More than just a practical commuter, the stylish TMax scooter has been Yamaha’s darling ever since it was launched in 2001. Although it was a bit long in the tooth here, it’s a whole different story across the pond. The scooter was at the top of the ranking charts in Europe for 17 years, and Yamaha has no signs of retiring it from there anytime soon.

These guys still manage to turn heads everywhere, and the proof of it is the Red Dot design award that was accredited to the TMax 530 DX and XMax 300 models. This is one of the most prestigious awards given to the best product that has been designed to serve its purpose with outstanding quality.

Its distinction, the Red Dot, is established internationally as one of the most sought-after quality marks for good design. With the help of the jury, the internationally organized competition “Red Dot Award: Product Design” appraises the best products of the year.

This will be the seventh consecutive Red Dot design award secured by Yamaha and the third design award received by the TMax 530 DX and the XMax 300 sports scooters. The first two were the Good Design Award 2017 and the iF Design Award 2018.

Featuring like the dual slanted LED headlights and dynamic bodywork continue to give the TMax the voguish appeal it always gathered. The TFT instrumentation, ‘Smart Key’, Centre stand locking system, Phone/accessory charging socket and storage space for two large helmets keep this scooter as practical and accessible as ever.

The specially designed die-cast aluminum chassis utilizes an advanced motorcycle-type layout with optimum engine mounting points that ensure agile handling and dynamic performance. This makes the TMax an interesting and exhilarating scooter to drive. With the link-type rear suspension and the upside-down front forks, a lot matches the motorcycle technology.

Unfortunately, Yamaha USA will not be getting this sports scooter to the States anytime soon. We don’t even have the ‘SX’ or the flagship ‘DX’ model on our shores. What we have is just the 2015 iteration of the TMax, which I have rarely seen one around anyways.

Previously, Akrapovic won the Red Dot award for the exhaust unit designed for the Yamaha TMax SX Sport. The titanium exhaust system seamlessly merges into the handmade carbon fiber end cover presents a sporty and simultaneously stylish design and high manufacturing quality. The same year, Yamaha also won the Red Dot for its XSR900 for its ability with which it manages to emphasize both the beauty of the materials and the quality of this motorcycle.