| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"ROCKET SCIENCE. The VMAX has always been the muscle bike to end all other muscle bikes. Commanding respect, triggering fear. Now, the all-new 2009 VMAX. Re-thought, reloaded, with a major chip on its shoulder. The 2009 VMAX - We didn’t just improve a legend; We started a whole new one." 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:
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.
13 comments: Yamaha VMAX maico191 (2) Posted on 08.8.2011 I have a 2009 VMax with GYTR pipes and a K&N air filter and a Dyna Jett power commander, I have beat the crap out of every sport bike I have raced up to 187 MPH. This is a torque and now speed monster. Those who think not, have never ridden one. If you don’t like speed, buy a Hayabusa.
 dimavsen (142) Posted on 05.24.2011 Damn thats a lot of Power. I don’t think I’d just cruise if I had that.
MiniMental (1) Posted on 10.21.2009 You lot musn’t know much about bikes... Why are you all comparing this to a hayabusa? its a complete different type of bike.. Also, its not a race bike.. its a cruiser so it wasnt designed to beat the b-king in a race.. deal with it. The B-King beats a Hayabusa in a straight line anyways..
Pooolboy (2) Posted on 09.14.2009 I bought a VMAX. A couple of shops had 2009 VMAX’s and I got one for a much cheaper price. I don’t know of any differences between the 2009 and 2010 models except the red color. Which, will be awesome, but not worth $3500. As for power, this bike has it. Twenty years ago I owned a V65 Magna and I thought it had torque and acceleration. When I turned the throttle of my Honda V65 it took off and I shifted fast. But, once the throttle was cranked, the power soon dissipated and the feeling of acceleration began to wane. Not the VMAX. When you twist that throttle, you better hold on and get ready to shift and feel another wave of G-Forces stronger than the first. My bike is still young and I can’t really test it yet, but when I do I will write you. Another good thing about the VMAX is that if the factory didn’t put enough raw power into this bike, there is a computer module that ups the power even more, but you can only use it on closed circuit tracks. Yes, the only real downside is the 3.8 gal tank. They should have filled the big fender with fuel. It’s almost as if the fuel tank was an afterthought. And, given the amount of power being put out by the engine, I’m sure of it.
VmaxKen (1) Posted on 07.10.2009 The new Vmax is the best example I have ever seen of "Too Much, Too Little, Too late": Too much money, too much weight, Too little horsepower, too little acceleration, too late an introduction, too late in the economic turn down. I live, and work in San Francisco, probably the most "motorcycle oriented" area in the country. By now even Yamaha,(or I am sorry), "Star" has had to admit, that sales figures are disapointing, and the bike has probably been on course to equal the success of the GTS1000 another magnificent Yamaha FLOP. In all these months, since availability, no one I know, including myself, have seen even one (1) on the street. OK Yamaha, the jokes over. Bring out the REAL Vmax, you know the one that sells for less than 15K, and can actually out 1/4 mile a "B" King - (that was embarrassing). I am a Vmax owner since 1985, I’m no kid, but I think I speak for many others, when I say: We are disapointed. Ken  Rod (827) Posted on 10.18.2008 The Vmax all I can say is join the quarter mile high club is you have one. 
Retired_Colonel (1) Posted on 06.30.2008 For those comparing it to the Hayabusa, it is the wrong comparison. It doesn’t pretend to be a lay down top-speed oriented sport bike. With 200 hp and gobs more torque than the ’Busa, it is a straight-line acceleration beast. Further, this bike is targeted at the Super Cruiser market, ala the VROD and B-King. This bike will blow both of them away. Also, if I read this review correctly, the air scoops are functional, albeit ungainly ’works of art’. It is heavy, but so are the VROD and B-King. The pricing is comparable to the VROD, and you get a lot more technology with the VMAX. The only drawback I perceive is the 4 gallon tank. As to the pricing/economics, if you could afford it last year, you’d be selling it this year? Means you couldn’t afford it to begin with...get the cheaper ’Busa and have fun.
(6686) - Posted on 06.11.2008 The thing is butt-ugly in my opinion. It’s way past time to get rid of the fake air scoops. And they should have changed the ugly rear fender. Haven’t seen the weight or horsepower figures, but I’ll bet major bucks that it is overweight and underpowered compared to the Hayabusa.
Dave marks (6686) - Posted on 06.6.2008 The yamaha design team whimped out.
they have this 66mm stroke figure locked in their brain. Upping the bore to 90mm giving it 1679cc. It should have been a 2ltre engine.
torque is a bit weedy at 123ft/lb at 6500 revs.
As if that engine was giving out 290 hp during tests!! load of guff.
apart from the styling a bit of a let down.
should have brought it out years ago, now, finances are getting tight.
Kenneth Joseph Cresci (6686) - Posted on 06.5.2008 Because we had (3) Vmax owners working here, our shop was chosen for one of the original focus groups. It now seems to have been a waste of (2) hours shop time : This motorcycle is far too heavy. Far too expensive for the state of the American economy at this time. We hope this does not become one of the great "blunders" in motorcyling history. Remmember the GTS1000? Lot’s of luck! Kenneth Joseph Cresci K.C. Engineering Motorcycle Service, and Modification Since 1976 415-957-1533
|
Full story Yamaha V-Max
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Posted on 08.9.2011