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2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 Test Review Still Quick!

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes


Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 maintains its reputation for quick, sporty acceleration, making it a thrilling ride in its class.
  • It boasts premium features like an electrically adjustable windscreen, TCS, and Yamaha Y-Connect, enhancing both comfort and connectivity.
  • While practical with cavernous underseat storage and comfortable seating, its 805mm seat height may challenge shorter riders.
  • The updated model exhibits a change in handling dynamics, favoring smoother corner entries over aggressive, high-speed turns compared to its predecessor.
  • Priced at RM24,888, the XMAX 250 positions itself as a premium grand touring scooter, offering a blend of performance and luxury.

Table of Contents


The Unquestioned King: 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250

Has the reign of the 250cc scooter king truly ended, or does an updated legend still hold its crown amidst a fiercely competitive landscape? For years, the Yamaha XMAX 250 has dominated its segment, a benchmark of performance and practicality. But with new challengers emerging, armed with tech and aggressive pricing, and established rivals like Honda raising their game, does the 2025 model still have what it takes? Read our 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 test and review. Does this popular scooter still deliver quick, impressive performance? Discover its features and capabilities. We delved deep into the updated 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 to uncover if its legendary quickness and grand touring capabilities remain unmatched, despite a few intriguing changes. This comprehensive review will explore its updated features, riding dynamics, daily usability, and ultimately, help you decide if this premium maxi-scooter is still the ultimate choice for your adventures.


What Defines the 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250?

Since its debut in 2018, the Yamaha XMAX 250 has steadfastly held its ground as the premier 250cc scooter. While initially enjoying a relatively uncontested market, the landscape has significantly evolved. The influx of feature-rich, affordably priced Chinese scooters and Honda's revitalized Forza 250 (now the excellent NSS250) have intensified the competition. Yet, the XMAX 250 continues its strong sales trajectory, prompting a deeper look into its enduring appeal.

In Malaysia, only the 250cc variant of the XMAX is available, a strategic choice that caters to riders seeking a blend of urban agility and long-distance touring prowess. The XMAX 250 is fundamentally a grand touring scooter, meticulously designed for covering significant distances at speed while enveloping the rider in comfort. This philosophy translates into practical advantages: expansive storage capacity, a generous fuel tank, a commanding windscreen, and protective bodywork – all elements that define a true long-haul companion.


Key Specifications & Features

At the heart of the 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 lies a robust 249.8cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve engine. This powerplant efficiently generates 22.5 hp (16.8 kW) @ 7,000 RPM and a healthy 24.3 Nm of torque @ 5,500 RPM, channeled to the rear wheel via a smooth V-belt transmission. This setup ensures brisk acceleration and consistent power delivery across the rev range.

The scooter's chassis is supported by telescopic forks at the front and twin shocks mounted to a unit swing arm at the rear, offering a balanced ride. A unit swing arm, for the uninitiated, integrates the engine and swing arm as one cohesive unit, contributing to stability. Braking duties are confidently handled by a single disc brake at both the front and rear, fortified by an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) for enhanced safety.

Rider ergonomics are carefully considered, though the 805 mm seat height might be a point of consideration for some. With a wet weight of 183 kg, it feels substantial yet manageable. Yamaha's commitment to advanced rider interfaces is evident in the XMAX 250's dual-screen setup: a crisp 4.2″ TFT main screen complemented by a 3.2″ LCD secondary screen. Furthermore, the XMAX 250 was a pioneer in Malaysia, being the first scooter equipped with Traction Control (TCS) upon its debut, a system that has been "remapped" for the 2025 model to deliver even finer control.

Notable updates for this iteration include an electrically adjustable windscreen, offering on-the-fly customization for airflow and protection, and a host of new buttons on the left handlebar for intuitive control. Safety is further augmented by an Emergency Stop Light function, which activates both rear signal lights as hazards during rapid deceleration, alerting following traffic.


The Pre-Ride Experience: Connecting & Conquering

Before hitting the road, the first order of business with the 2025 XMAX 250 is setting up the Yamaha Y-Connect function. This involves downloading the dedicated phone app and pairing it with the scooter's TFT screen. Once connected, a world of convenience opens up: from changing songs and managing phone calls to checking weather forecasts and monitoring maintenance schedules (including the crucial V-belt change countdown). Intriguingly, even the electrically adjustable windscreen's height is controlled through this interface – a design choice we'll revisit.

With connectivity established, it's time to ignite the engine. The 249.8cc single-cylinder fires up with a muted, barely perceptible staccato. The exhaust note, notably quieter than previous versions, contributes to a more refined acoustic experience.

Addressing the 805 mm seat height, it's an observation worth highlighting for riders with shorter inseams. The seat's width, designed to accommodate the generous underseat storage and wide footboards, necessitates a slight shift of one's body to flat-foot comfortably on one side. While comparable to some modern superbikes in weight (183 kg), it's not unwieldy and quickly becomes second nature with practice. This isn't a complaint, but a useful insight for potential riders considering its ergonomics.


Hitting the Road: Riding the 2025 XMAX 250

The moment you twist the throttle, the true spirit of the XMAX 250 awakens. The scooter charges off the line with impressive zeal, maintaining its vigorous pull until it reaches its top speed without any discernible flat spots. This seamless, eager acceleration hints at lighter roller weights in the transmission, a characteristic confirmed by the engine's quick back torque response upon abrupt throttle closure. This delivers a sensation akin to a manual transmission motorcycle with a lighter flywheel – rapid revs and equally swift deceleration. It's this notably sporty and aggressive power delivery that continues to captivate younger riders and those who prioritize dynamic performance from their scooter.

Yamaha has paired this lively engine with superb braking capabilities. The rear disc, almost as large as the front, provides immense stopping power. Engaging the rear brake firmly can induce a sensation of sliding off the seat – a testament to its effectiveness, and thankfully, the seat's grippy cover proves its worth here. The seat itself offers good cushioning for both rider and passenger, effectively absorbing road imperfections.

However, the handling dynamics of the 2025 model presented a notable shift from its predecessor. While the original XMAX 250 was renowned for its rock-steady composure through corners, the new iteration feels distinctly more agile and eager to turn into slower, tighter corners and navigate congested spaces. A subtle flick of the shoulders or hips is all it takes to initiate a lean. This enhanced agility is great for urban environments, but during high-speed, sweeping corners – like the fast left after the Sungai Buloh toll plaza – the front handlebar exhibited a tendency to oscillate, coupled with a chopping motion from the rear suspension. This was an unexpected behavior for a model previously celebrated for its unwavering stability in such scenarios, even with tire pressures confirmed to be optimal. While the reason for this change remains unclear, it suggests that the 2025 XMAX 250 now prefers a smoother, more deliberate corner entry, a characteristic perhaps more aligned with its identity as a scooter rather than a pure sportbike.


Daily Commute: Practicality Meets Punch

The 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 truly shines in the daily grind. Its ability to effortlessly weave through traffic, combined with its robust acceleration, makes commuting a far more enjoyable experience. Overtaking slower vehicles is a simple twist of the wrist, and its light handling ensures it can slip through gaps where other 250cc scooters might hesitate. This blend of urban nimbleness and potent performance makes it a formidable tool for navigating city streets.

Practicality is another strong suit. The cavernous underseat storage easily swallows a jet-type helmet and a backpack containing a 15-inch laptop, with ample room to spare. For many, this negates the need for an additional top case, streamlining the scooter's profile. Read our 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 test and review. Does this popular scooter still deliver quick, impressive performance? Discover its features and capabilities. Beyond storage, the integrated Y-Connect system adds another layer of convenience for the connected rider.

However, one feature did present a usability niggle: the control for the electrically adjustable windscreen. While a brilliant addition for adapting to varying speeds (higher for reduced turbulence at highway speeds, lower for better airflow and visibility at urban speeds), its command is buried deep within the TFT display's menu system. Navigating through music streaming, telephony, and other settings to adjust the screen requires the rider to look down, a distraction, especially when moving. Leaving the display in the windscreen submenu means sacrificing quick access to other crucial functions. A dedicated physical button or a separate, more accessible menu for this frequently used feature would significantly enhance safety and rider convenience. During our test, we ultimately opted to leave the display on the windscreen command and managed music/calls via our Bluetooth communicator, highlighting the need for a more streamlined control interface.


The Verdict: Is the 2025 XMAX 250 Still Your Go-To Scooter?

The 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 unequivocally proves its mettle. It remains a genuinely engaging and rewarding scooter to ride, offering a compelling blend of sporty performance wrapped in a package that prioritizes comfort and convenience. Despite evolving competition and a slight shift in its high-speed handling characteristics, its core appeal endures.

The sticking point for many will be its price: RM24,888 (net selling price, not on-the-road). This positions the XMAX 250 at the premium end of the 250cc scooter market. However, when viewed through the lens of owning a sophisticated, high-quality piece of machinery, the value proposition becomes clearer. Especially in the striking Icon Red livery, the 2025 XMAX 250 certainly looks and feels the part of a premium grand tourer.

If you're seeking a maxi-scooter that offers exhilarating performance, practical features, and a comfortable ride, and you appreciate the refinement that comes with a premium price tag, then the 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 is an excellent choice. It's still quick, still capable, and still worthy of its crown. Go for it.

Ready to experience the legend? Visit your nearest Yamaha dealer to take a closer look at the 2025 XMAX 250. Share your thoughts on its updated features and performance in the comments below, or explore our other scooter reviews for more insights into the evolving two-wheeler market!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


What's new for the 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250?

The 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 features several key updates including an electrically adjustable windscreen, a remapped Traction Control System (TCS), new handlebar button layouts, and the Emergency Stop Light function. It also boasts a dual-screen setup (4.2″ TFT and 3.2″ LCD) and Yamaha Y-Connect for enhanced connectivity.


How does its performance compare to rivals like the Honda Forza 250?

The XMAX 250 is renowned for its quick, sporty acceleration and responsive engine, often feeling more aggressive off the line than some competitors. While the Honda Forza 250 (NSS250) offers a refined ride, the XMAX 250's character is geared towards a more dynamic and engaging throttle response, making it a favorite for those prioritizing punchy performance.


Is the 805 mm seat height manageable for shorter riders?

While the 805 mm seat height is on the taller side for a scooter, its width, designed to accommodate generous underseat storage, can make flat-footing challenging for shorter riders. However, its 183 kg wet weight is comparable to many modern motorcycles, and riders can adapt by shifting their weight slightly to flat-foot on one side, a common technique for taller bikes.


What is the Yamaha Y-Connect system and how does it work?

The Yamaha Y-Connect system allows you to pair your smartphone with the XMAX 250's TFT screen via a dedicated app. This enables features such as call management, music control, weather forecasts, maintenance alerts, and even adjusting the windscreen height through the screen. It provides a comprehensive suite of connectivity features to enhance your riding experience.


Is the 2025 XMAX 250 good for both daily commuting and long-distance touring?

Absolutely. The 2025 Yamaha XMAX 250 is designed as a grand touring scooter. Its strong acceleration and nimble handling make it excellent for urban commuting and navigating traffic. For longer distances, its comfortable seating, large fuel tank, protective bodywork, and ample underseat storage ensure a comfortable and practical journey.

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