The 2009 V-max is finally here. From 1985 until now, the V-max has been almost unchanged and despite the hopes and dreams of so many owners, each year brought a new color and not much else, ... until now.
The new 2009 V-max has evolved, the appearance will never be mistaken for any other motorcycle with strong ties to the past but it's decidedly a break from the old Max, more up to date with contours more muscular and an all new 1679cc engine with fly by wire throttle, functional air scoops and Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) that shortens the intake tracts at 7000 rpm.
Hydraulic slipper clutch, 5 speed transmission, ABS brakes, chain and gear driven cams opening 4 valves per cylinder. A 200/50 R18 rear tire, 120/70 R18 front and fully adjustable suspension front and rear. A 4 gallon tank is under the seat and filled as before with a filler under the backrest. The 4 into 2 into 4 exhaust has an EXUP valve for tuning power across the rev range. The large analog tach is where it's supposed to be with a big shift indicator light. Weight is 683 pounds.
MSRP is $17,990 with delivery beginning in November. Dealers will take $1000 deposits to secure the orders which will be filled in the order they are received.
The U.S. website doesn't have numbers but they do in Europe, 197 horsepower at 9000 rpm, 123 foot pounds at 6500 rpm.
Full specs below:
Engine:
* A new-generation V4: The thunderous 1679cc, 65-degree, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC engine pumps out astonishing power to reinvent the VMAX legend.
* The sportbike-proven Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) switches nearly instantaneously between 150mm and 54mm intake funnels as needed for a broad powerband that delivers optimum performance at any rpm.
* Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T), the fly-by-wire system, delivers flawless response every time the rider twists the throttle.
* Engine combines four-valve technology with a high 11.3:1 compression ratio, forged aluminum pistons and NGK® Iridium spark plugs with R1-type direct ignition coils to extract maximum horsepower from the fuel charge.
* Cams are driven by a combined chain and gear system to precisely control valves while keeping cylinder heads remarkably compact for such a large displacement engine.
* Hydraulically activated clutch includes racetrack-proven ramp-type slipper clutch system that makes braking from speed while downshifting smoother.
* Five-speed transmission has superbly spaced gear ratios to take full advantage of the engine’s awesome power in straight-line acceleration or through the canyons.
* Delivering this power cruiser’s muscle to the street means a beefy shaft drive just like its predecessor. Special shaft design includes two cross joints to accommodate the fat 200/50 R18 rear tire.
* The high-performance engine is cooled by two radiators for efficiency and clean looks. Lubrication is via a simple, reliable wet sump system.
* Four-into-one-into-two-into-four exhaust system with EXUP (Exhaust Ultimate Power valve) delivers a broad, seamless powerband with the right VMAX look.
* The iconic VMAX aluminum intake covers are hand buffed by craftsmen for superb quality and individuality.
Chassis/Suspension:
* The newly designed chassis is light and compact, with a cast aluminum main frame, CF die-cast and extruded aluminum rear frame and cast aluminum swingarm. The result is superb rigidity balance for both hard acceleration off the line and corner carving.
* Cartridge-damper-type front forks have substantial 52mm inner tubes with oxidized titanium coating. Forks have both compression and rebound damping adjustability plus spring preload.
* Link-type Monocross® rear suspension has a piggyback reservoir and features compression and rebound clickers, plus remote preload adjustment.
* VMAX uses Brembo®-designed master cylinders, the front with radial pump and reserve tank. Large 320mm wave-style dual front discs are matched to radial-mounted mono block 6-piston calipers. On the rear wheel, there’s a 298mm disc, also wave design, and single-piston caliper. These high-tech brakes also incorporate three-position ABS.
* Tapered handlebar provides a muscular 1-1/8” diameter look at the triple clamp while using conventionally sized controls.
* Newly designed 18-inch radial tires, 120/70 R18 front and 200/50 R18 rear, are mounted on cast aluminum five-spoke wheels.
* For mass centralization that contributes to the bike’s lean looks, the 4 gallon (15-liter) fuel tank is mounted under the seat, with the filler under the rider’s backrest. Tank is constructed of fluorinated polyethylene with superb permeability resistance.
Additional Features:
* The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) uses three microprocessors to control fuel injection, ignition, YCC-T, YCC-I, meters and other electrical components.
* The instrument panel includes an analog, step-motor driven tachometer and digital speedometer with LED indicator lights. Prominent LED shift timing indicator adds to the performance character of the new VMAX.
* Organic electro luminescence multi-function display provides a more precise display vs. LCD and includes clock, fuel meter, trip meter with fuel reserve trip meter, transmission gear position, coolant temperature, stopwatch and more.
* Distinctive key design reinforces the unique character of this new VMAX.
* H4 60/55W headlight provides excellent visibility and distinctive style, while the trick-looking LED taillight is light, bright and highly efficient.
* Rare earth magnet AC magneto puts out a robust 420W at 5000 rpm.
MSRP* $17,990 (Intense Black) Available from November 2008
Engine
Type 1679cc liquid-cooled 65° V-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder
Bore x Stroke 90.0mm x 66.0mm
Compression Ratio 11.3:1
Fuel Delivery Fuel Injection with YCC-T and YCC-I
Ignition TCI
Transmission 5-speed, multiplate slipper clutch
Final Drive Shaft
Chassis
Suspension/Front 52mm telescopic cartridge fork w/oxidized titanium coating. Fully adjustable preload, compression and rebound; 4.7 in travel
Suspension/Rear Single shock w/remote reservoir and remote adjustable for preload, compression and rebound
Brakes/Front Dual 320mm wave-type discs; radial mount 6-piston calipers, Brembo® radial pump master cylinder
Brakes/Rear 298mm wave-type disc, single-piston caliper and Brembo® master cylinder
Tires/Front Bridgestone® Radial 120/70-R18 59V
Tires/Rear Bridgestone® Radial 200/50-R18 76V
Dimensions
Length 94.3 in
Width 32.3 in
Height 46.8 in
Seat Height 30.5 in
Wheelbase 66.9 in
Rake (Caster Angle) 31.0 in
Fuel Capacity 4.0 gal
Wet Weight 683 lb / 685 lb (CA model)
Warranty 2 Year (Limited Factory Warranty) with Priority Delivery Program
Link: Star Website
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{ 39 comments… add yours below ... }
MCN says: “the 1,679cc V4 engine actually produces 197 bhp at 9,000 rpm with 123 ft lb of torque” altough wet weight is pretty heavy for current motorcycles; Question is why the aluminium frame etc. with such a wet weight?
I’ve always been a fan of the V-Max, and this one looks promising…. But that rear wheel looks really out of place. It almost looks like a bad photoshop job. I think Yamaha should have added a little more fender or something.
Thats a lot of bike happening in-between those wheels…
The seat height looks better in these photos.
The aftermarket pipe business should have some nice options
As Hugo mentions, not only does MCN report horsepower figures, so does the European Vmax website. Looks like the lawyers over here in the U.S. don’t allow such things, we might hurt ourselves reading those numbers …
18k MSRP! Ouch. I’m filled with a biting sadness and fear I will never be the same. The dream is over.
Plus it weighs more than light duty agricultural equipment.
I was defending this bike, until i saw it with a rider. that front tire is far too small, and the price is way too high.
To Hugo: They probably fought hard to get the weight down this far, hence the aluminum frame. Besides, it also looks good on the tech sheet.
PS. ‘Available from November 2000′ (as stated above, June 4th) might be a bit optimistic. (fixed: kneeslider)
sigh .. Why does the world need another whale?
Is Caddy going to bring us back football field
styled cars with wings and things? I hope so,
it would be a good match for this monster.
Can none of the manufacturers hear the plea for
for a 750-ish V4 100bhp Gen Purpose with lots of
torque and able to pull 80mpg? Kind of like a
cross between a VFR and a F800/GS650 with more
style and character.
Or perhaps that is just my idea of Nirvana…
It will go down in history as one of the ugliest bikes ever built, and the timing is perfect for this heavy mega-horsepower pig, with fuel prices going out of site. I wonder why they did not call it the behemoth.
It looks like an anime fever-dream come to life. Is there really a motorcycle under all that styling?
There’s only one burning question for me…are those scoops finally for real?
This motorcycle is completely socially irresponsible. It has far too much horsepower. It’s too big. It’s too heavy. It will use too much gasoline. It’s burdened with in-your-face styling. Its immature owners will compensate for their own inadaquacies by mounting loud exhaust pipes, and scaring the bejeezus out of innocent commuters. Because of the way it will be ridden, it will create anti-motorcycle fervor whereever it goes.
I WANT IT!
I just left the dealer, 1k lighter, 197hp is just too cool.
the exhaust looks like coffee cups. are they targeting the starbucks market?
I love this – I think it fits the brief perfectly. the V-Max is really in a class of it’s own, and shouldn’t be judged alongside other bikes. Thank God the manufacturers still make outrageous bikes like this!
there’s some great high res pics here:
http://www.motoblog.it/galleria/foto-ufficiali-yamaha-v-max-2009/
ive owned 5 vmax now still have 3 ones 1500cc flatsides chain drive etc 172rwhp at8250 113foot pounds its hard an fast an built to last {thanks to pcw} i will quit the other 2 which are tuned as well an purchase one of these ! this rocks to get something this good an still have the old bike in it but bigger an better! IF IN DOUT GRUNT IT OUT THATS WHAT VMAX ARE ABOUT!they also do alot of things very well if your to scared to ride them stay away they will hurt you!!! CHEERS
PS.you got it right yamaha waiting till the b king got here 1st you just had to have the most hp an ftpds you have got to back those looks with hp if your to look this angury!!!! an im not compering the to bikes its just that if its not the fastest down the dragstrip its not avmax !rember the talk when they 1st came out…..cant wait for 1/4 mile times an they are so ezzy to live with every day. THE VMAX IS IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN i dont see why this vmax cant have a 21st birthday as well dont change anything an it will make it WELL DONE
Not bad, I’m sure it will get the fat tire and a face lift once the builders get a hold of it. I’m still waiting for the the VTX 1800 Turbo. Now that’s a power cruiser.(if it comes out anything like the concept bike)
I wanted a power cruiser… not a 300+ kg fugly sports bike with too many swoopy bits.
I kind of wanted to see a shape like the custom in the link.
http://www.valleygasspeedshop.com/whats_in/Album2.htm
I’d say you’ve got something of a love affair with the Vmax, and I doubt I’d be too far off the mark.
being a v max rider it’s hard for me to say this but Jason is right the vtx looks heap better!
http://www.gizmag.com/go/5215/picture/20213/
David, that Vmax custom you point to is interesting. I’ve long thought some builders should try to use the engine in a custom but few ever try.
that VTX just looks way to long. the Vmax here seems more agile than that. i know it’s heavy, but when you compare it to other heavy bikes it seems like a winner.
it looks like it would be very comfortable for long rides. especially if you added some aftermarket touring gear.
yet it also looks like it would be a lot of fun streetlight to streetlight.
i can admit the only reason i wouldn’t get one is i don’t want to spend $17k on a motorcycle at this time.
i’m sure the bike will do well.
Not quite as ugly as the B-King, but close. Some customizer will make this thing look good. Those mufflers remind me of the ash cans that used to sit in the hotel lobby.
What’s up with the color accents on the engine? The new stuff coming out of Japan lately is hideous. Makes for a good movie prop.
Coming soon to a theater near you.
Kneeslider, maybe its trying to work around the shaft drive that keeps the custom hackers away? Plus it is a little Japanese for the older crowd… even for a bike designed by an englishman in California.
Wait, 197? From an Euro website? Don’t some of those countries measure HP differently, or use a different HP quoting standard?
Ricky, 147.2 kW (200 PS) @ 9,000 rpm is the Euro spec, the conversion is done for those more familiar with good ol’ American horsepower. Torque is 166.8 Nm (17.0 kg-m) @ 6,500 rpm if you’re interested.
The wheelbase is a excruciatingly long 67-inches. I have nothing else to say.
same wheelbase as a v-rod, actually.
good article:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/performance_cruiser_comparison/index.html
Whoever designed the rear fender and mufflers should be exiled for life to a special island without any sort of drawing instruments…
Yamaha , please get rid of that damn shaft drive and I’ll think about buying one .
Whatta h**l…its to heavy…=( loose 100kilos and I buy one.
I cant believe there are so many narrow minded people commenting it is by far the most awesome looking bike ever and who cares how much fuel it burns i take my hat of to yamaha cant wait
I wonder how the VMax compares with the Busa. It might just topple it from top honors with its extra power (granted it’s a 23% bigger motor). Its weight will hurt the launch and aerodynamics will hurt the top end but maybe not enough. Maybe some back-to-back drags are in order.
-todd
What are we looking at for 0-100mph acceleration and quarter mile times? Since that seems to be the target market.
Everybodys a critic! (I guess I am too!) Why isnt Mr.Max around 470-490 pounds? Why on Gods green earth does it have to wiegh 683 pounds?!!! I would love to pull up beside a V-Rod on a V-max.115 HP VRS 197.
I just dont get the Harley thing, all bark and not much else.Guys acting all bad on a high 11 second bike.(Actually,Most guys can only do low 12’s on a V-Rod) But Mr.Max truly is Ba-Ba-Ba-Bad to the bone! Image only works on people who believe the image.The V-Max really is BAD ASS, not a pretender.
The Kneeslider does not endorse nor imply agreement with any particular comment just because we let it stand, but, you already knew that.
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