It wasn't meant to be like a sports bike its a drag bike. It's a great commuter bike too! I ride mine through the canyons too but I don't push it hard only out of the turn.
If you want a motorcycle that corners like a sports bike, get a fuggin sports bike! The VMAX has never been a track/cornering/sports bike! It is a straight line domination machine that occasionally has to turn... lol! Great video! Love the sound of your bad ass machine.
I've been through the Dragon on mine. No issues. There's a video on here of it. 2016 vmax running the tail of the dragon. Moonshiners, Snake, devils whip. (all in NC) The Gen 2 can keep up with sport bikes through the twisties you just have to know how to throw all that weight around. You have to plan the corners more. And don't get on it to hard coming out.
I think Yamaha had the opportunity to improve its cornering by designing a different tyre .They should've sat down with Bridgestone and redesign the curvature. The more oval a tire is, the better the lean angle. But you are right, the Max was never meant to go round a track fast. It was designed at the time to be the most bad ass motorcycle out there.
JM, great commentary. Since we share Air Force history, it's like saying why can't a C-17 land and take off from a carrier? It's just not designed to do that...Keep 'em coming!
Jeff, you are very squared away with your exciting future plans, I am excited for you Also my 05 sounds almost identical to you 1700, amazing. As to cornering on my 05 even with my gunfighter seat and Avon venom tires I have puckered a few times on the curves that I love to push on the country roads here in Mi.
Yes the poor handling reputation is based on opinion of sprt bike afficionados who wrongfully think of themselves as the cream of the crop of motorcycle riders. The vmax was designed foremost as a quarter mile dragrace winner designed to not have a limiting wheelie issue to constrain it but still have spectacular acceleration. Mission accomplished. I have first generation vmax 1200 and not had cajones to try drag racing it but there is not much like the exhilaration opening that throttle on the highway especially when the v boost kicks in and each cylinder from 2 carbs instead of 1. And the bike feels awesomely stable at speed i have been 145 mph in a slight mist before backing down and no issues even with poor tire tread left. Mine is down at moment with some fork leakage last ride was a little sqirrelly so i knew the leaking oil was from the fork and not the speedometer gear and i parked it. It my favorite bike over my lowrider and triumph america. Peace love and light
Truth! Its a muscle cruiser. I love muscle cruisers. Loved my 116 HP V-65 Magna and love my 133 WHP Harley softail. Would love to add a V Max to my stable. Takes long curves well and is extremely stable for hard acceleration. Fast hairpins not so much. Do I care not so much.
It doesn’t corner like a sports bike but for it’s weight and wheel base it’s pretty good, the initial tip in is heavy, same with transitions, it holds a line very well and I have used the whole rear tyre without any trouble, once you get past the tip in there’s nothing wrong with it.
Macawmagnet I had no idea Alabama looked that nice for a ride. I have an "Old School" bright yellow '94 V-Max and a black 2014 CB-1100 Honda. I live in Jacksonville, Florida and want to ride to the Barber Motorcycle museum in Birmingham. Never thought about wheelbase being the influence on cornering. My Max is 62.6 in. and the Honda is 58.7
Correct. It was made for a particular Niche. Its only comparable bike was the V65 back in the '80s. Then the V-Rod and even the Triumph Rocket in the early 2000's. But like you said. When someone equates HP to Handling they are missing the point. The V-max back in the day was meant for 1/4 mile straight lines PERIOD, full stop. Even sportbikes back in the same time the V-Max came out were not much of a cornering bike. So two different things. What happened is that as Sportbikes started to get lighter and faster as not only had the handling improved, but so did the motors.... Like your comparing a 450hp Truck to a Car. Same thing with V-Max's to Sportbikes.... Notice I said V-Max and not a "V-Max" sportbike to other sportbikes, as that is not what a Vmax is! The same can be said for Vmax's to Harleys (except again for the V-Rod). Two different functions..... On a side note. That is my exact plan also.I have 3 Maxs and plan on getting a cruiser for me and the wife to ride (2 up) in the future. Something on the lines of a Road Glide). Anyway yeah I'm 54 and at 62 I have a plan for a 1Ton pickup and a Toy Hauler for my Retirement plans. We may have to get together.
When riding such a large bike and you being too small is the need to adjust your technique. How? Try using your bum in combination with your hands. Your hands should be used more to push down when making a turn, combined with a 'swing' in the bum. This is how small people can ride big heavy bikes with more zip. I also have noticed that you drive quite slowly and in low rpms. Those are my tips that I have taught others for years as I am a big guy.
Jeff, V-max does corner …. YES … if you make some adjustments on the front suspension, the bike corners very good… I already smoked some bikes, and one of then crashed and totally lost his bike trying to follow the BEAST V-max … if the rider is not too skilled, for sure I will past, and bye bye 👋….
I have had many crotch rockets, and I am very happy how my Vmax corners. Just me. It gains a lot coming out of the corners with tons of torque.
It wasn't meant to be like a sports bike its a drag bike. It's a great commuter bike too! I ride mine through the canyons too but I don't push it hard only out of the turn.
I have owned 4 harley davidson and 2010 vmax and the vmax handles very well for a bike with its weight and size
If you want a motorcycle that corners like a sports bike, get a fuggin sports bike! The VMAX has never been a track/cornering/sports bike! It is a straight line domination machine that occasionally has to turn... lol! Great video! Love the sound of your bad ass machine.
I've been through the Dragon on mine. No issues. There's a video on here of it. 2016 vmax running the tail of the dragon. Moonshiners, Snake, devils whip. (all in NC) The Gen 2 can keep up with sport bikes through the twisties you just have to know how to throw all that weight around. You have to plan the corners more. And don't get on it to hard coming out.
I think Yamaha had the opportunity to improve its cornering by designing a different tyre .They should've sat down with Bridgestone and redesign the curvature. The more oval a tire is, the better the lean angle. But you are right, the Max was never meant to go round a track fast. It was designed at the time to be the most bad ass motorcycle out there.
JM, great commentary. Since we share Air Force history, it's like saying why can't a C-17 land and take off from a carrier? It's just not designed to do that...Keep 'em coming!
Thank you.
Jeff, you are very squared away with your exciting future plans, I am excited for you Also my 05 sounds almost identical to you 1700, amazing. As to cornering on my 05 even with my gunfighter seat and Avon venom tires I have puckered a few times on the curves that I love to push on the country roads here in Mi.
Yes the poor handling reputation is based on opinion of sprt bike afficionados who wrongfully think of themselves as the cream of the crop of motorcycle riders. The vmax was designed foremost as a quarter mile dragrace winner designed to not have a limiting wheelie issue to constrain it but still have spectacular acceleration. Mission accomplished. I have first generation vmax 1200 and not had cajones to try drag racing it but there is not much like the exhilaration opening that throttle on the highway especially when the v boost kicks in and each cylinder from 2 carbs instead of 1. And the bike feels awesomely stable at speed i have been 145 mph in a slight mist before backing down and no issues even with poor tire tread left. Mine is down at moment with some fork leakage last ride was a little sqirrelly so i knew the leaking oil was from the fork and not the speedometer gear and i parked it. It my favorite bike over my lowrider and triumph america. Peace love and light
Truth! Its a muscle cruiser. I love muscle cruisers. Loved my 116 HP V-65 Magna and love my 133 WHP Harley softail. Would love to add a V Max to my stable. Takes long curves well and is extremely stable for hard acceleration. Fast hairpins not so much. Do I care not so much.
It doesn’t corner like a sports bike but for it’s weight and wheel base it’s pretty good, the initial tip in is heavy, same with transitions, it holds a line very well and I have used the whole rear tyre without any trouble, once you get past the tip in there’s nothing wrong with it.
Jeff come out to AZ when you retire, you will see some amazing weather to match some amazing roads to hit!
I will eventually make it that way with my rig because I have family in Phoenix.
@@JeffMarcum are you going to continue TH-cam through retirement? I would love to continue to follow your journey
Macawmagnet
I had no idea Alabama looked that nice for a ride. I have an "Old School" bright yellow '94 V-Max and a black 2014 CB-1100 Honda. I live in Jacksonville, Florida and want to ride to the Barber Motorcycle museum in Birmingham. Never thought about wheelbase being the influence on cornering. My Max is 62.6 in. and the Honda is 58.7
Correct. It was made for a particular Niche. Its only comparable bike was the V65 back in the '80s. Then the V-Rod and even the Triumph Rocket in the early 2000's. But like you said. When someone equates HP to Handling they are missing the point. The V-max back in the day was meant for 1/4 mile straight lines PERIOD, full stop. Even sportbikes back in the same time the V-Max came out were not much of a cornering bike. So two different things. What happened is that as Sportbikes started to get lighter and faster as not only had the handling improved, but so did the motors.... Like your comparing a 450hp Truck to a Car. Same thing with V-Max's to Sportbikes.... Notice I said V-Max and not a "V-Max" sportbike to other sportbikes, as that is not what a Vmax is! The same can be said for Vmax's to Harleys (except again for the V-Rod). Two different functions..... On a side note. That is my exact plan also.I have 3 Maxs and plan on getting a cruiser for me and the wife to ride (2 up) in the future. Something on the lines of a Road Glide). Anyway yeah I'm 54 and at 62 I have a plan for a 1Ton pickup and a Toy Hauler for my Retirement plans. We may have to get together.
yeah , me too. I'm not in my 20's, and only own a CX500C. I've got cars and truck. Motorcycles are a 2ndary mode of transportation. (NOW)
How's the cornering compared to the v65 magna
I wish I still had the Magna to do a same day comparison. However, I feel like the VMAX is better.
My 2020 handles great a local guy on a diavel can't touch me in the mountains.
When riding such a large bike and you being too small is the need to adjust your technique. How? Try using your bum in combination with your hands. Your hands should be used more to push down when making a turn, combined with a 'swing' in the bum. This is how small people can ride big heavy bikes with more zip. I also have noticed that you drive quite slowly and in low rpms. Those are my tips that I have taught others for years as I am a big guy.
The Shinko Verves I put on mine changes the handling DRASTICALLY! the stock tires are terrible.
I’ve seen a lot guys mention the same thing about those tires. I may try them when the time comes.
Second Gen Vmax corner nicely. First Gen Vmax' are the culprits of the scandal!
Jeff, V-max does corner …. YES … if you make some adjustments on the front suspension, the bike corners very good… I already smoked some bikes, and one of then crashed and totally lost his bike trying to follow the BEAST V-max … if the rider is not too skilled, for sure I will past, and bye bye 👋….
The Boss 429 was never meant to compete with a Ferrari.
I think the problem is the rider. Take a course.
Jeff you know it's made for just blvd cruising, and straight up, flat out HAULIN' ASS, mostly in a straight line.