2007 TMax versus 2008 Gilera GP800

[c4aok]

Disclaimer ……. I know comparing a 2007 Yamaha loan bike with 20,000 miles to a one owner privately owned 4,000 mile GP800 is not entirely fair!!! I thought I would share my views anyway after riding the TMax for a few days while my bike has been in the garage for replacement exhaust gaskets to cure random cutting out in traffic.

The TMax is intuitively easy to ride unlike the GP800 which is heavy. The TMax swoops through corners and feels light and nimble and inspires rider confidence. I use the word nimble rather than fast and had I now known it was a 500cc I would have said it was a 300cc. The engine revs smoothly but it lacks the grunt and characterful exhaust note of the GP800 and I found it buzzy at speed hence my comment about the smaller engine capacity. While the TMax takes off smoothly the GP800 takes off from the lights like a scalded cat.

The TMax is painless to ride and would be my bike of choice as a short distance urban cruiser. It is easy to put up on the stand and push into bike bays and to get off the stand. The GP800 is painfully heavy to put on the stand and get it off and you feel every kilo and commands to be respected (or you will drop it and not be able to pick it up!). You certainly do not want to push the GP800 anywhere even into a bay is hard work. The weight of the GP800 counts against it as a daily commuter because it is heavy to put on its centre stand and feels insecure on the side stand.

In terms of quality the GP800 feels more solid and premium than the TMax. The GP800 riding position is perfect for my six foot frame and although the bike is heavy it is a perfect cruiser for the longer distance. The engine is a little snatchy around town where the bike power needs to be reigned in. The GP800 feels solid although you are always aware of the weight. It rides well over poor surfaces and insulates you from lumps and bumps in the road although it does not have the nimble feel of the TMax in traffic. The mirrors on the TMax are also vastly superior although not as pretty as the decorative but ineffective GP800 mirrors.

I suspect the latest TMax would have been a more interesting comparison, hence my disclaimer. Although I do not regret my GP800 purchase and love its power and cruising capabilities if I was looking for an urban runabout the TMax certainly makes a more compelling case. For a longer cruise and sense of occasion the GP800 makes me smile from ear to ear every time I give the throttle a firm twist and launch it towards the horizon leaving car drivers far behind. If I wanted safe and sensible I would not ride any bike so on balance I would still pick the GP800 although full respect to the TMax which should be on every shopping list.

I did reflect on whether the TMax is a Maxi Scooter and the GP800 is actually in a category all on its own given its weight and engine capacity.

[Deleted User 796]

Thanks for the comparison. You will probably get roasted alive by the T-Max owners o here now though

[pikey]

My Vespa Gt 200 is better than a Tmax as well because I say so

[MrGrumpy]

Thanks for the comparison. You will probably get roasted alive by the T-Max owners o here now though

Well, not really. What he's saying is that on many practical levels the TMax is an excellent scoot/bike but could do with the grunt of the GP800! I think that many Tmax owners hanker after more power. Well, I do....

[bikerdezzie]

Heracy I say, lol ride a tmax with a nice variator installed and the tmax comes alive, loses the lag when starting off by seconds quicker to 60mph, I used to fancy a gp800 but everytime I have sat on one it does nothing for me as all the above points I agree on with regards to being lardy, rather have an integra!

[MrGrumpy]

The mk4 Tmax has better acceleration low down than the rather stodgy mk3, but I remember when I rode the Mana, it just powered away! Didn't like much else about it though.....

[Liam]

I know Frank liked the GP800 but it got slated when he had one.


I'm a Tmax fan but can't reply as I haven't ridden a GP800.

My Vespa Gt 200 is better than a Tmax as well because it fits in my van easier

Edited that for you Julian

[pikey]

Frank slated any one who criticized it get it right Ive built a rack now Liam so can sit on back not inside but yes thats one reason.

If they had carried on making the gp800 and it started out selling the tmax I may take notice up until then its a minority of gp800 owners against a majority of tmax owners its been top seller for years .Sarg was big tmax fan got an srv 850 which is re hashed gp800 and got rid after few weeks .

[c4aok]

The GP800 is not really a maxi scooter it is a huge heavy bike and very niche. I am really looking forward to getting it back but I will miss the agility and practicality of the TMax.

I was not slating the TMax under any circumstances, the opposite actually.

If I test rode a TMax I would be immediately comfortable but it took me a few decent goes on the GP800 before I started to appreciate it. What I do not appreciate though is the weight and difficulty of putting it on the stand. Hence my comments about daily use.

What I should also have said was that when it is wet (or windy) my MP3 wins hands down and is a great urban commuter for all year around although little in the way of entertainment or comfort factor.

[gn2]

Only 4000 miles in six years?
Sounds to me that you really don't like riding it.