QUIKSPIN: Yamaha TMAX White Max - White Out

For a bike that has been on the road for more than 10 years, the TMAX still draws a lot of attention. Little kids tug on their dad’s arm and point as dad squints to desperately find some branding so as to appear as knowledgeable as his kids think he is.

It doesn’t seem like 10 years ago. The TMAX has only received one update during that time but Yamaha’s maxi-scoot feels as relevant today as it ever has. And to celebrate, Yamaha has released a 10th Anniversary special-edition white version, which it has aptly named the TMAX White Max.

And it’s not wrong, achieving the maximum amount of white accents on the bike right down to the dash illumination colour.

The White Max gets all-white bodywork, a black and white two-tone seat, and even the White Max branded decals and Yamaha Datadot stickers are all white on white.

To set it all off – and probably so customers have a chance of actually finding the thing on a white frosty morning – are bronze-coloured accents and carbon look plastic touches.

The boomerang-shaped side panels, the exhaust cover and the wheel centres are all finished in metallic bronze, while the fuel-cap cover, its surround and the cockpit area housing the instrument panel and the 10th Anniversary plaques - there’s three of them - are all finished in a trick looking carbon-like plastic.

While white tends to polarise motorcycle riders’ opinions, it’s a colour scheme I’ve loved since its popularity surge a couple of years ago.

The clear tail, indicator and headlight lenses only add to the clean appearance. And the aluminium TMAX-branded footboard inserts, the polished rims and engine cover do the same in an understated way.

White is the new black, as they say.

In 2009 the forks, chassis, brakes, wheels, storage and bodywork received a major update to freshen the then nine-year-old design, but the 499cc horizontally-mounted, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve, parallel twin-cylinder engine hasn’t changed since its introduction all those years ago, and it’s no worse off for it. Twist the throttle and the thing hauls away, redefining every other road user's definition of a scooter as it disappears in front of them. It’s nimble and sure-footed with its long wheelbase, stiff suspension and recently updated cast aluminium chassis.

And the brakes would have to be the very best there is on a scooter, using three 267mm discs and the same four-pot monoblock calipers used on the firm’s sports and touring models.

The TMAX boasts a large, lined, under seat storage compartment that is reminiscent of a car boot in size, with gas-strut lid/seat supports and interior light. It’s complemented by a couple of handy glovebox-like compartments integrated into the front cowl.

The White Max is available for $12,999 – the same price the TMAX has been since 2008, and only $500 more than when it was released in 2001.

If yellow or gun-metal grey is more your colour, Yamaha still has 2009 models in stock, running out for a mere $8,999 ride-away.

Whichever way you want to go, Yamaha will also throw you a $3,000 fuel card with every new TMAX.

Protect your Yamaha. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.