Talk to me about the Yamaha VMAX

[Brando]

I've been riding my Vulcan 900 for 4 years now. It's a great cruiser, low-end torque, but really can feel like a slug with my wife on the back [insert fat joke here]. We're both 150# ish and I'm liking the newer styling from 2000 on. It seems like I can get a fair sale on my bike and a newer VMAX for almost the same price.

Pros:
• It's still a cruiser. Optimal seat position, comfort on long rides (hopefully),
• TONS of aftermarket toys,
• Straight exchange price for my bike,
• MOAR POWAR! (3x my Vulcan).

Cons:
• Fuel economy?
• Speed risk?
• Can't change final drive
• Only a 5-speed

Why shouldn't I make this trade?

Thanks!

[HardDrive]

Doesn't seem like a good switch to me. The power will be fun for a little while, then it will be an irritation.

[HardDrive]

What about a Honda Valkyrie? 1500cc is nothing to sniff at.

[Hydrocket]

Are you hell bent on a cruiser? If not, I suggest you try an FJR1200. Super comfortable for long rides and an extremely impressive engine.

[Brando]

I saw a review video of a new styled cruiser using the Valkyrie platform but waaaaay less faring. Very clean. Maybe out of my budget. But wow, flat 6 on a bike. It sings.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by Brando

I saw a review video of a new styled cruiser using the Valkyrie platform but waaaaay less faring. Very clean. Maybe out of my budget. But wow, flat 6 on a bike. It sings.

That would be the Honda F6B. And yes..I agree...it's very cool!!

[Hydrocket]

The F6B sounds a bit like a 911 too!

Underbelly F6B ride Rush Exhaust - YouTube

[Tobra]

Wow, that Honda is pretty boss, maybe all matte. To a large extent on sound, a flat six is a flat six, flat four too. That is probably why I like the Subies, groovy horizontally opposed soundtrack.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Wow, that Honda is pretty boss, maybe all matte. To a large extent on sound, a flat six is a flat six, flat four too. That is probably why I like the Subies, groovy horizontally opposed soundtrack.

I have a Subaru. I think the engine sounds like a POS. (flat four).

[5String43]

Due to a previous life as a staffer at a motorcycle magazine, I've got a good bit of time on V-Max bikes. Here's what I remember:

- Great fuming gobs of horsepower and torque
- Small, uncomfortable seat(s)
- Very limited rear suspension
- Very small fuel tank and therefore very limited range
- Lots of weight - these things are a long way from sportbikes
- About the same amounts of horsepower and torque as your average earthquake or volcano
- I do not remember the brakes being overpowering
- Wonderful exhaust note.

For me, the fun wore off quickly. But that's just me.

[Slider79SC]

Old school one...

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by hydrocket

i have a subaru. I think the engine sounds like a pos. (flat four).

+1 especially wiith a fart pipe.


But they sure seem to go pretty good.

[RANDY P]

Subaru with fart pipe always sounds like it's missing a cylinder-

My neighbor just got a WRX and fart piped it out- every morning I'd wonder why he pulls away on 3 cylinders- until his buddy showed up with the same car, same miss.

rjp

[Tobra]

I guess I have too many years in a bug

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Check out the new Indian Scout. 550 lbs, 100hp, $11k.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

Are you hell bent on a cruiser? If not, I suggest you try an FJR1200. Super comfortable for long rides and an extremely impressive engine.

^^ This!

[Evans, Marv]

+2 on the FJR. I think it has a 1300 engine rather than 1200 though.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Check out the new Indian Scout. 550 lbs, 100hp, $11k.

Killer looking bike.

I thought about one, but the parts? What if Polaris kills the line?




Exactly what I'd want- or the Softtail Slim Harley.

(Ya I said Harley)

rjp

[Brando]

Looks sweet. A local dealer has a 1700 VMax. I went to check it out but they couldn't get it to stay idling. They wanted $7499 but its maybe a $4500 bike with some of the bumps, scrapes and "custom touches" made to it: dual fart pipes, shorty mirrors, scuffed engine covers & intakes...

I'm hoping for something I can make a straight trade on. Sell mine and buy or trade at the dealer. There is such a small market of them and most I see have been abused, cut up, or are waaaay over-priced for the mileage. I am finding a huge variety of aftermarket options for the VMax, including EFI upgrades. I dont see much favorability for fuel economy though.

I'm torn. I spent some time chatting with a guy who makes a turbo kit for my VN900; $2200 shipped with instructions. Offers 100% gains over stock power at 10psi. I would probably try to add an intercooler anyways.

So many options...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Killer looking bike.

I thought about one, but the parts? What if Polaris kills the line?

Polaris has somehow managed to keep Victory alive for 15 years despite a very rocky economy.

I tend to think they're in it for the long haul.