Yamaha V-Max -The Legend Arrives!

The Yamaha V-Max?s prodigious amount of power came from a 1200cc V-four with 4 valves per cylinder. The engine was based on a power plant from the company's Venture touring bike but with numerous modifications. Among the tweaks was a variable intake system that opened an extra set of butterflies as rpm increased, allowing great low-end torque along with 145 peak horsepower.

The V-max was fast and violent. The bike had ?Hooliganism? stamped on it from front to rear. The fuel tank was located under the seat while the slim sleek tank shaped object was actually only a cover for the electronics. The huge aluminum scoops beneath the pseudo tank looked like Ram-Air ducts but actually hid the horns. A lone speedometer sat atop the handlebars, with a tachometer, water temperature gauge, and warning lights situated in a tank-mounted instrument panel.

With a distinctive design, rebellious attitude and raw power the bike stamped its authority as a definitive cult bike and became an instant Legend. Yamaha sold around 100,000 units during the bikes production run spanning over two decades. There were minor upgrades over the years but for the most part it was left largely unchanged-including the less than notable handling.

Come 2008 Star Motorcycles, Yamaha?s cruiser division through which the bike was being sold launched a re-invented 2009 V-Max with the latest technology and design while also keeping with the iconic image of the original model.
With a huge 1679cc V4 motor packed in a newly designed cast aluminum frame, the reborn bad boy is not for the weak at heart or wrist. To keep the bike compact the redesigned engine uses both chain and gear driven camshafts. Yamaha's Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) sport bike technology for increased mid-range and high-end power has also made its way into this all new bruiser of a motorcycle. A slipper clutch helps control the claimed 200PS and 166.8 Nm of torque. To put that kind of mind numbing power on the road Yamaha have now have a redesigned chassis that uses the engine as a stressed member of the frame.

Transmitting power at the rear is a 5 speed gearbox with the inclusion of a slipper clutch smoothening out downshifts. The power train is still shaft driven with a 4-1-2-4 exhaust system with slick titanium canisters. The front end now consists of a 52mm telescopic cartridge fork with oxidized titanium coating. The top triple clamp is cast aluminum and the bottom triple clamp is forged.

With the kind of power the bike churns out the anchors required to haul this mammoth down need to be impressive as well and Yamaha have not disappointed. Stopping power consists of dual 320mm wave-type front discs. This includes a Brembo radial pump master cylinder and a radial mount Sumitomo 6-piston front brake calipers. To top it all the V-Max comes equipped with ABS adding to the already bespoke setup.

Keeping with the cruiser trend the V-Max has a round dial speedo, tach and indicator lights mounted on the handlebars. But mounted on the tank is a virtual onboard computer. Dubbed the organic electro luminescence multifunction display, it's got staple functions like an odometer, tripmeter, clock, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, gear position, running fuel consumption, intake air temperature and throttle opening, as well as a stopwatch with a countdown function.

With V-Max?s already iconic status the world over Yamaha is finally getting this bruiser of a bike on Indian shores adding to its already envious line up consisting of the R1 and the MT-01.The V-Max is the kind of bike which makes you forget to breathe momentarily when you see it. So it?s not too difficult to fathom why this hooligan is finally here to literally bully the other so-called muscle bikes out of contention.