Yamaha VMAX

How it changed

The original V-Max opened up the whole power-cruiser category, a segment that did not exist before its introduction.^[2] Yamaha wanted to produce a “hotrod” for American consumers in the early 1980s.^[2] Project leader Akira Araki stated the first concept was to make a bike strong at straight lines and really fast.^[3] The design team used the V4 engine from Yamaha’s Venture touring bike as the starting point.^[3]

In 1993 the bike gained a larger-diameter fork, four-piston brake calipers, and other handling upgrades.^[4] The 2007 model was almost identical to the original 1985 version apart from those 1993 changes.^[4] The new VMAX included a 1679 cc engine, an all-aluminum frame, and anti-lock brakes.^[5] Yamaha launched the VMAX in India on 20 September 2009.^[6]

At the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, Yamaha presented a completely new V-Max concept motorcycle.^[7] Yamaha made the fully redesigned 2009 VMAX available for purchase in North America and Europe starting on 4 June 2008.^[5]

What the maker and period sources say

A 2007 Motorcycle Classics article notes the V-Max boasted unheard-of road-burning acceleration and introduced Yamaha’s V-Boost technology.^[3] The same article reports that introductory advertisements compared the V-Max to “blown vee-eights” and fuel dragsters.^[3] A 2009 Motorcycle.com article states that Yamaha test rider Mike Ulrich was one of the few people to have ridden the new V-Max before its unveiling.^[2] Cycle Guide gave the V-Max its "Bike of the Year" award for 1985, describing it as "outrageous" and "the most thrill intensive motorcycle" of that year.^[3]

The owner's manual for the VMX17Y(C) model states that the motorcycle's design and manufacture fully comply with the emissions standards for clean air that were applicable at the date of manufacture.^[8] According to the VMX12F series service manual, the V-Boost system increases the engine's maximum power output by 10 percent.^[9]