Officially Official: 2009 Star Motorcycles VMax, with live pictures
Click above for more live images from the official worldwide VMax unveiling
Back in 1984, Yamaha's then-new VMax set the motorcycling world on fire with its four-cylinder engine and mechanical V-Boost intake system which gave an extra shove of power at around six-thousand rpm. Riders fell in love with the VMax, and it has been the quintessential muscle bike ever since. Still, consumers have been hoping to see an update to Mr. Max for quite some time, and
Want to know all the details? Click on past the break for the full rundown.
Gallery: 2009 Yamaha VMax Live Unveil
All Photos Copyright Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs Inc.
As the preeminent power cruiser, Yamaha has seen fit to throw all of its go-fast tech into the 1679cc V-Four engine, including four valves per cylinder with both chain (intake) and gear-driven (exhaust) dual overhead cams, an EXUP valve in the exhaust, fuel injection with Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle and Intake along with a rather high 11.3:1 compression ratio. All of which adds up to 197 horsepower at the crank. The five-speed tranny features a slipper clutch and leads to a shaft drive. Expect a nice rush of power at around 6,650 RPM as the intake funnels shrink to their shortest length, which is sort of an electronic version of the iconic V-Boost from the original edition.
The tach is up on top of the bars, as it should be, and includes a digital speedometer and shift lights. An OLED cluster sits atop the tank and displays things like what gear you're in and current miles per gallon. The engine is housed as a stressed-member in the cast aluminum frame and nice 52mm fork tubes, which are coated with titanium oxide, hold the front wheel. Wave-type brake rotors feature a Brembo radial pump master cylinder and radial mount six-piston calipers along with ABS. A single rear shock features adjustable preload, compression and rebound. If all of this high-spec stuff sounds pricey, it is, as the '09 edition VMax will go for $17,990.
Gallery: 2009 Yamaha VMax Live Unveil
Our travel and lodging for this event were paid for by the manufacturer.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
vwboyaf1 6:35PM (6/04/2008)
I'm tired of bikes that are made for dudes with ED.
Why can't we get any of the great 400cc bikes from Japan and Europe?
First?
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2004m3driver 6:37PM (6/04/2008)
I second that. We need more sub 600cc bikes.
rouse42 11:53PM (6/04/2008)
+1
scott 6:43PM (6/04/2008)
They do, they're called "scooters". If you want something slow, with good gas mileage, get a Yamaha Vino.
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dac 7:29PM (6/04/2008)
Oh come on, guys, that bike is awesome. Ridiculous and asinine but loads of fun, I'm sure.
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Cole 7:12PM (6/04/2008)
That bike reminds me of all the Civic's with fart can exhaust and powered by VTEC stickers on em. Yuk. I would rather have the MP3... now thats bad@$$
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MajorGeek 7:30PM (6/04/2008)
Not too many motorcycle enthusiasts here I take it. If so, dissing the V-Max is like dissing any classic. Its been around since the 80's I think. Its a straightline, fast bike, thats what it does. Its not meant for curves or touring. Its a niche motorcycle. I dig the retro look, it is largely unchanged over the years, although this particular redesign is a bit wilder then uusual.
As for 400 CC, try Hyosung. Also, last I knew Honda made a 250cc Rebel. Others do as well. Again, I dont think you guys ride or are even remotely close to purchasing anything anyhow, just spouting.
As for the exhaust, check any large horsepower, fast bike that is mass produced and you will find similar. My assumption is with all the new regulations that it performs the best. Its no secret that the short, narrow exhausts you see on Harleys, for example, typically are horsepower robbers.
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Kotse 7:59PM (6/04/2008)
For someone with a scooter budget, Kawasaki has newly remade '08 Ninja 250...a bargain for $3499 (looks, more umph and great gas mileage a bonus)!
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Billy C. 8:17PM (6/04/2008)
On the yamaha site it says if you want to borrow money to pay for this bike, you have to buy life insurance for the loan.
They want to make sure they will get their money.
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pmiddle5 8:29PM (6/04/2008)
THAT is f'n badass.... I like it now
AngeloD 9:18PM (6/04/2008)
The V-max borrowed heavily from Harley-Davidson's Nova project.
The nonfunction air intakes on the V-max for example, were originally real intakes on the Nova for an underseat radiator.
http://www.bikerenews.com/AntiqueBikes/CodeNameNova.htm
Too bad AMF sold HD, the Nova would've been a great bike.
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HotRodzNKustoms 11:21PM (6/04/2008)
It looks pretty much the same and I'm glad it does!
Awesome can't wait to ready some reviews!
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rouse42 11:55PM (6/04/2008)
rumors put power output around 210hp!!!
insiders at yamaha have said that the engine made around 290 when they first developed it.
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RLQ 3:37AM (6/05/2008)
Awesome!!! Always been a fan of this bike.
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Naveed 3:26AM (6/05/2008)
they still make bikes without inverted forks?
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Rick 9:59AM (6/05/2008)
Why are the rocket launchers aimed downwards? Does that mean you have to pop wheelies in order to fire the missles?
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Bonner 11:50AM (6/05/2008)
I like this bike but I would take a HD V-Rod over this anyday. Seems like they complete in this weird niche together. The V-Rod is for sure a better looker.
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Daniel 10:54AM (6/05/2008)
Still looks like the Hardy Daytona from Final Fantasy VII. Find an image and tell me I'm wrong.
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HANS KNOP 2:14PM (6/05/2008)
A GREAT BIKE except for the small 15ltr tank
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hans 2:31PM (6/05/2008)
Can,t wait to take one for a test run , had a vmax before and it really got the heart pumping .
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