V-Max for me??

[weegee96]

Here's the deal.  I want a sporty bike that I can lean into the curves on but I want a more laid back riding position.  I was looking at those two letters that cannot be said here without grief...you know which ones!  But they are too expensive for me right now and they just don't have the ground clearance.  Sportbikes are sweet for short rides but I want to do a little bit longer rides than I can on them.

I was thinking V-Max!  What do you guys think?  I found one near me, it's a 1997 with 3,100 miles...not a typo, for $6,500.  It's a two tone black and silver beauty!

I've seen gobs of websites devoted to them, so there's a following for some reason...it's gotta be a good one.

So give me your pros and cons, yays and nays.

 

[cyeager]

It's a pretty cool bike, but I think the tank range is limited enough to make touring a little frustrating (like 120 miles highway including reserve or somesuch).

According to Kelly's Blue Book a 1997 Vmax should go $4685 (I think that is a little low personally). The low mileage makes it worth more, but the age does still matter. When you look at a bike with miles like that you have to wonder how it's been treated, obviously the owner didnt like it very much.

[JimWilliamson]

How about a mid-80's Honda V65 Sabre? The V65 Magna, that I have, is akin to the V-Max - but if you want a bit more sport and a bit more range (larger fuel tank) the Sabre vs the Magna is an option. On the plus side - a good Sabre might well run 1/2 (or mbbe a tad less than that) than the Max you're considering.

I find my Magna to be a fun bike - and one that I'm very comfortable on for long, day after day hauls.

[Frantik1]

If you want a motorcycle that will actually take curves, forget about the VMAX. I owned one for 10 years. I always wanted one, drooled over them, and bought one, even had fun on it, but its been gone for almost 4 years now and I don't miss it one bit. Well maybe a little. It has a great engine, but it pretty much ends there as far as I'm concerned. Fuel range sucks, and its best mpg doesn't even compare to my Busa's worst. . Look into a Vstrom, Fz1, Bandit, etc,etc. But you are the only one you have to please, and if the bike "speaks" to you for any other reason besides the price, well, you know what to do.....

[Mac]

Ditto on the bandit or even a connie for that matter. You might even find an ST1100 around.

[FJRmgm]

really, about the only thing the V-Max has going for it is the motor - the rest is outdated and shows it when you ride one.  No brakes, no fuel range, poor suspension so poor handling.

[Mr.Awesome]

For what you want to do and for that money, I'd be getting a clean low mileage FZ1.  

[photomd]

I had one for about 6 months. I took it on as a project. IMHO, it was fun for about 20 minutes. The power was fun and you could drag the foot pegs, but you had to be very smooth. It would wobble in a turn pretty easily. It also locks you into one position. I'm shorter than average and I thought it felt cramped after 30 minutes. Then there's the tank isssue. I got around 40 mpg which was about 120 miles. IMHO, it's not a great bike for road trips or ripping down a twisty road. However the previous owner of the one I had put a duffle on the back, leaned against it and would ride the interstate for hours....so it can be done. It just wasn't my cup of tea. If you like a HD, you can't find some older Evo's in that price range? I *think* those are pretty reliable. I have a friend with one that has 70,000+ miles and he still rides it on a regular basis. It won't lean like a sport bike, but he enjoys it for what it is and has taken it to California 4 or 5 times. Good luck withh your search.

[cworley5150]

For $6500 there are so many bikes out there that you could have that would be better than a V-Max.  Don't get me wrong, I like Mr. Max but like has already been said, the motor is the only good thing about the bike.  They do not handle that well.  

Look around.  Just about any standard or sport tourer designed within the last 5-10 years would be better than the Max.  I would make a list of suggestions, but it could go on all day.  There are so many great bikes out there now it is unreal.  We motorcyclists really have it good nowadays.  

[Red01]

$6500 for a 10 yo Max? Ouch!

You could almost buy TWO '97 Bandit 1200's for that! (If you looked long enough, you probably could buy two, but not with 3500 miles on the clock.) Certainly enough for one and lots of gear and/or farkles, if you want. Heck, you might even be able to find a leftover new '05 B12 languishing somewhere for under $6500. A used '05 B12 under $6500 is easy to find.
(Given MSRP was $7399, many were able to negotiate <$6500 for new ones.)

Not just to try to sell you on the every popular, "buy what I ride" train of though, there's a lot of good suggestions above. Most, if not all of them, as quick or quicker than a V-Max and all would be more comfortable for the longer rides, have upright ergos and handle better. Another good one to add to the list is the Kawi ZRX11/12's.

But if Mr. Max floats your boat, hard to argue with that...

[weegee96]

Well, I'm kinda leaning towards the FZ1.  More upright seat positioning and it appears to have a bit more leg room than the SV1000.  The Bandit is nice, but I just can't get into the looks as I do with the FZ and the SV.  I like the V-twin of the SV but it does like really tight leg wise.  I have a 34 inseam so I don't want to be cramped.

[Scratch33]

I've got nearly 28,000 miles on my '03 FZ1.  You wouldn't be disappointed with it - a very versatile machine IMO.  If you haven't visited the FZ1OA board yet, please do so:

http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/index.shtml

[Frantik1]

Well, I'm kinda leaning towards the FZ1.  More upright seat positioning and it appears to have a bit more leg room than the SV1000.  The Bandit is nice, but I just can't get into the looks as I do with the FZ and the SV.  I like the V-twin of the SV but it does like really tight leg wise.  I have a 34 inseam so I don't want to be cramped.

Good choice. You can't go wrong with the FZ.

[Riceman]

I've had an FZ, the first year they were out, and LOVED the bike.  Looked good, handled good, and range was pretty good.  I'd still have it if it were not for "life" getting in the way of my riding!  Also, I almost lost my wife off the back of it...so, when I came back to motorcycling, the V Max was a kind of "compromise" bike.  I have an '03, and while I dont "love" it like I did the FZ, it has grown on me.  As for longer rides (I also have 34 inseam), I find the Max to be more comfortable.  As for range, I've taken her 168 miles on a tank, riding with my Harley friends.  DOnt know that I'd push beyond 168 miles.  It is a BEAR in the handling department.  I ride with some sport-tourers, and have to play catchup on straight-a-ways.  But, IMHO, it is a kewl bike.  If I'm alone, and take a gas/soda break, I often have people walk over to ask about her.  And, funny enough, many admit to either having had one, having always wanted one, or hope to get one someday.  

I dont recall if you mentioned your riding experience or not?  BOth bikes have appeal for a beginner/novice rider.  The Max is not near as high-strung.  Until the V-boost kicks in, it is pretty tame.  Low center of gravity is nice as well.  THe FZ handles much better, but if you get a 1ST gen FZ, and I recommend it, the front tire will come off the ground, sometimes with little or no effort.

THe Max is a good bike.  Of the bikes mentioned in this thread...I'd look at the FZ first (get a 1st Gen though, lots of talk about mapping issues with lastest models), the maybe the SV (I'd go with the 1000), then the Max, and then the Bandit.  That's how I'd look at them anyhow.

And, so you know exactly where I'm coming from....I'm keeping Mr Max, even after my '07 FJR arrives in May.  There is an appeal to the Max, that I really cannot put into words.  Even with her faults, I still "like" her to death...so much so, I'm not parting with her, not now anyhow.  Oh, and I'd try and get the price down on the bike.  Even with the low miles, it is still 10 years old.  And, I say this for I got my '03, in '05, with 2K on the odo, for 7.2K.  I think you can do much better.

Buy what appeals to you.  The FZ is a good choice, but if the Max appeals to you...go for it!

[roadrailer]

Well, I'm kinda leaning towards the FZ1.  More upright seat positioning and it appears to have a bit more leg room than the SV1000.  The Bandit is nice, but I just can't get into the looks as I do with the FZ and the SV.  I like the V-twin of the SV but it does like really tight leg wise.  I have a 34 inseam so I don't want to be cramped.

The FZ is an awesome bike. If you're looking for legroom, you may also want to look at the Buell Ulysses. It's built for someone your height. Sorry I'm pimping my own bike.....

[roadrailer]

I dont recall if you mentioned your riding experience or not?  BOth bikes have appeal for a beginner/novice rider.  The Max is not near as high-strung.  Until the V-boost kicks in, it is pretty tame.  Low center of gravity is nice as well.  THe FZ handles much better, but if you get a 1ST gen FZ, and I recommend it, the front tire will come off the ground, sometimes with little or no effort.

Neither of these bikes is a good choice for a beginner!!!!!

[Riceman]

Neither of these bikes is a good choice for a beginner!!!!!

Point made.  No arguements from me