Think of the ultimate bike that offers a marriage between brains and brawn and there's a good chance that you'll come up with one bike: the Yamaha->ke301 V-Max.

The V-Max->ke2701 is really in a class all its own. The muscular looks combined with sporty handling and Yamaha's latest electronic engine management technologies make for a bike that offers the ultimate riding experience.

The bike's engine alone - a 1,679cc DOHC, liquid-cooled, 16-valve V4 engine - is reason enough to drool over. But this bike is more than just the powertain that makes it run, there are also plenty of elements that help in its overall awesomeness. It has steel valves that are used for excellent durability. There's also a chain and gear camshaft drive system that's responsible for increasing engine productivity. High-performance camshafts provide incredible engine performance while a centrifugal decompression device on the exhaust cam allows for seamless starting.

You'll also get a Mikuni fuel injection system that uses four 48mm throttle bodies fitted with T.P.S. (Throttle Position Sensor) and numerous other sensors. An oxygen sensor has been fitted into the exhaust, providing excellent throttle response, great fuel economy, reduced emissions, stable idling, and no choke to fuss with during start up.

The V-Max also comes with a lightweight main Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that's made up of three ECUs in total. One is the main 32-bit ECU that controls the ignition and fuel injection process, while a 2nd and 3rd integral ECU controls the Yamaha's YCC-T & YCC-I systems. Then there's the Air Induction System (AIS), which is responsible for injecting fresh air into the exhaust port area to fully combust any unburned fuel.

Find out more about the Yamaha V-Max after the jump.

2012 Yamaha V-Max

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Yamaha V-Max
  • Engine/Motor: 65-degree, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC engine
  • Horsepower: 174
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Engine

-The thunderous 1679cc, 65-degree, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected

four-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC engine pumps out astonishing

power to reinvent the VMAX legend.

-The superbike-proven Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I)

switches nearly instantaneously between 150mm and 54mm

intake funnels as needed for a broad powerband that delivers

optimum performance at any rpm.

-Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T), the fly-by-wire

system, delivers optimum acceleration under all conditions.

-Engine combines four-valve technology with a high 11.3:1

compression ratio, forged aluminum pistons and NGK Iridium

spark plugs with R1-type direct ignition coils to extract maximum

horsepower from the fuel charge.

-Cams are driven by a combined chain and gear system to

precisely control valves while keeping cylinder heads remarkably

compact for such a large displacement engine.

-Hydraulically activated clutch includes racetrack-proven

ramp-type slipper clutch system that makes braking from speed

while downshifting smoother.

-Five-speed transmission has superbly spaced gear ratios to take

full advantage of the engine’s awesome power in straight-line

acceleration or through the canyons.

-Delivering this power cruiser’s muscle to the street means a

beefy shaft drive. Special shaft design includes two cross joints

to accommodate the fat 200/50 R18 rear tire.

-The high-performance engine is cooled by two radiators for

efficiency and clean looks. Lubrication is via a simple, reliable

wet sump system.

-Four-into-one-into-two-into-four exhaust system with EXUP

delivers a broad, seamless powerband with the right VMAX look.

-The iconic VMAX aluminum intake covers are hand buffed by

craftsmen for superb quality and individuality.

Chassis and Suspension

-The chassis is light and compact, with a cast aluminum main

frame, Controlled-Fill die-cast and extruded aluminum

rear frame and cast aluminum swingarm. The result is superb

rigidity balance for both hard acceleration off the line and

corner carving.

-Cartridge-damper-type front forks have substantial 52mm

inner tubes with oxidized titanium coating. Forks have both

compression and rebound damping adjustability plus

spring preload.

-Link-type Monocross rear suspension has a piggyback reservoir

and features compression and rebound clickers, plus remote

preload adjustment.

-VMAX uses Brembo master cylinders, the front with radial pump

and reserve tank. Large 320mm wave-style dual front discs are

matched to radial-mounted mono block 6-piston calipers. On

the rear wheel, there’s a 298mm disc, also wave design, and

single-piston caliper. These high-tech brakes also incorporate

three-position ABS.

-Tapered handlebar provides a muscular 1-1/8” diameter look at

the triple clamp while using conventionally sized controls.

-18-inch radial tires, 120/70 R18 front and 200/50 R18 rear, are

mounted on cast aluminum five-spoke wheels.

-For mass centralization that contributes to the bike’s lean looks,

the 4-gallon (15-liter) fuel tank is mounted under the seat, with

the filler under the rider’s backrest.

Specifications

Model

VMX17BB; VMX17BCB

Engine Type

102-cubic-inch (1679cc) liquid-cooled 65°

V-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder

Bore x Stroke

90.0 x 66.0mm

Compression Ratio

11.3:1

Fuel Delivery

Fuel Injection with YCC-T and YCC-I

Ignition

TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition

Transmission

5-speed, multiplate slipper clutch

Final Drive

Shaft

Suspension/Front

52mm telescopic cartridge fork w/oxidized


titanium coating. Fully adjustable preload,

compression and rebound; 4.7 in travel

Suspension/Rear

Single shock w/remote reservoir and


remote adjustable for preload, compression

and rebound

Brake/Front

Dual 320mm wave-type discs; radial mount


6-piston calipers, Brembo radial pump

master cylinder

Brake/Rear

298mm wave-type disc, single-piston

caliper and Brembo master cylinder

Tire/Front

Bridgestone Radial 120/70-R18 59V

Tire/Rear

Bridgestone Radial 200/50-R18 76V

L x W x H

94.3 x 32.3 x 46.8 in

Seat Height

30.5 in

Wheelbase

66.9 in

Rake (Caster Angle)

31.0°

Trail

5.8 in

Fuel Capacity

4.0 gal

*Est. Fuel Economy

27 mpg

**Wet Weight

683 lb / C: 685 lb

Color

Matte Black