It's still a Majestic ride
Written: Aug 13 '05 (Updated Feb 01 '06)
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Pros: Great ride, great gas mileage, well built.
Cons: None really, except for some minor points noted above.
The Bottom Line: Great machine for both city and country. Reliable, safe and easy to operate.
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| didiki's Full Review: 2005 Yamaha Majesty |
As promised here is a six month update on my 2005 Yamaha Majesty 400cc.
In the past 6 months I have put 2240 kms (1344 miles) on Her Majesty. Not that much, but then again our weather this past winter on Vancouver Island has been rain, rain and more rain. Not ideal scooter weather.
Some factoids. 2240 kms. (1344 miles). Used 92.3 litres (20.7 Imp Gals), (24.2 US Gals) of Gas. Spent $96.86 Cdn ($83.29 US) on gas. Average overall gas consumption 65 mpIg, (55.5 (mpUSg). No complaints.
The most I spent on any one fill up was $11.37 Cdn
($9.78 US)for 12.2 litres, filled up just as the gas warning light started to blink.
Money spent on repairs. Zero. I changed my own oils and filter at the 1000 km mark, spending $21.50 Cdn.
I broke it in gently as stated in the owners manual. Not going more than 4000 rpm for the first 1000 km (600 mi), and not going over 5000 rpms between 1000-1600 km (600-1000 miles).
4000 rpms was giving me a speed of 80-85 kph, (50-52 mph)so I kept off the main highways, but this was plenty of power on our 2 lane secondary highways, and twisty rural highways.
Since breaking it in, I have been on our 4 lane major highway many times and can easily keep up to traffic at 90-110 kph (55-65 mph), with power to spare. I get some wind buffeting after 100 kph (60mph) especially when getting passed by semis and logging trucks, I normally stay in the middle of the lane, and it hasn't become a problem so far.
The furthest I have been for a days ride was 180 kms (108 miles). Absolutely no problems, machine handled perfectly, good acceleration and braking. Can't wait for the weather to clear up for some longer distance overnight touring.
No real negatives to report on Her Majesty. It is a real smooth ride, and I have never smiled so much as when I get out on the open road on her.
The headlights are fantastic. On hi-beams at night it throws as much light as a car. Case in point, I was coming home from a meeting one night at 1 am. Pitch black outside, rounded a curve and picked up a whole bunch of eyeballs staring back at me. I braked and found myself in a herd of Roosevelt Elk that were grazing on the side of the road. It was kind of neat, as there was nobody around, I stopped for a couple of minutes, idling the engine and watching the Elk.
I have ridden in all kinds of weather, except for snow and slush, and at all times of the day and night. Have only ridden on paved roads. I think that riding Her Majesty on gravel roads would be like riding on ball bearings.
I like the rear handbrake. I live in a hilly area and find myself using it quite a bit when I'm parking. My two buddies who ride a Kawasaki 1400cc and a Yamaha 1100cc bike are amazed my Yamaha Majesty 400cc has a hand brake.
Have been on our local ferries several times. There is always somebody who wants to stop and talk, especially when I take off my helmet and they see I'm a senior citizen. On our ferries its first on and first off for motorbikes and scooters, so no problems with reservations and long ferry waits.
I will nitpick on a few minor things though.
The rear view mirrors could be spaced wider. I am fairly broad shouldered and both mirrors pick up the ends of my shoulders. When I take it in for servicing I will see if they can be extended outwards more.
When filling up, it is sometimes difficult to line up the two black triangles on the black gas cap, especially if it is shady. I solved this problem by painting the triangles with a daub of white paint and now they are easy to line up.
There has been a slightly annoying vibrating noise coming from the rear of the scoot. Especially up around 30-50 kms (20-30 mph). I checked everything at the back , but it all looked tight and well bolted one. One of our scooter colleagues on our Maxi-Scooter site suggested taking off the two rear side reflector lights as they do seem to vibrate. I couldn't get them off and didn't want to take them off as I wanted to be as visible as possible. I opened up the two pieces of plastic and put in some double sided sticky velcro as a buffer between the plastic as they looked like they would rub together. Kind of a cheap fix, but I was out riding today and it seemed to work.
Difficult seeing the digital readout on a sunny day. Black lettering against that green background is hard to see. Maybe a red or light blue lettering would have been better. Its great at night though, and well lit for easy seeing.
Have to stop the scoot before making any setting changes to the multi-function display. Too bad, this couldn't be done on the fly.
Self cancelling turn signals would have been nice. I am forever, forgetting to manually disengage the turn signals. Thats my problem however, and one I have to work on.
All small minor points, but the positives of this scoot far outweigh any negetives.
I mentioned before that I looked at the Honda Silverwing 600cc, but didn't buy it as I didn't think I needed that extra power. I am now thinking of a long distance cross country tour on my scoot and have been wondering that maybe the extra power of a 600cc would have been better.
I have been reading of people who have travelled from Florida to Alaska on their 250cc and a couple who travelled from Florida to Main on their 250cc's with absolutely no problems. So maybe the 400cc would be more than adequate.
Would I trade it in for something else? Probably, but that would have to be the Yamaha Black Max (TMax) 500cc touring scooter. Its a big seller in Europe but isn't even on the horizon yet for North America. Come on Yamaha, wake up and smell the roses. It would be a big seller in North America.
After 6 months I am still enthusiastic about Her Majesty. Its a great machine.
For anyone interested in joining a forum for maxi scooters, check out www.maxiscooters.com on the frappr website. Great bunch of people. Good sharing of information and meeting new friends who ride the same type of scooters.
Happy scootering
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6640.00
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
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Epinions.com ID:
didiki
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
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