YAMAHA V-MAX (2008 - 2017) Review

Version: Carbon edition

Year: 2017

Annual servicing cost: £3,000

The pinnacle after over 40 years of riding experience. Bullet proof and severely underrated as a versatile bike. Though extremely powerful, it calms you down when riding - so over the top.

Buying experience: I bought it new. No test ride, nothing but I was riding the 1200 VMax for more than 20 years before.

Year: 2011

It's been de-restricted and had a GURU tune all I can say is it's now completley redicousley quick....

Year: 2015

Annual servicing cost: £45,000

Would love a larger fuel tank.Better know where your stations are! Otherwise king of the road!

Buying experience: Dealer in Clearwater Florida.got it new for 14,600.

Version: VMAX 1700

Year: 2009

To be the custodian of a bike, that 14 years ago was even then, producing nearly 200 bhp, is nothing short of an honour and an absolute pleasure. It delivers every horse from the first twist of the throttle all the way to the next available petrol station. Stopping to refuel every 75-90 miles is a great way to catch your breath and massage the cramp from the smile that never leaves your face.

Buying experience: If you can find one when you want one then buy it. They are just getting rarer and more difficult to find.

Year: 2009

For smiles per gallon, this rare beast delivers every time you roll the throttle.

Buying experience: Buying is going to be a challenge because there just aren’t many around and prices are on the rise as the world becomes aware of this epic beast

Year: 2016

awesome appearance blistering speed incredible power

Buying experience: bought from dealer

Year: 2009

Buying experience: It's a thrill to ride. Straight line twist and hang on . A little top heavy respect it on the twistes. Bought from a dealer used , never had a problem with it.

£22,000 for a new motorcycle and you can't get a test ride. Really, Yamaha? How many people are there out there who will splash out that kind of money without having a ride first? Obviously not as many as Yamaha think. I got mine second hand and I love it to bits. Awesome looks and bigger than you expect when you see one up close but I am learning to live with the less desirable aspects of the bike. Fuel economy is awful. It's a shock at first when you realise how few miles you're doing between fill ups, but the impressively massive amount of power available is the trade off. But you don't buy a near 1700cc, 200 bhp bike and expect 50cc scooter mpg figures. It weighs 300 kgs., so upper body strength is important when trying to manoeuvre the bike under your own steam. The centre of gravity is somewhere in the middle so it's not trying to dive into the ground but be careful because turn in can be quite sharp. It's a well put together piece of kit with a high quality finish. Accessories are super expensive and very rarely in stock. Destined to be a modern classic but not for touring or the faint of heart. In the US the VMax is yours for $19890, which is around £12500. There is sales tax to add, which varies, depending on which US state you are in, but the massive price difference between here and there is down to import duty, VAT etc. added by HM Gov't.

you want power and something which looks different then think about this. You can buy a suzuki b-king (ok. its ugly) and get it supercharged to over 300bhp for 4k.that still puts it well under the v-max price and 200-300kph is in a blink of an eye. you can even move the exhausts from rear to side akropovic. v max is lovely but owners are paying too much and customer service from yamaha is poor

I have recently taken delivery of a 2009 Vmax and yes, I really did think hard about the price. I managed to get mine for £16k which seems a lot less out of touch than the now over £17k. What you get are 4 things that little else will give you. 1 - this thing accelerates like nothing else but the point is that it goes like this from 2,000 revs upwards and that makes a huge, huge difference 2. - you can commute on this bike through central London in far more comfort than a sports bike which makes it useable for those who ride every day 3. It has a wow factor like little else 4 - there are so few around, everyone wants to look at your bike whilst R1's are 2 a penny. It is beautifully made, state of the art, unusal and beautiful in a butch sort of way. Yes - I find it worth the money even at teh higher price .

Optional extras. You have to be kidding Not one available. All back orders including new R1. Sod all. This is unexceptable Yamaha.Even when i recived my Warrantie and Breakdown Card this week They Informed me that the Booklet explaining the rules. Yep you guessed it [They have run out]Being a fair minded sort of a chap i thought it is a new model in Europe. But Lo and Behold after a visit to the Yank website Vmax. That have had the vmax for some time.Your ahead of me. They have not recived the Gift packs for new owners.This problem also applies to the new R1. So Yamaha Bleeding wake up. 16000 is beginning to look a bit Steep Yours Grumpy ol Git