Yamaha VMAX

I am very glad that I bought this motorcycle, it is cool, powerful and stylish. With repair there are no problems, I changed only supplies. This manufacturer has very good service.

In 2004 I took the unusual step of impulse buying a VMAX. A black and chrome 1997 model imported from Canada with the full mother load of 147 BHP. For a shaft bike this thing pulled like the japenese bullet train, especially beyond 6 grand when the tacho needle swings round into V boost territory. Between 6 and 9 grand this bike is a wild ride and hard to contain. It is not for the inexperienced or faint hearted. The VMAX on full chat is hard to handle and in standard trim the front end is dangerous and mega soft. It will dip down when you simply roll of the throttle.

To overcome this, I fitted WP progressive fork springs and filled the forks with a heavier oil;the result was immediate and impressive giving the bike a more stable stance at all speeds. It became predictable and the dipping was gone, replaced by progressive damping - if you don't do anything else with your VMAX you MUST do a similar mod to the front end it really does change the handling.

The V4 power train is awesome and sounds absolutely fabulous, especially mine when fitted with a 'marving' side cut exhaust ordered from the good ole US of A. It gurgled and spat out flames on the overun and the sound of a V4 on full bark is something to behold.

Bad points of a VMAX are few. It is not a bike for everyone but it has to be the ultimate bad boys toy. Fuel consumption is ok for a 1200 V4, but can get real heavy if you keep her in the V boost zone; and this is not helped by a paltry 15 litre fuel tank that sits under the seat. Expect an average tank range of about 90 miles to the reserve. Riding in the wet can be very challenging and if you don't keep the throttle action smooth the rear wheel will spin and the shaft will slew the bike leftward.

I enjoyed this bike which I kept for 4 years. I regret selling it now and wish I had one sat in the garage at this very moment. It has a cult status and I can fully understand why.