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So whats the deal with the V-max?

Jethro said:
This is true. No matter what it looks like there is no denying that bad ass motor. Thing is a beast, and a Yamaha, so it's awesome!
Click to expand...

Only production "muscle bike" to be built from 1985 to current day. Somebody must be buying them! :D
 
83GS1100E_Tornado said:
Sounds to me like you should probably just keep the 1150 and do some maintenance on it, I've seen pictures of it, that's a sweet bike! If you were closer, I would have made a run on it!
Click to expand...

Well The 1150 is a damn fine motorcycle. It looks awesome fires right up and needs nothing. The issue I have with it is its size and weight. I'm 5'11" and when I bought the bike 210lbs. I could throw my weight around on it and keep it under control however I've done some weight reduction to my self over the last few months and now weigh only 185lbs. I've found I don't really have the weight control of the bike as I did when I first bought it. It's tall for me too and I don't like the ergonomics of it. Hence why I'm looking to sell it. The Rex seems like it would work well for me, its light small and match me better then the big ES. The Vmax I looked at was bad a$$ and it was lower and easier for me to get on and off. Power is a plus and that is a big appeal to me for the Vmax. I looooved my Bandit because of its gobs of torque. I want a bike like that for power... Not a revy high end bike, kinda why I'm not to keen to a FZ1 or 6 for that matter...
 
A VMAX is every bit as heavy as an 1150E, if not more, probably 550 lbs or so..........they aren't exactly nimble beasts!
 
83GS1100E_Tornado said:
A VMAX is every bit as heavy as an 1150E, if not more, probably 550 lbs or so..........they aren't exactly nimble beasts!
Click to expand...

NO no there not I suppose. Like I said I'm siding to the tried and true I-4 "Standard" Platforms of the late 90's early 2000's. HJFisk is coming up Thursday AM to see if he want to wheel and deal the 1150 for the ReX1100.

Honestly, If I could shave 50lbs off the 1150, add some 750 E bars instead of those damn clip ons and drop the height about an inch it would make the bike allot better!!! The 1150 is definitely a beast and if I wasn't so damn crouched and awkward on it I'd keep it... I thought about keeping it and swapping in a B-12 power plant to save on weight. I can only imagine the B-12 motor is lighter... But why molest a bike that nice when someone would love it just the way it is???


Thanks for the input and info guys I think I'll pass on the Vmax.
 
Jedz123 said:
Roger. Looking for a low maintenance mile eater liter bike. HJFISK is selling a ZRX that we are going to swap slash I throw in some coin for my 1150ES. However I'm looking around just in case HJfisk deal goes south. Pretty much when the sap starts running marks the start of my motorcycle season. It's looking like the sap will start in a couple of weeks so I want to have my new bike by the end of Feb. A customer of mine has the Vmax for sale so I'd figure I'd do some research on it and ask about it.

Thanks for the input. If I can get some good seasons out of it I'd be happy. But reliability is a huge factor in what I want for a daily rider... This year I want to beat my Record for miles on a bike in a year and that's 20k. If the Vmax is capable I'll consider it. If not I'll look else where.
Click to expand...

Reliability, liter class low maintenance = 1989 to 1993 FJ1200's
 
Jedz123 said:
Hey guys. Some of you know I'm on the Market for a newer liter plus motorcycle for the spring. So locally there is a mint 92 Vmax 1200 with 12k miles on the clock guy is asking 4k for it which I will barter that price down as much as I can if I decide to buy...

Any way other then the thing being big brash and powerful does anyone have any opinions on the bike? Pointers? What to look for? Issues these bikes may have? It looks to be quite advanced for it age, with exceptional build quality and honestly the bike is just a bad a$$ looking machine. I also have no idea what they are worth but I've seen online others that are older going for mid $3k with well over 50k miles...

So please enlighten me.
Click to expand...

Here's the kind of price you should be looking for this time of year!

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3609405821.html
 
83GS1100E_Tornado said:
Here's the kind of price you should be looking for this time of year!

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3609405821.html
Click to expand...

Thanks!
Good to know for future reference! I passed on the guy with the Vmax for he wouldn't budge on the price, even after telling him about the price of others... Pretty sure his sentimentality to the machine was included on the price tag. Lots of nice bikes out there right now to be had for good prices, I did find a couple Vmax's out there in that range a few hours from me... I'm going to keep my eyes peeled :eek:... But don't be suprised if you find me on B-12 or Rex come spring.
 
What about an Fj1100 or Fj1200? I love mine, plenty of get up and go for me, one of the faster bikes back then and can still hold its own today. Looks good, comfortable, and feels like and nimble. It would be about the for your height too, I'm 6'2" and it's a little small for me but some rear sets will have it about perfect. I also bought a Corbin seat for mine, holy smokes is it comfortable!
 
Well, you love them or hate them. I've owned a 1985 that I blew lots of money on with bolt-on parts. My current giggle-scooter is a 1997 V-Max, basically the same bike without all the aftermarket stuff.
They are fun to ride but small fuel tank means frequent gas stops.
Watch out for transmission issues on use bikes and Kerker exhausts usually means cut off centerstand mounting brackets. The centerstand is nice for wheel / brake maintenance.
streetfighters
 
I've never ridden a Vmax, but have sat on them, and I don't think the stock seat would be very good for putting miles behind you.

As far as the FZ1 and low-end torque goes, all you need is a slightly different sprocket setup and that problem is fixed. That's how mine is set up and I love it. No, it's still not the torque monster my '01 Bandit was, but that beast was just too much torque. I literally had to lay on the handlebars to keep the front down when I got on it from a start. With my '01 Fizzy, I can go at least 175 miles on a tank of gas too. I just absolutely love the thing and I think you should at least take a closer look. In my experience though, I will tell you that you'll probably be looking for a non-stock seat and maybe even some handlebar risers. And, if you don't like a lot of wind hitting you, you'll be doing the windscreen dance looking for something better. The stock screen is perfect for me in the summer, but I need something more in cold weather. What I have on there now looks crazy rediculous but works great. It's a handbar mounted Memphis Shades Hellcat screen that fits right behind the stock screen. Perfect for cold weather, but when it warms up enough, I can just take it off.
 
The earlier the model the more powerfull. When the bike in its original state was done in 2006 2007 the HP was around 110. In 1986 they advertised 145hp with high 10 sec 1/4 mile time slips. At the end the bike was posting mid high 11s. Really detuned over its lifetime. I love the look of the bikes. Locally there was a 1985 with a blown out second gear for $1000. I didnt bother after reading how difficult it was to replace the bad gears.
 
That's a wive's tale, about the 85's being faster than all the rest. Absolutely urband legend! However, US spec Max's were the fastest by a long shot. Euro and Japanese spec ones got neutered with a de-tuned motor and no v-boost, and I seem to remember reading Japanese spec ones had a ignition interrupt switch inside the speedometer that limited the top speed of the bike to around 190km/h, or around ~115mph. Now, if you want to get picky, you could BUILD a slightly "fastest" stock VMAX with the following configuration, mostly you are just cutting weight:

1985 mufflers
1986 and up V-Boost
1985/1986 front wheel (lightest wheel)
Not sure on front ends though I suspect 85-92 will be lighter then 93+. The 85-92 front rotors will be lighter since they are smaller.
Not sure on which rear wheel type (85 I think is heavier but not sure).
1985-1995 regulator is smaller
1990+ pickups (requires the 90+ flywheel) are single and smaller (so lighter)
I want to say the newer rear diff's/axles (axles are shorter and diffs are narrower).
1990 Relays are smaller

Maybe some other small items might change weight ever so slightly, but you are talking MINIMAL difference in performance and max HP between 1985-2007!
 
ddaniels said:
I've never ridden a Vmax, but have sat on them, and I don't think the stock seat would be very good for putting miles behind you.

As far as the FZ1 and low-end torque goes, all you need is a slightly different sprocket setup and that problem is fixed. That's how mine is set up and I love it. No, it's still not the torque monster my '01 Bandit was, but that beast was just too much torque. I literally had to lay on the handlebars to keep the front down when I got on it from a start. With my '01 Fizzy, I can go at least 175 miles on a tank of gas too. I just absolutely love the thing and I think you should at least take a closer look. In my experience though, I will tell you that you'll probably be looking for a non-stock seat and maybe even some handlebar risers. And, if you don't like a lot of wind hitting you, you'll be doing the windscreen dance looking for something better. The stock screen is perfect for me in the summer, but I need something more in cold weather. What I have on there now looks crazy rediculous but works great. It's a handbar mounted Memphis Shades Hellcat screen that fits right behind the stock screen. Perfect for cold weather, but when it warms up enough, I can just take it off.
Click to expand...


I did take a closer look... Fell in love.. lol picking it up Sunday :)
Sprocket change is in the cards right off the bat... 85mph in first is so stupid. Rather be half way through second at 85.
 
I bought a new Max in 87 and put quite a few 700-800 mile days on it. They sound great but yeah they feel like they push out on the corners. I prefer an 1150 in all respects other than having to maintain the chain which isn't really a big deal. I haven't ridden a Bandit or ZRX but I think I'll pick one up this year just to see what a modern UJM is like. I had a V65 Magna before the Max and I liked the Max better in every respect.

Sheldon
 
Last edited:
Since you mentioned it, 87 was not released in the US, only Canada got them. Think they are red in 87 with black accents, like them colors! :D
 
Yes: You're right, the 87 was not available in the U.S. and I think the 87 colours were the best of the bunch. I liked the bike but not enough to buy another one.

Sheldon
 
Hmmm

Hmmm

Now I am thinking I want a MAX just to tweak. I can handle changing second gear but I think a big bore, cams, header and some forks swap along with a single shock and I have even seen them with the three spoke GSXRrear wheel. And I think I could even steal a few gears from the 1300 Venture to gear it a little taller.
Uh-oh.
Laters
G

Oh, try degreeing the cams on the FZ1. You get adaptors with the sprockets to do it and then tweak the fueling and it will get you some bottom end, midrange and much needed response.
 
gmansyz said:
Now I am thinking I want a MAX just to tweak. I can handle changing second gear but I think a big bore, cams, header and some forks swap along with a single shock and I have even seen them with the three spoke GSXRrear wheel. And I think I could even steal a few gears from the 1300 Venture to gear it a little taller.
Uh-oh.
Laters
G

Oh, try degreeing the cams on the FZ1. You get adaptors with the sprockets to do it and then tweak the fueling and it will get you some bottom end, midrange and much needed response.
Click to expand...

Just by looking at your sig you have enough projects on the go already. Do you actually have a bike you can ride? Ther is a max up here with r1 fork gixxer wheels etc that looks like the perfect light to light ride
 
Tough

Tough

Yup, I have loads of projects but concentrating on the GSXR headed 1290GS. And I can't control myself!! Nor can I keep my mind close to home.
Laters all.
Greg
 
V-Max, neat bike, but its still a Harley Davidson in my opinion. Im not a big HD fan, but I wish AMF would have keeped the development going for the Harley Nova.

http://www.bikerenews.com/AntiqueBikes/CodeNameNova.htm

I have a friend with an 02 V-Max, and I always gave him crap for owning A HD hand me down.

Just think of what Harley could be is they kept the V-4 and pushed it, they might have broke into the inline 4s in the late 80's.
 
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