Yamaha VMX1200 V-Max (1993 - 2005)

Lester Mutton
Reviewed: 11 April 2013

Addictive v boost, crap brakes, traffic light entertainer.showing its age but has omg factor

Cult status, good residual values, great performance, classic looks

Poor finish, poor brakes, poor handling, uncompromising seating position, thirsty.

Despite the down sides, I've owned 2 , massive grin factor, but in the end the handling and brakes eventually make you look elsewhere for riding fun, I spent a lot on upgrades but its still shaft drive and far too long and heavy.
I d probably still consider another , despite my comments, if I could buy a ratty one cheap !

steddyvmax
Reviewed: 24 January 2013

A Stonking bike for what It's designed for - "Straight line Grunt"

The bike has a near on bullet proof rngine that will deliver exactly what you want from it? Considering it is nearly 30 years old, it will still stay with modern plastic without having to boil the engine in every gear - and you can tune them up as much as you want! It has a lovely style, and is still loosely copied by todays cruisers. Although a tad heavy, the seat is comfy and low giving you plenty of room to keep your feet flat on the floor when needed and not getting off after 50 miles with a flat arse! Overall still a good looking bike thats fun to ride.

Bad suspension, brakes and fuel capacity. Prone to wobbling when braking hard in to corners at high speed due to the frame twisting under the sheer energy being delivered. However there is a solution. Fit progresive suspension front and rear, braided hoses, a fram brace and a decent set of tyres - JOB DONE!! Considering the rear wheel is 10mm offset due to design fault, I have done the above to mine and she now handles lovely. Not much I can do about the fuel capacity and consumption though!! Although there is an after market 1 gallon dummy tank available to give you another 30 miles range?

You have to remember this bike was built for one purpose only - straight line power! She is still a lovely looking bike that will turn more heads than your modern plastic - has more character too! With a few aftermarket parts the bike is sound for most purposes. All the bikes I've owned have had there pros and cons for sure. But none of them have given me so much joy to ride - I never used to grin on my Blade and the R1 twitched like a shot rabbit!! Granted she is no sports bike, but It's great to see the intimidation on a sports bike riders face at the lights, not one will try and take you out just in case!! All bijes are designed for a specific purpose, and life would be boring if they were all the same? But for me, this bike does a pretty good job at all of them apart from one thing, it give me a "BIG GRIN"

maxman91
Reviewed: 01 April 2012

the 1200 vmax

Contrary to report on here,the vmax has been available in full power version over here since its introduction in 1983,in fact,iv never seen the 95bhp bike advertised,or on the road.
Having owned 7 vmaxs,i feel very qualified to speak about them.
The report i just read on here,the guy says the vmax wont be able to see off the honda cbr!!! he should grow a pair and open the throttle,lol.if you use it as its meant to be used,you wont be overtaken by anything on accelaration 0 to 100.It does what it says on the tin:) puts a great big grinn on your face.

True,it wont handle like a sports bike,but,in my experence,you can make enough headway on the straight,you would be able to get off and push it round the corner,and they still wont catch you :)

The max i had previous to the one i have now,was stage 7 tuned,with nitros,giving 175bhp AT THE BACK WHEEL,without the nos on ,and 225 bhp AT THE BACK WHEEL,with it on.It was lowered,and DID go round bends.There are so many ways to tune this bike,the list is endless,and,the value of the max goes up,unlike all the plastic pocket rockets.
Iv ridden all over germany on one,never missed a beat,and,never gave me bum ache,lol i highly recomend this bike to anyone who has the B***s for it,:)

Ming12
Reviewed: 14 November 2008

EXHILLERATING FUN

Strong engine, pulls in any gear.

Brakes need uprating.

Would recommend just for the acceleration and fun to see if it will go round the corner.

Nick Hendley
Reviewed: 21 October 2008

SHARK INFESTED BLANCMANGE

The motor is so tourquey if you are in cruising mode it pulls from a tad under 20 mph in top. If you are in a hurry the motor picks up phenomenally quickly. It simply flies

The squidgy back tyre. It lets down the whole show, that and the slight nodding front end. But it can hustle surprisingly quickly once you can deal with it. My biggest moan is the quality of the finish. It just isn't designed for rain, let alone salt. The brakes corrode solid

Although the parts are not impressive, the sum is. I have little problem keeping ahead of the pack on fast A roads and if I've loaded up on the Immodium it can hammer down country lanes. Its weakness is a back tyre that squirms and wobbles. Get over that and it is pretty surefooted for a big lump of metal. The look of horror as you race past a sports bike is worth all the hassles on the bends