My new Yamaha VMax

[storm 64]

"V -Max snacks" is what we use to call them back in my drag racing days. My GS would eat them all day long. There was this guy that would ride his from Akron to Quaker City Dragway (about 50 miles). When he got to the track he would lower the Wheelie bars to race. Going home he'd raise them back up. He had taillights on them and everything, it was the craziest set up. Fun times back then...

[GS1150Pilot]

Aside from their dubious looks, the 125 mile range and 700 pound weight make the newer VMax a non-starter for me.

[Rob S.]

Anybody know what the second generation Max does in the 1/4 mile? They ever get it into the high nines?

[GS1150Pilot]

Anybody know what the second generation Max does in the 1/4 mile? They ever get it into the high nines?

Stock, it's about 10 flat at close to 140.

[GS1150Pilot]

Funny thing, another ugly bike that is exactly as quick is one I would own (and one Jedz has owned): The B-King.

[LAB3]

Had a Yamaha Venture that I ran for one summer, very similar engine to the VMax. Love the sound of a V4 that's for sure! As to styling, it's a matter of opinion but the VMax has always been it's own animal, like it or not, same for the first gen Virago and Suzuki Highlander. That in of itself is a big draw for me, there's far too many bikes out there where you don't know what you're looking at or who made it unless you read the badges.

[GS1150Pilot]

Had a Yamaha Venture that I ran for one summer, very similar engine to the VMax. Love the sound of a V4 that's for sure! As to styling, it's a matter of opinion but the VMax has always been it's own animal, like it or not, same for the first gen Virago and Suzuki Highlander. That in of itself is a big draw for me, there's far too many bikes out there where you don't know what you're looking at or who made it unless you read the badges.

The first gen looked good, aesthetically. I enjoyed mine-other than the stupid fuel range.

[gsgeezer]

I really enjoy the VMax!!

(When I had an Eliminator 900, I rode with the
Allentown, PA VMax club a couple times.)

[Jedz123]

Funny thing, another ugly bike that is exactly as quick is one I would own (and one Jedz has owned): The B-King.

The B-king was a dreadful bike for trying to daily ride on... I know my next motorcycle will not be a flat plane I-4... The most drone engine. After getting on my cross plane I-2, I want more odd firing order in my life. My FZ1 is FAST but lacks the personality. Kinda like you Sporty Pilot. The engine brings all sorts of character that an inline 4 or 360/180 I-2 doesn't.

The B-king had the same range... Less torque (more wheelies). It wanted to strip you off the bike. My Concours 14 with ZX-14 upgrades and refalsh was faster on the high end than the B-king because of aerodynamics. I would still choose my shaft drive 1400ccc Fat Ninja over a B-king any day for joy riding. The B-king was a V-Max rip off... It just wasn't done as well. I would recommend just getting the Hayabusa. No aerodynamics with a Hayabusa engine is just not as fun as some down low bone crunching power.

The FZ-10 is on the list and only because of the toqrues. An inline 4 that thinks it a V-4. I know I love my Inline 2 that thinks it's a V twin! As I said I have no real interest in inline 4's anymore, unless they are cross planed.

[GS1150Pilot]

Jedz, maybe I didn't read that right: Are you suggesting that the Sportster motor doesn't have character?

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

"V -Max snacks" is what we use to call them back in my drag racing days. My GS would eat them all day long. There was this guy that would ride his from Akron to Quaker City Dragway (about 50 miles). When he got to the track he would lower the Wheelie bars to race. Going home he'd raise them back up. He had taillights on them and everything, it was the craziest set up. Fun times back then...

If your GS was eating VMAX's all day long, you either had a highly modified GS1100E/GS1150E or the VMAX riders you were "racing" didn't know how to ride. We're talking about bikes that were capable of high 10's in the quarter mile, right out of the box, and this was in the mid 80's. It WON the muscle bike wars, which is why it has survived all these years and is still being made to this very day! The 2nd Gen will do mid to lower 10's right out of the box and some guys have easily gotten them into the 9's with just a few minor mods, airbox, ECU reflash, exhaust, that gets it from 175 HP to 200 HP pretty easily. There's actually one that's been modified by UFO Performance to get it into the high 8's at over 155 mph. Go ride one and you'll want to buy it, it puts a smile on my face every time I ride it, and I can't say that about every other bike I've ever owned. Sure, their cruising range is only 120 miles or so, but a small price to pay for an amusement park ride in your garage! LOL! My 2015 model will probably be the last bike I own, before I turn my attention back to 1st generation Camaros.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPgSegf55D4

[Jedz123]

Jedz, maybe I didn't read that right: Are you suggesting that the Sportster motor doesn't have character?

Not at all, implying the exact opposite in that it has allot of character .V-Twin Chain Primary... quite an awesome little lump, my 1200 was horrible on fuel but it was nothing Like anything I've ridden before or after.

[GS1150Pilot]

It is a truly cool motor. Mine got slightly thirstier after intake, exhaust and ECU mapping, but it still gets mid-40's around town and about 50 on the highway.

[Jedz123]

There was a 883 FI for sale for $1500 in my neck of the woods... Thought about it, just no idea what I would do with it. Love my Bonneville to bits. Maybe replace the tux?

[Deuce]

It is a truly cool motor. Mine got slightly thirstier after intake, exhaust and ECU mapping, but it still gets mid-40's around town and about 50 on the highway.

Are you talking about the Vmax or the Sportster? My fuel light comes on at about 62 miles on the Vmax.