2009 Yamaha VMAX Preview

New exclusive VMAX: Power, acceleration and adrenaline.

Yamaha’s all-new exclusive VMAX offers 21st century engine and chassis technology delivering awesome power, an unrivalled acceleration feeling and the ultimate adrenaline rush. The new VMAX is a showcase for some of Yamaha’s cutting-edge engine and chassis technology – from the YCC-I and YCC-T engine control systems through to the aluminium frame and the radial-mounted 6-piston front brakes, all good for providing 200 PS and 167 Nm of torque.

1985 : The birth of a legend

1985 Yamaha VMAX

Back in the ’80s the big V8 muscle car was the undisputed boss on the strip in the USA, and in both the car and the bike drag race scene, the large-capacity engine was king. A quarter of a century ago, cubic capacity ruled – and Yamaha captured the true spirit of the time with the introduction of the awesome VMAX in 1985. With its massive 1,198cc V4, 4-stroke, 4-valve DOHC engine kicking out 140PS, this radically-styled muscle bike became an instant legend which established itself as the definitive cult-bike. With around 100,000 units sold during its production run that spanned two decades, the original VMAX made history by being included in the Guggenheim Museum’s ‘Art of the Motorcycle’ exhibition while still in production. There has never been anything to beat it…until now.

2008: A new era begins

For 2009 Yamaha introduce the new VMAX which offers the very latest in advanced design and technology for an awesome acceleration feeling, combined with bodywork and styling that respects and enhances the iconic image of the original model. With its all new engine and chassis, the high-tech VMAX is ready to capture the imagination of a whole new generation of adrenaline addicts, and at the same time inspire the many thousands of loyal owners who made the original model such a huge worldwide success.

New VMAX. Acceleration never felt so good!

The VMAX development team identified a series of goals in order to create a worthy successor to the legendary original model. The four main goals that the team set out to achieve were:

• Awesome acceleration feeling together with strong performance
• Distinctive, precise and sharp handling
• A sophisticated chassis with unique bodywork
• Compliant to EU3 regulations

With these main aims in mind, the development team have developed an all-new powerful state-of-the-art 1,679cc V4 engine which features Yamaha’s G.E.N.I.C.H. electronic engine control technology such as YCC-I and YCC-T; an all-new low-profile diamond-type frame manufactured from cast and extruded aluminium which uses the engine as stressed member, and developed to deliver the right balance of rigidity for excellent straight line stability with sharp and precise levels of cornering; and a head-turning and forceful design that is best described as being “engine maximal, body minimal”, that is designed to focus the viewer’s attention on the muscular V4 engine. The new engine satisfies EU3 regulations with the use of fuel injection as well as a 3-way catalyser and exhaust O2 sensor.

With all this brute engine force, together with the most advanced engine and frame technology, as well as radically styled bodywork, the new VMAX delivers an unforgettable combination of innovation and acceleration.

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