Any Vmax owners here?

[SouthPaw]

Anyone here ride one of those sweet Gen 1 VMAX's? I'd like to hear what you think about them. I'm not quite ready to make the jump to a full blown cruiser, but the VMAX has always appealed to me.

[wctriumph]

The Yamaha V-Max is a pretty nice power cruiser, proper tuning and they will get right up and dance. Old tech but if taken care of they are a pretty solid ride. I always liked them.

[bellavite1]

Then there is the HD Fat Bob...

[ruthabagah]

Beautiful bike, reasonably reliable and a blast to drive in straight line. Not a road carver, and it was heavy to move around. This was the third bike i ever owned and i miss it dearly.

[fitz19d]

Just get an H2 with me next year.

[SouthPaw]

Just get an H2 with me next year.

Ha! I don't think I have ever bought a bike for over $6K because I am too cheap. Those are a sweet machine but dear lord are they pricey.

I have owned 15+ motorcycles and they have all been sport bikes. Earlier in the year I picked up an FZ09 to sort of fit the hybrid category as a sport/cruiser bike and it has served well. I do like the FZ a lot but with adding an R1 to my garage two weeks ago, I think it would be nice to have a full blown cruiser. The VMAX have always appealed to me for their aggressive look, sound and power; all at a very reasonable price. Most of my friends have all moved away from sport bikes but at heart, that's where I feel at home. I know some years of them had bad second gear problems but I think they were addressed in the early 2000's? I found a couple local to me that I want to check out since I have never even planted my ass on one.

[Great-Kazoo]

Ha! I don't think I have ever bought a bike for over $6K because I am too cheap. Those are a sweet machine but dear lord are they pricey.

I have owned 15+ motorcycles and they have all been sport bikes. Earlier in the year I picked up an FZ09 to sort of fit the hybrid category as a sport/cruiser bike and it has served well. I do like the FZ a lot but with adding an R1 to my garage two weeks ago, I think it would be nice to have a full blown cruiser. The VMAX have always appealed to me for their aggressive look, sound and power; all at a very reasonable price. Most of my friends have all moved away from sport bikes but at heart, that's where I feel at home. I know some years of them had bad second gear problems but I think they were addressed in the early 2000's? I found a couple local to me that I want to check out since I have never even planted my ass on one.

If you decide to buy 1, don't look at it as a potential resale item. They take a while to sell as it's a different riding crowd.

[ray1970]

Never owned one but rode my buddy’s back in the early 90’s. I remember it was pretty fast as long as you just wanted to go straight. It was heavy and I didn’t care for the way it handled curves. I only had it up to around 150 ish before I chickened out and slowed down. Didn’t really do anything to impress me enough that I’d ever want to own one.

I don’t have numbers or facts to back anything up but I’d be surprised if a current 600CC sport bike didn’t have better acceleration if for no other reason than power to weight ratio.

To each their own though. It’s not my thing but I if it fits what you’re looking for then go for it.

[SouthPaw]

If you decide to buy 1, don't look at it as a potential resale item. They take a while to sell as it's a different riding crowd.

That's kind of what I am seeing as well. They aren't real big movers which actually surprised me. The local dealer here is trying to tell me to hurry and get there since people are pouring in over it and its been for sale for 15+ days.

Never owned one but rode my buddy’s back in the early 90’s. I remember it was pretty fast as long as you just wanted to go straight. It was heavy and I didn’t care for the way it handled curves. I only had it up to around 150 ish before I chickened out and slowed down. Didn’t really do anything to impress me enough that I’d ever want to own one.

I don’t have numbers or facts to back anything up but I’d be surprised if a current 600CC sport bike didn’t have better acceleration if for no other reason than power to weight ratio.

To each their own though. It’s not my thing but I if it fits what you’re looking for then go for it.

I have no doubt in my mind a modern 600cc buzz rocket will blow it out of the water in most any aspect except comfort. Hell, a new 600 is not that much 'slower' than a 1000 these days. Have any suggestions for a similar bike? Cruisers are a whole new ball park for me and I have only ridden a handful here in there. A buddies VROD (loved it), Suzuki Boulevard, and some little 800 suzuki my bro had for a little while is all I have under my belt.

[TFOGGER]

Not an owner, but worked on many over the years. The engine steals the show. Watch for 2nd gear issues, as many of them have damaged engagement dogs and shift forks from botched clutchless upshift attempts. Frame and fork braces improve the handling immensely. The stock rear shocks are marginal. Brakes and forks received a major upgrade on the 93-07 models. Respond well to exhaust and carb mods.