Re: Had a question about a new scooter but...................

 On Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:08:15 -0800, SoCalMike

|>> configuration.......is the TMAX CVT better all grouped up and just chained
|>> out to the rear wheel...
|>
|>I havent taken it apart yet to actually work on or examine it, but i
|>think the CVT belt setup is located inside the engine, sort of the way
|>suzuki does it with their B650. From there it goes to a chain in the
|>swingarm, which is probably the best design ive heard of so far.

    I guess that little CVT diagram miracle is only in the Shop Manual
as well.....does it look like it will take over the conventional CVT
configuration, since there doesn't seem to be any real issues on it other
than some think it's TOO responsive or harsh.....huh....go figure...heh?

 
|> It  seems to have a
|>reputation for great handling but only compared to traditional scooters
|>and only as good as possible given its weight.  I doubt if any highly
|>skilled pro riders would call it a real racer but slow-pokes such as me
|>might like it.

    Actually, I've never driven one, but you described it pretty good,
as a CVT scooter class, it has a fair amount of power per weight, but
handles better than the heavier bikes, with all the rock salt, and stuff in
the city perimeters.

    It sort of makes anybody a pro racer, which is why it is the most
stolen bike in Europe...the scooter price tag is there too....the idea of
scooter control is like comparing to gun control, pulling a semi-auto
trigger repeatedly is easy, but if you have to cock it all the time it's
not as quick??

    Although "Nickster" (http://www.nickster.com ) the Video Rider, did
manage to wipe out on some new rock salt in the UK....scratching up his
TMAX a few times, before it got stolen and his car refurbed....and all that
as you might have read the (yamahamajestyscooter@yahoogroups.com,
maxi-scooters@yahoogroups.com).

    He somehow lost his rock salt footing as well as footage he shot of
the tumble.......all there was on display was stills, but just evidence of
the tumble, not the real play of the scene as he has great presentations of
UK madhouse driving police encounters, and pretty crazy driving in the
links to his page......if the Guvmint hasn't confiscated that too......  

 
|>> UK madhouse driving police encounters, and pretty crazy driving in the
|>> links to his page......if the Guvmint hasn't confiscated that too......  
|>
|>I believe the suspension design is quite different from traditional
|>scoots, more like a bike, ie. less engine weight or no "cantilever" if I
|>recall rightly, whereas the smaller (and some larger) cvt scoots
|>effectively have quite a lot of "unsprung" weight because of the engine
|>hangers.  Maybe I've got that wrong, hope somebody who knows more will
|>correct me.  But if I'm not too wrong, that difference would explain a
|>lot of the reputed handling difference.

Aerodynamics:

The TMAX has a single COIL rear seat to swingarm suspension, like most
"rice rockets", and expensive racing bicycles....

    Since there is no "cantilever", there is less traction on the front
wheel the faster you go, as the front end's wheel well lifts up......

    In a Scoot, the rear wheel well (especially maxi-scoots) lifts up
and "cantilevers" or counteracts the front wheel lift, adding some traction
to the front wheel.

    This "cantilever" effect varies on the scooter construction, as to
where the battery and fuel tank is....in this overall effect it would
interesting to see how much the scooter really weighs at 150kph....

    Care to make a guess on the "cantilever" scooter weight loss at
(140kph), well it's not enough to warrant a triple tree, but then it does
lose overall weight off the rear to the almost weightless front....