When the V-Max first premiered back in the year 1985, it turned heads around the world, thanks to its bulbous styling and glued on faux scoops. The handling on the early models was pathetic really as the bike only ever wanted to go in a straight line, that too when the front wheel stayed on the asphalt! The only thing that could not be argued was that the V-Max had more thrust than an Apollo rocket! If you wanted your motorcycle to be the unquestioned champion, the V-Max was your ride.



























While the 2008 version was almost indistinguishable from the 1985 original version, the 2010 V-Max is a new 65-degree, four-valves-per-cylinder, 1679cc V4 behemoth, almost half a litre bigger than its already impossibly-overpowered ancestor. Yamaha claims an absolutely mind-numbing 197 horsepower and 123 foot pounds of torque. To put that into perspective, that is much more horsepower than many a luxury cars that sell here in India, and those can ferry four to five people with absolute ease!

The original V-Max was the first real power cruiser so to speak, with a monstrous 145 odd horses, a V-four motor crammed into a surprisingly nimble, shaft-driven chassis. During that time, it was the most outlandishly powerful production motorcycle (cruiser) ever produced by ANY manufacturer! The V-Max created a whole new class of machine; motorcycles that were incredibly powerful and exceedingly fast. It was almost as if a street racer motorcycle was produced that transported it's rider not just physically but on the emotional level too.























The source of the gut-wrenching power is the Max’s distinctive V-Four. The original 1985 Max sported an 1198cc mill but the newest version bumps up the displacement up to 1679cc. This is acheived via an oversquare 90mm bore x 60mm stroke engine. Sourcing new forged aluminum pistons the latest V-Four is slimmer too, set at 65-degrees with the four-valve heads actuated by chain-driven intake and gear-driven exhaust cams. Yamaha increases performance with its YCC-T and YCC-I systems, along with ram air, through the stylish aluminum side intake scoops. Acceleration on the VMAX is pretty much the scariest thing one can ever experience. I mean a 1000cc sportbike is REALLY fast but the VMAX gearing is so high and there’s so much power down low, you gotta hold on for dear life. There is that famous V-Four throaty roar from the 4-1-2-4 exhaust. On public roads the power of the VMAX is past ridiculous; actually, to be true it is beyond ridiculous. It is almost bordering illegal! Of special mention is the VMAX’s slipper clutch which is a welcome addition especially when downshifting a couple of gears in a hurry.

The beefy 52mm front fork and single rear shock suspension package on the Max is larger than almost any cruiser standards, with easy three-way adjustability, thanks to twistable knobs which take care of it. Braking is another area where the VMAX sheds cruiser conventions for a higher-spec approach. Massive twin 320mm rotors with radial-mount 6-piston Brembo calipers do the duty wonderfully well. In the styling department, the VMAX’s muscle cruiser looks edge out the Batmobile too! The engine itself is an eye-catcher as well, and then there’s the shiny aluminum scoops. The whole package spells 'STYLE'!


























Conclusion
The 2010 V-Max seems to have done the impossible - it has made the 1198 cc version seem absolutely tame and puny when compared to the latest iteration! Yamaha has done the unbelievable with the V-Max; they have managed to develop a motorcycle which can literally tear the road-asphalt apart, while the competition just watches in absolute awe!

P.S: A very special thanks to Mr. Shyam Mehta who co-ordinated so wonderfully for this early morning photo-shoot. Thank you Shyam sir, for not only allowing us to shoot your V-Max, but also for the wonderful discussion session that ensued after the photo-shoot. Thank you sir.

Thanks,
-Aryan