During a recent trip to the iconic Jerez race circuit in Spain, I witnessed something that turned my assumptions about track bikes upside down. Amid the usual lightweight supersports and purpose built naked bikes, a group of young riders had shown up with something altogether different — modified Yamaha TMAX scooters, prepped and ready to carve through the corners. What at first looked like a joke soon turned into one of the most fascinating and entertaining displays of creativity and riding skill I have seen at a racetrack.
What Is the Yamaha TMAX?
The Yamaha TMAX is not your average scooter. It is a large displacement maxi scooter powered by a 562cc parallel twin engine that delivers a surprisingly muscular performance. Producing around 47 horsepower and mated to a continuously variable transmission, it offers smooth acceleration and highway capable speeds. With a weight of just over 480 pounds and a low center of gravity, it is easy to handle, incredibly versatile, and perfect for both city commuting and long distance touring.
Its design includes features like under seat storage, comfortable ergonomics, disc brakes front and rear, upside down forks, and even keyless ignition. It also offers decent wind protection and a riding experience that blends comfort with responsiveness. But what makes the TMAX especially interesting is that, in continental Europe, it is something of a cultural icon — especially among younger riders in urban areas. Cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona are flooded with them. They are seen as stylish, fast, and surprisingly tunable. There are entire communities built around customizing and upgrading these machines.
How They Turned a Scooter into a Track Weapon
One rider at Jerez gave me a full tour of his track ready TMAX. First, he stripped off all the unnecessary weight — no passenger grab rails, no top boxes, no heavy rear racks, and a shortened windscreen for better aerodynamics. He also fitted the stickiest scooter tires he could source, since true racing slicks for scooters are virtually nonexistent. He went with a soft compound tire originally designed for high performance city use. He added some lightweight racing mirrors, removed the rear footrests, and even slapped on a few go faster stickers just to complete the look.
The end result? A lean, mean, continuously variable transmission equipped missile that looked as absurd as it did brilliant. But when it hit the track, all doubts evaporated. Around Jerez, a circuit with lots of flowing turns and few long straights, the scooter held its own shockingly well. The TMAX could brake later than the heavier motorcycles, carry momentum through the corners, and looked completely at home tipping into curves where you would expect only sport bikes. It surprised everyone watching, and the rider knew how to push it right to the limit.
Why It Works
On paper, the idea of tracking a scooter sounds laughable. But the TMAX is not just any scooter. Its engine has torque, its chassis is rigid enough to inspire confidence, and its weight distribution makes it feel planted mid turn. The continuously variable transmission, often dismissed as dull, becomes an advantage here — no shifting means smooth, uninterrupted power delivery through the corners. It allows the rider to focus completely on lines, braking points, and throttle control.
What is more, the bike’s step through design and low center of gravity make it accessible to riders of all sizes and experience levels. You do not need to be Valentino Rossi to have fun on a TMAX at speed. Even mid level riders could extract a surprising amount of performance without feeling overwhelmed.
To The Max
The Yamaha TMAX might not look like a typical track day machine, but in the hands of someone creative, it can absolutely surprise. At Jerez, it did more than hold its own — it proved that passion and ingenuity can take many forms. Whether it is a stripped down sport bike or a tuned up maxi scooter, the track is a place where ideas meet asphalt. If you ever spot a blacked out scooter blasting through a racetrack corner, do not laugh. It might just be the most unlikely hero of the paddock.
