Yamaha also came up with a specially-designed parking brake. A convenient handlebar-mounted lever activates the rear brake to prevent the unit from moving on sloped ground.

There are two additional compartments on the left and right side of the inner fairing panel.

Passenger
The 2009 TMAX offers a fairly comfortable seating position for the passenger. However, due to the sporty character of this scooter, he or she will have to bend the knees a little more and firmly keep both hands on the grab rails -- which are smartly designed, by the way.

Engine
The new Yamaha TMAX is powered by a 499-cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke engine. The closed-deck cylinder design allows the cylinders to be spaced more closely, making for a narrower engine. A 31-mm dual throttle body fuel injection system provides crisp throttle response. Output is rated at about 45 horsepower.

The V-belt CVT (continuously variable transmission) is fully automatic, as is the wet multi-plate centrifugal clutch.

The aforementioned upswept muffler contains a catalytic converter to reduce harmful hydrocarbon and nitrous oxide emissions.

Storage
Access to the center compartment is different than with other scooters: the seat lifts at the front. Some full-face helmet models will fit in there, but don't get your hopes too high. Kudos to Yamaha for designing a special helmet cable that slips through "D" rings and then locks under the seat for added storage and security. Note: a top case is optionally available.

There are two additional compartments on the left and right side of the inner fairing panel. While handy, these bins are not lockable. I was able to fit a 600-mm water bottle in the left one and my cell phone in the right one.
 
The refuelling system is great: located just ahead of the rider's seat, it allows you to fill up the 15-liter tank and avoid potential spills.

The aforementioned upswept muffler contains a catalytic converter to reduce harmful hydrocarbon and nitrous oxide emissions.