VMAX? (Talk me into/out of it)

[glenridgerich_imp]

Please be as specific as possible. I'm seriously considering a new VMAX. Before you comment, I should mention how I like to ride (so you can comment with this context in mind): I like to ride 50-100 miles in good weather, on secondary roads, typically travelling between 35-60 mph. Thanks in advance for your input!

[mininsx_imp]

Sounds like a V Max would be overkill for you. A more normal cruiser may fit your needs better.

[Gumby 1100_imp]

Hey, if you can afford one, who are we to say no.

I will say this, however: A friend recently got one, but found it not very comfortable for high speed cruising. He said that the boulevard windscreen Yamaha offers for this bike causes terrible buffeting at highway speeds. So, for your style of riding it may be fine, especially if you don't install or don't want a windscreen.

The VMax caters to a very specific niche market and I personally wouldn't want one as my sole bike...something to think about since a WMax costs almost as much as TWO other bikes.

[4 Paws_imp]

Buy whatever you want.
Make sure you have room to park an additional motorcycle because the VMAX won't be happy with the way you ride it.

[LongRanger_imp]

Overkill, but if it floats your boat, buy it and enjoy it. It's a heavy, powerful, overbearing bike, and not the most adept in the curves compared to other power cruisers. That said, I've never ridden one -- I'm merely relaying what I've read in various road tests.

[Carguy1959_imp]

At 35 to 60 MPH, I'm not sure you would get past 2 gear. I googled it and the first thing it says is "Not For The Faint Of Heart". I personally love to go fast, but that bike scares me a little bit. It didn't give the actual horse power, but I think it will be north of 160. The price is $17,999. I would buy a nice bike, (CB1100) and use the rest to buy a used one.

[Aka Tsubasa_imp]

I have ridden one and while they will cruise, it will always be begging you to go MUCH faster. Good luck telling that devil NO.

At 35 to 60 MPH, I'm not sure you would get past 2 gear. I googled it and the first thing it says is "Not For The Faint Of Heart". I personally love to go fast, but that bike scares me a little bit. It didn't give the actual horse power, but I think it will be north of 160. The price is $17,999. I would buy a nice bike, (CB1100) and use the rest to buy a used one.

200 HP and despite the weight it absolutely hauls keister. Don't ever let anyone BS you about this bike. It is an animal.

[the Ferret]

I've heard rumors that Yamaha may be using that motor in their new cruiser to be unveiled June 5. Pure speculation though.

I rode the original VMax first year it came out. What a beast then. First bike I ever got tunnel vision on. It accelerated so hard on Vboost that all I could see was a narrow point in front of me, everything else was a blur. Wasn't very comfortable and didn't handle terribly well, but certainly good enough. Gas mileage sucked.

Reading how you ride, imo, you need a CB1100 lol

[DocRid_imp]

Harley V-Rod
Triumph Rocket III Roadster
Yamaha VMAX
Suzuki M109R
Ducati Diavel
etc...

The question isn't why not, it's "Why?"

I've lusted after every one of those bikes but in the end I couldn't come up with a reason to have them over other bikes except "It looks bada**," and "It will go stupid fast."

Those two reasons weren't enough to persuade me to pick one over a more practical and purposefull bike.

[rboe]

"I want to buy a war surplus tank, can you think of any reason not to get it? I'll be using it mainly for squirrel hunting...".

Not the ideal tool for your stated purpose. Riding a slow bike fast is more fun than riding a fast bike slow - a quote that would apply in spades in this case.

You may still want the VMAX and there may be better reasons for getting one; but if your main riding is the back road at "slower" speeds then another bike (say a 250-300cc standard or dual sport) is in order. Save the VMAX for those coffee house runs on Sunday morning.