V-Max at the Long Beach MC Show: R&R

[Schneegz]

It's starting to take final shape, and it looks like a real monster!

Link to R&R:

[rodm850g]

Guys,
Earlier this  year Yamaha sent out a request to some who visited their site or was it to sales staff in the dealers....either way they had a big site and it requested input from all who responded.....looks as if they took our word for what we wanted to see...
Rodm850g

[forester]

I didn't think the survey they had on their website asked relevant questions.  I got to the end and decided that they were going to design the thing the way they wanted, so I didn't finish filling out the survey.  

Personally I think they ruined it.  It was WAY better looking after 89', when they changed the wheels from dished to mags, even if it was detuned a little bit.  I also like the speedo/tach slanted number change they did in the mid-90s, even though that is a small change.

I am not sure if the engine has been updated or not.  I sure hope so, because that is a heavy SOB, and even 100+ HP didn't move it as fast as it looked.  The rear seat cowl on that new model does NOT belong!

Oh well, I suspect sales will not be as inspirational as their upgraders planned, but maybe I'll be proven wrong.

[lilwing]

Yes sir, I like it...

[phoenix]

it LOOKS to me like all the changes are cosmetic, like they just replaced a few parts here and there and called it new and improved. Doesn't do much for me.

oh and the article in R&R had this in it:

There is no schedule at all for the Vmax?

“No, it's still purely a concept. It has not been in the US in this sort of setting before. So before we make that final stand, ok let's do it, we want to make sure we get all the feedback first.”

[Snowbird]

All the photos are too close for me to decide regarding the bike's appearance.

I see a LONG swingarm... this bike is, what, a dragbike for the street? Hyabusa, ZX14 eater?

[bubba zanetti]

I have had a love hate relationship with Mr. Max over the years. Some of the modified bikes out there on the web are simply amazing and I will try to post a pic. One thing though ... please tell me the air intakes are functional. If they actually worked, I would take the bike much more seriously. Form must follow function in my book.


Ok ... this is Mr. Max in my mind ... I would seriously consider this ....




 

[Dr Gil]

Oh my!  

I must admit to being partial to the V-Max, always have been.  

I once owned a V65 Magna and the only other bike on the road that I found that could out pull it were the V-Max's.  It's a huge amount of fun to get it pointed straight down the road, roll on the throttle and feel all that acceleration.  

I like this new "street fighter" look and am looking forward to seeing one in person.  

[EricD10563]

I want one, still an orginial muscle bike from the 80's.

[Riceman]

You know, I dont know WHAT Yamaha is thinking?  If they keep teasing us like this, they stand to loose a good portion of their primary V Max customer base  .

Heck, take the 05 Mustang.  Came out with the retro look, and now just a year later (basically), they have a Shelby model.  Ok, apples to apples.  The FZ1.  I loved mine, bought an 01 the first year they came out (cant ride one anymore, another story).  And here it is, 06, and it's already been thru an "obvious" change.

When I decided the Max was going to be my next bike, I was surprised to see it was basically unchanged.  In fact, I hadnt kept up with the bike, or any bikes thru the years, and I was actually shocked they still made it...again, basically unchanged.  

Well, cooodooos to Yamaha.  The made a road monster in 19-freakin-85, and for some unknown freakin reason, it has withstood the hands of time.  OR HAS IT?

Dont get me wrong, I like my Max, but I think I might LOVE it, if it were a little more WITH THE TIMES!

At any rate, I've been long winded.  The Max, she's like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, kind of cultish.  You either love her to death, or you hate her.  SHe aint a sport bike, aint a cruiser, aint a sport-tourer...she's is what she is...she's a Max.  As for the concepts...I've seen a couple, and liked most.  My only request is that they make her at least a little competative.  I read one article that talked about 180-200 hp.  If that were to be so, sign me up.  Where do I reserve one?

[T.RexRacing]

I like it.The Max has always been a bit different.And I spy throttle bodies!FI!!!It looks like a Max to me.

[forester]

I have had a love hate relationship with Mr. Max over the years. Some of the modified bikes out there on the web are simply amazing and I will try to post a pic. One thing though ... please tell me the air intakes are functional. If they actually worked, I would take the bike much more seriously. Form must follow function in my book.


Ok ... this is Mr. Max in my mind ... I would seriously consider this ....




 

Yup, that's a lot better - I espeically like that style of headlight which is becoming a little more popular on some more recent bikes - MV Agusta Brutale, etc.  The pipes are a little too "Harleyish" for me, and the pipe a little too "sport bikeish", but overall definitely a better design that that plastic seated model above -

Did anyone else notice that V-max had a hard plastic seat on it?  

Having ridden a buddy's Stage III 89' (already the most stock hp V-max) with some street-illegal race exhaust and various hop-up mods, in my opinion this bike would need 200 hp to really have the bite of it's bark.  Man, if I didn't know any better that thing sounded exactly like a late 60's muscle car while I was riding it.  I think I got it up a little over 100 maybe 110? in about a 1/4 mile feathering the clutch and using full throttle.  That just didn't seem to be a huge difference even compared to the anemic Radian...

Three of my favorite bikes back in that v-max era though: The v-max, the Fazer (FZX700) and of course, their little miniature runt sibling, the Radian...  What can I say - I like the fake chrome!