Topic: Addition to the stable: My Yamaha Vmax! (Familiarization)

[x2qwk4ux]

I mentioned this bike in the tech-forum by mistake earlier, but I was simply asking if anyone owned one. 

Well, $3000 later, I can safely say it was money well spent. 

Comparison to my CB750?  Well...hate to say it, but other than cosmetics, there really is no comparison.  The Honda handles a bit better around corners, but the payoff during acelleration is more than worth it!

I paid book value for a 35K mile 1989 Vmax in totally stock / great condition. 

It has 4 CV-type carbs configured in a square pattern.  They're a little strange because instead of storing fuel "down" in the bowls...the bowls are on the side of the carbs.  Other than that, the parts are pretty much the same. 

The intake manifolds are interconnected with a "v-boost" system that is quite simple once you look at it.  It's just an extra set of butterfly valves that are actuated by an electric servo & cable @ 6000 RPMs.  What it FEELS like when this happens, is the SAME SENSATION & SOUND as on old 4-barrel muscle-car.  Better hope it's pointed in the right direction when it happens!  Seriously...the bike bucks...(grab / slide / grab) at wide-open throttle in 1st and second gear.  It weighs 620 lbs, and will wheelie at any RPM in 1st.  Pulls wheel up between 1st / second routinely.  Wild, wild ride :-)

It's a 1200cc DOHC V-4...so it has 4 cams over shim & buckets (Yuck...oh well).  Clutch is huge, but hydraulic...so effort is easy.  Both brakes are hydraulic as well.

Other weird stuff:  The fuel tank (only 4 gallons) is under the seat, and uses a pressure-sensitive fuel pump through a replaceable filter to the carbs.  The "gas tank" thingie is actually a steel airbox cover and is purely decorative.  The side-covers are aluminum, fenders are plastic, and the frame is steel.

The stock seat will hurt your butt after about an hour, so I plan on upgrading mine to a Corbin or something.

This bike has been in production for 20 years...with a bare minimum of refinements.  1st model was a 1985, and they are currently selling brand-new 2005 models (with special badges of course) for well over $10,000.00.

What's my point to all of this?  Well, if you were ever thinking of cheating on your CB...this is one gal that will not disappoint.  It's the one you take out when you're feeling anything but civil...and it's highly affordable, proven, and fun.  Think of all the aftermarket parts we enjoy for the CB model's 10-year production run & you can begin to imagine a bike that's been around (and still is!) for 20. 

I'm going to bed so I can pass some more Harleys in my sleep. 

Josh

P.S.  It will do every bit of what's on the speedo...and then some (155 MPH).       

[x2qwk4ux]

Did I mention it has a shaft-drive?  NO CHAIN DRAMA! 

[Raul CB750K1]

Did it come with the japanese biker chic? If not you didn't get a good deal   HAHAHAHAHAHA   


Congratulations, that bike is a bad ass.


Raul

[6pkrunner]

I loved the V Max when it debuted. It was an incredible machine. Nice score.

[pmpski_1]

There's a VMax that parks in my garage now. It's pretty dirty and beat up, but man that sucker looks mean. If I wasn't such a newby rider I would think about trying to get one of those bad boys.

[Chris Liston]

any pics of the new ride, congrats,  vrods are awsome and FAST

[VMAX1970]

I'm a bit confused "The Honda handles a bit better around corners" sorry but having owed both max for 5 year it's way better at corners have you got the spildly forks one if so mabe not too much better but with progressive springs in and a better fork brace total cost £100 ish its lovley. check you head stock berings as well.

P.S. counter stering and power sliding are not options on the honda i know i have tried. still love the cb though.

[74cb750]

Congrats on the new to you V-Max. I gave mine up, as it always wanted to go fast. "Bad bike" "Bad bike" I would say to it but it never listened like my 74 cb750 does. Go figure. I think the v-max did not handle as well as the cb750 and neither were/are anywhere near as good as my old 1999 GSX750

[x2qwk4ux]

     I still haven't checked everything out yet...I'm going to go through everything systematically--wheel bearings, valve-adjustment...etc.  I've heard all about the "furber fix", but I don't see how that adds to stability since the rubber washer is ABOVE the nut.  I do have the skinny forks, plus the stock fork brace is starting to crack...got a billet one on order.  This bike will probably handle more than I can give it around corners, but I just keep thinking of all the times I've lost traction in a straight line & it scares me too much to go fast around a corner.  I know what you mean about the bike wanting to go fast...IMPOSSIBLE to simply cruise   And as for your Gixxer...that's a totally different category of motorcycle.  Kind-of like comparing an indycar to a musclecar.  Both are fun within their respective elements, but you can kick back in the musclecar if you want...but the indycar will have you all cramped in. 

Josh