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VMAX: The Most Audacious Motorcycle Ever

bart

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This is the story of Yamaha's craziest motorcycle ever, the V4 muscle cruiser that made over 140 horsepower at its release... in 1985

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20 Comments

@bartmotorcycle Creator 2 days ago Pinned

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@nicevmax 1 day ago (edited)

V Boost, 4 cylinders, four intakes, four carburetors one for each cylinder. There is a butterfly valve in the intake that opens at 6000 RPM allowing each cylinder to breathe through two carburetors instead of one. I have owned two first gen V Max, the most fun motorcycle I have ever owned.
First gen vmax ended in 2007, new vmax appeared in 2009. Just my opinion but I think the first gen V Max looks better than the new one.
Enjoy your videos, thanks for this look at the VMAX.

@dodgedaytona7435 1 day ago (edited)

In 1985 a carbureted 305ci. Camaro made 155 hp, the high output carbureted one made 190. And the top of the line z28 with tpi made 215 hp. The vmax at the time was truly insane.

@daveallen8824 1 day ago

I remember when these came out, a neighbor bought one. He knew I rode, was a good friend, and he let me ride it. I had been riding for quite a few years at this point, but this was the first motorcycle that actually frightened me. When I cranked on the throttle, it pulled SO HARD, and never let up. I remember seeing the speedo sweep past 100, like any other bike spun past the 40 mph mark - WHOOF!!! Altogether awesome - and terrifying at the same time.

@billseward8176 1 day ago

I've got an '85. Bought it new. It's got 136,000 miles on it, a keeper if there ever was one. (Totally reliable, never been into the engine)

@deanwaring6100 1 day ago

God bless Yamaha for making this bike 😊

@AlfOfAllTrades 1 day ago (edited)

I had wanted a Vmax since it was launched. I was 14 at the time. I finally got a 1999 Vmax in 2006. I still have it. I have had other motorbikes as well, but I am never selling my Vmax. I am 56, and I still love this thing after all these years, with all its' supposed faults and shortcomings. It suits me so, so well. Also "Vmax" is also used when referring to top speed.

@BiffBallbag 6 hours ago

My first full street bike was a 91 Vmax, when I was 19. I survived it, along with an out of control drug and alcohol problem. Im 48 now, sober since I was 21.....and am now on my third Vmax, currently a 2018. If Yamaha ever makes another one, I'll buy it immediately. At least my Vmax problem is slightly manageable, and has only put me in jail once.

@henrymorgan3982 1 day ago

The best times for motorcycles and living! Great video!

@CardinalLover-c7f 1 day ago

I bought the 1985 version and it came with Dunlop Tires and the quickest and fastest bike I ever owned! I weighed 126lbs. and could ride the wheels off that bike! Great memories rekindled here in this video! Thank You!

@BlankChaz 1 day ago

And it got to be co-star in a Nick Cage movie.

@kawikakilawana7250 1 day ago

FINALLYYYYYYYY. Been waiting for something on the Vmax! Got an '88 and just absolutely love it!

@125southernnh2 4 hours ago

You think riding hurts in your 30's, the pain you'll endure in your mid to late 60's will test your love for riding.

@316hooligan 1 day ago

I've owned over a dozen bikes and the 86 V-Max I had for about a year is one of the only ones I really want back. Thing terrified me often but put a huge smile on your face while melting the tire off getting on the highway.

@robm4466 1 day ago

I remember the year the V-Max was introduced, I was a young rider with a Seca 650. Just the thought of the V-Max scared me to death. 40 years, 2 dozen bikes and a thousand trips down the dragstrip later, I'd give my left nut for an original V-Max.

@RS-vk7op 1 day ago

I am surprised that the Yamaha XS1100 Special wasn’t mentioned much. A fantastic bike. Worthy of a video, I think.

@Splintor13 6 hours ago

Always wanted one. Best description I ever saw, "The Chevy SS 454 Chevelle on two wheels"

@MUTDOGOU812 1 day ago

Owned an 86...the wildest fun ive ever had on a cruiser...hands down.😂

@evelcustom9864 1 day ago

It wasn’t until seeing the thumbnail for your video just now that I realized that the V-Max looks like a modern version of the Brough Superior.

@grindingbricks 15 hours ago

In 1997 my older cousin bought a VMax brand new from the showroom floor, I was 14 years old, I had a 1987 XS400 that I was using as a dirt tracker in the long and endless gravel roads of our village. When he showed up with that bike, I was amazed by it, he let me have a ride on it.... my goodness... that thing was 4 times my old crusty XS400. We have a wooden bridge crossing the river in the middle of village, we both had our turns smoking the entire 400 feet long of that bridge! Damn it was good!