Yamaha VMX12 V-max
(Velocitus MAXimus)
This the new 2007 V-max!
This bike was presented by Yamaha at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005
My 1997 V-max (6/02) Gratuitous Artistic Photo
After years of verbal berating from my friends to get a newer bike I finally got one. What a hoot! It was pure serendipity. I was rummaging through the back lot of the local bike shop and spotted a silver 1200cc V4 V-max. It was all there but looked kinda gnarly. The bars were bent as was the left riders foot peg. It bore the scars of several encounters with the pavement. It had no license plate so I figured it did not belong to a customer. When I asked about it I was told the shop just bought it from the original owner. The bike is a 1997 with 3800 miles and was left outdoors uncovered for 2 years. Every fastener was rusted. When the ignition was turned on and the starter thumbed it came to life with a vengeance. At this point I was more than a little intrigued and decided to buy it. After the bike was mine I rode it home and checked/changed all the fluids. I installed new plugs and filled the tank with fresh fuel. Did you know the blasted filler is under the seat! I rechecked everything and headed for the open road. I have read and heard many opinions, good and bad, about the V-max. The V-max is definitely not a good first, or second for that matter, bike. As long as the bike is going straight it is a happy, albeit quick camper. When the time comes to change direction it can be a bear. The real fun is straight line, turn up the wick, and you had better be holding on and planted in the seat because your life just got real interesting. It is one heluva fast scooter.
I noticed a moderate head shake when negotiating bumpy surfaces. The V-max Owners Assn. website mentioned this problem and a fix for it. The Furbur Fix is a requirement to settle the V-max down and make it easier to live with. I noticed a profound improvement in handling after I performed the fix and no more head shake ... at all!
For 2002 I installed a Dynojet Stage 1 jet kit, SuperTrapp slip on mufflers and a Renntec sissy bar/rack.
Original condition, notice rusted bolts Stainless steel bolts, scoop polished and case guards
Left scoop before and after
Front right rotor; original rusty, 15mm and 17mm stainless steel button heads
Left case cover before and after
California VMOA run flyer
Oldest known photo of a V-max
