I bought my vmax brand new in 2008 the last of the great ones and i have done a total of 68 miles on it due to taking seizures, but they always look better when someone else is sitting on it. brilliant bike.
I love this I lived in New England dragway with my 86 I was fortunate to have Yamaha rent the track in 1988 Vmax came from everywhere if you know the Vmax you know who Mad Max was they all came to my own track and I was one of the only people beat out mad max and take the trophy that day great memory thanks for the video
These sounded so much better with the 3 inch race baffle and the Dynojet Stage 7 intake that eliminated the Vboost. They truly sounded like a pro stock SBC. Unfortunately these bikes were ultra weak; bad rods, bad trans, bad clutch basket, no rev limiter, weak starter, brakes suck out loud, lousey suspension, no fuel capacity. But it sounded great, and while the thing held together it was impressive.
I realise this is an old thread, but if your vmax wobbled at 100mph there was something wrong with it. I've had vmax's for many years and they're rock-solid until you're going so fast you can barely hang on.
@@577buttfan technically that's correct. In reality the majority of riders wouldn't notice any frame flex, your average rider doesn't take corners like a grand prix racer. And for those who push to the limit, it's all part of the fun.
I was just given one of these -- too much trouble for the owner to fix - even in his own shop in SF --- I have a couple of Venture 1200s ---- this engine in a venture frame would be the bomb ---
In Europe and Japan they were heavily restricted too about 100bhp. They disconnectedthe Vboost carbs I think, or strangled them with inlet rubbers. Do the US/Canada have state by state emissions restrictions? Some Europen countries are strict and some less so, we need to watch out for this in the UK if we buy from mainland Europe. The spec of later 80s and 90s stuff especially. And goddam kph clocks. And light direction issues. I'm sure UK variant had 125bhp in the end. Brakes and wheel sizes are and always were a pita. And corners. I love them
I love VMAX. To save you the details of ugly human death , my best buddy was killed while riding his VMAX 1988 Same bike. Wicked power and keep front wheel on ground if you ride them right. Thanks for share.
@@abcanimal I got death wish with this bike. I set my vboost set to on position all the time. now I have vboost through the whole rpm range like a gen 2 from the get go and its surprisingly more predictable then having it go of at 6k. doing that to a vmax is equal to sprocket change on chain bikes if I was to describe how much quicker it is now. also it sounds like a big block v8 Chevy drag car with it running on 2 carbs all the time instead of just one and then running on 2 at 6k. its significantly more responsive now and because of how much it scares me I never bust 100 plus on it unless it was at drag strip because it dont stop or turn for shit at those speeds as well as even stop. it really puts the fear of god in my eyes. I'm on my second year riding it and I can never show too much respect because it demands it for your survival. I don't push mine as hard as most of these guys. it's just too much bike for anyone but at the right price if you can respect the throttle and give yourself extra following distance you will be fine. also it has schecthy counter steering then most of the bikes today. lucky I aced the counter steering in my msf course and people asked me how I was able to throw that little 250 like it was nothing. of course I practice on the vmax with my dads help as he is among the few people to ever beat this bike in a straight line back in the 80s. he used to ride an 84 Suzuki gs1150es with rejeted carbs changed sprocket and a header. the 86 vmax he raced was stock AMD he beat it by only a couple 10ths of a second. hes actually the reason I learned how to ride it properly without ending up in a ditch or something. the way I ride it you wouldn't think this was my first bike. I will admit I'm grateful for the dirt bike and atv experience I had with some friends as well. but i really plan to keep it as long as possible and show my kids one day. it's a real special bike that deserves nothing but love and respect.
Probably around $12,000usd because it was a number 1. Average bike that year is maybe $4000? As is from private seller who never gone through it like these guys obviously. I’m looking at a 1985 Vmax up in New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦 with 68,500km and he wants $3000cad! But it needs the paint restoration procedure. Has aftermarket dual exhaust open pipes on it. These guys basically do a mechanical restoration on almost every thing they sell and they get they labor paid for. So if you ain’t mechanically inclined this would be the way to go because it will cost you that in the end if you hired someone
Hey big bro wouldn't you say arguably the most all purpose motorcycle ever made bro I want one so bad I had seca 750 but vmax all purpose bikes ev made
He says the service dpt has just gone through the bike ! Hahahahaha ..... pity they didn’t replace the blown back light bulb .... THEY HAVE TWO ! some service dpt .
@@FranciscoGaliciaI have and 85 too. They only made it in 2 colours in 85.... Dark Amethyst and Deep Scarlet. Me and you have the Dark Amethyst (purple)
I bought my vmax brand new in 2008 the last of the great ones and i have done a total of 68 miles on it due to taking seizures, but they always look better when someone else is sitting on it. brilliant bike.
I've been wanting one of these bikes for a long time
love going back and watching these! thanks Ken!
Jeans, black socks and new balance shoes... Wow. You've come a long way.
Haha, I came to the comments for the same reason!
I love this I lived in New England dragway with my 86 I was fortunate to have Yamaha rent the track in 1988 Vmax came from everywhere if you know the Vmax you know who Mad Max was they all came to my own track and I was one of the only people beat out mad max and take the trophy that day great memory thanks for the video
Now that bike is sick I had no idea yamaha made those. Definally sounds good
Awesome bike gotta be a big classic one day
That sounds like a damn race machine man.
They sound like a Nascar lol
nice bike !Love this channel blast from past great bikes!
$3000.00 all day long, $11400.00 is what it was new. I have a 94 with the larger brakes. NEEDS the larger brakes.
No doubt $5000 at most.Some moron spends $11,000 for this bike I have a few bridges to sell him
These bikes give me goosebumps
Thanks for not playing music,It’s Cool to hear them pipes
thanks for showing engine sounds
Own a 85 vmax1200 black love love it always
beautiful!!
Kerker 4 into 1 is the best aftermarket exhaust for a Vmax.
Stunning muscle bike😎
The Vmax still untouched too this day..one bad mofo!!!
Absolute muscle machine
Those bikes are scary awesome lol
These sounded so much better with the 3 inch race baffle and the Dynojet Stage 7 intake that eliminated the Vboost. They truly sounded like a pro stock SBC. Unfortunately these bikes were ultra weak; bad rods, bad trans, bad clutch basket, no rev limiter, weak starter, brakes suck out loud, lousey suspension, no fuel capacity.
But it sounded great, and while the thing held together it was impressive.
Had a ‘88 red, k&n stage7 kit, kerker w/comp baffle. Wobble approching 100 was severe. Other than that, a blast to ride
The frame also flexes it's underbuilt for the power.
I realise this is an old thread, but if your vmax wobbled at 100mph there was something wrong with it. I've had vmax's for many years and they're rock-solid until you're going so fast you can barely hang on.
@@577buttfan technically that's correct. In reality the majority of riders wouldn't notice any frame flex, your average rider doesn't take corners like a grand prix racer. And for those who push to the limit, it's all part of the fun.
@@577buttfan
absolutely as the Gen 1 frame would flex under the sheer power of the drive train
@64Gianfar hell yeah I felt it when I rode my brother's 03.
These bikes are so bad ass!
I just npticed that the turn signals are the same as the Vstars from 1999 to 2009
sounds like a top fueler on tick over nice
Those vmaxes are no joke
I have an 88, but im working to get it running.
You gotta hear it with baffle out I had 2 totally insane
Very nice bike. How much it was sold for? Thanks for sharing
I was just given one of these -- too much trouble for the owner to fix - even in his own shop in SF --- I have a couple of Venture 1200s ---- this engine in a venture frame would be the bomb ---
The Venture is a 1300 from a 1986+.
First bike with a blowere intake 1986
In Europe and Japan they were heavily restricted too about 100bhp. They disconnectedthe Vboost carbs I think, or strangled them with inlet rubbers. Do the US/Canada have state by state emissions restrictions? Some Europen countries are strict and some less so, we need to watch out for this in the UK if we buy from mainland Europe. The spec of later 80s and 90s stuff especially. And goddam kph clocks. And light direction issues.
I'm sure UK variant had 125bhp in the end. Brakes and wheel sizes are and always were a pita. And corners. I love them
Thing sounds nasty! My bucket list of bikes to own.
Same here man!
....was going to buy one of these....'til I found out they only do about 25 mpg or so!
That’s because it sounds like a super charged v8
@@hmobb7838 absolute tire Destroyer
But they're well worth it though
He says it all & it's true.
I love VMAX. To save you the details of ugly human death , my best buddy was killed while riding his VMAX 1988 Same bike. Wicked power and keep front wheel on ground if you ride them right. Thanks for share.
the only I say old bike that doesn't look dated
Lindas
Is it still available
The next fastest bike pissed me off in 1986 was the Suzuki gxsr
Anymore black ones for sale?
I got an 85 Yamaha vmax as my first motorcycle with the dyno jet kit and I wonder how much it's worth in fair condition with 29k on it
An 85 Vmax was your first bike?!
Are you crazy!!!???😂
@@abcanimal I got death wish with this bike. I set my vboost set to on position all the time. now I have vboost through the whole rpm range like a gen 2 from the get go and its surprisingly more predictable then having it go of at 6k. doing that to a vmax is equal to sprocket change on chain bikes if I was to describe how much quicker it is now. also it sounds like a big block v8 Chevy drag car with it running on 2 carbs all the time instead of just one and then running on 2 at 6k. its significantly more responsive now and because of how much it scares me I never bust 100 plus on it unless it was at drag strip because it dont stop or turn for shit at those speeds as well as even stop. it really puts the fear of god in my eyes. I'm on my second year riding it and I can never show too much respect because it demands it for your survival. I don't push mine as hard as most of these guys. it's just too much bike for anyone but at the right price if you can respect the throttle and give yourself extra following distance you will be fine. also it has schecthy counter steering then most of the bikes today. lucky I aced the counter steering in my msf course and people asked me how I was able to throw that little 250 like it was nothing. of course I practice on the vmax with my dads help as he is among the few people to ever beat this bike in a straight line back in the 80s. he used to ride an 84 Suzuki gs1150es with rejeted carbs changed sprocket and a header. the 86 vmax he raced was stock AMD he beat it by only a couple 10ths of a second. hes actually the reason I learned how to ride it properly without ending up in a ditch or something. the way I ride it you wouldn't think this was my first bike. I will admit I'm grateful for the dirt bike and atv experience I had with some friends as well. but i really plan to keep it as long as possible and show my kids one day. it's a real special bike that deserves nothing but love and respect.
@@briankrasne3518Amen brother. All well said.
gee ya think yamaha made a statement with this one? haha all out wild....slightly mental
Does anyone remember what this bike sold for? I'm curious cause I'm on the market for a VMAX
Probably around $12,000usd because it was a number 1. Average bike that year is maybe $4000? As is from private seller who never gone through it like these guys obviously. I’m looking at a 1985 Vmax up in New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦 with 68,500km and he wants $3000cad! But it needs the paint restoration procedure. Has aftermarket dual exhaust open pipes on it. These guys basically do a mechanical restoration on almost every thing they sell and they get they labor paid for. So if you ain’t mechanically inclined this would be the way to go because it will cost you that in the end if you hired someone
Lord Tunderin! Watch she dont bite you on yur ass! How much for a feller to kill hisself?
Hey big bro wouldn't you say arguably the most all purpose motorcycle ever made bro I want one so bad I had seca 750 but vmax all purpose bikes ev made
He says the service dpt has just gone through the bike ! Hahahahaha ..... pity they didn’t replace the blown back light bulb .... THEY HAVE TWO ! some service dpt .
85's were black, 86's were dark blue... I have an 86 with 11k miles on it.... I painted mine black...
I have an 1985 and is kind of purple with color lined and pinstriped. I heard that was the original design.
@@FranciscoGaliciaI have and 85 too. They only made it in 2 colours in 85.... Dark Amethyst and Deep Scarlet. Me and you have the Dark Amethyst (purple)
Looking
sounds like the sprag clutch is about to fail just like all vmaxes
UnevenHeathen tf are you talking about
Is it sold?
Unfortunately Kelley Blue Book is a bunch of car guys ...they dont know SHIT about bikes! NADA is THE accurate guide.
Kelly and NADA are identical on motorcycle prices for the VMAX.
The fastest quarter mile bike and Buick Grand national fastest quarter mile car and Corvette fastest corvette 1986
86 the best...85 horrible trans troubles....the 2nd series isn't much faster but moded very nasty