2WM: Manic Thoughts about 1985 Yamaha VMAX

Welcome residents to my first ever (not counting the 1290 test ride) review of a motorcycle. Today's office is a 1985 Yamaha VMAX 1200, the originator of the muscle cruiser, let me tell you this thing is freaking fast, and with its 4-2 straight pipes it makes my VFR sound tame. If my VFR sounds like a Supercharged V8, this thing sounds like a big block V8 that's about to bend the chassis.
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intro audio
Yamaha VMax - V4 Symphony

[@kiwionarope]

I was 14 when the first V-Max came out and its stuck with me ever since. Now I'm old enough....I need to get one...

[@mikepierce4739]

This bike was developed to compete with the Honda V65 magna. I have owned 10 V65's and 3 vmax's. My current max is a 94. I'm running 170 main jets and a kerker straight pipe. Making 180 hp at the crank. Scary fast machine.

[@projectprobe4460]

The air filter box gets nothing from the side aesthetic air scoops, the v-boost flap is located in the connecting manifold below the carbs and bolted to the heads, at 5750 rpm the servo starts to open the flap allowing each firing cylinder to draw air and fuel mixture from two carburettors, this continues to open fully if you keep increasing the revs, hope this helps explain

[@CrusaderGeneral]

Just had mine 2019 delivered today!

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Jealous

[@cutabove9046]

I've got four bikes (three running). When I'm in the mood for a fun ride out comes my 1993 Vmax. The shear pleasure this bike gives me can't be beat. My only complaint? The limited range of the bike.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Facts

[@windridr66]

I bought a 1995 in 2009. Fastest bike I've ever ridden with power in every gear no matter what the rpm. It has a power band like a rocket. I put 9,000 miles on it. Only drawback for me was that I used it to commute 60 miles one way and I had to stop to put fuel in it every time I rode to work. Had an aftermarket VBOOST switch on it that allowed the VBOOST to come on at 3,000 rpms if desired. Absolute beast of a bike.

[@tomy7178]

What ??? A switch???

[@RichardAndrews-i7z]

I have an 83. Love it. Rides exactly as you described. Frigging nuts I can't get rid of it now only 8500 kilometers on it. Nice bike ;)

[@johnkessler9878]

I’m 72. Bought my VMax new in 2001. Still ride it. Very dependable bike. Got tired of changing out rear tires so I ride less aggressively these days.

[@rdaystrom4540]

The V- Max engine was not new. It is a higher hp version of the touring bike called the Yamaha Venture which came out in 1983. In fact I put a VMAX engine in my Venture. Bolted right in.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

That's an awesome mod

[@TheZaphod1970]

Don't know were you got your facts but, the air scoops are just for show, they're blanked off, and the v boost, the vmax has 4 carbs 1 for each cylinder, at about 6000 rpm each cylinder is fed by 2 carbs, its to give it the supercharged feel. Other than that a good review

[@dootz79]

TheZaphod1970 Must have only skim read the literature on the bike. Gonna guess you own one?

[@accessaryman]

not so much blanked off, more so an imitation cover for electrics on left side and radiator filler on right side, the 1700vmax ones direct the air to the top of the tunnels :)

[@TheZaphod1970]

@@accessaryman so "just for show" does not mean "imitation"?

[@sportbikesquid]

Excellent review 2WM. That's a hell of a bike. I'm more of a sport bike guy, but if I were to get a cruiser it would be that one. The roads suck in PA too. They've been doing construction on that exit area for at 3 years. It's ridiculous.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Sportbike Squid All of the roads in PA are under construction. It IS reidiculous, and I'm not much of a cruiser guy either but this thing was fantastic. especially for a 1985.

[@tittyrino]

I have a candy apple red metallic 1985 Vmax and she has 11,744 miles and she is in mint condition I live in Washington County Pennsylvania and yes our roads suck ass

[@jeffgill8248]

I have a o6,rstd 1300,98 stock hp,,just a detuned v max,love it.

[@ChaseJasperDown]

Thar bike is a beast!!! It was literally called the widow maker back in the day. Great review buddy!!!

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Chase Jasper Down Thanks man, this thing was a blast I'm so surprised I didn't get arrested, now where can I get one.

[@ChaseJasperDown]

The2WheelManiac I know a guy who knows a guy. LOL!

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

haha, me too

[@fakenews7266]

@@2wheelmaniacrides They stopped making the V-MAX in 1987 because the insurance companies would not insure them because of all of the deaths and accidents and came back in 1988 with a detuned bike ( easily fixed )

[@randallpraytor6731]

It made many a widow.

[@duke7888]

I like your review, looking to buy 1200 Vmax and the more i see the more i like it😎

[@dougtilaran3496]

It's the only true step up from a Kawi H2 triple...and fairly easy to ride, unlike that Kawi. Picture a GT750 Suzi water buffalo with 160 horsepower. I love the V-max

[@toastopia1]

Think I may get one!

[@InvictvsNox]

That exhaust note is just... wow. ungghghghhhhhhhh. Cleanup on aisle me.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

hahaha so much better in person too

[@InvictvsNox]

I wish I could get my hands on one of these to test ride. They're kinda hard to come by.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

yeah and when you do find them they cost a fortune

[@InvictvsNox]

Exactly. Even the ones around the early 90's are like $4.5k over here.

[@kevinmiller5722]

I remember when the vmax first came out my friends dad bought one and I was to dumb to ask for a ride I was only 14.

[@dannyred5710]

I am watching this look see ya I am going out on my 2015 vmax

[@kactuszakk4203]

I also own a 2015. If this guy thinks that 85 ‘ is fast (which it is) he would shit sideways if he rode ours!!!

[@Don-lw4cb]

Magic bike, fantastic fun.

[@Escapebehindbarsonline]

great review mate! i have never ridden or seen one! sound like a fun machine, looking forward to more from you ;)

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Escape Behind Bars yeah this thing is a blast I want one in my garage now, but until then I just need to call up FrankieG and say hey let me take that for a spin., thanks for the comment.

[@Boothswelding]

The2WheelManiac I bought one about a week ago, before it I only ever had a bmw g650gs so the first time my vmax hit vboost it scared the shit outta me hahaha very fun bike.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

VBoost is terrifying if you are not ready for it

[@mikepeterson6527]

The scoops don’t channel into the air box so that is incorrect

[@irocz28iroc]

V Max are stupid. Just kidding. I have a '98. It's a great bike. Not the fastest anymore but if you compare with bikes the same year it's fast. Current bikes have better tech and faster speeds. 1st gen V Max's were quite quick for their time. I still love the underrated Suzuki RF900. I had 3 of them over the years. Im still looking for an unmolested Suzuki.

[@kevinmiller5722]

Thank you for not letting us hear the bike.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

The audio was clipping so bad from the wind noise you couldn't hear anything. I own one now I'll see if I can do a ride and review in the best future

[@dlord1953]

So not the same then :-) without vboost though it would be a lot less fun.

[@mrnickbig1]

It still is a slightly upgraded version of the Venture engine. I never said it was identical.

[@briantel9432]

i have 1985 VAX try a 550 foot burn out😨😨

[@dreamdiction]

You must have burned-out the front brake.

[@woodyjwood5848]

Ditto. 85 stage7 kerker 4 into 1. Rolling burnouts are awesome. Red light to red light.vmax is still the king. You don't ride a vmax.you troll for your next victim.

[@jerodrobinson4040]

Yeah it is.. it's a Cool Bike, but you would get embarrassed by a 17 y/o on anything from the 600cc Class.

[@mikepeterson6527]

The airbox does not open up and provide more air and fuel you are totally incorrect again

[@tracycagle7281]

I Owen both gens

[@coynecolm]

Hi I'm thinking of returning to a cruiser again and I've always liked a V max, my biggest fear is that it would have a top heavy feel to it? is the seat nice and low, is it a comfy ride at cruising pace?

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

I'm 6 foot 1 in or 185cm tall so it was a little low for me, but the guy who owns it is 5foot 7 inches or 173cm and he loves it. It was very comfortable.

[@coynecolm]

Thanks sir! Im really considering one.

[@chopcor]

That's my old bike, was lowered 2" in the rear and 1 " in the front. I'm 5'8" and had no issues at all.

[@ebnrsg1]

Colm Coyne

[@RidingNaked500]

that thing was loud lol

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Riding Naked uuhhhhh yeah loud is an understatement. My VFR gets dirty looks when I'm riding around in the burbs, this, this would blow out windows and ear drums, and I love it.

[@RidingNaked500]

perfect

[@chopcor]

If you want the true Vmax experience, ride my 2nd Gen 2010, it's got about 190+rwhp/125 torque. That's why I sold this 85, it felt like a Vespa compared to the Gen 2. =D

[@bencyhudgens5671]

The first time I switched back from my 1700 to the 1200 honesty I though "never realised how fragile bike the 1200 VMax is". And my SV650 feels like a toy. Still, I like that bike as well but the 1700 VMax shiftes emotions about bikes.

[@mabsonroger1492]

Nossa que moto Linda

[@masterspin7796]

In 1987 I purchased a brand new V-Max from Kenny Roberts Yamaha in modesto calif. I put over 30,000 hard miles on it with a lot of full throttle speed shifting and canyon action most of the time semi drunk. It never broke down and although my current 800 c.c. dragster rr is quicker the V-Max was just as cool...

[@jaybrown6225]

Nice ride, nice video. Just a note on your comment that you could ride it from wherever you are to Atlanta . . . not sure where you are, but I owned an '85 from 1991 to 2007 - then I replaced it with a 2008. I rode the '85 to Sturgis in 1994 - a little over 1000 miles from where I live in Canada. I loved that bike, but that was an awful ride. It was a thrill in the city, but most definitely not made for the long haul. On the plus side, in the city I averaged about 85 miles per tank of gas (before having to switch to reserve) but on the highway I actually out distanced my old man on his Goldwing - got around 260 miles per tank. I guess cruising along in 5th gear instead of roaring away from the lights and winding up the tach made a huge difference. But yeah, my back is still recovering from that trip 24 years ago.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Jay Brown it's funny after all this time this comment is made now. I'm actually looking at purchasing an 88 Vmax and while initial impression is that the seats comfortable it seems that long hauls are not what the stock seat is designed for.

[@jaybrown6225]

Yeah, sorry about that - just watched you video the other day. I'll try to be more on top of things next time :-) The seat IS comfortable, I think it has more to do with the position - on a cruiser you can lean back a little because the handlebars usually sweep back. On a crotch rocket you are leaning forward with some weight on your arms. The Vmax has those stubby little bars coming straight out forcing you to sit leaning just slightly forward. I think if you can find a backrest that you could place there you'd be ok. I had tried to push my backpack and tent farther forward so I could lean back on them, but again, you can't lean back at all - you'd need a backrest to come way forward to meet your back and help take some of the load off. Still love the bike, you can't go wrong buying one in my opinion - just need Macgyver something for your back! :-)

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Jay Brown no don't be sorry I was just commenting that it just so happened to be that I was buying a Vmax as you made this comment that was the funny part. I love that my videos after years can still bring some sort of entertainment to people

[@chopcor]

Sorry Jay Brown, but I'm gonna have to call bullshit on the 260 miles per tank on a Gen 1 Vmax- The bike he reviews in this video was my old one, and NEVER got better than 40 miles to the gallon, ever. That gives you 160 max, running the tank dry. They all have a 4 gal tank from the factory. Also the seat on this particular bike is a custom, called a MaxGasser, that I had made to my weight and comfort, not a stock seat. In addition, they never made a 2008 Vmax- 07 was the last year for the Gen1 , and 2009 was the first year for the Gen 2 1700.

[@chopcor]

I know every inch of this particular bike, since I did all of the mods on it in the 3 yrs I owned it =D

[@kevinmiller5722]

What do you meen we cant hear the engine because your to busy talking to much give it a rest and wind it out so we can hear it then talk not trying to be mean.

[@dootz79]

V-boost isn’t in the air box bro. And the side scoops, aren’t functional. Pop the faux cover off and tell me how the side scoops are directing air to the air box

[@projectprobe4460]

Correct! , the air filter box gets nothing from the side aesthetic air scoops, the v-boost flap is located in the connecting manifold below the carbs and bolted to the heads, at 5750 rpm the servo starts to open the flap allowing each firing cylinder to draw air and fuel mixture from two carburettors, this continues to open fully if you keep increasing the revs, hope this helps explained.

[@mikepeterson6527]

You really don’t understand this bike

[@tracycagle7281]

I suprise all riders that pull up beside me blow way

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Seems I heard that Yamaha designed this motor and shaft drive for a sports cruiser back then used that Drive terrain hopped up to build the V-Max

[@jibjab351]

I had one the same as this, 1985 full power with Kerker pipes and extra tuning to 165 bhp. It was a monster for acceleration but the handling was very average. The forks would vibrate like mad over 110mph. Took it to 150mph on the speedo and was still pulling. Useless 3 gallon fuel tank which only did 85 miles before reserve.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

I wish I could get that range lol. I'd like to get my new one (1988) on the dyno

[@Winkkin]

You obviously dont know anything about the V65 and V45 Magnas which were Honda's cruisers in this class. The V65 was 996 cc, 50lbs lighter, way more maneuverable and 99.9% as fast. They could outrun the V-Max the first eighth of a mile and then the V-boost would allow it to sneak past at the finish. First made in 83, smooth as silk V4, 16-valves and ruled the roost for 2 years. Owned both. Bought the V-Max just 4 years ago. Love it but the Magna was a better looking and performing bike in every way, but the last 100 feet of the quarter-mile.

[@JeffMarcum]

I owned a 1986 V65 Magna and agree with your comparison. It was actually 1098cc, by the way. A friend of mine bought a 1993 Vmax and of course we rode each other’s bike. The Magna was superior in every way except the difference in performance you mentioned. Honda destroyed the Magna in 1987 by making it look like a Harley. Haven’t had a bike in 10 years, but the urge to ride again bit me recently and I wanted another power cruiser. There is really only one to choose from these days: VMAX. Three weeks ago I bought a 2020 VMAX. It’s much better than the first generation.

[@Winkkin]

@@JeffMarcum I've been thinkin about getting a Gen2 VMax but I'd take a clean V65.

[@asifkadir1]

.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Overall, the V-Max was 2,300 mm (91 in) long, 795 mm (31.3 in) wide, and 1,160 mm (46 in) high. The engine was a tuned version of the double overhead camshaft, four valve per cylinder, liquid-cooled V-4 from the Yamaha Venture. Along with other modifications to the engine, the compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1, and the V-Boost system was added.

[@darkwriter77]

I'm sure it's already been asked somewhere previously in the comments, but ... what kinda gloves are those?

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Icon timax gen 1

[@mrnickbig1]

Why does everyone keep LYING about the motor??? It is the motor from the Yamaha Venture touring bike! Yes, the intake and exhaust systems were changed, and the heads were tweaked, but it is still the Venture (XVZ1200) engine!

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

mrnickbig1 that's an interesting point but at the end of the day just because the starting point is the same does not mean the engine is the same. case in point Koenigsegg ccx uses a Ford modular V8 same as my old crown Vic. they just changed the heads exhaust and the supercharger (not on the crown Vic). But I wouldn't call them the same engine. same block different engine.

[@mrnickbig1]

The Koenigsegg engine is modified far more than the XVZ engine was. The V-Max also is not supercharged. The Venture (XVZ1200) came out in 1983, and was the first purpose built touring bike. The original engine already put out 97 HP, and the layout of the bike was very similar to the V-Max, with the two air scoops. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Venture_Royale. www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_xvz1200td_l.htm

[@bencyhudgens5671]

No one is lying about the engine brother. Yes, it was in that tourer but it had like 98 hp in there. And yes, you could buy a VMax with a 98 hp engine as well - in some European countries. To see whether you have a full power engine, you just turn the ignition on. Then you hear the servos of the VBoost system opening and closing. Sounds like "dsssssss.....dsssssss". If you hear that, it is the full power version. May it have 145hp or Dyno tested 135 at the wheel... Who cares? That bike was about torque. But it created the muscle bike scene like the goldwing created the tourer scene - though I remember seeing the first goldwing as a normal bike - a "naked bike" as you would say nowadays. The V4 of the VMax was built in the tourer first, there you are right. Did it have a VBoost there? Of course not. It was a big, powerful and bored (not boring!) V4. A perfect base for what was needed for the idea of the VMax.

[@fakenews7266]

I have 2 a bone stock one that gets ( 1998 ) 110 miles on a full tank and my MAD MAX ( 1988 ) that gets 21 miles on a full tank , 198 rear wheel HP the last time it was on a DYNO ( I dumped $ 36,000 into the engine & suspension not counting what I paid for the bike in 1988 , no pretty shit just drag parts )

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

I ended up getting a max last year and it gets about 75 miles to a tank, but she needs a serious tune up

[@fakenews7266]

@@2wheelmaniacrides After owning these 2 , one for 30 years I know them inside and out