Do you want a motorcycle that will work for both leisure driving and bike racing, while still running fast? Get the Yahama V-Max, which is one of the fastest motorcycles you can possibly buy and has been a household name since 1985. If you're just starting out with motorcycles, you might want to get something a little more casual; however, if you know what you're doing, this is the bike for you, as it adds speed and fun to your motorcycle experience. The V-Max has often been the model to go to when someone wanted something that provided great speed and fantastic control.
The V-Max sports the V-Boost feature, which can give you 800 RPMs worth of power. The bike is powered by four downshaft carburetors, with butterfly valves separating them. No other motorcycle can match the amount of power the V-Boost gives to the V-Max, and you'll experience smooth acceleration, making for a superior ride that can't be overlooked.
When the V-Max rolled out in 1985, it just had 145 horsepower coming from its V4 1200 CC engine; you could only get it in the US. The following year, Europe received a slower running model from Yamaha, sans V-Boost, and it only carried 104 horsepower in its engine. In 1990, the model was improved, receiving a digital ignition feature. Japan got the V-Max in 1990 as well, but the noise level had to be reduced in order to fit in with regulations the European and US models didn't need to deal with. When 1996 hit, Yamaha took a chance on a black exhaust system for their new model; this didn't work out very well, so when 1998 rolled along they returned to the tried and true chrome look.
A lot of people who are into motorcycles are wary of the power the V-Max holds, but it's also found a lot of proud owners. There's a V-Max Owners Association, which is a collection of fans of the bike, who have races and conventions where they show their bikes. You can even find a few drag racing fans of the Yamaha V-Max, since the sheer power of the bike makes it a tough competitor on the strip; it has a place in the heart of every enthusiast. You'll often see V-Max bikes in the big drag racing competitions out there, as they roar down the track at more than 200 mph.
Ever since it was introduced in 1985, the Yamaha V-Max has sold a lot of units, and its easy to see when you look at its powerful design. It can look muscular with its black and chrome aesthetic, but this monochromatic color scheme is another potential downside that V-Max owners often cite when they lament their lack of options in terms of color scheme. There are many people with V-Maxes who just make their own color schemes.
Some people modify their bikes with new exhaust systems, decals, or graphics to make their Yamaha V-Max their own, to set it apart from the rest. There are those who change the look and functionality of the bike, opting for shorter mirrors and more comfortable seats, so they can enjoy the rides they take on their Yamaha V-Max.
The Yamaha V-Max is the motorcycle for the person who wants speed and durability, all with a fashionable frame and plenty of power. The latest models are just as attractive as their predecessors, and you'll still be able to run at competitive speeds. People who get the 2007 model of the V-Max will notice that the bike is no longer black and chrome; they'll sport a red and white aesthetic to them.
For the past two decades, the Yamaha V-Max motorcyclehas been the most powerful motorcycle anyone has ever seen, providing strength and speed to many an enthusiast. It looks good, it runs fast, and it rides smooth. It is Motorcycle Magazine's best cruiser of the year for 2009.
Image by Salvador Moreira
