If you've followed my recent two-wheeled rehabilitation journey, you'll know this Yamaha XMAX 300 didn't just randomly arrive in the BikeReview garage.
After an injury years ago I found myself in the position of needing to rebuild strength and confidence before returning to my regular test duties. Yamaha Australia kindly stepped in with a D’elight 125 scooter, which led to an NMAX 155 and, now, this XMAX 300…
I picked the new XMAX 300 up from Yamaha Motor Australia in mid February.
For me the XMAX 300 is now the next logical step in Yamaha’s scooter family for the long term testing. We’ve tested various XMAX models over the years, including this model, but living with a scooter day-to-day tells you more than a two-week test generally can.
Read our full Yamaha XMAX 300 review here…
The plan is simple. We’ll continue working our way through Yamaha’s scooter range in real-world, long-term testing. The XMAX 300 will spend six months with me before eventually handing over to the flagship TMAX. It’s a unique opportunity to experience how each model fits into everyday life rather than simply evaluating them during a launch or two week press test ride.
The first 500km on the XMAX were done in the rain, so I was very thankful for the excellent screen.
Since taking delivery in February, the XMAX and I have covered just over 1000km and, perhaps more importantly, around 36 hours of riding time. Most of those kilometres have been split between freeway commuting from the Central Coast into Sydney and back, mixed with local errands and general daily duties from shopping to dropping one of the kids at school, soccer, tennis, dancing or the gym!
The XMAX has immediately proven why these larger-capacity scooters have such a loyal following. On the motorway it sits comfortably at 110km/h all day long, with enough performance in reserve to overtake traffic without any drama. Stability is excellent, even when battling crosswinds.
Like any scooter with a large fairing and tall screen, you feel some movement underneath you, but it’s predictable and never unsettling once you accept it and just relax at the handlebars.
Speaking of screens, the only modification so far has been a simple screen extender. At 187cm tall, I found the standard screen, even in its highest position, directed airflow directly at my helmet. The extender has largely solved that issue and made longer freeway runs considerably more comfortable.
Around town the XMAX is outstanding. It feels slim enough to filter through traffic yet substantial enough to feel like a proper motorcycle. In fact, that’s probably the best way to describe it. This isn’t a small scooter. It feels like a motorcycle that happens to have a step-through chassis.
The seat height is quite tall for a scooter and the seat itself is broad, which will suit larger riders. For me, however, the rider portion of the seat could be a little longer. I often find myself sitting against the rear bolster, which can become uncomfortable after an hour or so. Heather, meanwhile, gives the pillion accommodation a perfect score, praising the comfort of the seat and the grabrails and footpegs.
Storage has been one of the biggest highlights. The under-seat compartment is enormous. It swallows locks, camera gear, wet-weather gear, tools, shopping and even a spare helmet without complaint. It’s one of those features you quickly become dependent on.
The ignition switch is fiddly and, to be frank, a pain!
I will say though, that it is fiddly mucking around with the power-up dial to open things, such as the seat, glovebox, fuel lid or to lock the steering or ower up the ignition – it is a very clunky design. The bike beeps when powered on if you are more than 1m away with the fob, which gets very annoying too.
Fuel economy has also impressed, averaging 3.2L/100km over the first 1100km with a roughly 50/50 split between motorway and urban riding. There are only a couple of minor gripes so far. The forks can feel a little firm over sharp bumps and I’d like a bit more bite from the brakes, so a change of brake pads may be on the shopping list. Otherwise, there isn’t much I’d change.
The biggest surprise has been how enjoyable the XMAX is on a winding road. It handles far better than its size suggests and has enough performance to keep things entertaining when the road gets twisty. In Part 2 we’ll clock up more kilometres, carry out the first service and see whether the XMAX continues to impress. So far, though, life with the BikeReview Yamaha XMAX 300 has been very easy indeed.
2026 YAMAHA XMAX 300 SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $10,499 R/A
Warranty: Two-year, unlimited kilometre
Colours: Icon Blue, Crystal Graphite
Claimed power: 20.6kW@7250rpm
Claimed torque: 29Nm@5750rpm
Wet weight: 187kg
Fuel capacity: 13L
Fuel consumption: (Claimed) 3.1L/100km
Fuel consumption: (Measured) 3.9L/100km
Fuel Range: Approx 390km
Engine: Liquid-cooled, SOHC, single-cylinder, fuel-injected four-valve, four-stroke, 292cc, 70.0 x 75.9mm bore x stroke, 10.9:1 compression, V-Belt Automatic, Blue Core Technology, CVT drive.
Chassis: Underbone steel tube frame
Rake: 26.5º Trail: 94mm
Suspension: 33mm telescopic forks, 110mm travel, twin rear shocks, 79mm travel
Brakes: ABS, single 267mm front rotor, 245mm rear rotor, single-piston calipers
Wheels & Tyres: Alloy wheels, 120/70 – 15 (front), 140/70 – 14 (rear) Dunlop Scoot Smart
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1540mm
Seat height: 795mm
Overall height: 1410mm
Overall width: 800mm
Overall length: 2180mm
Ground clearance: 135mm
Instruments & Electronics: 4.2in TFT display, Keyless Fob, Garmin-compatible navigation via Y-Connect App, Traction Control System, ABS, Electric windscreen (95mm range), USB-C port
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