Love my smax. Got about 1600 miles on mine, great for my inner-suburb-dad lifestyle. Always finding excuses to ride it for a gallon of milk or whatever, and take it for a longer ride on the parkways when I can find a spare half hour here and there. My first bike, my first love.
This is one of a few videos that made me decide to go for a 2015 Yamaha Smax in Ultramarine as my first scooter. As a new rider, it's been a BLAST to learn how to ride on it and it has a pretty good amount of torque to it. I'm 5"10 and 250 lbs and I fit nicely on it and never feel like I need any more power, if anything, it can really haul ass at times to where I might find myself getting a ticket soon. Since this is my first scooter, I don't know how other scooters compare, but I've had it for 3 months now and I freaking love my Smax. It's perfect for city riding and I save so much on gas. Honestly, I have had nothing but positives so far, I'd recommend it to anyone, especially new riders.
I own an Smax, my dad has a PCX 150, and I just sold off a Genuine Buddy 170i. I also used to own a Silverwing 600. Gotta say my favorite by far is the Smax for overall usability. It serves 95% of my needs for a motorcycle/scooter. This is faster and more highway capable than the PCX (65mph) or Buddy (~60-65mph), being able to go 75-80mph comfortably. The storage is great too, and the gas filler is in such a great spot on the column. I do miss the Silverwing, but it was quite a blimp in comparison. The Smax is just so capable out of the box. Thanks for the review!
Love my SMAX! Tried the PCX as well but it was pretty gutless compared to the SMAX. Have went through 3 service intervals now and NO problems at all. Valves are still in spec and have not needed adjustment. Only thing it has ever needed is for me to change the oil...and thats it!! You are right about advertising. I live in a pretty big city and I have yet to spot another SMAX while on the road. I always see the SMAX baby brother but never an SMAX. I agree with you about the crampy floor board as I have long legs. I have gotten used to it though and it no longer bugs me.
Purchased one for my wife and she loved it, as did I. We sold it when we were expecting our first child and I wish I had just kept it and used it myself to commute to work. Hands down the best scooter in the class IMO
I've heard of it, I have a 2018. I love mine. I am 6 ft, 250lbs and get mine up to 75 without going into the red zone. Super convenient, just hop on and go wherever 2 blocks or 20 miles. Get the GIVI trunk on the back and you can go grocery shopping with all that storage, your backpack and the hook :)
Best scooter you can’t get new anymore in the US. I love mine. This is my 7th scooter and this is just awesome. Got mine hopped up with a Malossi 185cc upgrade.
Top speed is about same around 78mph, but acceleration is much better. My CVT variatior is also upgraded though. The final gear ratio needs to be changed if you are after more top speed.
@@gfargonetoo1 i just bought mine today im looking for the best possible outcome for my 2015 smax without haven to do any extra trial and error considering the price of everything these days is enough to make a man sick
I tried the SMax and the comfort zone for legs was dangerous of hitting handlebars. The Seat pillian put me in a bad riding position and hurt my hips. I bought the 2022 Honda ADV and love it. So far 67 mph is top speed which I do very seldom. Over 1,000miles so far and couldn’t be happier. Traded in my 2009 Yamaha Vino 125cc for Honda and there is no comparison.👍
Purely from a performance standpoint the adv should destroy the vino. But I haven’t had the pleasure of spending much time on one. Is the adv more comfortable then the vino 125?
Currently with 1,600 miles on my Honda ADV150 I couldn’t be happier. Yes this ADV 150 whoops the Vino 125 all day long. I am 230 lbs about 6 ft the ADV has Dual piggyback shocks that never bottom out on a ride. The only thing I miss is the Step Thu design of the Yamaha. I used to like the floorboard for hauling a sack of groceries occasionally. Overall the New Honda ADV 150 is the easy winner for me attaining an average Mpg of 104 up to 124 on in town rides. The new Honda ADV accelerates on uphill riding very nicely and overall comfort is by far better than any other scooters I have test drove.👍❤️
Hey thanks Siegfried's! .. I love guys like you who enthuse over motorcycles and scooters, take them out and ring their necks a little all the while delivering good (Consumer) info. So I've found a 2020 SMAX new and it's the last to be had in these parts in Nor Cal. No real advertising, so right and why?? The factory apparently shut down for Covid is why no bikes. I was torn a little over the XMAX also available but for $2k less I can get a little gear. I'm 67 and this is for my wife a first time scooter rider. We'll see how this all work out. I've had my share of motorcycles and thought I was done but this thing had reignited the bug. Wife will commute to teach is the plan and I'm retired just having a little get about. Probably will lead to further Yamaha adventures. Somehow you gotta love Yamaha everything. Thanks for a real great informative video. Maybe you can tilt your camera up a little to include some of that nice Pa countryside in your reviews. Take care!
Thanks! This is exactly the reason that we do these reviews! The Xmax is also a really nice scooter, I actually prefer them looks wise to the Smax but other then the Obvious power difference that comes with the bigger engine, I actually prefer the Smax. Definitely need to get my camera pointed up! Scooters for whatever reason always end up looking like this or the exact opposite (all scenery and barely any controls) Good luck in your purchase!
I've owned many bikes and scooters over the last 30 years, I own the smax which is named the majesty s 125cc here in the uk, It's by far the best scooter I've ever owned, So reliable, The rear monoshock makes them handle great, tops out at 74mph on the clock GPS speed is 70mph Much better made than the pcx and I'd even say they are much better made than the Nmax,
Also own a Majesty 400 & Vino 125. Smax is definitely a different position from them, but at 6' - 230lbs I'm adapting well with my heels hooked on flat floor platform and inner balls/arch of feet locked into the cutaway in the plastics below the highway upper foot placement which I NEVER use.. to close and cramped feeling.. good place for mounting cargo bags or lockable plastic tool storage tubes or boxes of some kind
Had the Vino 125 and the Majesty 400. The Vino 125 was a disappointment, performance wise, it barely operated over 40mph up hill and most of the time it could only maintain 35+ mph uphill (steep hills). Down hill it could reach 50 plus and it could maintain 45-50 mph on flat highway terrain. Further the suspension on the 125 would jounce you around quite a bit. The vino 125 was quite a bit quicker and maintained a higher speed than 50cc scooters. You were into the throttle for all it was worth, riding that scooter. I imagine it would do well inner city, but for rural travel. it was not the machine to rely upon.. ....... The Majesty was a world of difference. Although its spool up was slow (like most scooters), its had no problem cruising at and above highway speeds. As a mater of fact, I had to watch myself on the freeway, as often I would look down and I was traveling 80 or just over that, without being aware. The only complaint I had with the Majesty is that the stock seat design. The stock seat was very uncomfortable, something I heard Corbin had solved, but never verified. ....... If the Smax will top out at 70+ mph, then it would be that gap filler between the larger scooters and the underpowered 125, which would give rural riders a machine that could easily keep up with 45 - 55 mph traffic.... Interesting.... I may have to give this one a go.. I liked being able to jump on the majesty and run errands without having to muscle a full size motorcycle around town.
Hello. Well done. I enjoyed going along for your ride. I’m new to riding scooters and watching you go over 70mph and no big deal for you - whereas for me it would be a high speed adventure in my mind. I have a buddy 150 and it handles well, however most of my riding is just scooting around the neighborhood. When I do go on the main streets, keeping up with traffic is easy however I’ve only been on 40mph speed limit streets.
Any scooter that can go 60 mph is plenty fast for a scooter they are mostly for riding around in the city where most speed limits are 35 to 55 mph my 2013 Honda pcx 150 is a blast to ride and will go 65 mph
I have 2020 smax its the fastest 150cc scooter it will cruise comfortably at 75mph I weigh 155lbs. Engine does not redline or rev hard at full speed just sounds like it's casually cruising along. This scooter is the best of everything has a flat floor can put cases of beer or anything you want on the floor. Stores 2 full size helmets under the seat. Gets 88+mpg. Requires almost no maintenance get on and go no warm up needed. Only down side I can find is windshield is not high enough and the seat gets uncomfortable after 1/2hr. Wish the seat was like my kymco agility 125 flat, long, and thick cusion. Honestly if you don't need to go faster than 65mph the agility 125 for $2k brand new is your scooter loved that thing sad I sold it. But the smax is faster more capable on highways and is also very good. I may upgrade to a burgman 400 still looking for optimum comfort!! I broke my tail bone 15 Years ago and I need a very comfy seat to stay comfortable pain slowly increases over time quicker than usual.
Thank you for the review. Excellent job! I live in Cozumel Mexico. In Mexico, the body shape is just a bit different and called the NMax. the floorboard has a medium hump like the XMax. That's where they put the full access, so there's no floorboard like my Yamaha Cygnus 110. I want the more power but still keep to a small scooter size so I'm sure ill find another way to carry my groceries. I couldn't decide whether i wanted to get an XMax or the NMax(SMax) but your video made me decide on the NMax(SMax) for my home here and an XMax in my home in Houston. thanks for the help.
@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx I had my Cygnus 110 for only 2 years. Unfortunately, most of that time, our area of Mexico was under a “stay at home order” but I sold it to a young friend that I’m sure will be using it a lot. My new NMax will arrive around the 15-20 of December. Thing have opened up as far as Covid so I’m looking forward to testing it out.
I owned both a zuma 50 and a zuma 125 at the same time. The 125 was so much better in handling, braking, acceleration into traffic and up hills. I hated the 50, loved the 125 except for the top speed being a little low and the brakes needed to be better for those oh crap stops, so I sold it and bought the smax.I had the seat modified to be flat like the zuma, changed the exhaust, tinted the windshield and installed a back fender eliminator kit.
@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx It was the labor costs of adjusting the valve upon each oil change. Most people can change the oil quite simply, but valve adjustment is out of my expertise. Because of the high RPM that scooters run at, Yamaha has implemented valve adjustments for every few thousand miles.
I agree, the S-Max on paper is the best scooter in it's class. Too bad I can't ride one, because there's no room for my legs. I feel like I'm perched on the front of the seat jammed up to the handlebars with no way to move back. And I'm only 5'9". All these scooters with stepped seats seem to be designed to fit very short people. There's no way I'm going to spend $3800 on a 150cc scooter that I can't ride comfortably.
I once accidentally killed my 2015 engine with my right knee hitting the ignition key and turning it off. Problem is : it wouldn't re-start immediately after switching it back on -- there's a serious safety issue here I think . Other than that, yes, an amazing scooter. Just bought another one (2020) ! I've learned to fold the ign. key to the left , this keeps it from accidentally beeing turned off.. I do all the maintenance myself -- any half capable mechanic can adjust the valves in less than 1/2 hr on those, try this on a PCX ! It will do 123-124 indicated downhill... a bit scary to my taste. Very nice at 100 kmh, though. I've had 30ish different bikes, from a Zuma 50F to a CBX, nothing beats the Smax around town.
I loved this scooter but the seat was a bust .Very uncomfortable the way it is designed. Acceleration and speed was fine but I couldn’t ride it for very long. I Bought a 2022 Honda ADV 150 which fits me better in every way👍❤️
Have you ever tested the freedom 150. Gets 107mpg goes 70mph and looks real nice. Im tempted to get one just to try out. They are very reasonably priced and supposedly their seat is extremely comfortable.
The SMAX is the most modern and performance oriented 150 class scooters on the market. It’s the most popular scooter in Southeast Asia along with its twin the Yamaha Force. I do like the PCX design and it’s full LED lighting, but it’s just a commuter. There’s nothing fun about it, it’s slower, it feels too light and flimsy, and it’s suspension and brakes are inadequate for anyone over 160lbs. I wish be got the Force in the US. I’m glad we have the bigger XMAX 300 now but it’s too much of a maxi scooter and not playful like a 150 step-through. It’s more like a mini TMAX. I plan to buy an SMAX soon.
Actually the most popular scooter in SE Asia is the Honda 110 Wave. Honda 125 Wave, Honda 125 Grom, and Yamaha 125 scooter (Vespa looks) tie for second.
I agree with you about the YAMAHA Zuma 125 I too also believe it Under Performs, I thought it should Perform better with the technology that Engine has. Modern FourStroke, FourValue Head, Fuel Injection, decent Compression Ratio. Now I get it's an Air Cooled Motor, the could have Changed The Game, & give us 12bhp without Reliability issues I'm sure of it.
@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx any updates on this new 2022 zuma? Have you had the chance to test one? I heard it is water cooled with more power than previous models?
@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx I'm looking at putting deposit down on either zuma or smax this week. Trying to figure this out. It will be my first scooter. Thanks
I think the term might be head and shoulders above the rest, toes idk lol!? Also i would never ever modify any bike before at least 500 miles, and I think you might went through a stop sign in that town
Thank you for the excellent review! I have a 2017 Smax. I love it! However you mentioned that someone makes front highway pegs for it. Do you know where I can find them? I'm 6'1 and find the seating position a bit cramped. But if I slide back onto the rear portion of the seat I can change the position to make it more comfortable. Those highway pegs would be a nice addition. Thanks!
Timothy Vasquez I think it’s mostly custom made stuff at the moment, we are planning to offer the pegs at some point but there are a pile of other models in front of the Smax that are being developed first
Not sure on the weight, we are a scooter dealership so this is technically part of my full time job. We sell new genuine scooters and we are a pre owned scooter dealer. So we do some reconditioning too
I've noticed that a Grom has about the same wheelbase and wheels as a scooter of similar engine displacement. There is a lot of empty space under the seat of the Grom and to me it looks wierd. Could they put a storage box under the seat and make it more versatile like a scooter?
I have the S Mac’s 155 also and this is the first I have heard that the handlebars can be switched out. If you look at the schematic it’s not your normal handlebar set up. I hope you’re right though thank you Steve in Pensacola Florida
Anyone have experience with a variator w/spring kit upgrade on the Smax? If so, any details of the outcome much appreciated. Top speed, higher or lower? Torque off the line? My goal is to beef up the low end without sacrificing my ability to cruise at 70mph. As to the video, yes, the Smax is a superb scooter in the 150 size class. I have a PCX 150 in Indonesia as well, and while the PCX is perfect for Indonesian roads (much slower speeds needed compared to USA,) the Smax gives you a much wider riding radius do to it's top speed capability. The PCX will be out of juice at about 65mph whereas the (even 30lb heavier) Smax will push between 70-75mph measured by GPS. Also the pocket is enough for a JBL Flip 4 for tunes AND my glasses, gloves, drink, all at once, plus a hook if you need to carry groceries home. The 155cc engine is bulletproof and I've done 45 minutes stretches of 8K+ RPM up the highway no problem. You can really tell the difference from Honda's 2-valve, 149cc. The PCX is smoother over bumps in the road, but the center shock of the Smax really makes it capable of counter-steering twisties like a motorcycle, and having more rubber on the road with wider tires in front and back over the PCX helps with that confidence in the curves. I highly recommend Pirelli Angel tires. Middle of the line price for a superb tire and vastly improved ride over the stock Kendas. Looking to get the GIVI 2121DT wind-screen but it's currently out of stock everywhere. As capable as the Smax is, you'll be wishing for more wind protection on cold days without a full-face helmet. And yes, the center tach was genius by Yamaha, especially for your break-in.
Speaking of Yamaha are their Nmax scooters not sold in your area? Personally speaking I like the flat foot board because it's easier to load groceries on them sadly they aren't sold in my country.
This scooters are for city and urban riding. Why would you want to go over 70mph on a little scooter. If you want to go faster buy something bigger with more power. I had both and the PCX in my opinion is way better for city riding. The SMax is so much bigger then the PCX. The SMax is like a Maxi scooter, yeah it is faster than the PCX but the PCX is so much nimble than the XMax and in my opinion it’s just a better scooter than the XMax because the PCX looks much sportier, more nimble and much quicker. If I had to choose I definitely would choose the PCX and it gets way better gas mileage..
IMO, both Honda and Yamaha are ergonomically lousy for taller riders. I'm a tall woman and I've never ridden a Yamaha which was even vaguely comfortable. I agree they have good engines.
I have a person in our maxi scooter group who rides a PCX and I believe it is governed. She has never seen 70mph and my SMAX is way faster off the start.
My 2022 Honda ADV 150 Stock was better than the Yamaha SMax 155 for hole shots. With my weight I was more concerned about starting out than Top speed. The Honda has better leg and hip height for me👍
I’ve heard great things about the new Zuma 125 I have two customers 1 with a new Zuma Another with an adv They said the Zuma walks the adv everywhere it goes
3:50 I dont think I have ever seen anyone turn their head right and left so many times at an intersection. Or maybe I just notice it more because Im watching through the camera lens on a computer. 🤔
Hey man, whats going on, i have a quick question. ¿Is it good for highways? Im thinking of buying one because i feel it is very comfy and easy to have. I am used to have a scooter because in Colombia it is very versatile but now that i am living here in US, im not sure of the rules o laws about driving one on highways and this kind of things
Your speedometers about 7 to 8 mi an hour generous so if you put a GPS on your phone and you running up against that scooter you'll see what I'm telling you is true it is not running at 73 miles an hour
I just bought a Yamaha S max please tell me how to get in touch with the guy who makes the highway foot peg bars for this bike thank you Steve in Pensacola Florida
You mention how tight the cockpit area is, but you don’t mention your height. I’m 5 foot 6 inch, 120 pounds. Would the cockpit area still be tight? Also, I have a choice of purchasing a burgman 400 or a smax, which would you recommend? Also, thanks for a great review.
I am having this problem that on a cold start my 2019 s max will start to run then quit. I have spark and I can hear the fuel pump run. I can get it run by giving it throttle while cranking it over. My problem is intermittent. I don't have a check engine light lit. I want to scan perhaps there is a soft code stored. How and where do I connect a scanner?
Yamaha made a big mistake getting out of the 50cc Zuma market... 2 stroke that is... Don't know why soon but just didn't come out with a catalytic converter like the Buddy 50 on their 2-stroke? .. oh well I love my buddy 50 remove the stock catalytic converter exhaust and put a scooter works exhaust on looks just like the original but no catalytic my buddy 50 now does 40 mph on flat ground... 45 -50 downhill and that's according to the GPS not the speedometer which reach 5 miles an hour faster than what you're actually going
@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx no future plans to Big bore the Buddy.. at this time.. for one I don't want to void the warranty.. I'm probably going to be picking up a motorcycle soon by springtime just for long distances upper State Connecticut New York State New Hampshire riding.. something like a used lower mile Shadow 750 .. I'm keeping my buddy 50 for local driving. I don't commute on it I use it just for pleasure driving around the beaches here in Connecticut.. no registration plate. No insurance no taxes needed 49cc . in CT👍... I know people who are buying 125s and 150 . Scooters here in Connecticut and riding them without a plate.. the cops here won't even stop them won't even stop the illegal dirt bikes and quads buzzing on the major streets here in Connecticut!! Just amazing.. I asked the cop why he is not going after these dirt bikes and quads flying through the red lights doing wheelies.. the cop said we will not chase them because if they crash they can sue us! It's like the wild wild West over here
OGM... I have 1,500 mi on SMax 2018, same seat as 17. The WORST seat ever put on a bike. A friend also has one, same with seat. It is slanted forward...it is hell
@@shannon9487 For those who wish not to break their necks, Smax is entirely sufficient . Personally I don't give a sh.t about scooters with rocket engines. Not a sh.t.
I don't think its trying hard at all, it's not a motorcycle, it's better. If you need to run to the store 1 mile away, you just hop on and go, all automatic, storage under seat and a bag hook. On a motorcycle, you have to mess with the gears which is not convenient when you are just zipping down residential streets. All of my friends have motorcycles and they only ride them on weekends, occasionally for pleasure rides, they don't use them daily for errands and in lieu of the car. I use mine every day, and often several times a day whether I'm going 2 blocks or 20 miles. A motorcycle is just less convenient. It may be faster, but the speed limit is still the same for everyone, it is however, better than the rest of the scooters.
I think the fact that it is a step though proves that it isn't trying hard to be a motorcycle. It is just the best scooter you can get before you have to get a leg over or a motorcycle.
