2005 Yamaha V max 120HP to the wheel first test drive : srkcycles.com 

You didn't even open Vboost. At 6000 rpm a solenoid opens a butterfly valve dumping 2 carbs per cylinder. Normal operation is 1 carb per cylinder. The bike is a rocket. I have a 1995 VMAX. Try a freeway onramp with little traffic. Get small, hug the bike hard laying on tank. (False tank cover... Tank is under the seat) Biggest smile you ever had. Also, I get about 3000 miles on my rear tire before its bald. With no burnouts. Engine is a beast and I drive it like I stole it. No other way to drive it.

VMax, it's not about top end speed, it's about the violence it takes to get there.

Sean, the problem with the 1st Gen Vmax is that most riders ride it like it is a V-twin. Meaning they don't rev it like an inline 4 cylinder. That bike is made to rev and at 6500 rpm is 4th and 5th gear, the Vboost kicks in making it feel like someone gave you a shove from behind. I'd give my left nut for a 2nd Gen Vmax! Heck at over 60 years old, I don't need both nuts!

I have a 2015 second gen Vmax. I was looking at the HD live wire and the salesman proudly said it will do 0-60 in 3 seconds (with a smile). I replied, wow, see that Vmax over there? It will do it it 2.5 seconds (with a shit eating grin). He was speechless!!!! A true legend, any year Vmax!!!

Riding my '86 V-Max in central Florida was among the finest times of my life. A far more tasteful design than the new one. For those who don't know, the cruising sound was the perfect blend of quiet low tones with a high pitch chirp, like a little bird singing on a branch. But I can tell you: 9 hours in that saddle and your butt will burn with pain. So I got a wheelchair gel pad: Problem solved. :^)

I've had my vmax for 12 years. Had many other bikes but I can't bring myself to get rid of her.

Many people who seen or ridden this bike over the years NEVER forgets it. Nothing like the pull of that V4Power.

This is my first and only motorcycle. Bought mine new in Aug. 2002. Decided on this because of its looks and its reputation, but also because I didn't want to start out with a smaller bike and become bored with it. I wanted something I could grow with. I still have it and have never become bored with it so it was the right choice for me. The acceleration has always made me happy and after almost 18 years of riding it it still can scare me sometimes so Im very respectful of its power. The only thing I dont like about it is riding on the interstate. It runs about 6k rpm @ 70mph. It really could use a 6th gear for that. But I like to ride around town and on the back country roads and its perfect for that. It does get alot of respect from folks, too! Lots of thumbs up and compliments!

The V-Max is definitely one of the LEGENDARY and ICONIC bikes.

The vmax was designed to drag race. Low cg high tech for the time engine that was massively overbuilt to withstand power adders.it was one of the first bikes people started turbocharging. It is an iconic bike .

I bought 1989 max brand new as a younger man and I still have . I've made and instead a few parts, the that really sticks out : V-BOOST ENHANER . Open the boost and leave it open. It sounds like a built CHEV. 350 . plus there's a HIMDEL exhaust. 28 years with it and I still won't trade it for any other bike.

AWESOME BIKES. love the 80s V4 engines from Honda V65 and V45, V700, Yamaha Vmax.

I had a 1994 yellow V max bought new in 1995 loved that bike, It was my 1st bike.

These things sound amazing with aftermarket exhaust. There was an older guy racing one at the local street drags (legal ones) and he was whooping on everyone. It wasn't stock, but he made 600cc rockets look like scooters and was hanging neck and neck with a busa.

Sean, I learned to ride back in the day when I was about 7 years old on a '71 Yamaha GT80. When I got my learners permit at 15 1/2 years old my father bought me a Yamaha Riva 50cc scooter which I rode for a couple years. Later while finishing up High School, I bought my first "big bike" which was a Yamaha Seca 650. That was quite a jump from the little 50cc scooter I had been riding. Anyway, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Yamaha and the venerable V-Max was in it's day a true muscle bike and it remains so today. This bike V-Max was out in the streets creating mayhem making women swoon and children cry long before the Harley V-Rod along. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the ride and found a great home for that bike. Somebody who knows what it is will definitely appreciate it and take good care of it.

TIP: You don't need to be on reserve...UNTIL the fuel light comes on...(located on the dash) PS. 36K miles in nothing for these motors...We have a 1999 here at the shop (25-30 VMAXs in stock) with 119,000 miles...& you can't tell it from a bike with 19,000...!!!...STILL RUNS STRONG!!!...WELCOME to the world of VMAX, guys! PPS. LOVED your 1st experience with VBOOST (over 6K under load)...Reminded me, all over, of MY 1st ride on a VMAX, way back in January of 1990...I have owned over 1000 motorcycles, (currently have ~110...YES, I'm an ADDICT...LOL) & ridden many more...NOTHING gets your attention (naturally aspirated anyway) like a VMAX...!!!...Again,...WELCOME TO THE PARTY!!! John-RMSportMax 610-509-VMAX(8629)

These bikes are insanely stupid quick!!! I rode one when I was 16 working at my fathers Yamaha dealership. I think some poo came out lol

My buddy has 73,000 miles in his. Still runs great. 👍👍

The VMax was Yamaha's answer to Honda's V65 Magna. Which I think Yamaha did a much better job of it.

I have a 96 and it's by far my favorite bike I've been on! As far as the handlebar fuel switch there's an explanation; since the vmax has its gas tank underneath the seat it can't use gravity to feed gas through a petcock, so it only uses a strong fuel pump to get it to the carbs. In order to have a functional reserve system Yamaha put a sensor in the gas tank that heats up and is cooled off by the fuel. So when the tank gets low and the sensor isn't cooled it sends a low gas signal and cuts off the fuel pump. To turn the pump back on you need to turn the handlebar switch from on to reserve It can be a pain sometimes because if its really cold out the reserve light might not turn on and if it's really hot out the reserve light will go on early

Stretched my arms and put a grin on my face every single time the V-Boost kicked in. Not for those riders with a small pair.

Shawn, you should hear these V-Maxes with loud pipes, they sound absolutely awesome & I'm not a fan of loud bikes at all but I make an exception for the V-Max! Outstanding bikes! Look on RU-vid for the loud pipe V-Max videos, you'll be impressed.

I bought a new V-Max back in 1987 to replace a 1982 GS1100E. It was a great bike with power that scared the hell out of me at times. Never lost to any two wheeled challenger on the streets and that was fun until you were expected to win.

I always was a fan of the V max fan. Man that is a sweet bike!

Yeah buddy them V Max are the sweet spot on pull and one of the fastest bikes around, and reliable!!!💯

Sean you have the best job in the world, around all those bikes on the daily and to be able to ride them...you got it made

I had 1981 Yamaha 650 Special 2 cylinder not the four! Great bike loved it!

Im convinced, i will be buying a vmax this spring. My dad told me it was one of the fastest bikes to own and i see good deals on them.

These things are nuts! My Dad bought and sold a bunch of them, and we have a huge picture of him with his 86', his favorite year, on the family area wall. I remember watching my older brothers and my Dad drag race his V65 Magna vs the V-Max, it walked it, easy actually. After that, he kept an 86' in his inventory at all times, and every time he got a fast bike, he have one of us race him on the V-Max :D he always won lol. One of the closest races was with the 1st gen CBR1000 Hurricane(I don't remember the year, but it was only a couple years old at the time). Man, I wish so bad we had cam phones back then, so many good memories. Growing up in a bike family has to be one of the best ways :)

I'd love to work for Srk cycles!!..even just detailing bikes or charging batteries,,be awesome seeing an getting wisdom from a really good dude like u an help with some test rides!! Lol..love what u do bro!!..

managed to get my hands on a vmax in the 1987 when i was just a teen. guy i worked for co-signed a loan for me. i had a lot of riding experience but the biggest thing i had ridden was an rz350. the rush of the vmax 1197cc motor with v-boost was unbelievable for a kid. there was nothing like that bike back then. i rode the heck out of it, hanging on for dear life everywhere i went. got the tickets to prove it too

Got a 92 vmax about 16 yrs ago. Time to get her back on the road.

Bought max a couple months ago, love it, repaired starter clutch, the plate cracked, just time out.

I Bought One of the First 100 Production of 1985... They Were Rockets! Breaking the Wheel Loose at 60mph... These Were The Fastest Year Up to 2008... I Loved It 💥💥💥💥💥

I just recently sold my 2000 vmax with only 3000 original miles it was jetted and had a full Jardine exhaust .the bike just did not get used . After seeing this I wish i did not get rid of it .

Some bikes achieve legendary status. Very few of those that do are cruisers but the v max is one for sure, no doubt about that.

I had a ‘86….put Dyna Jet kits in all the carbs, 4-1 Kerker header, Pingel electric shifter and a wheelie bar…..ran 9’s in the quarter….what a bike. Getting ready to pull the trigger on an ‘05….couldn’t stay away. 😂

I've been waiting on this test ride.

Vmax...the most iconic bike of all time...luv my MAX!

Love your videos bro. I'm not in the market for a bike. Just bought a 2005 FatBoy back in November. However, I'm a subscriber because I love bikes and love your reviews. I pray you much success. Proverbs 3:5

It's making sick!! I miss riding like crazy. Got to get one!

I'd call it a muscle bike. The actual polar opposite of a cruiser. Probably don't enter the intersection and stop there. That's where you're deadest. Wait for a break behind that big, fat white line and go through in one motion. Safety first.

You barely let the V-max sing. I've had my 2003 for 12 years now and the logical part of my brain tells me why do you still have this thing when there are so many more versatile bikes out there. Then I start it and open the throttle and I'm reminded why. I've never ridden anything else like this. You do have to respect it of course, the suspension, brakes, and throttle are primitive. Don't be worried about letting the clutch slip a bit around low speed corners because if you don't it will hurt you, and if the oil light isn't flashing and you're not at least a bit terrified every ride then you're not riding this thing the way it is meant to be ridden. They are a legend for a reason

Another keeper..it don't like turns!! It's got a natural gyro effect that will stand you up in the turns.

My dad had an 86 VMax ,it was the fastest most powerful bike at that time. The sickest burnouts. Meanest power cruiser ever!

Yamaha also made a Vmax sled I believe it came out in the early 90s it was a beast had a 4cyl in it and if you've never heard one run its amazing

This V-Max motor was in my Yamaha Venture Royale, it had a lot more off the line power than GW! Great motor!

One bike you definitely learned to do the shaft drive shuffle :)

Definitely one of my white whales. The looks of a v twin cruiser w an inline 4?? This bike has it all!!

Awesome v max lovely bike love it. You guys rock

This era of the VMAX has 113 HP stock.What makes it pull hard all the way up is the boost valves that open at 8,000 rpm. The 09 and up VMAX puts 174 HP stock. I've always loved these bikes. Glad you finally got to ride one, looks like you had fun on it, even though your legs were pretzels on it. Congrats on the new shop man, nice to see your doing very well.

I had a 1986 with supertrapp dual exhaust, tuned carbs, always ran 100+ octane. I special ordered dunlop race tires good for maybe 2000 miles... I was 5'9" 140lbs... back then.... no body every beat me in a race... except for the full on race setups. My local yamaha shop new the bike.... every thanksgiving I would drop it off ,,,, pick it up in april... at 5000 rpms she made everyone smile... I look forward to a test drive of the new Vmax. My girl had 42000 brutal miles on her when I put her out to pasture. I sold her to the Mechanic who worked on her for me for 600$.

Vboost starts to kick in at 5750 RPM. Mine is a 1997 stripped down to Streetfighter style. All plastic body panels, fenders and faux tank removed. Flipped bars, Shovelhead straight drag mufflers, bar mirrors, COPS ignition, dropped front end. Run it to redline between shifts for an interesting experience.... I still ride a Harley, but the Vmax is my fun bike.

Had that same bike !!! Loved it !!

Bought a 2005 model brand new still thrilling everytime I ride it

Those things are a total muscle bike. They use to run that exact same engine in the Yamaha Venture which my friend had one, except they were tuned down from the vmax. And that venture hauled butt!!

i got forward controls on my 06 that i just picked up so really i have both positions but can only shift and brake from the forward position i love it

Fun vid. I enjoyed the commentary. "I got my mustache in my mouth". Classic comment. The gen 1 Max is a fickle mistress. One of my favorite toys of all time.

I ll reply to all these comments tomorrow. I think I ll make another video tomorrow and hop on the highway

Anyone ever read Eddie Lawson's piece on his V-Max, when he took a cop for a ride? He said he opened up and when they came around, the poor guy had bitten his lip and bled onto his shirt! When I was 18, and buying my first bike, a 1980 Yamaha XJ 650, the guy I bought it from had a Venture (whose engine is the format for the V-Max), he took me for a quick ride (in Mesa, AZ), and he pulled her hard. I was stifling a scream, the acceleration was so intense. That's on a full-dresser with two people.

I owned a 1988 Vmax in Red. Beautiful motorcycle.

Love all your videos my friend. Is it possible to have some sit on the bike when you do each review so we can see the rider position? Thank you for sharing :-)

I have always been a huge fan of these. I have one myself. I went over a mild and short hill doing at least 110 in third gear at full tilt boogie and the front end come up at least a foot in the air and I rode it that way for about another 300 ft until I run out of revs. Its the most fun I've ever had on a bike, other than maybe cutting through the dragon tail with it. They handle good but it is deceptive. If you are really cranking on a corner and have all that torque rolling the frame can flex some and make it kind of barely wobble around in position and freak you out a bit. This is by far my favorite bike there is though haha. Thanks for this review I loved your reaction when you opened it up. I have yet to see anyone that hasn't flipped out when those secondaries open up around 5000 rpm or so. The best description I've ever heard of the acceleration is "Wow this thing is pretty fas.....HOLY S&*T!!!!" hah. Those who've run one of these will get what I mean lol

I think it sounds awesome!

$3500. For limited edition wow! Another great video, try the new Max on the fence for 2017 at great price in Canada 20K new.

I bought a 1987 model brand new from Kenny Roberts Yamaha in modesto calif. it never let me down..

Love that sound. Sounds like a big block muscle car. And has shaft drive to.

My 1987 Honda 700 Super Magna red lines at 10,000 and still pulls hard above that point as well. It really doesn't get real quick until it hits 7,000 and then look out, she hits hard from there on. Even the Yamaha 1300 V4 is the same way, and you continually shift them at to low and RPM before they start pulling really good: Like they're supposed to be ridden. I would buy all the V Max's you have all day long for 3500.00, if I had the room to store them.

Back in the day, the first production bike into the 10's wasn't a GPz or a GS. It was a V Max.

I had an 85 V Max with the V boost kit and it would eat Ninjas CBRs and GSXRs for breakfast lunch and dinner. Mine aslo had a NOS kit and it had about 100 hp to the wheel without the NOS. Never dynoed with the NOS so who knows what it had with the NOS. All I know is that it took a bit to get used to the shaft drive. The whole bike lifts when you got on the throttle. Badass Bikes for sure.

6:15 and you never will because this is Vmax , so much power from factory. That bike is no joke or beginner bike.

'Even a Harley cant pull like this' haha , welcome to the 'real world' !

Just take a spin, its like no other ride, really fast and alot of power!!! Put a smile on your face too!!!

MY FAVORITE BIKE! Mine was dinoed at 130 at the rear wheel too. But the first one in 85 had 155 HP. Now I will be getting the second generation V max... I have to have one. Right now I'm on a MINT BUELL with everything you can do to them done to it. It's in MINT condition too.

Had 2 of these over the years. Drivers literally get out of your way!. My first had the boost kicking in at 3000rpm, had to revert it back the stock 6000!. I wouldn't be here to write this otherwise!!. Now have K2 gsx 1400, rapid!, love it!, but nothing compares to the beast of bikes!!!!.

It's been a while since it came out, but I believe the magazines were calling this bike "King Hell" when it was new.

I hope you get the chance to try a V65 Sabre(VF1100) by Honda. Preferably 81-82 before they toned them down from 120hp. Mine had the sport body package similar to the CBR .It was set up more like a crotch rocket than a cruiser but was heavy enough to be very comfortable for long rides especially with all of the adjustments possible to the suspension. Also red line at 1150 rpm and six speed trans. 150 mph at 950 rpm in 5th gear. I don't know how I survived my youth!!

I've owned two over the years. Not the most uncomfortable ride for long distances (crappy seat and leg position) but ALL other bikes get compared to the V-Max for the shear violent raw power. I always described the experience at v-boost to a feeling that you just lit a rocket booster, are about to swallow your tongue and you might dirty your under ware at the same time! Nothing I've ever owned compares. I still prefer my Road King for trips but I have considered getting another Max...just for the shear fun. PS.. my wife said if I ever get another one she WILL NOT ride on it with me! (wonder why!)

These bikes are incredible.

I had an '89 Max. I installed a pair of the Supertrapp slip-ons...that thing sounded like a top fueler when I got on it hard...

These were awesome bikes back in the day! The offspring was the fazer ie: the super bike killer!

One of my all time favorite bikes. Good video bro!

You can't even begin to feel all the power of a V-Max unless you open it up on the highway!!

My 89 Yamaha virago has the electronic reserve switch its amazing.

I had a V65 magna loved it. but my brothers Vmax would walk away from it. Magna was a better highway bike tho.

From gas pump to gas pump that's how they roll!! + the tank is under the seat.

My friend had a lot of money and had one of these in these things were like the fastest bike out at the time. And beautiful too. The brand spanking new onesthey don't even have a name for the style of bite they are there in a class of their own.

💝 the ghost flames on tank.

Ive got No 869/2000 and i love it for the sound, the power and the looks, it handles better than expected but the only downside is the wobble that happens at 130 mph,

Who makes your gauntlet riding gloves? They look really nice. Love the triple closure. Would of liked to see you put the Vmax thru it's paces a Lil more.

Bought mine from a guy that was scared to death of it ,07 with 5000 miles in 9 years. I just love these things but their top ends are expensive to rebuild.

Hello Sean I just wanted to say I'm a new subciber to your channel. I really like the rude you did on the VMAX that is my favorite bike. A little about me so you don't think I don't know what I'm talking about. So anyway I'm a Deouty Sheriff in South Florida I love riding grew up in up state NY had a motorcycle license before even thinking about a car license. Use to ride my Honda cmt 400 to high school and then while in the ARMY I road the Honda Night Hawk 700 and later when I moved to Florida the Honda Night Hawk 650. So you see I love riding like you. I switched to off road fourwheeling about ten 6 yrs ago, this why. To many friends have died I have a family and I'm already putting my life on the line everyday I wear that uniform been a cop for 19 yrs seen and worked horrific accidents cars and motorcycles.This is the real reason I'm contacting you other then the fact I like your channel and I see it is really going to take off here shortly. So putting that a side I think about getting another bike all the time I really miss riding, however that piece you did on why new riders seem to get into the accidents, and die and taking a poll of what(new riders need to know). I have something I feel very strongly about that I really feel people need to be aware of is the fact those days of only worrying about bad drivers, speeding ofcourse and drinking and driving, well you need to be aware of all that, the truth is in the last several years and to this day the #1 cause of car accidents snd especially motorcycle accidents is the TEXTING AND DRIVING it is absolutely insane I see it every day even when it is in most states against the law for a very very good reason everyone is doing it. I even caught myself a few times texting my wife back while driving it was simply about what she thought I would like for dinner, crazy I caught myself before crashing into the rear end of a car. , so I know how tempting it is. Not worth it look around look on the internet thousands of accidents and senseless deaths over texting. Hardly anyone is talking about it. They won't it's bad business for the cell phone manufacturer it's always under investigation and then you never here the reasons why the accident happened or why your friend or love one died because of some as&!$ hole texting. You really need to mention that on your chanel serously I'm telling you it is the #1 cause vehicle accidents and death in this country. And if you like to ride all the time holy cow your risk factor is greatly increased these days. Anyway just wanted to tell you some facts that know one wants to discuss and I think we should talk and remind people a hell of a lot more then we are. You have a really cool chanel and a growing fan base now you could really get how dangerous texting and driving is. If you asked me to get on a bike and drive 20 miles with drunk drivers everyware or people texting. I would pick the drunk drivers any day or night. God bless keep safe love what you are doing and when I get a bike again it will be the Yamaha Vmax, isn't that bike awsome it's an icon it really is.

Nice! I took a friend's vmax out for a short ride, and a guy in a Toyota Supra moved up to me. Sorry to hurt your feelings, dude. Blew him away like he wasn't even on the gas.

Dream bike!

My dream bike 😍

I used to ride on the back of one when I was a kid. The front wheel DEFINITELY comes up on you when you have a passenger. 1st 2nd AND 3rd it would pick up the front end.

I bought mine brand new in 2005. Yamaha sold 2000 total but actually only 1600 we’re sold in the US, the rest went overseas. I also have a magazine that most people don’t know says that in 2005 they increased the Vboost by 2 mm on the anniversary special. I think that’s probably right because when I was in the Vmax club, stock-for-stock mind would walk away from others and they would tell me that they thought mine was faster. The advertisement from Yamaha would state that only certain amount of dealers would be able to get this bike and you would be the lucky ones if you could get it. My friend and I ordered ours and they came from Northern California down to us in Southern California. One was in a crate and the other one was on on the showroom floor up there. I still have mine and I ride it whenever I can.

I watched a guy on RU-vid the other day dyno tune one. He unlocked the computer and pulled the stock maps. The computer was limiting the throttle body down to something like 28% in the top end of the. He re tuned it and had something like 160hp.

The problem the first generation had was that the gears were straight cut instead of cut at an angle and they would strip in the bike would jerk and you have to have transmission work done to it. They fix that in later models

you did do a video on the vmax great vid tho