10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Yamaha VMAX
The Yamaha V-Max is a motorcycle that is lauded for its power and comfort as a cruiser. It’s a bike that first made its appearance in 1985, earning considerable acclaim. If you’re a former owner then this will bring back fond memories. If not, then here are 10 interesting facts about the Yamaha V-Max that you probably didn’t know.
1. The Yamaha V-Max was prized for its power
One of the things that made the Yamaha V-Max such a popular motorcycle was the power that it packed. The engine was a powerful V-4 1197 cc liquid cooled that generated 113.5 horsepower and 83.1 lb ft of torque. It reached a top speed of 150 miles per hour.
2. The V-Max won an award its first year out
The Yamaha V-Max got off to a great start by winning the distinction of being called the “Bike of the Year” by Cycle Guide. It was marketed in Japan and other countries throughout the world. There are few bikes that gain such instant success and popularity with riders.
3. The Reviews were a mixed bag
Although the V-Max was a highly popular motorcycle, not everyone was happy with its performance. An exceptional trait was its fast acceleration. There were no complaints about this aspect of the bike. The majority of criticisms were lodged about its soft suspension and poor ability to corner. While we can’t deny that this was definitely the case, when you fall in love with a bike there are some things that you’re willing to overlook.
4. There were few mods made from 1985 through 2007
For a solid twelve years of production, Yamaha found little reason to add to or take away from the V-Max design and engineering. This was a strong indicator that they had created a motorcycle that was destined to become a classic. There really wasn’t a need to do much differently because the bike provided riders who were looking for a cruiser with good acceleration with everything that they needed at the time, with the exception of one major tweak.
5. The V-Max needed a wobble correction
In 1993 Yamaha made the one big update that the V-Max needed. They engineered it to have a new fork with a larger diameter because of drift and wobbling at higher speeds. Upgrades to the brake calipers and a few tweaks to satisfy safety and handling regulations were implemented but overall, the bike remained unchanged.
6. The V-Max came out as a new concept bike in 2005
A brand new V-Max was introduced to the world as a concept bike at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. The new version of the bike was presented sporting upgraded components all around, a new chassis and braking components which were state of the art.
7. The Yamaha V-Max wasn’t launched in India until 2009
Although it’s hard to believe that it took this long to happen, the Yamaha V-Max didn’t make its way to the country of India until 2009. The exact date of delivery was September 20th. The bike had received such acclaim throughout the world that this market was not explored until two and a half decades after its initial release.
8. The power sensation needs explanation
When you look at the specifications of the Yamaha V-Max and you hear about its amazing power, you may wonder where it’s coming from. It’s really about the sensation of power. It doesn’t really come from the horsepower, but more from the pulse of the engine, its character and from its sound. The feel of power is a unique psychological experience.
9. The new V-Max is designed to achieve the optimum in power
We’re not finished talking about the power of the Yamaha V-Max yet. In addition to providing the unique sensation, the new V-Max received an engine with a V-4 configuration that is just a hair beneath 1,680 cc which is larger than the 1985 predecessor.
10. Yamaha addressed the cornering and handling concerns
The 1985 version through the 1993 V-max received criticism for the way it handled and how difficult it was to handle corners smoothly. The newer edition has been improved with a new suspension and redesign that makes it handle like a dream. Whereas you had to slow way down to take corners with the older version, the new one lets you take them at the recommended speed with the greatest of ease.
