Top 5 Maxi-Scooters

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, lightweight vehicle for riding around town or completing short errands, scooters are an excellent choice. If you want something with a bit more performance and versatility, you might want to consider a maxi-scooter instead. Maxi-scooters, or touring scooters, offer larger engines and typically better wind protection, making a good choice as an everyday commuter or for longer distance rides.

Maxi-scooters have larger engines than regular scooters, which is usually enough to make them viable for travelling on freeways. With larger engines, maxi-scooters typically have the engine mounted into the frame instead of the swingarm. As a result, maxi-scooters tend to have a step-over design whereas traditional scooters have a flat central footboard for a step-through design. Maxi-scooters also have larger front fairings for better wind protection, as well as more storage room, both in the fairing and under the seat.

Unfortunately, the maxi-scooter selection in the U.S. isn’t as large as it is in Europe, where the likes of the Yamaha TMax, Honda X-ADV and the Honda Forza 750 are offered. Still, there are several solid choices for those looking for a maxi-scooter. We compiled a list of some of the best maxi-scooter options available, with a wide range of displacement and pricing.

Updated May 28, 2024

The Yamaha XMax checks off a lot of boxes for what people want in a maxi-scooter. With a 292cc four-valve SOHC Single that claims about 27 hp, the XMax is easily capable of highway speeds. The engine is also pretty efficient, too, with Yamaha claiming an impressive 75 mpg. Fill the 3.4 gallon tank, and you’re looking at a range of 255 miles.

2018 Yamaha XMAX Review

The underseat storage area is big enough to fit two full-face helmets, and for smaller items like phones, there are two storage bays in the fairing, including one lockable bay with a 12V DC outlet.

The XMax offers sportier handling than most scooters, thanks to its large wheels (15 inches up front and 14 inches at the back) and a motorcycle-style fork that bolts to the steering stem at both the top and bottom triple tree clamps.

Other highlights include ABS, traction control, an adjustable handlebar, an adjustable windscreen, and a remote smart key.

You would typically expect a BMW to be on the higher end of most price ranges, but in the maxiscooter, it sits somewhere in the middle with a base price of $8,245. Of course, if you opt for the Triple Black color and Premium package of heated grips and heated seat, the price rises up closer to nine grand which bumps it past the Suzuki Burgman.

The BMW C400GT is powered by a Single-cylinder engine claiming 34 hp at 7,500 rpm and 25.8 lb-ft. at 5,750 rpm. Automatic Stability Control (ASC) comes standard, as do the dual disc brakes with ABS

The underseat storage is not as large as some other scooters on this list, however. BMW’s Flexcase system holds 31L, and expands to 45L when it is parked.

First introduced in 1999, the Suzuki Burgman is one of the earliest maxi-scooter models on the market, and it continues to be sold in the U.S. today. The most recent iteration is the Burgman 400, which was redesigned for the 2018 model year. The 400 slotted in nicely between Burgman 200 and Burgman 650 Executive, but it has since replaced the 650 as the largest member of the family.

Suzuki Burgman 400 Long-Term Wrap-Up

With a 399cc Single, the Burgman 400 offers plenty of oomph as an urban commuter or, as John Burns can attest, for a short day trip. At 27.9 inches, the Burgman offers the lowest seat height among the scooters on this list, making it easier for shorter riders to straddle. The underseat storage holds 42 liters, enough for a helmet or two, while two front compartments offer additional room for smaller items.

Other features include dual front disc brakes, ABS, an automatic idle speed control, LED lighting, and comfortable passenger seating.

At $8,999, the AK 550 is one of the pricier maxi-scooters on the market, which may surprise some people as Kymco’s other scooters tend to be less expensive than offerings from competitors.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with the AK 550, however, with a 550cc DOHC eight-valve parallel-Twin engine, claiming 52.7 hp at 7500 rpm and 41 lb-ft. At 5500 rpm. The AK 550 is equipped with an inverted fork and dual radial-mount Brembo calipers, features you’re more likely to expect from motorcycles than scooters.

The AK 550 claims a dry weight of 462.9 pounds, but Kymco says it has the lowest center of gravity in its class and a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, which should make that weight easier to handle.

Other features include two selectable ride modes, 15-inch wheels, smartphone connectivity, and full LED lighting.

Long before Yamaha introduced the Niken and the Tricity scooter, there was Piaggio and its three-wheeled MP3. And unlike the Tricity, the Piaggio MP3 is available here in the U.S. With two 13-inch front wheels and a single 14-inch rear wheel, the MP3 inherently offers more stability than two-wheeled scooters, though the trade-off is a heavier weight, with Piaggio claiming a curb weight of 617 pounds.

The latest model is the MP3 530 Exclusive, which is powered by a 530cc engine claiming 43.5 hp at 7,250 rpm and 35 lb-ft. at 5,750 rpm. What earns it the name "Exclusive" is its radar-based Advanced Rider Assistance System (ARAS). The first radar system equipped on a scooter, ARAS adds a Blind Spot Information System that flashes a warning on the TFT screen for vehicles in a blind spot, and the Lane Change Decision Aid System (LCDAS), which provides similar warnings during lane changes.

Other features include a rear-facing video camera, selectable ride modes, ABS, and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR).