WORLD LAUNCH: First RIDING impressions. Yamaha’s TMAX Tech MAX 560

We’re out in Portugal for the launch of the new Yamaha TMAX. Currently, we have reached the halfway point through today’s ride and while we grab a quick bite to eat, I thought I’d share my brief first impressions of the latest generation machine…

It rained heavily overnight, so this morning was a good chance to see how well it handled on the damp roads. The answer – very well. No slips and slides, just solid, reassuring grip that inspires confidence. A great start!

It is incredibly easy to ride and despite its fairly hefty size and weight it’s surprisingly agile – even at low speeds. You can chuck it into corners and get plenty of lean as the pace hots up.

It’s quick too. Not ridiculous, but punchy. It’s sharp enough to get the jump on pretty much anything off the line and it’ll sit at motorway speeds all day long – with enough still in the tank for a quick overtake. And when you get on a twisty stretch of road, there’s more than enough in the tank to put a smile on your face.

We’ve been on the tricked out Tech MAX today, which comes with heated grips, a heated seat, adjustable suspension at the rear, and an electronically adjustable screen. At £11,649 It’s around £1500 more expensive than the standard machine – but up to now I think it’s worth every penny. Roll on this afternoon!

Keep your eyes peeled for a slightly more in-depth review as soon as we get back to base tonight.