Yamaha V-Max
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| Yamaha V-Max | |
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| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| Production | 1985 - 2007 |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | none |
| Class | power cruiser |
| Engine | 1198 cc liquid-cooled V-4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed |
| Brakes | Front: 2, 4-piston calipers, 11.7-in. (298 mm) discs Rear: Double-action caliper, 11.1-in (282 mm) disc |
| Wheelbase | 62.6" (1590 mm) |
| Dimensions | L 90.6" (2301 mm) W 31.3" (79.5 mm) |
| Seat height | 30.1" (764.5 mm) |
| Weight | 580 lb (263 kg) (dry), 617 lb (279.9 kg) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gallon (15.1 litres, 3.3 Imperial gallons) |
| Similar | Honda X-4 |
The Yamaha V-Max is a motorcycle manufactured Yamaha, which is known for its powerful V4 engine, shaft drive, and distinctive styling. While famed for its quick acceleration, it is often criticized for its poor cornering ability and soft suspension.[1][2][3]
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[edit] History
John Reed, an English designer who lived in California was contracted by Yamaha to design the ultimate custom bike. He designed a muscle cruiser based on the Venture engine.[4]
Sold both in Japan and abroad, the V-Max has been on the market with only minor modifications since the 1985 model year, making it one of the best-selling Japanese motorcycles of all time. The Honda X-4 was created in response to its overwhelming success, but was in production for only six years, proving unable to shake the V-Max's popularity and exceptional reliability.
Until 2008, the original V-Max was offered for sale through the Star Motorcycles division of Yamaha Motorcycles. Apart from a minor freshening to the bike's specifications in 1993, when the bike gained a larger-diameter fork to minimize high-speed wobbling and drift, four-piston brake calipers, and other handling and safety related upgrades, the 2008 V-Max was almost the same as the original 1985 version.[5]
[edit] VMAX
| Yamaha VMAX | |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| Production | 2009 - present |
| Class | power cruiser |
| Engine | 1679 cc liquid-cooled DOHC V-4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed, slipper clutch |
| Suspension | adjustable front and rear |
| Brakes | Front: radial mount 6-piston calipers, dual wave-type 12.6" (320 mm) discs, brembo master cylinder Rear: single piston caliper, wave-type 11.7" (298mm) disc, Brembo master cylinder |
| Wheelbase | 66.9" (1699 mm) |
| Dimensions | L 94.3" (2395 mm) W 32.3" (820.4 mm) |
| Seat height | 30.5" (774.7 mm) |
| Weight | (dry), 683 lb (309.8 kg) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gallon (15.1 litres, 3.3 Imperial gallons) |
In 2005, at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show, Yamaha displayed an all-new V-Max concept bike. It featured a new chassis, upgraded components all around, and state-of-the-art braking components. It is believed that the bike may be close to production and at dealers by late 2008.[6]
On 4 June 2008, Yamaha officially released a completely redesigned 2009 VMAX in North America and Europe. The features of the VMAX include an all aluminium frame with its 1679cc liquid cooled V4 DOHC engine used as a stressed member of the chassis, an electroluminescent instrument readout, Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I), fully adjustable suspension, anti-lock brakes, slipper clutch, a fuel tank beneath the seat, and a distinctive key.[7]
[edit] V-Max in popular culture
- Pierre Leghnome rides a V-Max in the French comic Joe Bar Team
- Yu Ominae has a V-Max motorbike that he uses for transportation in Spriggan
- Ken Nakajima of You're Under Arrest rides a V-Max when off-duty from his police work.
- Bob Makihara's V-Max gets burned in the Tenjho Tenge manga.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Motorcycle Online Muscle Bike Shootout
- ^ Motorcycle Cruiser 1999 V-Max article
- ^ Motorcycle USA 2004 V-Max article
- ^ Wilson, H. "The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle" p. 205 Dorling Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0-7513-0206-6
- ^ Motorcyclist March 2006 issue p. 89 Primedia Inc.
- ^ Motorcyclist January 2006 issue p. 16 - 17 Primedia Inc.
- ^ 2009 VMAX Model Home Page
