Took a test ride on the weekend

[Zrex1200]

Well I finally got to have a test ride on my dream bike last weekend

The local Yamaha dealership was hosting a testride day on The V-Max

Ever since I had job @ Cairns Yamaha (circa 1992), part of which was assembling, making ADR changes (These were new American spec bikes) to new V-Max's & of course test riding them, I have lusted after one. The early models had no issues lifting the front wheel in the first 3 gears once the V-Boost was activated @ around 7000rpm, only trouble was getting them to stop & turn safely. Not easy when you where used to riding a sports tourer (CBR1000FH).

The impending test ride was looking even better when I found the escort rider they were sending out with me was a young lad I dragrace with, so I knew she would be a no holds barred ride, Fuggin' Awesome

The V-max is a perculiar bike, mainly cruiser but with that beautiful 200HP 1700cc V4 donk, gotta love that .

First thing I noticed once onboard was how light it was to pick of the side stand. The 'Busa takes more effort & an M109 I test rode previously takes a very firm hand to lift of the stand, so well done there & a nice start.

Took me a while to get used to lifting my feet to slightly fwd (even compared to the ZRX) when leaving the lights, but not uncomfortably fwd, quite nice once you get rolling.

Roll on power was nice with that chunky V4 throb through the bike, moving into the insanely fast once further up the rev range. I found the shift light quite handy as the V-max has a lower redline than the 'Busa & with only stock pipes the Max is way to bloody quiet.

I did a standing start launch to try & gauge the acceleration against the 'Busa, first gear & as expected, bit of wheelspin prior to the front lifting nice & smoothly, coming back to earth with out a ripple through the bars before noting the shift light & slicking into 2nd, no more front up that I could detect anyway. With the sit up position I am sure these style of bikes feel more powerful than they are & it was a bucket load of fun, bloody quick for a heavy bike.

Cornering & general handling was very stable, tended to fall into slow corners, but that is a relative thing I suppose & without time to really get used to the bike it is hard to judge.

If I could afford it & had the dosh $34,000+ , I would have one as an only bike for sure .

After the ride & once other potential riders/buyers where otherwise engaged the Yamaha Australia man who was chapperoning the bike from dealership to dealership, asked me how it felt acceleration wise against the 'Busa, I wanted to say how f*&^ing awesome it was but really, ....., it does NOT have the eye watering blast of power that is so addictive in the 'Busa, but horses for courses & it certainly was not lacking get & go. Had I not been lucky enough to be riding the 'Busa for the last 7 months, no doubt I would have been walking around with drool coming from the corner of my mouth as I tried to work out how to get another ride, just for that power fix.

This would be a great long distance bike ride wise, shame about the 15 litre/200km range, & who the hell puts the fuel filler under the passenger pearch
This would mean stopping often & then having to remove your swag to access the fuel filler, what a f*** for the dogs that is. Still, if I owned one I am sure I could come up with a solution to remove luggage easily enough to make it viable.

Aww well, until I win lotto (which I don't enter) it remains a dream. But I know wear my next power fix is coming from, & now I know I am not missing out on a bigger fix not having a V-max so I can sleep better @ night

[CeeJay07]

Nice write up.....excellent work!

[Rev]

I rode a 95 model for 5 years. I've ridden the new one and was impressed (Tom's) Way over priced though.

[Ward P]

Thanks for that. Excellent. I really thought it would blow the 'busa into the weeds with the "feel" of acceleration. Bit like a big twin, feels heaps more powerful and quicker than it really is. My 1st rid on a Rocket3 had me thinking the 'busa felt like a mini bike after, 'till I checked the speedo. I assume the VMax would be like that, but also just keep going. Interesting report.

[Madmax]

Thanks Rex, excellent write up.

I still want to test ride one. could be the blackMax's successor!!

[adamski]

Highly spoken of and a good history but with all that money one could have more fun,IMO.A bking on mount glorious,here in QLD blew the Vmax away at "half" the price.

[Tony Nitrous]

Great. Write up, thanks.

If I was cashed up I'd have one as a toy,
but they are a bit too cruiser for me. We have one
in our ride group and even with a decent rider it
seems to struggle. Not sure if its the weight, length,
shaft drive or tyre sizes but he doesn't sit with the B-Kings
or Busa's let alone anything sporty if its anything other than
a straight line. I did think about one, but for the money I think
the upgrades you could do to a naked Busa or B-King would
(For my taste and needs) be a better bike.

I do like them though, and would take one over a
Rocket111, 109, V-Rod or other "muscle cruiser"

[Tony Nitrous]

Someone else opinions.....

(Doesnt make it right or wrong)

Shame they didnt compare the popular "non-ABS" B-King....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me_80UoIDkg

[Zrex1200]

Cheers all for the comments.

I figured we are all into big hp street bikes so most with an open mind would find something of interest in there, glad that is the case.

[Tony Nitrous]

Yeah Zrex1200, was certainly worth posting your thoughts.
To be fair I think the Busa, B-King, V-Max and the other big muscle
bikes all seem to have enough character and traits of their own
to make them stand apart. Horses for courses.

You write a good road test,
I'd be happy to read more.

[adamski]

Yeah Zrex1200, was certainly worth posting your thoughts.
To be fair I think the Busa, B-King, V-Max and the other big muscle
bikes all seem to have enough character and traits of their own
to make them stand apart. Horses for courses.

You write a good road test,
I'd be happy to read more.

At $35,000+ the Vmax is the only one that "stands apart" IMO and as Tony said,good write up.