A scooter is brilliant for getting around town easily and cheaply: super nimble, park anywhere, easy to ride, sips gas and extremely practical. But, take them out of town, and they are simply too slow to be any good at covering longer distances.
That’s where the maxi scooter comes into its own: all the practicality of a scooter but with more power and comfort, better chassis and suspension dynamics, better rider aids, excellent weather protection, under seat storage, and longer wheelbases for added stability. They also have twist-and-go automatic transmissions that can have some of the larger-engined models give sports bike a good run for their money in the light-to-light drag races. Some even have three wheels for even more confidence-inspiring grip on wet or loose surfaces. Here’s our pick of the ten best maxi scooters.
Updated August 2023: Scooter manufacturers continue to strive to bring us one option after the other that is comfortable for everyday use as well as have some of the latest tech and features on board. Each year, there are significant improvements made to the existing models. To keep you up to speed on all the latest developments, this article has been updated with new information and a comprehensive list of pros and cons for each scooter.
10 Suzuki Burgman 650
With a parallel twin engine producing a healthy 55 horsepower, coupled to a CVT transmission, the Suzuki Burgman 650 has all the performance you could need with a whole dose of luxury tech: ABS, electric folding mirrors and adjustable screen, heated grips and seat, an immobiliser, not to mention two power modes.
It’s big, but that means excellent comfort for two (there are even grab rails for the pillion) and equally good weather protection, combined with a cavernous under seat storage area which can be supplemented by a top box. It’s not especially light at 610 pounds but as that weight is worn low down, it’s not too much of a problem. 59 MPG is also excellent, and with a gas tank capacity of nearly four gallons, it’s great for touring.
Pros
- Comfortable riding ergonomics
- 10+ gals of under seat storage
- Low seat height
Cons
- May feel a bit too heavy
- Comes with a hefty price tag
- It's tough to get one these days
9 Yamaha TMAX
Perhaps the best-known of all the maxi scooters, the Yamaha TMAX was the model that first convinced a lot of people that such a motorcycle could combine practicality with performance and fun. The 530cc parallel twin engine pushes out 45 horsepower which might be less than the Suzuki Burgman but, then again, it does weigh 170 pounds less, which is not to be sniffed at.
The chassis frame is aluminum which helps with the weight reduction and also adds stiffness, although the design does reduce rider floorboard size slightly. There’s cruise control, heated seating grips, traction control and an electrically adjustable screen. The center stand can be locked in the ‘open’ position which is a great theft deterrent and storage is adequate, although a top box can be fitted. Your pillion passenger will never complain about comfort, and as a way of adding sportiness to practicality, the TMAX is hard to beat.
Pros
- Oozes of comfort
- Significantly lighter than most maxi scooters
- Great wind protection
Cons
- Limited storage space
- Expensive
- Rider floorboard is a tad bit narrow
8 Honda X-ADV
Take one Honda NC750X motorcycle in maxi-scooter form, and equip it with wire wheels, taller suspension and dual-purpose tires and here you have something totally unique: The Honda X-ADV, an off-road capable maxi scooter and that’s pretty unique. Another unique feature is Honda’s well-developed dual clutch transmission which is a step up from the CVT transmissions of every other scooter on this list. The 745cc parallel twin produces 58 horsepower and a 520 pound all-in weight is pretty much par for the course. Traction control, ABS, a TFT dash, excellent storage and power modes make this one o the more interesting choices in the maxi scooter class.
Pros
- Great, modern styling
- Off-road capable
- Honda's DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission)
Cons
- Not the most affordable option
- Its niche appeal will only attract a select few
- The upside-down forks may feel a bit soft
7 Piaggio MP3 500
The Piaggio MP3 is by no means the only three-wheeler maxi scooter, but it is one of the better examples of leaning three-wheeler technology. While adding an extra wheel, hub, disc brake and caliper, not to mention all the sophisticated suspension components that allow the wheels to remain in contact with the road while allowing the bike to lean in corners, adds weight. It also increases safety by an appreciable amount by increasing front end grip, braking power and stability.
The suspension can be locked in the upright position, meaning you don’t have to put your feet down when stopped or worry about the side stand when you park it. Comfort and wind protection is on a par with the rest although the 492cc single cylinder engine, with 40 horsepower, does have to work quite hard to push along 538 pounds.
Pros
- Adjustable, lockable suspension
- Safer than a convention two-wheeler
- The presence of a reverse gear
Cons
- You do feel its 538-pound weight
- The lighting is not fully LED
- High maintenance costs
6 BMW C 650 GT
Typical for BMW, when they do something, they do it extremely well, if not extremely cheaply! The 647 twin-cylinder engine produces a class-leading 60 horsepower, while the chassis is a mixture of steel tubing and cast aluminum sections, making an extremely stiff structure while being light, although the overall weight is still 575 pounds. This is reflected in BMW’s typically excellent build quality, and the use of high-grade materials and the C 650 GT still manages to return 61 MPG from its 4.2 gallon gas tank.
ABS, traction control, twin front discs, power sockets in the front cubbyhole, and illuminated under seat storage which is large enough for a short weekend away or two full-face helmets. As is common with BMW, the accessories range is huge, but you’ll bump up the price significantly equipping it to the standard of other bikes on this list.
Pros
- A good range of after-sales accessories
- Great, functional side-view mirrors
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Expensive
- High maintenance cost
- There’s a considerable CVT “wind-up” until the 45 mph mark
5 BMW C 400 X
While we’re with BMW, we can’t ignore the C 400 X, a smaller-engined version of the C650, which is trying to ape the Honda X-ADV in having slightly chunkier, go-anywhere looks. The 400cc single-cylinder engine produces 34 horsepower, which seems a little breathless for the 450-pound weight, but the upside is a claimed 80 MPG, with a tank capacity of 3.4 gallons.
There are a few 400cc maxi scooters around but the C 400 X stands out by having ABS and traction control, LED lighting, phone connectivity and a charging socket in the glove box. Under seat storage is expandable to take a helmet, which has to be clipped back up to ride away, with a locking system that prevents the bike from being ridden while it is down.
Pros
- Comfortable, plush seat
- Forward-mounted foot pegs
- ABS and traction control for a sub-400cc scooter is a rarity
Cons
- Power to weight ratio isn't great
- High maintenance cost
- For a 400cc, it sure is pricey
4 Yamaha Tricity 300
All the benefits of three wheels, as with the Piaggio MP3 500, but giving greater gas mileage. The 292cc single cylinder engine of the Tricity 300 produces 28 horsepower, which isn’t great for the 527 pound weight, but it does achieve 75 MPG and has a top speed of 90 mph. Practicality, weather protection and riding security are the main features, although it does lose out on the rider aids that mark out the larger-engined models on this list. It’s on the borderline of being able to tackle longer journeys and would be a bit breathless two-up, but it is a practical and safe scooter, that is larger than most small-displacement scooters.
Pros
- The reliability of Yamaha
- Delivers a good mileage per gallon
- Safer than a convention two-wheeler
Cons
- Only 28 horses for a 500+ pound scooter!
- A lack of modern tech
- The paint quality lacks a premium touch
3 Kymco AK550
Kymco is largely known for its small-displacement scooters but the AK550 will force people to think again. The 550cc parallel-twin engine produces 53 horsepower, the chassis is aluminum and the suspension and braking components wouldn’t be out of place on a sports bike: upside-down forks and Brembo four-piston calipers.
At nearly 500 pounds it’s not overly light but that just adds to the secure, planted feel of the bike. Handling is dynamic and fun, and the weather protection from the slick bodywork slightly less than on, say, the Suzuki Burgman, as is the under seat storage, but the compensation comes in the form of a full-color dash with extensive connectivity options. Great quality abounds and the performance more than makes up for inferior storage.
Pros
- Offers great handling
- Comes with an appreciable infotainment kit
- Comfortable rider ergonomics
Cons
- The storage space isn't the greatest
- A lack of adequate wind protection
- You need spanners to adjust the position of the adjustable screen
2 Yamaha XMAX
Baby brother to the TMAX, the XMAX has a 292cc single-cylinder engine producing 33 horsepower, in a package that weighs a mere 397 pounds, with gas mileage of 76 MPG. ABS and traction control are valuable additions and both the screen and handlebars are adjustable to enable the perfect riding position to be dialed in.
Under seat storage is good enough to fit two full-face helmets and LED lighting is a classy touch. If it looks like a slightly scaled-down TMAX, that is no bad thing, and it certainly doesn’t lack in rider and passenger comfort, even if the engine might be a little small for longer touring journeys. Twin discs up front give all the stopping power you could need.
Pros
- The ride quality is really, really good
- Funky design language
- A peppy, economical engine
Cons
- It is a little pricey considering its segment
- Shorter riders may not like the tall seat height
- Not suited for long trips
1 Honda Silver Wing
Officially called the FJS600, it was aimed directly at the Suzuki Burgman and Yamaha TMAX, and being lighter than the Suzuki and offering more comfort than the Yamaha, it was a good middle-ground maxi-scooter. The 582cc parallel twin engine produces 50 horsepower and typical Honda engineering integrity and build quality means that, with regular servicing, it will last for years. Comfort is excellent, weather protection is great and single discs front and back are perfectly good enough. If your budget is limited, this is an excellent choice.
Pros
- One of the most comfortable scooters out there
- The Honda reliability
- Lighter than most maxi scooters of its segment
Cons
- It weaves a little at high speeds
- Fuel economy will drop drastically if you push it
- The rear suspension may feel a tad bit stiff