Honda Forza 750 versus Yamaha TMAX 560, head-to-head scooters
It is doubtful whether Yamaha thought this would be the case, when they introduced the first TMAX, two decades ago.
This ingenious scooter eliminated the need for a motorcycle without a few people.
Gave them a performance envelope, look and image of something completely different.
When he does not give up the basic efficiency of a scooter.
Over the years, all competitors have tried to slam this package.
But without significant success.
At Yamaha we just updated the TMAX every so often and had tremendous success, even with us.
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It took a giant like Honda to produce cracks in this wall, with the XADV giving a scooter interpretation to adventure fashion.
Honda's successful scooter, avoided direct competition with the Yamaha and opted for a detour.
Now, based on the mechanics of that XADV, Honda is introducing the Forza 750. This time without an alternative.
This time, it's head to head.
summit meeting
On each of these tools, one feels that one is at the forefront of the latest technology in the field.
The level of finish, sensations, materials and assemblies, express the best offered in the world of scooters today.
And it feels the same way compared to quite a few motorcycles.
Every switch, every latch, every light bulb, is laid out in thinking and functioning efficiently.
Both have keyless operation, with electric opening for each compartment and opening, both have meaty assemblies, both have more powerful motors than usual.
Both the Honda and certainly the Yamaha have a quality and beautiful color.
There is also a mechanical connection between the two, which confirms that they are "super scooters".
Contrary to popular belief, in both Yamaha and Honda the engine rests inside the chassis, and is not attached to the rear arm like a full-fledged scooter.
Here, the imagination ends.
The Yamaha brings to the table a lightweight aluminum chassis (steel in the Honda), an electrically adjustable reflector (in the model tested), heating for the handles and seat (in the model tested) and even cruise control (in the model tested).
It also stood up to the test, in a rare and impressive gray color and under the seat there is a bit more space than in the Honda.
The Honda, on the other hand, offers a significantly more powerful engine, an advanced dashboard with a mobile interface, more riding modes and the ability to program them (two are not programmed in Yamaha), a dual-clutch gearbox, a larger front rim and a larger braking system.
Honda also has a lower price tag.
Honda Forza 750. Photo: Tomer Feder
On the matter of price should be delayed.
The TMAX has stood the test in its most expensive and well-equipped version, which costs NIS 92,000.
It has also been fitted with an improved exhaust system that is not inconsiderable and has a wonderful dive.
For this price you get the electrically adjustable reflector, the heated handles and seat, and the cruise control.
Without all these, the price of a new TMAX is NIS 85,000.
The Honda comes in one level of finish (described above) and its price in Israel is set at NIS 75,000.
The price gap may sound high, but the TMAX has always been a fine and expensive scooter - and even so, hundreds of people buy it every year.
So this is not really the main point here.
On the starting line
So far specifications, prices and theories.
Sitting on the TMAX feels familiar.
The switches, the dashboard and the unique engine sound all make you feel at home.
The smooth and intuitive operation also contributes to the pleasant feeling.
Almost relaxed.
Choosing the sporty mode, a decisive rotation of the throttle and TMAX takes off forward smoothly and without delays.
Justifies the reputation built for him in the field.
The behavior feels very natural, with light and linear steering and strong and gradual braking.
It feels like TMAX, strong, quality, fun.
The design of the chassis and suspensions here, gives the safe and solid feeling that has characterized the model throughout the years.
The calibration feels good, and even soft enough, effectively absorbs what appears in its path.
It may not be the newest tool here, but it is definitely a touchstone.
The criterion by which any scooter with sporting pretensions is measured.
In the Honda the seat is a little lower, there is a feeling of sitting inside the scooter.
The watch face looks wonderful and offers countless customization options.
You can select several riding modes, different levels of traction control intervention, the speed of transmission, the type of display on the board and also the connection to the smartphone as mentioned.
Here, too, a sport mode was chosen, and here, too, the throttle rotated to the stop.
But here, the surprise was complete.
Yamaha TAMX 560. Photo: Tomer Feder
The way the Forza leaps forward is unlike anything.
Honda worked on the engine and gearbox before moving them here from the XADV.
This means that the box takes what the engine produces and utilizes it to the fullest.
Operation is faster, smoother, more direct.
And the result as stated is superiority in everything to do with power in a straight line.
The paddle unit also knows how to be more relaxed, in the other riding modes you can choose.
But each of our three testers, found himself repeatedly drawn to the sportiest and strongest state.
On the way to Apax
Even in the behavioral episode, Honda continued to mark a more extreme sports line.
The Yamaha arrives at every turn with lots of confidence, precise and natural driving, and a linear dive to the turn until the side jack strokes the asphalt on both sides and signals to stop.
Gets a full, round score for his behavior.
The feel from the brakes is great, and only at really high loads do the suspensions start to lose some of their serenity and exhibit a lack of restraint.
Then, with the Honda, the tilt angles are more respectable, the suspensions maintain complete stability (even when trackers touch the asphalt), the fork and especially the larger front wheel (17 inches versus 15 inches in a Yamaha) convey tremendous confidence and only encourage you to keep going.
The steering here is heavier than in the Yamaha, because of that larger front wheel and thanks to it there is less tendency here to get stuck in braking with a tilt.
The Honda is heavier than the Yamaha (remember the aluminum chassis) but it manages to disguise it well thanks in part to the stiffer calibration of the suspensions.
The story is similar on the brakes as well.
After TMAX we were willing to swear it could not be better, until the Forza brakes arrived and planted us in place time and time again.
Equally linear, stronger and absolute.
Epilogue
TMAX is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
When introduced, he was the most powerful scooter in the world, he matched the word scooter to concepts like speed and dynamism and he was the first to be called a sports scooter without blinking.
Unlike such and such royalty, the years have only done him good.
He grew, became sophisticated, adapted himself to the spirit of the period and also became somewhat stronger.
This process made it a complete, almost perfect product in the niche he actually invented.
The same process, too, rounded its edges a bit and made it a very round vessel, perhaps too round.
Because on the other hand, the competitors did not rest for a moment.
Two decades of repeated assassination attempts from every angle have been restored.
And now, a new claimant to the crown has risen.
And it does so in the same way as the earlier generations of the TMAX.
Speaks in terms of dynamic power and ability.
Transmits something powerful, wild and almost violent in scooter terms.
Suddenly, the creators overturned.
Yamaha TMAX, the bad boy in the neighborhood, has become pleasant, absorbing and decent.
Honda, the most politically correct company in the world, has turned its skin and produced a strong, sharp, tough, uncompromising and unapologetic scooter.
The Yamaha TMAX does not miss this test - it's just a fine scooter.
The Forza is also a fine scooter.
But beyond quality and technology he speaks a language that speaks to us with such tools.
It is powerful, capable, exciting, even within the effective framework as a scooter.
It is very fast, absorbs a high load nonchalantly and is equipped with assemblies that feel thick and high quality.
He demonstrates this ability, at all times, whether in a short jump here or a long drive there.
No, the Yamaha TMAX does not miss this test, but the Forza 750 definitely wins it.
As of today, this is the most sporty, exciting and impressive scooter we have ridden.
Yamaha
TMAX 560
Engine: Parallel Twin, 562
cc
Power:
47 hp at 7,500 rpm
Torque:
5.6 kg at 5,250 rpm
Chalk:
Continuous
Maximum speed (test):
183 km / h
Fuel consumption (manufacturer):
20.8 km / l
Wheelbase:
1,575 cm
Weight:
218 kg
Seat height:
800 mm
Price of tested version (base):
NIS 92,000 (NIS 85,000)
Pros:
General ability
Cons:
Not exciting
Bottom line:
a polished diamond
Honda Forza 750
Engine: Parallel Twin, 745
cc
Power:
58 hp at 6,750 rpm
Torque:
7 kg at 4,750 rpm
Gear:
Dual-Clutch Robot, 6 Hill
Maximum speed (test):
189 km / h
Fuel consumption (manufacturer):
27.7 km / l
Wheelbase:
1,580 cm
Weight:
235 kg
Price (tested version):
NIS 75,000
Pros:
Engine, Behavior, Technology
Cons:
Smaller trunk in comparison
Bottom line:
Hyper-scooter.
Photo: Tomer Feder
Riders: Gilad Oz, Noam Yosef