Toolbox
Related Bike News & Reviews
V MAX
More bike reviews
Brand New Bikes in Stock
Location
There is no stock available in the country.
Search new bikes in stock
Subscribe
to the BikePoint Newsletter and stay up to date

Yamaha VMAX

words - Martin Child
photos - Jake Jackson
This is a ride like no other, and the perfect place to take on the role of a fighter pilot. And it's one thirsty animal too, but that's soon forgotten about once the fun kicks in

In a world of ever-increasing conformist social behaviour, Yamaha’s VMAX stands out like tits on a bull. It’s big, it’s brash but most of all it’s silly. Very silly.

The VMAX lets its figures do the talking and it loves the figure 200 – its 1679cc engine produces 200bhp, through a 200-section rear tyre while struggling to get anywhere near 200km from a tankful of laughing gas.

And if you want a bike that makes you friends, then the VMAX is your ride. At the bowser, anyway. After the initial hunt for the under seat fuel cap (I won’t spoil the fun by telling you where the catch is located), the 15-litre tank is full well before $25 (even at Sydney’s fuel prices!) and the central-mounted fuel gauge has started its homeward march to empty before you’ve even left the forecourt. In short, it drinks like an Irishman on Paddy’s day and you’ll be on first name terms with the servo cashier.

Retailing for $31,299, Yamaha’s heaviest of heavyweights won’t be bought by those on a budget, so the fuel’s not the deciding issue. But what does all that money buy you?

In short, a ride like no other. The bike is huge – longer than a wet weekend in Wales, heavier than losing your job and wider than a B-Double drifting sideways. Jump on and you’re immediately taking up the role of fighter pilot.

Light the blue touch paper and get ready for the ride. Open the taps fully from a standstill and the monster back tyre looses its rubbery grip on reality and spins like a drug-affected DJ. It’ll still do this even when the tyre is up to temperature. At that velocity, all you’ll see is the flashing white shift light above the speedo as you stab for the next gear.

If you haven’t been on a fast bike for a while, it’ll make your head spin faster than cheap wine. If you have, it’ll still push your brain further forward in your skull that is medically advisable. Fantastic!

But is the VMAX just ballistic in a straight line and more than a handful through the bends? Well, yes and no. There’s no getting away from the weight and mass of that V-four engine bulging out between the extended distance of the wheels making for a tip-tip-drop feel around corners. Saying that, get the bike on a long, smooth curve and it’ll sit there all day. The heavy feel’s more felt on sharper, slower corners.

For its bulk, nothing less than the ABS-controlled six-pot calipers will do. They offer great feel no matter what the speed. The rear caliper is more effective than on a lighter bike, too.

And the good news continues on a comfort level. The rider gets treated to a stepped seat that actually works. The ‘backrest’ section helps brace the rider as the bike fires into the horizon. It’s not so rosy for the pillion, though. Even though they get their own rest, the seat is small and the pegs quite high. However, I reckon the fear-factor of 200hp will keep the back-seaters from complaining too much about home comforts.

With a smooth five-speed box and shaft drive, the VMAX loves to be ridden around at low speed. The power and torque have a creamy flow to them and short shifting through the ratios gives a punch of power whenever asked for.

And the VMAX impresses at a standstill, too. Its physical presence is felt but all – even friends that have absolutely no interest in bikes made favourable comments about it. Most asked, “What is it?”

And that’s not as dumb as you might think. Even though there are a couple of VMAX badges, you’ll struggle to find more than the tuning-fork logo on the bike. How long will it be before Jap bike manufacturers follow their car counterparts and start separate brands for their high-end products, like Toyota do with their Lexus brand?

From the sloping headlight to the huge air-intakes to the upswept exhausts, the VMAX oozes style and quality. But it’s no chrome cowboy, as most of the bright work is alloy and stainless steel. This gives it a more modern air and less of a Harley-clone feel.

The VMAX has come a long way from the 1985 original. It’s been modernised to be bigga, bolda and badda. But it’s still the silliest thing you can put between your legs, short of strapping your jewels to an Exocet missile. In this eco-friendly world, the VMAX is dead. So long live the VMAX!
SPECS: YAMAHA VMAX
ENGINE
Type: DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder
Capacity: 1679cc
Bore x stroke: 90mm x 66mm
Compression ratio: 11:3.1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection 
Emissions: Euro 3
Claimed maximum power: Not given
Claimed maximum torque: Not given

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five speed, slipper clutch
Final drive: Shaft
Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Aluminium diamond shape
Front suspension: 52mm telescopic forks, fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound, 120mm travel
Rear suspension: Swingarm, link type, fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound, 110mm travel
Front brakes: 320mm wave discs with six-piston radial mount calipers
Rear brake: 298mm wave disc
Tyres: Bridgestone -- front 120/70-18, rear 200/50-18

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 31 degrees
Trail: 148mm
Claimed wet weight: 310kg
Seat height: 775mm
Wheelbase: 1700mm
Fuel capacity: 15 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $31,299
Colour: Solar Black
Test bike supplied by: Yamaha Australia, www.yamaha-motor.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

Read the latest Bikesales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Bikesales Network's mobile site. Or download the all-new App.




 Published : Thursday, 27 October 2011
Disclaimer:
In most cases, the Carsales Network attends new vehicle launches at the invitation and expense of vehicle manufacturers and/or distributors.

Editorial prices shown are a "price guide" only, based on information provided to us by the manufacturer. Pricing current at the time of writing editorial. Pricing prior to editorial dated 25 May 2009 may refer to RRP. Due to Clarity on Pricing legislation, RRP for those editorials now means "price guide". When purchasing a bike, always confirm the single figure price with the seller of an actual motorbike or accessory. Click here for further information about our Terms & Conditions.