The Yamaha VMAX – A Motorcycle Like No Other

If you have ever seen a Yamaha VMAX you will know that it is a unique motorcycle. For starters, it is menacing in its matte black splendour and bold lines. Second, in line, it sports a big enough engine to wake up the entire block. Finally, it draws a little of every line of Yamaha’s long motorcycle-building heritage. This bike is surely not for the faint of heart but for the adrenaline seekers in the world. That being said I am a very lucky man who got to ride it before and after the big 2008 makeover and can say a thing or two about it. I decided to write this article to encourage those who haven’t yet to try this amazing bike. Furthermore, I am going to tell you about some accessories I came across recently and want to urge you to try out as well.

Are you ready to feel the power of a 1700cc engine pushing between your legs at full speed? Let’s go straight to it!

Yamaha VMAX, a little history

Although it looks menacing and very modern, the original Yamaha VMAX (called V-Max back then) goes back a long way. It actually goes back long enough to have met a long-haired, MötleyCrüe fan version of me. The year was 1985 and Mad Max had just haunted us in `79, ´81 and ´85. Besides wanting to be Mel Gibson, we wanted to ride amazing bikes like the movie ones. This amazing Yamaha just came out in perfect timing. I remember seeing it for the first time on the streets and being amazed, dropping my jaw in awe. It was a chopper, but bigger, more menacing, more modern, bolder; completely outrageous. We were all marvelled by it.

Time went by and I eventually got to fulfil my teenage dream and owned a beautiful ´98 Bordeaux one. It wasn´t quite what I imagined it would be. The way it handled corners and the overall manoeuvring wasn´t exactly a dream, to be honest. It still had a hugely powerful engine pushing forward with more torque than I had ever experienced. I mean, most motorcycles boasting 1200cc are menacing and awesome. This one had more push I ever imagined but somehow couldn´t handle that power the way it should. I ended up selling it.

All of that changed after the huge 2008 makeover. Now if you sit on a Yamaha VMAX you get a huge engine 500cc bigger than before and state of the art brakes. It is a safer, more modern but just an adrenaline-filled ride that will get your heart jumping up and down. I rode the 2019 model for the review and boy was I impressed by it! I don´t mean to be a spoiler, but it was an amazing experience.

Yamaha VMAX 2019 and 2020

The Yamaha VMAX 2019 and the Yamaha VMAX 2020 don´t have any differences in the papers. The main change for this motorcycle came in its 2008 revamp. In fact, that big change was going from the Yamaha VMAX 1200 to the Yamaha VMAX 1700. That extra 500cc in such a powerful bike translates into an even higher torque. Believe me, if they would come up with a version of this bike that featured a seatbelt, I wouldn´t be amazed.

What once was a dual analogue display turned now into an analogue + digital combo. As you might know, the fuel tank for the Yamaha VMAX is not in front of, but underneath you. In view of this, the company used the “fuel tank” spot for the digital controls.

The same amazing menacing looks it always had are still present. The beefy Bridgestone rear wheel really gives you the impression of riding a huge bike. The 4-V engine boasts almost 200 horsepower that you can feel right from the start. Although there are 12 calliper pistons of Brembo braking quality between both wheels, you still have to respect that throttle and power. This is by no means a beginner’s bike, but all the opposite, an experienced-rider one. The ABS technology is definitely something that a bike this size needs and benefits from.

Yamaha VMAX – The huge makeover of 2008

The huge makeover of 2008 gave it also an all-aluminium frame and massive front forks. Together with a lower gravity centre achieved with the fuel tank under the seat makes manoeuvring better than ever. It is not easy to contain that much power when you are taking a curve going up a hill. In fact, I felt much safer on the Yamaha VMAX 2019 than in many other smaller bikes. The Yamaha VMAX is now more menacing in the looks than it is in reality.

Another thing that contributes to the fact that the Yamaha VMAX 2019 (and 2020) is a smooth ride is the YCC-T technology. Both, engine and throttle work in harmony to create a smoother feeling. Also, the YCC-I shortens the length of the intake once you hit the high RPM zone. This brings the powerband sooner and translates into more oomph at hand.

Finally, the slipper-clutch technology proves to be very helpful. When you do down-gear shifting to make smooth transitions on the open road, it results in a safer experience. The driveshaft sending power to the rear wheel is great to control the overwhelming power of the engine. I think that the choice of going for a 5-gear box by Yamaha still proves to be a good idea.

Do you want to know how this motorcycle feels? Let´s go to my personal test.

Yamaha VMAX review

Getting a phone call inviting me to test a Yamaha VMAX took me back 20 or 30 years in time. Since those amazing Mad Max years that I didn´t feel the goosebumps sitting on a bike. First, I took my leather jacket from the wardrobe and put it on. I had a date with a powerful brunette; even more so than Tina Turner´s Mad Max character.

I arrived at the spot with my helmet, gloves and leather jacket ready for an amazing experience. Let me begin by saying that I was not mistaken at all. At first glance, the colour that Yamaha named “Matte Raven Black” is perfect. The very few chromed parts really stand out and are great. I love the bodywork and how Yamaha placed the four exhausts two on each side. It feels like you are riding a machine from the future and from the past at the same time. The seat is covered with black leather and as soon as you sit on it, you feel like home.

First of all, the lines of the Yamaha VMAX are clearly a mix. On the one hand, it is a sports bike with the front light, the stylish soft curves and aluminium frame. Second, the riding position is very aggressive, like a full-on chopper. Although aggressive, it is really comfortable as you would expect from a tourer. Finally, the tires’ choice reminds you of the size of a machine you are about to go on.

Starting it was quite an experience

The low rumble was a trip to a beautiful past. The sun was high, it was a chilly autumn afternoon and the road was waiting. In view of the heavy traffic ahead, I decided I would take this huge bike for a city spin. The rush hour seemed endless but I found out that the throttle that made this bike famous was still there. In fact, that extra 500cc make you go from one traffic light to the next in a heartbeat. Although it is a big bike, it has the energy of a teenager. You can almost feel as if it was about to lose you in the attempt of going forward. I don´t know many bikes this size that can do that; perhaps the closer is the Ducati Diavel at 1200cc.

Yamaha VMAX – a large and powerful bike

Going back to this amazing ride, swerving cars while on the highway was very easy. Although it is a large and powerful bike, it is quite light (or at least that´s how it feels). The five gears in the gearbox are more than enough to tame the beast of an engine between your legs. In fact, it feels really smooth going up as well as going down on your gearbox. The 12 callipers of the Brembo brakes work wonderfully well and give you a sense of safety that the Yamaha VMAX didn´t have before.

On one hand, I was glad that Yamaha turned this bike into such a safe ride. On the other hand, I missed the adrenaline touch of being a wilder motorcycle as it was. What I surely didn´t miss was the manoeuvrability. The extended massive forks make this ride such a great big motorcycle in that category that you feel you can go for hours. That is a feeling that you get often with the Yamaha VMAX, that it is a mix of different styles remaining muscular and powerful.

Yamaha VMAX 2020 specs

Yamaha VMAX 2019 specs and Yamaha VMAX 2020 specs have no difference among them.

Engine

• Engine Type – 102-cubic-inch (1679cc) liquid-cooled 65° V-four, DOHC; 16 valves
• Bore x Stroke – 90.0mm x 66.0mm
• Compression Ratio – 11.3:1
• Fuel Delivery – Fuel Injection with YCC-T and YCC-I
• Ignition – TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
• Transmission – 5-speed, multi-plate slipper clutch
• Final Drive – Shaft

Chassis

• Front Suspension – 52mm telescopic cartridge fork w/oxidized titanium coating. Fully adjustable preload, compression, and rebound; 4.7 in travel
• Rear Suspension – Single shock w/remote reservoir and remote adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound; 4.3 in travel
• Front Brakes – Dual 320mm wave-type discs; radial-mount 6-piston callipers, Brembo radial-pump master cylinder
• Rear Brakes – 298mm wave-type disc, single-piston calliper, and Brembo master cylinder
• Front Tires – 120/70R18
• Rear Tires- 200/50R18

Dimensions

• LxWxH – 94.3 x 32.3 x 46.9inches
• Seat Height – 30.5inches
• Wheelbase – 66.9 inches
• Fuel Capacity – 4.0 gallons
• Fuel Economy – 27 miles per gallon
• Wet Weight – 683lb / CA model 686lb

Yamaha VMAX verdict

The Yamaha VMAX is, by now, a legend in the world of motorcycle lovers. Those of us who grew a little more white hair know what it meant upon release in 1985. In the same vein, we can appreciate the long way it came in terms of brakes, manoeuvrability and overall safety. Being on such a powerful bike with that much torque intimidates anyone. The 12 pistons of Brembo brakes do change things and make it safer.

Happy riding!