You’d Sell Your Kidney To Own This Custom Yamaha TMax

The Yamaha TMax made its debut in July 2000 at an international press event in Naples, Italy and Iwata, Japan. It’s been a part of Yamaha’s portfolio for over two decades since then and has witnessed many model revisions over the years. As the scooter improved, so did its fanfare. The fact that it offered the practicality quotient of a scooter and the performance of a motorcycle made it one of the go-to options for enthusiasts and custom builders.  

The seventh-generation TMax is no exception. It’s sharp, powerful (but not powerful enough) and handles well too. It was the perfect platform for France-based Ortolani Customs to build something better.

The idea was to pack the TMax with performance and make functional and cosmetic upgrades to give it the look, feel and performance of a hyperscooter. We’ve seen similar concepts over the years, but nothing comes close to the ‘Titan’. Yep, that’s the name this souped-up scooter has been given. Does it really live up to its name? We’d say it does. It’s sharp and striking to look at thanks to the redesigned aluminium bodywork and paint scheme. The headlight, in particular, is reminiscent of the Yamaha R1. 

Performance upgrades mean the scooter now dishes out over 50PS in comparison to 47PS on the bone stock version. The power-to-weight ratio should get a massive bump as well thanks to minimal bodywork and a lighter aftermarket exhaust. 

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What’s also different is the overall proportions of the scooter. While it sports fewer panels, it looks visually larger and that’s down to the set of 17-inch wheels borrowed from an Aprilia RSV4. With great performance comes the need for better braking capability, so the brakes had to be improved as well with ABS. Pan to the rear and you'd notice the standard belt drive system has been swapped out for a chain. This obviously required further modification to the swingarm so as to accommodate the larger wheel and revised drivetrain.

To complete the package, Ortolani threw in a pair of Rizoma Stealth mirrors - something you'll mostly see on sportbikes. These winglets-inspired mirrors can flip either way for better aero or rear view vision. How effective they are in the real world is up to anyone's guess. The last few updates include the scooter's instrumentation which gets a massive overhaul as well thanks to the custom unit manufactured by DEV’MOTO. The split saddle is a distinctive piece from NMB Design inspired by Porsche and Lotus.

Summing up, the Titan is a work of art that could sway even loyal bike enthusiasts into getting a maxi-scooter. And that’s saying something!