clutch using centrifugal forces to engage the clutch instead of clutch springs.

Jcosta clutch basket will give you that initial pull during the moment the bullets shoots out.

 

Jetprime Clutch Housing

Jetprime is a experienced maker in scooter market. It also had a unique working style clutch basket to replace the OEM one. Its "Hammer" style clutch basket may shock user in the initial running in stage, but after running in for a while, the clutch basket offer lesser engine brake. This clutch basket also uses 1 lesser clutch plate and 1 lesser metal plate. 

 

FCC Clutch Plate

 

A very common replacement clutch plates available in HK and TW before Yamaha revamp its clutch plates.

 

Do note that most of these clutch plates and clutch baskets are advertised as racing use and aftermarket performance product. Therefore, it's normal for them to have shorter lifespan. Clutch basket is also a consumable if your Tmax have high mileage. 

 

Spring Clutch

This is one of the overlooked item during a clutch service and is the result of a over used clutch. when clutch plates are worn, these spring worked harder to compress the clutch to perform engagement. You will need 7 of these springs which costs $10 each, and not readily available at parts centre. 

Worn out springs will cause some weird sounds during idling and may cause premature wear of your new clutch plates due to the worn thickness. Below is a photo to compare a new one and a worn one.

Clutch baskets are also wear and tear part if your Tmax is a high mileage one. Although due to oil lubrication in the clutch area, springs and clutch basket are normally subjected to lesser wear and tear but when user over used the clutch, the allowance limits within the springs and clutch basket will wear down.

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Factory Recalls

As far as I know, there are only the below mentioned recalls for recent years Tmax. So far as of 211222, there's not yet any recalls for the new 8th Gen Tmax 560.

Currently there's 4 recalls on the Gen 6 model as what I recalled..

1.  ECU Recall (R2019030682) - this recall is fairly simple; go down to Hong Leong to have the ECU reflashed. This recall is to eliminate some engine cut off issues.
2. Drive Belt Recall (R2019030681) - Hong Leong will change a new belt for you... The older belt will wear prematurely. The new belt is improved and can be identified with blue wordings. (see attached photo for reference)
3. Main Stand Recall (R2020030833) - Main stand is not welded properly, thus might break prematurely. A new improved one will be changed.
4. Brake Switch Recall (R2021020941) - Cruise control not working due to a faulty batch of brake switches. 

All recalls are to be done for free and no payment is needed.

Do call HL and enquire then book your slots for the recall to be done.

This below photo shows the newer version of the drive belt. 

Old vbelt had all RED fonts, new belt will have BLUE and RED fonts, or you can check the serial number as below.

 

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Exhausts

There are few brands of Street Legal Exhaust for Tmax DX/SX to choose from.

All Tmax exhaust are full system due to the stock exhaust system being in one big piece.

• Akraprovic (Tmax OEM)
• Termignoni
• SC Project
• Arrow

 

Tmax 560 2020-2021 have the following approved street legal exhausts:

• Akrapovic
• Termignoni

 

Tmax 560 2022 have the following approved street legal exhausts:

• Termignoni
• SC Project

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Tyres

There are few brands of scooter tyres for Tmax to use. 

• Bridgestone SC2 (comes with new 2022 Tmax)
• Michelin PR4
• Pirelli Rosso

 

Bridgestone SC2 and SC2 Rain

 

Michelin PR4

 

Pirelli Rosso

[Ah Lim]

Hi, do you have any idea what is the recommended mileage to replace the final drive belt? 

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On 10/14/2022 at 11:39 AM, Ah Lim said:

Hi, do you have any idea what is the recommended mileage to replace the final drive belt? 

In Taiwan, they recommend to change it every 40k km.

The drive belt isn't cheap. If properly maintained, can be use for as long as 80k -100k km.

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Air filters and Intakes aka Velocity stack

Airfilters are commonly the first few things a biker will change to improve performance. 

There's a few well known brands in this area such as K&N and BMC, however do not belittle Taiwan brands like Simota and Level 10.

See the noticeable differences between BMC filter (left) and Level 10 filter (right).

Level 10 Filter had made its filter in a non conventional way to increase the surface area. By far, this brand of filter is the "go-to" in Tmax Realm.

The velocity stacks are right after the air filters. Many sportsbikes owners would not be unfamiliar with this modification. Changing the velocity stacks will improve the airflow and changing the air/fuel ratio.

The following photo is an example of a 560 changing to aftermarket velocity stacks.

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Manifolds and Throttlebody