New C600 vs Tmax 530 comparo coming...here in San Diego???

[Skutorr]

Yep. My brother's 2012 Tmax 530 cleared customs with flying colors, was delivered to New Jersey where it was loaded on the cross-country truck, which right now is in New Mexico.

Should arrive in L.A. TOMORROW; then to a local truck for delivery to the local holding yard, and then to my brother's FRONT DOOR. Wow.

Once it's here, and fluids changed and the bike sorted-out, we are going to go get another test ride of a C600 at the local BMW Dealer and compare them ourselves, head-to-head.

Rather than some Euro Reviewer or Motorcycle Journalist weighing-in, it'll be two Scooter Geeks.

SHOULD be interesting!

 

[SteveADV]

Gee, I wonder how the head-to-head will turn out.

 

[Joeboxer82is]

Can't wait for e comparison to be out...

 

[Skutorr]

It's HERE!


Both bikes together...


Went riding yesterday after we cleaned off the travel dirt, swapped-out the shorty brake levers, seat backrest extension and license plate (!) from his 500 to the 530.

HOLY CRAP! They weren't kidding when the reviewers said it no longer handles ALMOST like a motorcycle...it IS a motorcycle, handling wise.

Even with all the go faster upgrades to my Yellow Beast, it's still a bit quicker off the line and across the board STOCK.

Once it gets the 16gm Dr. Pulley Sliders that are coming from Europe and we swap-out the Yoshi exhaust, it should FLY!

 

[JaimeC]

Here's the most IMPORTANT question: Where did those sadistic Yamaha engineers hide the battery in the 530??

 

[Edumakated]

It's HERE!
View attachment 441

Both bikes together...
View attachment 442

Went riding yesterday after we cleaned off the travel dirt, swapped-out the shorty brake levers, seat backrest extension and license plate (!) from his 500 to the 530.

HOLY CRAP! They weren't kidding when the reviewers said it no longer handles ALMOST like a motorcycle...it IS a motorcycle, handling wise.

Even with all the go faster upgrades to my Yellow Beast, it's still a bit quicker off the line and across the board STOCK.

Once it gets the 16gm Dr. Pulley Sliders that are coming from Europe and we swap-out the Yoshi exhaust, it should FLY!

Very anxious to see your opinions of the TMax vs the C600. That 530 is a nice looking bike. It is a shame that Yamaha doesn't think we are worthy. I would have given it serious consideration. Maybe they will surprise us and bring a 600 or 750 version here someday.

 

[SteveADV]

The white is a good looking bike but I admit to be partial to the yellow. Both look fast!

 

[Skutorr]

Here's the most IMPORTANT question: Where did those sadistic Yamaha engineers hide the battery in the 530??

They made the storage cubby on the left smaller and put it behind there, just like your bike!

 

[JaimeC]

Hmmmm... they made it easier to access, but at the expense of some practicality. So you just have to remove the left side panel now, instead of dismantling the entire front of the scooter? I hope they actually include the tools to do this in the toolkit this time!

 

[Oldscoot]

Gee, I wonder how the head-to-head will turn out.

One of the objectives in picking a jury is to choose people who may have a bias in favor of your case or to eliminate those who may have a bias against your case or in favor of your opponent's case. Guess who I might strike from this potential jury panel?

 

[Skutorr]

VOIR DIRE in a SCOOTER FORUM??? Who gets the challenges, and how many?...

Believe me, any comparison WILL be just facts! My ONLY options for my next scoot are either a C600Sport with all the teething problems shaken out, or go my brother's route and import from Canada.

I'd also like to compare the Tmax 530 to an UPGRADED C600Sport, with the Dr. Pulley HIT clutch and Sliders, and sintered pads....

 

[Xian Forbes]

I'm totally interested in what the shootout reveals. Since I had a good riding buddy who loved his T-Max, he wore it out to be honest. I wanted the same bike but there was no option other than the C6Sport. I'm 110% happy with my purchase (although the $1000.00 dealer rebate 3 months after I rode mine home was a bit lame), I would love to know what the T-Max is today.

-Christian

 

[Edumakated]

I think I seen or read every comparison published. There are quite a few on youtube. While I don't have any first hand experience with the TMax, the summary I get from all the reviews consistently is the following in comparing stock TMax vs stock c600:

1) C600 is a bit faster in acceleration despite having more initial throttle lag than the TMax.
2) Both have similar top ends
3) Handling is a toss up. Both handle closer to motorcycles than scooters and outclass all other maxis in this department.
4) The throttle responsiveness of the TMax is better
5) Braking on BMW is better.
6) Heated seats/grips are a plus on BMW
7) Projector headlights on TMax nice
8) BMW single swing arm a little more sexy, but the Tmax is also a stunner.

For me this is really a toss up. Had I been able to get my hands on a TMax I very likely would have bought one. The BMW brand carrys some weight but the TMax seems to be bullet proof in the reliability department. Had I bought a TMax instead of my Vespa, I probably wouldn't have upgraded to a BMW.

 

[Skutorr]

Christian:

Go riding with us in the Sierras this Spring and see for yourself!

 

[Skutorr]

Should look like THIS!

 

[Xian Forbes]

When you've planned what days your going let me know...I'll make every effort to meet up with you guys.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Skutorr]

When you've planned what days your going let me know...I'll make every effort to meet up with you guys.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Don't worry, you're the first to be notified!

 

[Lance]

I think I seen or read every comparison published. There are quite a few on youtube. While I don't have any first hand experience with the TMax, the summary I get from all the reviews consistently is the following in comparing stock TMax vs stock c600:

1) C600 is a bit faster in acceleration despite having more initial throttle lag than the TMax.
2) Both have similar top ends
3) Handling is a toss up. Both handle closer to motorcycles than scooters and outclass all other maxis in this department.
4) The throttle responsiveness of the TMax is better
5) Braking on BMW is better.
6) Heated seats/grips are a plus on BMW
7) Projector headlights on TMax nice
8) BMW single swing arm a little more sexy, but the Tmax is also a stunner.

For me this is really a toss up. Had I been able to get my hands on a TMax I very likely would have bought one. The BMW brand carrys some weight but the TMax seems to be bullet proof in the reliability department. Had I bought a TMax instead of my Vespa, I probably wouldn't have upgraded to a BMW.

You could add ABS to your list

 

[Oldscoot]

VOIR DIRE in a SCOOTER FORUM??? Who gets the challenges, and how many?...

Believe me, any comparison WILL be just facts! My ONLY options for my next scoot are either a C600Sport with all the teething problems shaken out, or go my brother's route and import from Canada.

I'd also like to compare the Tmax 530 to an UPGRADED C600Sport, with the Dr. Pulley HIT clutch and Sliders, and sintered pads....

----------------
In this instance I wouldn't use a strike but would assert a challenge for cause. Let me start by saying I value the information you bring to the forum and your posts are quite interesting. As I've said in earlier posts I am a big fan of the Tmax. I ordered one the year Yamaha stopped importing them. I enjoyed all my Yamahas, street, dirt and track and Yamaha is my favorite Japanese brand. But, Yamaha is not making them available to us through direct marketing. If they do, the 530 with ABS will give the BMW a huge run for the money. But (once again), of those bikes available to the U.S. market the BMW Sport is the reigning king of sports-type scooters.

Comparisons, not based upon reproducible objective criteria (i.e. facts), boil down to subjective opinion. Opinion is just opinion and subject to bias. Put both machines on a dyno with a skilled technician you can get reliable comparative data. Put two riders on different bikes and you won't get overly reliable data. Entering turns differently on a track on the same bike yields a different time for each lap. You can get a sense of the relative merits - but that's it. Is the test going to be under controlled conditions on a closed course? What measurement standards have been established?

Comfort, positioning of controls and the like also boil down to ergonomics. A 6'4" rider and 5'4" rider are going to experience a bike differently.

So, since as you already know, voir dire means to speak the truth. If it comes down to miniscule differences, no matter how small, are you able to say, "You know guys I am a dyed in the wool Yamaha fan boy - but I have to admit - the C600 is a better bike."

 

[Doraemon]

Well, then your half way there with DYNO results, just use mine and get a local shop to dyno the 530.
I also am a fan of the Yamaha, per my history, I looked at the Tmax but the foot rest just didn't give me the room I needed.