In 1985 Yamaha came out with a 1200cc V-4 motorcycle and called it the "V-max". It was quite simply the world's fastest & most powerful production street bike ever produced. Now some 20 years later, it's still considered the world's greatest & foremost Musclebike ever created.
Now I guess some people out there don't know what exactly a Musclebike is... well it's basically the same logic behind your typical Musclecar... you take your basic reliable chassis, insert a Big Ass engine with a lot of horsepower & torque, and add a little bit of go fast detailing to separate it from your ordinary means of transportation.
After the V-max was introduced, it seemed almost every motorcycle manufacturer came out with their own version of what they considered a Musclebike.. unfortunately all of these bikes couldn't really measure up to the Vmax and were shortly discontinued. In the last few years there's been what I guess can only be described as a rebirth of the Musclebike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley, Triumph, and even Yamaha themselves have come out with their own modern version of a Musclebike... just like 20+ years ago, these bikes are still no match for the mighty V-max!!!
Click Here for details on the new 2009 V-Max
More about the V-Max...
So what makes the V-max
so special...well fist of all, the V-Max produces about115+ horsepower & 80
ft/lbs of torque to the rear
wheel through a heavy-duty shaft drive Combine this with low gearing, a
fairly long wheelbase, a low center of gravity, and you have a recipe that will
pretty much out out accelerate off the line, almost all production motorcycle in
existence... for a bike that has been in production for over 20+ years, with
very few changes, this is quite amazing. Then off course you have
style. With the scoops on the huge V-4 engine, low profile seat, and fat high profile rear tire, the V-max
certainly has a very muscular look.
I think what makes the V-max so exciting is not only the actual total power that is produced, but actual the feeling of raw power that is generated at practically any given RPM. Even just off idle the V-max will lunge forward with ease. At about 6500 RPM the ever popular V-Boost starts to kick in, accelerating you forward with what I can only describe as an overwhelming GROWL emanating from the V-4 engine, as it tries to literally pull your arms off. Let me convert this into a rather simple formula:
More RPM = More Growl = More Power = More Fun.
OK, the critics may say that although the V-max has arguably the best engine in a modern day motorcycle,
its handling SUCKS BIG-TIME.
IMHO this really is not the case... at least legal speeds. I
can change lanes, corner, and brake with no difficulty whatsoever.
It's only once you start to
accelerate at not so legal speeds, that all bets are off. At this
point, let's say that the V-max isn't quite up to par. With a weight of
over 600 lbs, a flexi front end, and a somewhat primitive steel frame, the V-max
will never be able to handle like a modern day
sportbike. Fortunately
there's lots of fixes out there that will turn the V-max
into a pretty respectable high-speed handling bike, depending on how much $$$ you want to spend. That's OK with
me though... I'll take V-max
over some uncomfortable, peaky, and nearly focused crotch-rocket any day!.
Another nice little benefit of owing a V-Max is the huge selection of
aftermarket parts that are available. This really allows you to create a
bike that looks and performs the way you want it to.
My Vmax...
Early in 2006 I decided to finally buy a new motorcycle. I've owned 2 previous road bikes including a Kawasaki EX500 (now called the Ninja 500), and a Yamaha Maxim-X. IMHO, all of these bikes pale in comparison to the V-max.
So far I've made the following modifications to my 2006 V-max:
1. Added Yamaha Engine Guards - They do an excellent job of protecting the engine in a low speed tumble, and provide a nice footrest on extended rides.
2. Added a Yamaha Sissy Bar - Ok, this thing isn't cheap, but if you ever want to ride somebody on the back, I consider it a must have, unless of course you don't mind your friend or loved one, slipping off during acceleration and landing somewhere on the road... the first time I had a little ride with my girlfriend, without the Sissy Bar, I could actually feel her slipping a back several inches as I accelerated. She said she would not ride with me again, until I installed a sissy bar... I ordered one up, I believe the next day.
3. Custom SportMax Seat - Not only does it look great, it lowers you about 2" into the bike. This not only gives a much better control at low speeds, but in tight turns as well. Since the seat is also about 2" wider, so it really doesn't get my feet any closer to the ground, but I think it can be ordered less wider to accommodate shorter riders if you so choose.. personally I'm a pretty short guy, and I actually appreciate the added width, especially on longer rides. The only problem with the seat was the wait... I was originally told it should be shipped out within 4 weeks... well 4 weeks ended up being nearly 3 months!!!
4. Progressive 440 Shocks & Front Fork Lowering Kit - This setup lowered the front and back by 2". I would have to say this was one of the best modification I've made so far. The low speed handling is 100% better, and even though I have 2" less travel, it seems to actually handle the bumps better than the stock suspension. I also had the side stand shortened by a few inches as well.
5. "Shooter" Windshield from Memphis Shades -This windshield is 14" tall, which is perfect for me. It does a great job of reducing wind on both my torso & helmet, in addition to looking petty cool. During normal riding I can easily see over the windshield, and for high speed riding, I can simply crouch my head down a few inches, to further reduce the wind turbulence. Yamaha also makes a smaller & sportier windshield commonly referred to as a flyscreen. I've been told it keeps a fair amount of wind off the torso area.
6. Installed a shift light from Raptor Performance- Even though the V-Max has a tachometer, it's located on top of the faux gas tank. This means you have to look down from the road for at least a fraction of a second to see what RPM you're at, which is rather difficult (if not plain suicidal) at high speeds. By installing this little device on the side of my speedometer (click here to see pic), I can now easily shift at the optimal rpm, without taking my eyes off the road. So far I've been really pleased with its performance. If you want to ride a V-Max to its fullest potential, I personally feel this is a must have item. Customer service has been topnotch as well, answering all my questions quickly & competently.
7. Pair of Rear Shock Cap Holders from Cycle-One-off- While I can easily secure the rear of my cargo net to the rear turn signals, it was much more awkward securing the front portion. The cap holders stick out about an inch and are indented in the middle, providing the perfect spot to strap on the hooks my cargo net.
8. Aluminum Fan & Switch Kit from Holeshot Performance - Much better cooling than stock. Even when I'm stuck in traffic on a hot summer day, I just click on the fan, and the temperature stays at about the 2 O'clock position on the Max's temp gauge, well below the "red zone".
Vmax Links...
•V-Max Startup video - 2.21mb
•VMOA - This is the Vmax Owners Association, if you own a Max, or simply thinking about owning a Max, you have to join.
•V-Max Outlaw- Very informative "Max" website.
•Gallery of some Vmax pics... coming soon!