by Loni Hudson, Dec. 2001
I bought this max off your "for sale" section last year and have just loved it! Please post it on your site if you wish. It is a 1985, that looks like it just came off the show room floor!
Thanks Loni Hudson, Cedar Rapids Iowa
by Michael Frair, Mar. 2001
The first time I saw it was the May '85 issue of Cycle World magizine.
I didn't even know what a V-max was!! That's all it took, and I was hooked.
When I read the article about the Max pounding the Cobra into the dirt, well, that was my fuel for conversation. One of the next high points was the movie
(I suggest you watch it) nightmare on elm street part 5.
About half way through the movie a guy jumps on the bike that just so happens to be sitting in parking lot with the keys in the ignition I might
add. AWSOME five minutes of the movie. I wore out the VCR, play, rewind, play,
rewind, play, rewind. I must have watched that part 100 times!!
I have followed the Max since day one, sixteen years, sixteen long
years. I came very close to buying one so many times, but something always got
in the way, not enough money, the wife says not good timing, AAAAHHHGGG!!!!
Now I'm to point that I'm using my truck for collateral so that I can
get a loan to purchase a used Max. The long awaited dream shall finally become
a reallity!!! I'm shooting for a '85 or a '86. I'd like to get an original.
All the adds that I've seen describe a Max that has never been ridden in the
rain, always garaged, religiously changed the oil, never down, ect. ect.
So, I know with much confidence that whatever Vmax I do finally end
up buying it will be in excellent condition.
I have a theory about how the name Vmax came about. I have even used
it to come up with my e-mail address velocitymaximum@hotmail.com
I think the bike is named after velocity maximum, what do you think? I
feel that it is a fitting name for such an intense machine.
I have never had the opportunity to grab the reins of a mighty Max, I did however ride on the back of one a couple of years ago. The father
of a friend of mine had one, knowing my passion for the bike he gave me a
ride. I had my fingers interlocked around his waist knowing the awsome power
that was yet to manifest itself. My friends dad was pointing to the tach on
fake tank letting me know when 6,000 rpm was coming up. BOOOOOM!!! what a
rush!! We exploded the asphalt and launched into the atmosphere!! I eat,
sleep, drink, and dream the Vmax!! I will own one, soon.
Thank you for giving me a place to vent my yearnings that no one else seems to understand.
Michael Frair
P.S. When I do get a Max, I want to get a personalized licensed plate that will read "MAD MAX"
by Christian T., Jan. 2001
Many people have described how they first got obsessed by the V-max. Before I saw the V-max I didn't believe a piece of mechanic would be able to make me sell my house. Now I
know !
From '93 to '99 I owned a XT 600 and meant an Off-Roader was the only right bike to own. Streetbikes were too
boring for us who knew…
By spring '97 one of my friends and me were at a meeting with approx. 10.000 bikes. We were walking around and suddenly I saw a strange bike
I had never seen before. I asked my friend: "What's that?" and he looked at me with an odd look in his face and
said: "You got to know that one, off course it's a Yamaha V-max". It didn't make me a
whole lot wiser, but I settled with knowing the name of it, after all it was just a kind of streetbike.
Little did I know, but looking back I can see that I was already infected.
Days went by and this strange looking machine kept getting back in small flashes in my mind. I asked my friend a couple of times about the specifications on the bike, but he just answered:" It's very fast and steers like a cow", still didn't make me a
whole lot wiser.
Suddenly I found the bike in a yearbook with motorcycles and I got a big shock, when I looked at the picture.
The strange looking bike in my mind had as by magic turned into the meanest machine
I had ever seen!
My breathing stopped for a couple of hours (or so) and I just knew I had to own one someday.
I read about the bike more and more and as by a snap with the fingers the beloved XT 600 was just not enough. Only problem was the price. In Denmark we pay a lot of money in a
special kind of tax when we are buying a new car or motorcycle. It takes a normal worker in Denmark about 18 month to pay for a new V-max, if he spend all what he makes on the bike alone, that means without eating or paying rent. On top of that comes the insurance, which is a lot on a bike like that.
How on earth should I raise all this money?
I had to let it go for a while, but couldn't get rid of the flashbacks.
By summer ´99 I sold my house, I just knew that something better was waiting for me.
"Now, should we really believe that", you think…Yes, I actually did sell the house!
Selling the house left me enough money to buy a used V-max in Germany and then off course pay a lot off taxes in Denmark to get it
registered, which I did the following winter. The summer 2000 were therefore my first season on a perfect condition
'96 V-max.
Actually I was quite lucky with the bike, because I bought it 15 hours of driving away, and when I got down to see the bike, I made the famous
"here's the money, give me the bike" -trick.
Fortunately the bike was all what the nice German dealer had promised me and I have had no problems at all with the bike.
Guess you now thinking: Was it worth selling your house for?
Yes, and the only reason you could ever have any doubt about that, must be because you don't own one
yourself. V-max owners can never have doubts!
I bought the bike stock, but recently bought the Hindle 4-1 exhaust, jet kit and progressive fork springs and the next winterproject is already planned: Big bore 1500 ccm. (I know, its still winter).
Out of this I have learned that dreams really do come true, but you have to fight for them and maybe change your way of living to reach your goals.
Ride safely.
Christian, Denmark
Black Canyon
by James I., Nov. 2000
"This is a rough draft of a piece of fiction? that I wrote.
Names and places were changed to protect the identities of those involved."
Sunday afternoon I rode down into Emmett and stopped at the historic overlook to admire the view of the valley. Upon examination of the map laid out on the historical explanation billboard, the map indicated there was a road going from Emmett directly to Horseshoe Bend. This road is highway 52, and it goes up Black Canyon past the dam and reservoir, and is comprised mostly of graceful banked curves broken up by long straightaways with excellent visibility with an occasional technical corner thrown in to keep you on your toes.
After some thought, I decided that it might be possible to beat the sunset before getting back to Boise by taking this route. Starting out the V-Max was doing a leisurely 50 mph working its way through the canyon.
Out of the blue, a yellow streak passed by and raced off into the next corner.
Normally, I would snicker at the crotch rocket riders and let them carve up their corners, but this time was different. Maybe it was something in the howling tone of the motor that said "Not made in Japan," or the way the rider blew by me without even an acknowledgement of what I was on. In my mind, something popped.
I downshifted from fifth into third, bringing the revs up past 6000 rpm, prime V-Boost territory, and rocketed into the corners. The V-Max was no match for the yellow streak in the corners, and he pushed further into the distance. After a few more curves, the road opened up into a LONG straightaway, and I could see him a quarter mile ahead, just passing a pickup truck.
Race bikes are excellent in corners, and have exceptional handling. The V-Max is a legend to riders, and any rider worth his salt knows that in straight line acceleration, the only machinery that keeps up with the V-Max is usually solid fuel takeoff assisted.
I dropped the hammer, and the world around me became a blur of yellows and greens. The V-Max tore into the pavement, realizing it was in its native environment. The truck driver saw a vicious grey streak jet past him, and then watched two sets of tailights light up.
Both of us saw the approaching police cruiser at the same time, and both of us yomped on our brakes to slow down. I thanked god for allowing disc brakes to grace this world as we careened past the next corner, checking my mirrors for the flashing red and blues....which never came. Maybe the cop figured we weren't worth his time. Maybe he had a serious appointment with a donut shop somewhere. Whatever the reason, we both cruised to HorseShoe Bend without incident.
We both pulled into the Chevron there, and had a good laugh about it. I tried to fill up my gas tank with trembling hands, I had never accelerated that fast before in my life.
The yellow streak turned out to be a Triumph, displacing somewhere around 900cc's. The rider was a seasoned motorcyclist of 35 years, and he expressed admiration for my bike, saying that it was still one of the fastest production bikes around. He then told me when he saw the cop and tromped on his brakes, he was doing 100mph. My face blanched, as I realized if he was going that fast, the V-Max had to be doing well over that in order to catch up to him as quickly as it did.
In some cultures' mythology, the experience of death is accompanied by crossing a river on a boat. In Greek culture, this is the river Styx, in Japanese culture, it is the river Sanzu.
As I rode back into Boise with traffic returning from McCall, Thoughts entered my head about how I stood at the shores of the river Sanzu and how I had almost crossed the river to the shore beyond.
I've rarely raced anybody else on public roads since then, I just mostly leisurely prowl the highways and byways of Idaho. But I know that the spirit of the V-Max is ready to rear its head and bellow fury and thunder at my heed, to scorch the earth in its wake, and rend the very air with its gleaming frame....
James, USA
"Vmax"
by James I., Nov. 2000
"This is a rough draft of a piece of fiction? that I wrote.
Names and places were changed to protect the identities of those involved."
The Cobra Printer whirred to life, moments after the power button had been pushed. Andrew and I sat back in our chairs and looked at the memory check as it counted up, both of us knew that the boot up process would take a small while.
"Andrew, did I ever tell you why I bought that V-Max?"
Andrew tugged at his mustache, and eyeballed me, trying to decide whether or not he was going to have to listen to a bullshit story about some dumbass bet or actually learn something interesting this time. After pondering for a moment, Andrew decided this might be a fraction more interesting than poring through duration scripts looking for inconsistencies.
"No, James, I don't think you have." Manners won out this time.
"Well, this story's kind of involved, so kick back and relax." The memory check finished. The Cobra, satisfied with the amount of memory installed, then tried to decide whether to load its operating system. Andrew lifted his eyebrow and turned back to me.
"In Japan, they look at comics differently than we do over here. Everybody from elementary students to adults read them. They've got manga geared towards every age group. "
Andrew shifted in his seat. This was definitely not what he expected.
"A few years ago, my friend Victor and I were reading this manga called GTO, the reason its called GTO is the main character wants his students to call him 'Great Teacher Onizuka.' He starts out just graduating from high school, but he has no career direction. He's a leader of this motorcycle gang, and he's got the Hawaiian shirt/dangling cigarette/bleached hair punk look at the beginning of the story. To set him apart, though, he is an exceptional student of Karate, and is the captain of his school's Karate club. One thing leads to another, and he decides that he wants to become a teacher, one of the most respected professions in Japan."
Andrew leaned back. Maybe not what he was expecting, and beginning to lean toward bullshit story territory. The Cobra whirred and clicked, finally deciding that the operating system had passed snuff and would be loaded.
"So anyways, Onizuka passes his teaching exams and gets a job as a teacher. But the hitch is, he gets stuck at this really rundown, beat-up, punk infested school. Several students eventually trick Onizuka into a blackmail scandal and that night go to a public outdoor auditorium where they ponder what to squeeze out of their teacher, money or test answers. As they're talking, the sounds of engines revving up is slowly growing in the background, to the point where one of the students turns around and shouts for the engines to be turned down."
"When they turn around, motorcycles with riders are on every level of the auditorium and the stage, revving their motors. At the center of the stage stands Onizuka. He's ditched his shirt and is wearing a headband, smoking a cigarette, and is dragging a Chinese sword. 'whazuuuuup'"
"The students greet their teacher, 'h-h-hey there teach. W-w-what's with the look?'"
"Onizuka replies with 'I quit.'"
"'W-w-what do you mean, you quit?' one of the students stammers back."
"'I mean I QUIT you deaf sumbiches do I have to spell EVERY DAMN THING out to you?'"
"Onizuka steps toward his students and squats so that he's right above them. 'I've never had this kind of crap happen to me, I can't believe you lowlifes have brought me down to your level. I wonder what I'm going to do to you? Maybe I'll burn your earlobes with a 99 cent lighter, or maybe we'll dunk you in the park pond over there, or maybe we'll tie you up and I'll have my friend drag you around town behind his V-Max...."
Andrew smiled and nodded. Young punks all think alike. The Cobra clanked and displayed "warming up". No further noises came from the printer. We stared at the engine, both of us knowing that it had given up the ghost.
I got up and opened the drawers of the engine, shifting and replacing the mover belt and the heavy roller kit. "Right about here, those students start getting really pissed, so they tell Onizuka, 'You can't pull that kind of crap on us! We'll go straight to the Parent/Teacher organization and have you canned so fast that you...' the words are cut off there, and when you turn the page, the first panel shows them tied up, hanging upside down, with water dripping off their bruised and beaten faces. They begin begging for mercy, 'please I can't take anymore, you're supposed to be our role model, you're supposed to look out for us, how can you do this?"
Andrew tried to conceal a grin. The tone of begging I was using was similar to what I used on our mutual supervisor to get time off. After closing all of the drawers, I power cycled the printer and sat back down.
"Onizuka grabs one of the hanging students and sways him toward the shore of the pond so he can talk into the student's upside down face. 'Teachers are human aren't they? Don't humans have limits? Don't they have limits where they shouldn't be pushed to?' Onizuka grabs a kendo staff and pulls the student's face closer."
"The next frame shows Onizuka's face as he's shouting and swinging, 'Well you've pushed me past mine, you LITTLE BASTARD!!!!'"
Andrew chuckled, and then glanced around as he thought about my story, wondering if anybody from Amnesty International was going to tell me off.
"Victor and I really enjoyed this part of the story, and often joked about it afterwards. We'd ask each other 'Doesn't the park pond water taste GREAT?' and then laugh our asses off. "
"One day Victor and I are driving down GreatView Avenue when I tell him to pull over at the Yamaha dealership. Lo and behold, inside there's a 2000 V-Max, all pretty and shiny. I told Vic to sit on it, and he backs off. 'If I sat on it, I'd want to get one....' He whines at me."
"Right then and there is where I made my first mistake. I sat down on the bike and said, 'Look, this ain't so tough now, is it?' It wasn't so tough. In fact, it was downright comfy. I reached for the handlebars. I could hear that engine in my head at this point, and could literally see the ground as it rushed by underneath me. This was definitely not my 750 Virago. After a few moments of virtual easy riding, I got off the bike. I looked at the black and brushed aluminum engine. I knew I was going to get that bike, it had hooked me harder than cocaine."
Andrew nodded and grinned. "It was pretty much the same for me when my buddy got me up and going on his bike. 'Course, it wasn't no V-Max, but when I gunned that bike, I knew I was gonna get my own, too."
The Cobra clicked and whirred, and then started whining. Andrew got up and eyeballed the printer. "Jimmy, it sure didn't do that before, I think you've fixed it." He sat back down, waiting for the display to show 'Ready."
"So now Vic is over in Maipan, his home island out in the middle of the Pacific, but we stay in contact through the Internet. "
I leaned toward the engine to get a better look at the display. "CALIBRATING" Just a few more moments. "The last e-mail I sent to Vic ended with, 'so if anybody gives you any trouble over there, you tell them that you know somebody who could tow them around town.'"
Andrew chuckled and stroked his mustache. "You run into anybody who's pushed you to your limits?"
"Not yet, but I'm still looking for a Chinese sword...."
The display on the Cobra flashed "READY".
James, USA
The "I-Max"
by Owen J. Miller, Sep. 2000
I just read the story of the I-Max and I have to say, it brought a tear to my eye. All that was done and the many people that contributed to the effort both far and near is amazing. This story gives me hope that good people are out there you just need to look in the right places, like on a V-MAX.
I too fell in love with the V-MAX and after 10 long years I purchased my first, a 97 w/5500 miles on it. I will NEVER ride anything else. I've had my MAX for 2 years now and it's more a part of me than I ever would have expected. I pray that we never have to part ways and I am glad to know that there people out there that feel the same way as I. Let all that ever know and love the V-MAX enjoy all of it's mystique and hold on to them forever, as there will NEVER be another like the V-MAX.
Thanks for everything you've done for the V-MAX,
Owen Miller, Cape May, NJ, USA
Vmax (What else?)
by Gerard J.Martin, Aug. 2000
I want to thank Paul and MAD-MAX for the sponsorship of the New Lebanon drag races in New York on August 4th. I specifically drove the 4 hours that day to see and to hear the V-Max and to get some questions answered about this awesome bike. Smoke and 163mph+ quarters were seen and the mighty "V-4s" with open headers were heard. But the one thing that was unexpected, was the friendliness and how helpfull the v-max owners were. Here they are, showing their 20K dreams with out even blinking about answering a simple question. No "snobs" here. Even to the point on letting me sit on their dreams to check out the seat and handle bar configuation. Suggestions were given, e-mails were sent back and phone numbers were exchanged. I have found that the love for this bike is universal around these people and that they are willing to share their prizes with the "dreamers". Thanks again for a great afternoon of racing, and more importantly, an afternoon with great people.
Gerard
My Vmax Story
by Mark, Jan. 2000
My first bike was back in 85, a Suzuki GS700ES, which was great but then I wanted something faster, hence the FJ 1200 in 1990. But even back in 85 I had fallen in love with Max... the overwhelming power, that one-of-kind "look"
... but it was just too expensive for me at the time.Why I didn't get one in 1990 I'll never know.
Fast forward to 1999:
Had no bike and had not ridden one for 7 years.
Then one day I am walking into a thrift store and there is a VMAX parked right by the door. Bang! I am in love all over again, except even more so this time. I almost tried sitting on it but I didn't dare. So I go home and look on the Internet and find out THEY STILL MAKE THIS BIKE! I could not believe it! I figured they had stopped building it years ago.Within a month I had bought my new 99 and absolutely, and now this is the ONLY bike I can imagine myself on, ever, period. I just love the uniqueness of it, the V-boost, the tank under the seat, the pop-up seat back, the dragster look, the phony gas tank that is just a cap so they could squeeze in the motor and the V-boost, the way it doesn't imitate any other bike or vice versa. It just says "me", and it must do that to lots of other people for them to have kept slapping them together for 15 years straight with nary a change except the color schemes, right?.....
Thanks for listening...
The Truth
by Ron, Jan. 2000
As rumor and more positively fact...I can attest to the truth.
My previous Vmax had and still has the easy ability for two hundred miles per hour and still be street driven. Many as Ducati or other road terror was gobbled up and eaten by the mighty Max it's a sad position to be in being the fastest street terror.
BUT you have to take control when the time is due to teach others a responsibility lesson.
Like mighty legends from the past only those chosen few the owners like ourselves really know what happens.
So until Yamaha can do better I shall wait.
Thank you
by Paul Vitale, Oct. '99
I know how you felt Ingo. I too wished for a v-max since 1985 when I saw my first one on the local cruise strip here in Detroit Michigan. I became lucky when the city of Hamtramak had a tornado, here is my story.
My best friend is a cop in the polish community of Hamtramak, Michigan. They had a very bad storm. 2 tornados chewed up several buildings and ripped the roofs off of them. So my friend John was called in for overtime to guard the open buildings. While on patrol, low and behold he finds a 1985 Yamaha V-max, amyamthest (purple) with 2,000 original miles. The bike was sitting for 12 years untouched until this storm uncovered it for the public to see. Well, John stood close guard on that bike and talked to the owner. The original owner injured his back 2 years after buying the bike, and parked it and let it sit. John talked him in to selling the bike. When I found out I hauled it out for John and helped him restore the snarling beast to it`s rightful glory. And John being the great guy he is sold me the bike 1 year later.
So this is my story. I hope it entertained you. I will send a pic with the message at this time the bike has 3,035 miles on it and I paid 2,000.00 bucks for it. John bought a new zrx 1100 he likes it, but miss`s the instant respect the max gave him too bad for him and goody for me. ha...
Paul
Words to say...
by Luis Fabara, Sep. '99
There exist no words to describe a GOD made Motorcycle... That one is the V-Max.
When I was 15 my father bought a ´95 Red V-Max...
I wanted a bike too so he bought me a ´87 Virago 535... I crashed it 2 weeks after. It had locked up the rear brake so I returned it.
One night I wanted to drive that monster that my father told me was TOO powerful for me... Well.. so that night, I remember a 17th of July 1996 I took it for a ride.. DAMN IT WAS A BEAST... it was the Ultimate Dream.. believe me or not... That night I did my first wheelie.. I didn't mean to... but it happened. After that I never wanted to be far from that bike.
My uncle crashed and trashed it a month later.. that was bye bye V-Max for me I thought... But my dad bought a R1100RT and gave me the V-Max .. I WAS AMUSED!
I painted it in Silver and blacked out the engine. It became MY MAX.
After that I always will remember that night and that Wheelie. I'm 19 years old and I began to create the Omega MAX a Silver Custom Max with a lot of EXACTREP Parts...
The V-Max is pregnant.. from her..
The Omega Max will be born in 4 months.
Luis
My first Max
by Michael McGuire, Sep. '99
My first bike was a 77 Honda MT125, a dual sport which I quickly turned into full dirt considering I lived on Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ, a.k.a. dirt bike heaven. Riding Tank test grounds was a blast. 20 years later, Mid life crisis begin taunting me to buy another bike. I've never liked street bikes, never saw what people saw in Harleys, except the sound, and everything else just didn't have the beautiful look of Badness that a Motocross bike has always had. Besides riding on a street is kinda boring for a guy who just picked a direction and went... and liked having both wheels off the ground as much as possible. So my next bike had to be as dirty as I could get it, but be practical so I could use it for quick trips. The bike I choose was a 99 XR650L. What fun, reminiscing and reliving the good old days.
Then a woman entered my life. I wanted to share my newest revisited hobby with her and almost had her buying a dirt bike. As fate would have it though, we couldn't find one that would fit her well, the new bikes are so tall. This is the point where the though "If I got a street bike we could ride together" entered my mind. For the first time in 20 years I looked at the street bike selection. Sat on a Shadow Spirit and felt like one would feel going from a suspension raised 4x4 to a mazda miata. Unnerving enough to make me take a Yamaha flyer home to look at the possibility of a XT225 for the lady. While perusing the flyer on the john I saw a VMAX for the first time. "The Arnold Schwarzenegger of power cruisers", oh that sounds good. V-Boost descriptions really had me foaming. For the first time Badness and Street bike were used in the same sentence! They didn't have any of these at the shop. Lucky enough though, the next day they did at another local shop, a new 98 Black Max. At first seating I knew this would be the beast I rolled home on, I hope she likes her seat I thought. Well my soul mate ticker went up a couple notches as I listen to her comments on the Max... Oh, this looks cool, it's comfortable too, I like it! We couldn't sign the papers fast enough, little did I know what I bought, however I wondered why he gave me the "If you have problems insuring it, call me I know a guy that can get you a good deal". It wasn't like we had an alternative bike, nothing else out there fit if you know what I mean. It was time to check the Net and see what I could find on Mr. Max.
Oh My God!!! Honey I thought, we've bought a Legendary Two Wheeled Monster. This is a carny ride of a bike all the info suggested, I can't wait to pick it up. Reading all the handling hits Max gets did have me a little worried, until I realized they were comparing it to sport bikes... like da. Were buying a cruiser here, I know I could ride this better than a Shadow Spirit or the like.
I couldn't get to 400 miles fast enough, just dying to try some v-boost. WOW!!!! Hold the F%&K on indead!!! This beast gets pissed and gone at the same time. That time machine I've always wanted was here... your there in no time.
Our first ride together was a real treat. Riding with her on the back was painlessly easy. I introduced her to the Max with those familiar words... "Now Hold on Honey", "let me show you what we've bought." Well, we have a child now, which we both love and don't have to worry about sending off to college, however I am supporting a dependant for sure. Needed some sound, Cobra Slip-ons, a cowl, engine guards, visor, and looking at some sportmax seats and new wheels. Could really use a cloaking device too, make it eaiser to play with v-boost but that will have to wait a few centuries... I'm sure something like the Max will still be around unless we've all become yuppy woosies.
Best wishes all... and don't forget to get the MAXimum out of life!
Michael McGuire
VMOA #920
Colorado Spings
Finally !
by Scott Whitlow, Sep. '99
My name is Scott Whitlow, and I too have had the dream of owning a vmax, but as things go, for the better part of 15 years the dream of ownership has eluded me. I started out in 85 getting a 850 xs because things were really tight just starting a family and a new buisness, then working my way up too restoring a 1100 xs from nearly scratch, the whole time going to the yamaha dealer, drooling over the latest edition vmax on the floor also wishing to win the lottery. Then after about 4 years, my upholstery buisness was starting to do pretty well and I found a 85 for sell for 2500 dollars. I had just about enough money to buy the bike, and just my run of luck my shop burned to the ground.
Well that put everything on hold for a while, a long while. To cut too the chase after along time and alot of set backs in my life, I have started a new life, a new upholstery shop, and new lady whom helped me get a brand new 99 vmax. Bless her loving heart to help me make my draem come true.
If you know of some sources for the steering dampener and carb kits as well as some advise on why my bike pops back through the cabs, please contact me on this adress or on seamster @ aol.com it would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Scott
Some more Words
by Pero, Aug. '99
Wow, what can you say about this bike or this web site that hasn't already been said?
Probably not much. Both are in a class by themselves. Rightly so.
My love affair with a 'Max began before I even realized it. Years before I returned to motorcycling after a 20-yr. hiatus. We were sitting around in the squad room, (I'm a peace officer), talking bikes and other zippy vehicles when Ronnie brought up the V-Max. "Nothin' beats a V-Max!", he said emphatically. I inquired what the hell a V-Max was. After a brief incredulous stare, he told me exactly what it was. I shrugged it off and we proceeded with the conversation. A couple years later I decided to get back into motorcycling and bought a really nice used '93 Virago 1100. A few months hard work and copious amounts of $$, and it was "my" Virago. We toured and cruised and had a generally great time with it. Then, less than a year after I bought the 1100, I saw my first 'Max in the flesh. I was at the Yamaha shop buying some more baubles for the Virago when the husband of the gal who worked there came in with his '97 'Max. I wasn't too taken at first but then every time I swung a leg over the Virago, Ronnie's words came back, nothin' beats a V-Max, nothin beats a V-Max...........
Every time I rode my bike it drummed in my head like the lyric of an unforgettable tune. Finally, I started researching the machine, magazine articles, web sites, etc., till I found this one. It didn't take long to realize I had to at least try one.
Two months later, it arrived from the distribution point in a crate. I watched as it was carefully assembled by the technician at the store. My shift came up before the bike was done but tomorrow I was off and we would close the deal on the bike. The next morning we went to the store to sign the papers and take delivery. The dealer took us to the shop area to get the bike. My wife's first words were "That's it??" All black and little chrome. Sinister looking. Suddenly, I wasn't sure I'd done the right thing. Good thing I decided to keep the Virago. I had mixed emotions as I swung over the saddle for the first time and tried to get my feet on the ground. Had to stand on the balls of my feet but I would get used to it. My wife had that 'you screwed up' look on her face. Well, I'm committed now and I'll just have to make the best of it. Countless things went through my mind as I drove away.
I was used to horsepower but this thing let me know right away I'd better respect it. It wasn't going to take any crap. After a few solo rides I got my spouse on board for our first two up ride. She hated the seat, she liked the Virago better. Damn!
Well, now, a year later, we call it the "money pit". After a Corbin seat and a Furbur seat, and lowering the bike and a few other amenities, we ride and tour on it exclusively. Sold the Virago yesterday. The 'Max is a keeper. My spouse now routinely comes home with stuff for the bike, she even sprung for a custom flame job. In 10 months, we've put 13K on the odo, been to a few biker rallies and are planning more mods and trips. It don't get no better than this!!
Anyway, it's an awesome web site and an awesome bike. Be careful with 'em boys and girls, and remember nothing outruns a Motorola....... or a V-Max!!
Pero
A little story
by Ricardo Damazio, June '99
Hi, everyone
I just wanted to tell you a little story.
These words may sound familiar, maybe even boring, but here goes:
Once upon a time (well, in 1993 really) there was this 20 year old boy who felt in love with bikes after riding his friend's Honda NSR125. He decided to follow the path of the two wheeled world. With all his inexperience he said, perhaps with a bit of arrogance, that he would buy a CBR600, because "it was a cool bike and it would look good to the chicks". And so he did.
He loved to ride all day long, showing off his "cool bike" wherever he went. One day he went riding with his girl. After stoping for a drink, they were ready to move on. All the guys came outside to see the boy and his new bike. "Do you want to turn around? It's easier for you, and for me to climb on the bike" - said the girl. "No, just get on it! I can handle it. - replied the boy. Obviously he couldn't. He let the engine die and the bike fell over to the side. Everyone was laughing except the boy.
With a few scratches on his bike and a LOT on his pride, he picked up the bike, turned around, and off he went, slowly and with his head down, trying not to look anyone in the eyes. Time passed, the CBR was a great bike but not his style. He decided then, to do things right.
He went through a XV535 Virago, a FZX750 Fazer... and then.......
He started to hear about this bike... this muscle bike, King of the quarter mile, pure agression on wheels, and his love for this machine started to grow. Everyday he tried to get information, pictures, everything he could get his hand on. Many times he visited Ingo's Vmax site to see all the great Vmaxes, and read all he could about it. All these people around the world, who shared the same passion...
He subscribed the mailing list, to know things about a bike he didn't even own, maybe sometimes annoying people with things everybody already knew. Many times he followed a Vmax on the road just to see it "one more second". Many times he found a Vmax parked somewhere and stared at it all day, admiring it; the presence, the charisma, the... you know.
Always dreaming about the day when he would ride his own Vmax. Thanks to all your unawaring support, his love kept growing day after day.
Until one day he raised enough money to get his dream bike. He started searching and found a '96 Black Max with only 9.300Km. (May 1999) And when he saw it, he knew it was meant to be his. A "here's the check, gimme the bike" later, and he was the proud... no, the VERY proud owner of one of the most fantastic motorcycles ever built.
He was not believing, it was really happening. Next day he woke up, went running to the garage... "It's real. It wasn't a dream." His dream bike was no longer a dream. It was right there, in front of his eyes, all steel and muscle.
As you probably realised, that boy was (is?) me. And despite not being a novice rider, I'm a learner in the Vmax world. Like everything in life, I'll try to learn from the more experienced ones, and go one step at a time. I hope one day I'll have the honour to be called "One of us", in the Vmax world. Our World.
Thank you very much for your support. Always fight for what you believe, because although this world sucks, sometimes, just sometimes... Dreams do come true.
Best Regards to all from Portugal (forgive my english, I tried my best)
Ricardo
'92 FZX750 Drag-Fazer (http://141.223.80.35/bike.html)
see under IMAGES '96 Black-Max Portugal
PS- If we had custom license plates in Portugal, mine would defenitly be "KIK-S"
Boost Surfing
by David Healy, Nov. '98
I have an opinion about blower maxes because I own one created by Paul at Madmax. He did a very good job but he didn't realize I like quick acceleration more than most of his customers. He recently updated his screw-type supercharger/pullys to create 30+ lbs. so I've decided to send my blower in for the upgrade. Paul created a wicked looking bike but I have to give some credit to Jon Cornell for helping get the HP. No disrespect for Paul, he is the originator and knows his stuff, but I am also very impressed with Mr. Cornell's ability to fine tune super-charged bikes and push it to the limit. I'm in Ohio and don't have the luxury of sending my bike to Paul in N.H. for minor problems. If I just putted around for looks I would never have any problems but I enjoy the feeling and sound of my v-max at high boost. ... Nothing like it...
Thanks Paul and We'll see you in Daytona.....
David
Real Bad Max
by Dennis Barch, Oct. '98
Hi All Maxer's
I thought for a while of what to say, so as not to repeat somebody's words. I mean countless things have been said about our beloved bike; then I thought why not pay tribute to the two great guys in V Max folklore:
Ingo Ullrich (soon to be owner of the now famous I-Max) and Paul Civitello of Mad Max Enterprise, wo is known by everyone in my area & around the world!!
First Ingo, for the great effort in keeping this site for all of us to turn to for info, laughs, & comfort on them cold winter days (at least you can pretend you are out there,by looking at all those great bikes on his web page.)
Paul Civitello of Mad Max. What can I say about this man? I don't think Ingo has enough bandwith to cover what I can say. I have been doing business with Paul for almost 8 years now, 3 blower bikes, many other mods, & no problems. The best testimony or reference you can ask for. And believe it or not - many people give others credit for his work. The problems I guess that goes with being the originator of custom monstermax's.
Thanks, thanks thank you Paul - keep it up.
Dennis
Real Bad Max
by David Healy, Sep. '98
I own a 96 Max Supercharged with the rest of the stuff to go with it. I've heard of PCW, Madmax, John Furber, and some guy in Texas who have done modifications to V-Max's and can honestly say they all do some things well. I've looked at the Dyno's of PCW Tourmaster and it made a little over 145HP and it did not impress me in looks or performance. Then I met Jon Cornell from UFO Performance Cycle. He has increased the HP of my Max to 180+ and still feels we can get some more out of it. We plan on going fuel injection with nitros in th winter. If anyone is serious about a real badmax I would highly recommend Jon Cornell. I know the others can make the HP gains or the looks like he can.
Dave from Cleveland
MAD-MAX Race Day
by John Baltera, Sep. '98
Ingo great web site !
I was suprised that the results from Mad-Max sponsored 1/4 mile drag race august 8 1998 at lebanon valley dragway in new york , put on by Ct drag racing association a national motorcycle dragracing event were not posted on your web site .
( MAD-MAX) Paul Civitello from waterbury Ct made his entry with a 1985 v-max owned by Bruce Frenkel from bronx NY who is a customer of Mad-Max ,the bike was driven by Bob Carson of Torrington Ct . Paul told me he wanted to bring the average customers v-max to the track , to show bruce what his v-max could do at the track ,paul had just finished turbocharging it . when i saw John Ganey owner of (PCW) from Schenectady New York pull in with his trailer ,with 2 v-maxes ,one a drag max wiih 10 inch slick , with many modifications & one street driven v-max with many modifications, i thought Paul (MAX-MAX) was going to have a problem if he lined up with PCW but there was no contest.the results were MAD-MAX went there #1 and he remained #1 with a 8.76 ET at 158.61 MPH what a site to see the MAD-MAX entry was running an incredible 2 seconds quicker than its closest competition , no other v-max there would line up with the MAX-MAX v-max. i enjoyed the day and can not wait till next year MAD-MAX is going to make it an annual event as soon as i find out the date i will have ingo post it . there were maxers there from all over from Canada to Colorado.
Hope to see more MAXERS there next year.
THANK YOU ;
JOHN
Rumors for a New Vmax ???
by Yiorgos K., May '98
The following is from the magazine Motorcycle Cruiser June 98 edition.
It appeared in the CRUISE NEWS "rumored revealed section": "HOW ABOUT THAT V-MAX?"
"There is a whisper that Yamaha has seen a market for a modern version of the V-Max. For almost a decade, the mighty Max has ruled the musclebike segment, quickly sending every challenger-Honda V65 Magna, Kawasaki 900 Eliminator, and Suzuki Madura-into retirement. But the V-Max is getting a bit long in the tooth. Though its engine is still a standard of longevity and performance, the chassis is losing its luster. Updated styling and slightly roomier ergonomics could give the bike new life, attracting the expanding ranks of riders who want real performance without being folded, mutilated and bent on a sportbike."
Yiorgos
88 Vmax
by Tim Gatewood, Mar. '98
First of all Thank You for such a great page dedicated to the Vmax!
I knew I wanted one of these when I saw the first one. I was in highschool (about 12 years ago), and puttering around the local bypass on an old Kawasaki kz750 I had found chained to the side of a building and bought very cheap. I thought I knew what a real motorcycle was, I later found out I didn't have a clue.
Yes the strange beast with the large scoops on the sides had shown me what a real bike was. I fell in love, felt like throwing the old kz750 in the nearest trash can, was unaware that such an animal was loose on the streets in the mid 80's. Time went by and about three years ago, I had enough cash to afford a nice bike, picked up a bike trader magazine, and started searching.
Drove a few hours south to look at an 88 "mint" vmax. I thought yeah right, but I would love to see it anyway. I couldn't believe it, yes it was mint, also it had only 8,000 miles, was garage kept, never ridden in the rain etc. The previous owner stated that he loved it, but he had a new Harley Davidson on order, and didn't have room for the Vmax?..... I was confused at this remark also. :-)
As soon as I warmed it up and opened it up, I knew it was coming home with me. And no I don't plan on bumping it out of the garage for a Harley Davidson. :-)
Tim
Best & Last
by Keith, Mar. '98
I picked up my used ( 1600 miles) 1992 Max in 1996 and here to tell you right now that this is probably my last bike I'll own for quite a while. This, in my opinion, is what biking is all about. Wind in your face, flowing with the backroads of this great country, not having to follow anyone, and having the option to never get cut off by anyone, anytime. The Vmax is the ultimate street machine and as long as you can keep your right throttle hand under control, you'll be able to afford to own one.
Long live the MAX.
Keith
Vmax
by Jesper Ankersen, Jan. '98
Dear Ingo,
thanks for your lovely site.
We are a company in Denmark manufacturing rolling roads, for cars and motorcycles. To test our rollers we just bought a 85 VMax. It has 18000 miles on the clock, and is from USA. We had some problems with the max, and maybe other owners can use our advise.
Suddenly the max was become a 3 gear max. 1, 2 and 3 gear was perfect, but 4 and 5 just disappeared. The problem was behind the clutch, the wheel selecting the gears was bend a little, and came to a stop when it retch 3 gear. New plate installed, and that problem was solved.
When we tested the bike, we very short off about 20 Hp, but the tork was ok. Vboost problem?
After switching power on, you should hear the VBOOST servo turn one round. On our bike nothing turned. The problem was found in the VBOOST computer. Instead of just replacing it we dismounted the plasticseal (hell of a job), and check all the soldering. There was a lot of bad connections. We remounted the max, and after switching on, we heard the servo !!. New test and the Hp output was perfect!!. I dont know the price fore the VBOOST computer, but it sure looks expensive.
Regards Jesper Ankersen, Dynomet Dk
If you want info on our roller system please email me,
or look at our homepage WWW.DYNOMET.DK
An addition from Nov. '98
Our Vmax has now tested about 15 roller sets, without ever been on the road. It have a place in my office "as decoration" and every time we test new new roller set, we check the oil, let the engine get warm. And then we take it to 260Km/t ! In 5 gear. After two runs we know if the rolling road has any problems. It must be the only standard vmax in the world, only driving on rollers.
Vmax
by Mike Urban, Jan. '98
Dear Mr. Ullrich,
On behalf of myself and many others, I want to thank you for your outstanding web page. We all have dreams as we go through life and one of my biggest was to own a Vmax. I was around 20 when the Vmax was first brought to my attention. There was something magical about this bike and I knew right away that I really needed to explore this machine further. Well, at this time I was attending college and it was not very pheasable to shell out 10 grand for a bike, especially with a worrying mother discouraging me all the way. So time passed and I went through phases. I can't begin to recall the number of Yamaha shops that I passed in and out of to admire "the bike". I watched the Vmax change colors over the years and I always wondered what color mine would be. Anyway, reaIity always had a harsh way of slapping me in the face as I left the showroom floor and I knew that it would be some time before the day came . I remember coming home for summer break in 92' , I couldn't take it anymore. So, I decided that I would do whatever it took to achieve the goal even if it meant selling my Jeep. One day I drove to the local Yamaha shop to find out some specifics. Everything was going fine untill the saleswoman told me about the insurance premiums for a person my age. I left the shop fairly discouraged and immediately began to brainstorm. I had it. I would take a road trip south of the border to find a temporary bride. Being married substantially dropped the insurance payment. Crazy idea, but I did consider it. But before I did anything too drastic I decided to discuss the problem with mom. Bad move! No way was she going to allow me to sell four wheels for two. Needless to say, the dream continued.
A few years passed and college was behind me. It was time to enter the real world and I had to do it without the Max. In 1997 I had began a new and exciting career. I could see dollar signs and my mouth watered at the thought of my dream coming true. I guess some would say that my priorities were really screwed up but they just didn't understand. I guess the funny part was that I had never even heard the Vmax run let alone riden one. Why did I need one so bad? Anyway, it was July 1997 and I was about to depart for japan on business and I had heard some nasty roumers that they were going to make a few changes with Mr. Max. I couldn't believe that they would change the design after 12 years of consistency. However, I was concerned so I went to the shop to get some info.. The owner told me that it would be September before he knew anything. With that being said I asked him if it would be possible to purchase a new 97' model around Sept. if I was not happy with the new 98' . He told me that it wasn't likely. You talk about a pisser. The dream was drawing near and Yamaha was trying to pull the rug out from under me. So I was off to Japan without the answers. However, I kept my chin up. Afterall, I was enroute to the country where the Vmax was forged. I thought that I might be able to get the skinny on the new model when I arriived. Well, the language barrier proved to be more of a problem than I had anticipated. No one could tell me anything and to throw salt in the wound the Japaneese pronounced the Vmax as Vmaxu. This really pissed me off. I wanted to tell them if the damn bike was intended to be called Vmaxu they would have spelled it that way on the side panels. Ah, what the hell did they know. Surprisingly, this negative experience turned positive after days of perseverance. I finally got to saddle up on the machine. Who would have ever guessed that my first experience would be in Japan. The ride was short but sweet. I was no longer a virgin. A few weeks later 3 of us went to Thailand for R@R. We had to leave Japan after 90 days due to visa purposes. We had heard that you could rent motorcycles over there pretty cheap. A friend of ours had just been there and said that he saw a Vmax for rent. I found that hard to believe. Our first day there I began inquiring about the Vmax. No one knew of one for rent so I settled for a CBR600 just to cruise around on. By the way, we were on an island in Thailand called Phuket. Anyway, I was riding back to the hotel one evening when I cought myself rubber necking to catch a glimpse of what looked like the Max. I quickly turned my bike around and chased after it. It took me 15 minutes to run the individual down. Luckily we were in town. When we stopped I asked him if it was a rental and he said affirmative. Just so happens he was flying out the next day so we set up a time to meet the following morning so I would be guaranteed to get the bike. The next day came and I signed a contract on the Vmax for 5 days at a whopping cost of 15 dollars a day with no deposit. Kind of a shady deal but I didn't complain. It was as close to heaven as I had ever been. Riding around a tropical island on the bike of my dreams. To make the deal even sweeter, it had after market exhaust that made it sound angry. It was hard to keep my balls from dragging the ground. I felt like I owned the island.
Well to make a long story longer, the day has come. I arrived back in Fort Worth on Nov. 2 from my overseas project. It was at that time that I went back to the Yamaha shop to get the final story. They had a brochure on the new 98' model. Just my luck, they took the 96' and chromed the pipes. The salesman told me that he may be able to locate a new 97' if I was interested. Sure enough, there was one still in the crate over in Dallas. We discussed the details and I told him to get the ball rolling. Two days later I came back to the shop to pick up my very own brand spanking new 1997 Vmax. It's great to be alive.
The moral of the story: No matter what your dream may be, no matter how big or small, practical or impractical, you must never give up untill it is reality. Perseverance pays off. I've logged over 700 miles on the Max now and every time I fire it up my hair grows 1/4 of an inch.
One more thing before I sign off. I have some questions about after market exhaust. If anyone could take the time to answer I would really appreciate it. First of all I don't know if I want to change the factory look. However, I do want better sound. I don't know if there are any after market products that look similiar to the factory pipes. If so, what is the brand name? Secondly, I heard that the V-boost system is programed to work off of a certain back pressure which is associated with the factory setup. I've also heard that after market pipes enable better performance. One other thing. Has anyone ever heard of a V-boost switch. I believe it is offered by Dale Walker. If so I welcome any input that you may have. I've enclosed a picture of the Silver Bullet.
Thanks again.
Mike Urban Ft. Worth, TX.
Vmax
by Mahesh, Dez. '97
Hey MAXers ,
My name is Mahesh and I eventually got off my rocket. I have had FZR'S , Honda Interceptor and all them put together couldnt replace my MAX. Me and my brother like machines - Have the same car Z24 with the V6 and the fun stuff it was our dreem to buy the same bikes too. Back then it was to get the VFR 750 . He the black and me the red ( GOT TO BE ) . Then came the day I ran across a MAX, LLLLL o ve at first sight . I had to have this machine Just the looks - Then i hadnt ridden one and didnt know anyone who had one. Did some reading on it and checking out about it. That was the one and it had to be red - 85/ 86 /89 / 95 . I was destined to ride a Max so I found a 95 with 2200 mi on it. it was mine now - Paul went ahead and got a 90 VFR ( Red ohh sorry ) haven't got to ride together with our new bikes.
This summer we went camping out to Willmar Mn had a great ride with others in trucks / a Q45 that has a 4.5 V 8 / Night hawk / and a couple others. The jist being that I had a max and was kicking butt not being disrespectful to cops but I had to check it out - We were doing 135+ with not much trouble accelerating at all -
The weekend was over and 4 days later my friend who Received a letter from the police dept . Saying that they had sighted 2 bikes one 30 mi over speed limit and other 50 over ( was Me ) they had evidently got his plate numbers and I was gone.Trust me if a had seen cop lights I swear I would have stopped . But later when he asked the police dept they said we wouldnt chase you at that speed b cuz of the danger of high speed crashes - I agreed to pay half his fines if he wouldnt give my name to them . Say " was some one who was on the same road ,how would /i know ?" . It worked no noe's looking for me - . Since then i give him hell about getting a Max so the cops wouldnt be able to get his plate numbers . Hey I hope there are no informants here are they ?
My tribute to Mr KENTATO YAMAMOTO thank's for this machine and to all maxer's safe riding .
My thanx to Ingo for his dedication for the upkeep of this page .
YAMVMX12@aol.com
Kids, Wife and Money = Vmax
by Adrian Jones, Nov. '97
Vmax, such an alluring word in itself, I just have to have one.
It started about Four years ago when my neighbour showed me his Max, parked in the garage at the start of the summer (seat out, battery on floor, charger in hand. ring any bells ?).I looked at my sparking new GXR750WN - dynojet, D&D (stupidly loud) etc etc and thought long and hard about my choice (even back then). In my youth, I had dreamed about owing an American car, a Transam, 455 SD. The Super Duty bit was the bit that made me keen, MUSCLE CAR.... I need one. Vmax had that same allure, but didnt need me to get shares in a petrol station.
Anyway, after one year of following my friend's VMax up the straight and toasting it on the bends. Wife, Kids and a new house beckoned.... no more bike. The pain of the loss would fade (she told me), but No it just gets worse. But no dreams about the GSXR, no waking up in cold sweat gripping my kneecaps. I dreamed of straight bars, long arms and brut force.
Another two years pass and the Vmax grows older with me, blacker, more stylised and a tad more power (since 96 in the UK anyway). Money once again raises it's head, this time in my favourDecorate, furniture, school fees, the mortgage.... or a Vmax... Easy call..... BOTH !.
So after three years, I'm now man of substance, no longer a spotty engineer zipping in and out of anything that's stationary. I'm now a Director with nothing better to do than surfing the web looking for drugs to support my habit.
Now I find Ingo's a dealer........ the mind races, NOS, Stage 7, bars, Chain.....yellow (always liked the colour) '97 import, (whoops no can do... black then) NO, get an old one, crashed........ send it away to the Vmax house and let them do the mods..
Which one, 95, 97, 94, 97, 96, 90............. Uhh, which one is what? What did they change between each model? Which one does have V-Boost, in which country..........This is great what a high !
BUT HELP is needed before cash is parted with, aged Vmax sage with modified stead must be able to supply me with "something for the weekend" 6.000 £ should do it!. No, please dont tell me about your NOS, Twin turbo, street legal for 8000 £. Oh, alright then, I'll have it....... but it must be yellow
Adrian Jones
P.S > what a superb site, layout, content and real love of the Max. Looking forward to the day I get MY photo's scanned in.
Rio de Janeiro
by Sebastian Laver, Aug. '97
I have visited your home page for several months always wondering when would I have the opportunity to ride ( or better still own ) a Vmax. At last the time has arrived last week I sold my XT 600 Yamaha and bought a 1992 Vmax with 11690 miles. Today is exactly one week after my purchase and I have already logged just over 500 miles without leaving the city I live = Rio de Janeiro. The roads are badly maintained and I was supprised ( compared to my past bike ) how the Vmax's suspension is so such harder. I have not gone very fast ( 160 Kmph ) but that was arealdy a lot of fun and excitment.
The back tyre is ready to be changed and from what I undrstand you suggest using Bridgestone compared to Dunlop, is that correct ? I use my bike to goto work and therfore have found myself in some trafic jams and noticed that the temperature gauge goes up quite fast, is that normal ? ( after all it is a BIG engine ).
As you see I have several doubts but must admit that althought it cost me big buck to buy the big I feel that it has been by far the best purchase I have done in years !!!
Please keep your fantastic work up.
Yours,
Sebastian
Mr Max - of course
by Flahaven@aol.com, Aug. '97
I have been a fan of the V-Max for years but have never learned how to ride. I have got to quite saying one day.....I have a V-Max that lives on my block, I take walks just to see it.
Great site, I will visit often. Good luck finding a sponsor for your own ride. Will keep you in mind when I win the Fla lotto :D
Flahaven@aol.com
Born again Vmax owner
by Ian Willison, Jul. '97
After years of running all sorts of fast motorbikes, from GPZ's to GSXR's, I got cheesed of with the lack of personality and the similar appearance of all the bikes on the market. I was nearly tempted to put my hands in my pocket and buy a Harley. Thank god i didn't (driving tractors should be left to farmers, no offence ) I happened to hear about this manic bike that everyone talked about with reverence and respect, yet no one i knew owned one. It took me two years to actually see one in the flesh, that was it a VMAX, love at first sight, i had to have one. I bought a 1989 vmax in black, dynojet 7, hindle, 4 pots, all with it, i didnt even test drive it, i just knew i was meant to own one. And was i right, 6 months later i still get a red mist creeping over my eyes as i cruise around either looking for some superbike to smoke at traffic lights, or some nice twisty B roads to lean into. no they dont handle like a 97 crotch rocket but then they do have character and a grin factor of ten.
Ian Willison
Vmax for sale
by Michael Butters, Jul. '97
please remove my add for the vmax for sale. my ad is the one in .....
i did sell the bike and would like to thank you so much for this little place in the world were true, true vmax fans can come and have a good time and hang out. with out this web site i would not know near as much about max as i do now. whoever thought of this idea should get a years supply of chinese food. and the man responsible for creating max should get the noble peace prize for motorcycle science. maybe one day the die hard harly fans the gutsy suzuki people, the ever present honda freaks and the always present kawasaki population will one day wake up out of their comas and understand the THE YAMAHA V-MAX IS THE WORLDS BEST BUILT MOTORCYCLE IN THE WORLD. BAR NONE.
what we need from your is to fill this web page with all the tips tech help and information you can so we can educate the world about max. thank you for your web site thank you for your time. most of all thanx for believing in the world's greatest two wheeled machine, the Vmax
michael butters, ks
owner of a 1992 vmax with competition Hindle and carbon fiber canister and the Factory Pro Kit
Michael - Unfortunately "No email"
3 Day Trip
by John Robinson, Jul. '97
Last weekend June 20th thru the 23rd was my annual ride with my son. I was on my 86 Max and he was on his 92 TDM 850. Our goal was to travel from Indiana to North Carolina to a place called Deals Gap. This is a motorcycle only campground and motel south of Knoxville. TN. One of the attractions to this particular sight is the last 11 miles (17.7KM) has 318 curves in it.
We arrived mid afternoon on saturday just as a rain storm hit us at the beginning of the curves. This rain had all the good stuff lighting, tree limbs across the road, and driving blinding rain. On Sunday we went exploring into Georgia to a place called Suches. Again another campground for motorcyclist. On our return to Deals Gap we then went through the 318 curves to go to town for dinner and returned in early evening. On Monday we returned home.
The total trip for me was 1223 miles (1968KM). my avg. MPG was 41.03 at an average cost of $1.42/ gallon. The only casualties were the front and rear tire which needed replaced on my return home.
I can only say that if any of you are wanting to go touring on your Max get on it and go. This is one of the most enjoyable and dependable bikes on the road. Three times I caught myself 2000 RPM over rev limit without any damage to the engine. Remember there are so many roads and so little time.
Safe riding
John Robinson
Vmax - My new love !
by Brad Churchill, May '97
Just one short month ago I bought a 1985 Vmax on impulse. It was in good shape and only had 20,000K on it. I was previously a V65 Magna bigot and thought hey, these can't be that much different. Boy did I get a rude awakening! I rode the bike out of the shop and was immediately taken aback by the sheer power this bike had - right from the bottom line. I immediately had to try out the high end, so I stopped for gas and headed out on the highway.
Well what a treat! At 180kph the wind was pushing me so hard that I kept on pulling back on the throttle. It was a viscous circle - more throttle, more wind, more throttle, more wind more throttle. I thought to myself "will this thing ever top out?" I actually backed down before the bike did (hang my head in shame) at 255kph.
I never realized the reputation these bikes had in the motorcycling community until the last month. When I had my V65 people on the Ninjas, VFR's, and GPZ's used to try and race me all the time. Now when I pull up to another bike at an intersection, they just look at me and look away. I even had a guy in a Mercedes SL500 convertible pull up beside me the other day and comment how nice the bike was. And here he is in a $100,000.00 car!
Well I am convinced. So much so that today I went back to the shop and bought the last 1997 model they had in the show room. On Monday June 2, 1997 I will realize a dream - to ride a brand new model of the hottest thing on two wheels out of the show room. Then on July 15 I will realize yet another dream - to ride that brand new motorcycle down the Oregon and California Coastline.
Wave at the black blur when it goes by!
Regards,
Brad Churchill, Calgary, Canada
Second Vmax
by George Pepper, Apr. '97
I'm on my second Vmax, a 90. I like the Vmax because it rides nice, is very durable, looks good, and goes when I hit the gas. But I've been riding one Vmax or another for 10 years. I'm ashamed to say I was thinking of getting a different bike just for a change of pace, but then I found your web-site. Thanks for renewing my love for the Vmax!
Now I'm thinking I'd like to customize it a bit. There are so many great looking bikes here. But I don't know where to find all the goodies. I'd like to replace the tail, maybe small windshield. Style-K, Over Racing Products.... can anyone help find companies that have Vmax stuff?
Regards,
George Pepper
Fastest Vmax
by Steve Burnett, Dez. '96
I recently visited your Web Site, and saw "Mad Max" VMax picture with a statement claiming this bike holds the world record in the quarter mile. I know I have been silent for quite some time hearing about this record, but I think I need to question this record. Has anybody made a run faster than 8.428 sec in .25 mile @ 156.63 mph. This number was run on June 19,1994 at the high altitude of Bandimere Speedway in Denver Colorado by yours truly.
I must say that Paul's number is very impressive for running his number with a 18" wheel with a basically stock looking VMax, and do not want to take that away from Paul. My VMax...well the only thing really left to claim it is a VMax is the motor. I build my own streeeetched out chrome-moly frame, body works, and turbo charged. The 8.428 run was accomplished with a stock motor with the following modifications: chain drive, ignition, intake system, alternator/water pump removal, and clutch. The cams, bore, etc is all stock. I have tickets, contacts, pictures for proof.
Keep up with the great Web Site!
"VMaxed" Steve
Sidecarists Sought
by Gary Francis, Dez. '96
I'm Gary Francis, an ex sidecar racer, who is currently the editor of "The Third Wheel". The newsletter of the Sidecar Racing Club of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Having raced street Sidecars for a few years, and now carrying out the editing role for the SCRCV in Melbourne, I'm now keen to begin uniting the world of Sidecarists to help improve the sport at all levels. To this end, I need contact details for anyone racing, street, Gp, grass track, speedway, ice or Trial sidecars, regardless of their location on the globe. If you know of anyone racing the same and have a couple of minutes to spare, could you please either forward this request to them, or supply back to me, their email and or contact details. I'm real happy to receive letters and or faxes to the address included if they don't have email capabilities. I am sending this letter out to the wider Internet community, but any assistance you could offer would be gratefully received.
Please feel free to copy this request and place it onto "local" Usenet groups or mailing lists in your area, or print it out for race days and club meetings in your area. If you have any race programs or information sheets that have any information about sidecars, please fax or post them through. Likewise any club address information as well.
Thanks in advance, for any assistance.
Gary Francis
My contact details are:
P. O. Box 3021, Broadmeadows 3049, Melbourne, Australia. Fax : 61 3 9301 1119
A WEEKEND IN FALL
by John C. Robinson, Oct. '96
I recently bought a 1986 VMax because I believed it would be a great touring bike. Last weekend I outfitted my bike with Chase Harper soft luggage and took off for a 600 mile weekend ride to explore fall colors and twisty roads. The temperature at time of departure was 35F, 2C What a wonderful weekend I had. Some might find it interesting that I averaged 40+ Miles Per Gallon for the weekend. For those who think I may have been running about 40 MPH all weekend just let me say I spent some time at 115MPH, 185 KPH.
I hope to find some interesting articles on this page.
VMAX THOUGHTS
by Norbert Wank, Aug.'96
After weeks of in depth discussions through this fantastic web page and the great support found by other Max enthusiasts I finally got it on August 16th 1996: a 95 Vmax with zero miles - well - not anymore zero miles...
Here some considerations for all you guys, that stand in front of a similar decision as I did for months: Max or Monster (Ducati)? Two fascinating and completely different bikes. Before I made my decision, I fortunately had the great pleasure of riding a Duck and a Max. Actually this really did not make the decision easier. But when you are about to shell out some of those (not yet) hard earned bucks, you better look closely. If you live on Hawaii or are right next to mountains, where cornering is quite important to have fun, the Duck will be my first choice - in spite of higher maintenance cost and shorter maintenance intervals: i.e. valve adjustments: 6,000 miles vs. 26,600 miles. Do you have experience with the Desmodromic valve train? Well - if you intend to do it yourself - you better study really carefully or consult someone who did it - at least for the first time. i.e. chain adjustment and lube - nothing spectacular, but when you want to ride the (was it a 520 O-ring?) chain for long miles, I really see the importance of not to neglect this power absorbing element. O.K. there is this magic word of "shaft effect" an back torque - the same thing that makes your rear-wheel car's tail go down during HARD acceleration (and vice versa). Are you on the race track, where it really can affect your steering during hard cornering? Ah - that's where I read about the 'bad handling' of the Max - granted, that it needs some umpf to go slow through switchbacks or sharp turns (not to mention to push - but, that shall not be an issue when you supposed to RIDE), but for "normal - say - moderately safe" riding, I feel just fine about it. Again: are comparing it to a race bike? Then you might look at the wrong bike. On the almost endless list of accessories available, however, it may make a dragster quite nicely (see Ingo's pictures). Supercharger, turbo, inverted forks, chain drive - Back to the average rider (attraction is good, but not from the lawful part of this society - namely cops): Since I do a lot of weekend trips, and this is with my significant other, I am sure she'll kick my but after only two hours of Duck riding (as a passenger) - even a Corbin seat will not replace the unavailability of a back rest for a Monster. Once you start piling up your cash and get serious, you will soon enough discover that it will take twice the dollars to insure the Monster than the Max - more than a Grand a year for full coverage on a cycle just pushes my limits.
And last but not least: there is this great group of people world wide that all loves the Max. I am sure there will always be someone to help out on a tricky question - out here on cyberspace! (NECESSARY) ACCESSORIES Okay - you made the decision to buy a Max - congratulation - as well when you already have one :-)
One tiny advice for all, that are not perfect and have a spare one-hundred dollar note: get the engine guards. I mean: get them installed before you jump on it and go. Although there will be a large number of riders who never tipped a bike - there will be an equal amount of people who did (I share the latter ones). And Murphy's law says: the chance of tipping a bike over is exponential to the price you bought it for. The chances quadruple if you do NOT have engine guards! Well - if it happens, it is likely to happen during your first week of fun - so do not decrease your fun-factor by adding unnecessary scratches to the bike that is owned by your bank! So keep your shiny side up, but remember: smoking (tires) can be dangerous to your health ;-)
Comments invited.
Bert
No more Words to say
by Big Bold John, Feb.'97
'Trust is good, VMAX is better'
Big Bold John, Netherlands
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