Web-assisted early look at the 2009 V-Max
Click above for more early shots of the 2009 V-Max
Since the very first Yamaha V-Max was introduced way back in 1984, the motorcycle scene has seen countless changes. The V-Max, though, has remained steadfast in its ways, surviving right on through the break off of Star Motorcycles from its Yamaha parent. A look at Star Motorcycle's current website shows a V-Max from 2007 that is almost exactly the same as the first edition was all those years ago. That will soon change. Although the official unveiling of the machine that started the muscle-bike category is still a week or so away, the internet has struck out with a few early shots of the new 2009 Max. Early specifications point to around 210 horsepower from a new 1800cc V-Four engine, which ought to have no problem establishing Mr. Max as the new quarter mile king. Just how quick will the new V-Max be? We, along with just about everybody else, predict a trip down the 1320 to take a little over nine seconds. Yeah, it'll be the new bike to be seen on.
Gallery: 2009 Yamaha V-Max early shots
[Source: MotoRevue via The Kneeslider]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MachinaDC5 4:59PM (5/29/2008)
Turns out it runs on pure testosterone.
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Justin 5:06PM (5/29/2008)
badass. Now the only question for me is what the V4 sounds like.
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Max 5:19PM (5/29/2008)
V4's sound awesome. The VFR750/800 with a pipe are some of the best sounding motorcycles IMO.
Its sad that they haven't deviated much from the original design of the 80's, but I guess all you'll be seeing is the taillight anyway.
rouse42 6:01PM (5/29/2008)
go to starmotorcycles.com and listen to the sound bite that plays.
heres a 07 VFR800 on the dyno, stock pipes tho so its relatively mild
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li5zT_l4e6o
i love the sound of my VFR with carbon Leo's on her.
johnny 5:09PM (5/29/2008)
Man, I would love to drop that 210 hp 1.8 V4 into a Honda Fit and take it for a spin.
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rouse42 6:15PM (5/29/2008)
inside sources state that during development of the engine it made around 290hp before they detuned it.
Chris 5:21PM (5/29/2008)
I rode one of these when they first came out, I think it was 1985. It was probably the first bike to ever scare me. I had wheel spin going from second to third!
Never again. It was the ultimate street light racer. I think the new Suzuki 1400 (forget its name) is much more capable now
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Chris 5:21PM (5/29/2008)
Just a second note, seems I have to reassert my ID everytime I post, what am I blocking by mistake?
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Eric Liberatore 5:23PM (5/29/2008)
My 6 cyl '96 Maxima only had 190hp! Good grief!
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Santino 6:52PM (5/29/2008)
hah, i had a 96 maxima as well, great freakin car, sold it for an 07 Civic Si, and that doesnt even have as much power as this vmax lol
srivendel 5:30PM (5/29/2008)
The only person capable of riding the new V-Max is... wait for it....
Chuck Norris.
Duh.
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ambientFLIER 5:48PM (5/29/2008)
I really don't get the point of having 9-second street bikes. Oh well, I guess they do serve a purpose of killing off all the idiots out there. At least this thing isn't a Harley...Lord knows we don't need any more of their garbage on the streets with 200-decibel straight pipes and 20 foot tall handlebars.
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MajorGeek 5:55PM (5/29/2008)
Huh? Thats makes no sense. Fast street bikes can be just like fast cars, going under 10 seconds is fun either way. The V-Max is well known as a straight line bike, it is crazy fast, just avoid curves with it.
So, you also hate loud Harleys? You must NEVER go out with all the small cars with those big mufflers. As for handlebars, at least in my area, I have seen hundreds of Harleys and only a few with ape hangers (you know "20 foot tall handlebars")
You should have just said you have
everything on wheels, now go find a bicycle forum where you will be more at home.
pmiddle5 6:11PM (5/29/2008)
^^arent bicycles on wheels?....
ambientFLIER 2:52PM (5/30/2008)
I'd much rather listen to the buzz of a civic rather than the awful off-beat farting of a V-twin with straight pipes. Also, there is no point of a 9-second bike on the street, just like there is no point in anything under 12 seconds for a car unless on a track.
Evotec 5:53PM (5/29/2008)
looks too heavy for quick cornering.. i will stay with my CBR600.
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pmiddle5 6:11PM (5/29/2008)
Well duh its a cruiser set up.... Come on if you ride motorcycles you know better.
ambientFLIER 10:37PM (5/29/2008)
I'd much rather listen to the buzz of a civic rather than the awful off-beat farting of a V-twin with straight pipes. Also, there is no point of a 9-second bike on the street, just like there is no point in anything under 12 seconds for a car unless on a track.
MajorGeek 5:56PM (5/29/2008)
As mentioned above, the V-Max has never been known as a "handling" bike. Its a scary ride in a straight line, but slow down for the corners. Sort of like the Viper for motorcycles.
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Sam Smoot 6:52PM (5/29/2008)
9 seconds is nothing new for a motorcycle.
It needs to dip into the 8s to beat the 'busa.
I'd be pretty disappointed if a naked-bike not geared for 200mph+ that has 210hp couldn't get lower than 9s at least. Where is all that gas going?
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