Thanks for watching. Let me know what you think in the comments below. More videos like this here: kzfaq.info/sun/PLmgCmljtdCzUPlkO9kNjj0ARrfojWPFFU

I love my vmax because it's not trying to be a Harley, not trying to be a sport bike. You can cruise like you did, or you can blast away like a rocket. Jekyll/Hyde bike

I'm glad I watched all of this because you were talking about how it wasn't all that powerful, and I thought, "huh??" but if you're willing to wring out the throttle, the vmax won't disappoint. After the owner explained 'v-boost' to you, above 6,000 rpm !! I could tell the light bulb illuminated for you :) Ride it again and open it up !!

The VMax is the ‘71 Hemi Cuda of motorcycles. Muscle car guys & even exotic car guys like the Cuda. Same goes for bikers and the Max. Back when they first came out I was into sport bikes but loved that Yamaha. Even Harley & Indian riders respected them. My VMax is 27 years old but still gets a thumbs up from those who know what it is every time I ride it. When you hit v-boost it’s like a muscle car opening up all 4 barrels on the carb or a modern day car coming on boost from the turbo. Nothing…nothing…6,000 rpm…V Boost = Holy Sh*+!

Ask your mate to give you another go and get it into VBoost (6000 - 8000 rpm). Unleash the beast! Great review by the way.

Ask your mate if you can have another go on it and get it above 6000rpm, it’s a different animal, you’ll soon see what all the hype was about. Plodding about ok it you will just think it’s the same as any other cruiser but the Vmax is all about the VBOOST! That’s assuming your friends bike is a full power model.

Thanks for the review. Good that kept in mind that this bike is more than 20 years old.

Yamaha V-max, great bike! I ride it in Russia. In Russia it is called "Flying Sledgehammer". This is my favorite motorcycle, there is also a video about it, but in Russian

...and that's the beauty of the Gen 1 V-Max. She'll plod all day like a Harley but hit the V-Boost at six grand and she'll annihilate all but the fastest of modern bikes. Having had a lifetime riding grand prix bikes on track, a V-Max is a great antidote to the bland jelly moulds that proliferate the showroom floors.

Nice comparison Alf, have considered the V Max from time to time but after owning 3 Harleys I don’t think that would now be an option for me. Many thanks. ....

i agree with a lot of the comments you got to open her up its a whole different animal when the vboost kicks in. 2nd and 3rd will wheelie in my 95 and i dont have to put much effort in

You sir, need to ride a gen2.

Alf.....great videos. Thank you. Do you know the width of your standard bars on the sport glide Thanks

Man they sure cut the horse power in bikes going to the EU ,US 1985-1989 ear 145 hp,nice video

As others mentioned ,rev it and it is completely different.The 750 you mentioned as being the original version was the Fazer with similar styling,not available for long,replaced with more familiar 600 Fazer.

Beautiful scenery to ride!

Harp on! I like it.

I'm glad I watched all of this because you were talking about how it wasn't all that powerful, and I thought, "huh??" I mean sure, my vmax won't do what my ZX-14 does, but if you're willing to wring out the throttle, the vmax won't disappoint. After the owner explained 'v-boost' to you, I could tell the light bulb illuminated for you :) All the best-

I had 4 first gen v Max’s you should watch jay gleason ride one to see what it’s capable of and ride it again taking it through the rpm range I guarantee your review would be different

They are very challenging at slow speeds, especially when the engine is cold. I've had my 98 for 10 years now. Wisconsin winters are challenging but a heated garage, fuel stabilizer, and a commitment to take her out for a ride when the ground is dry even though its only 20*F is necessary to keep the carbs clean. Oh, the bike was designed as a drag bike to challenge the Honda V65 Magna. Competing with Harley was never a consideration in the design. There are no real points of comparison. There might have been if they'd added a 6th gear, but they cut it to save weight. Same as the 3.2 gal gas tank. You dont need much gas for a few passes at the track.

In my opinion, if Metric Cruisers were widely accepted in the US ( like Harleys ), then the Japanese Big Four would have introduced Cruisers far superior to Harleys in Technology, Performance and refinement since they have technological prowess which HD doesn’t have. Big four have real technocrats in their R&D centers while HD has beauticians. !!

Honda Magna v4s were the first that spanked Harleys Off the road. Unless you’re referring to the Yamaha venture which the vmax is derived from.

You keep saying it isn't a dramatically fast bike. Those are 10 second 145hp stock. That is one of the fastest cruisers still.. No Harley being sold today is 145hp in the 10s. You weren't getting to the poweband which is above.6k rpm when the secondary carb slides open up, or vboost. It might be a European Vmax which is detuned to 100hp, but that is still more than 99% of Harleys.

Nice to see it rolls nicely in mid range mate but was waiting on you to wind the rev counter 😈, full power makes 140 at the crank, revs to 10k and all the power is above 6k 😉 then you’ll be hanging on!! I have just added a 85 Gen1 alongside my Rocket 3R 🚀 the bike that made me want to ride a bike as a teenager *poster bike. Harleys have nice low end but rarely fast and not in same league as a Vmax. But it’s nice it can cruise below 6k. Going to put wider bars on mine 😊

I'm originally from Manchester myself but live in North Carolina. Best motorcycle roads in the world ! I have a 2016 Gen 2 I bought new. She's an absolute beast and handles very well through the twisties. And unfortunately the gas mileage still sucks ! 100 miles if you're lucky.

The 1995 Vmax has the bigger forks on it so they do handle better than the earlier models with the smaller forks.

I'm sorry you didn't have a chance to open it up. Those bikes are insane.

Hahaha you had about 6000 revs left and say it's not a real fast bike..Too bad you didn't hit the 6000 rev......for it would have made you cry for joy. I'm considering making a video of how the V-Max likes to be treated to show once and for all that the V-Max is not to be compared with any motorcycle cruising the planet. It's a masterpiece of japanese engineering.....It's a katana on steroids and if you know how to treat it it will serve you forever. Did 65000km on mine and will do another and another and another. Completely stock, black carbon, black pipes,black pants,black jacket,black helmet, black shades, black me. Love curves and shooting out of them...and anyone who tells me it can only go straight has never ridden one. If you see the engine without the frame you'll see the immense size of this v4 powerpack and you will understand it's hard to frame so many wild horses. It's engineered to last.....and it does if you cherish and respect it. There is only one danger..... The V-Max is a master provoker and he is faster than your thoughts.....know your limit......the V-max has none! Because there are so many bikes , the V-Max is not a bike for every biker. To me it fits like a glove....To you Alf....you need to 'revelate' some more to give the V-Max a just opinion. Riding the V-Max is giving joy to the people.....they hear you coming and they know instantly that it isn't a Harley.........it's special....it's deeeeeeep like a trombone....music to the ear.....a symphony of combustion.......they smile and give thumbs up, when parked spectators always show up....some are familiar with the Max, others just admire the beauty. Yes I love the first generation V-Max. Nothing beats this masterpiece.....it's a leage of it's own. Be safe bikers! Watch your back. Peace!

Alf it was designed as a muscle bike vs the suit 1400 and the yam xjr 1200 in the 80s. It's a drag bike with lights strapped on. Especially the supercharged ones. No Harley is on the same planet. Below 6000 rpm its a shopping trolley above and Stargate is slow. Just don't try corners.

Is it restricted one? Maybe that's the reason you have got a feeling it's not very powerful bike.🙂

I bet your SOLD now huh?! lol there’s nothing wrong with that (coming from a Harley rider)…❤

Hit the vboost and you'll see. They're something to hear at the drag strip with open pipes. They sound like a V8

If i am correct they dont build them anymore ? for me its just HD till the grave but each to thier own.

Bro stop saying its not a fast bike the vmax full power model will rip your arms off if you hit the vboost

Vmax nice👍👍👍👍👍

The “heroic Harley “ and the “voluptuous vmax”😅

American Toy vs Japanese Godzilla

V4s are great. They are apparently expensive to make and those valve jobs can add up if you ride a lot. Probably why we don't see many models with them. In 1983, that was the fastest bike on the market when it came out. You just needed to spin it up a little. They weren't known for great handling, so you probably don't want to do that ahead of a curve. I imagine with the carbs on that, it had excellent fueling. The new ones are terrible. Their fuel injection sucks. Like riding a bucking bronco. Great fun I guess if you're a DIY'r, but around here, no one would work on something of that age. And even if they would, not sure they could get parts. Even finding those old tire sizes might be a challenge. All adds to the thrill of vintage ownership I suppose.

I'm guessing it doesn't have self-cancelling turn-lamps LOL

Give that thing the gas bro! That not your fat harley. Check out my vmax on here. "Vmax full kirker stage 7 jet". Dropped that heavy center stand and that cat. Coverter.( who needs that trash! O ya you euro boys that play by the book)That wgt about 20 lbs. Also trade out those donut turn signals for something slick.

You obviously need another ride on a full power vmax and ring its neck, it will make you eat your word's ( not powerful Duh! ) I have owned my vmax since 2003 a full power 1998 Canadian import and it has never disapointed , that bike is going to the grave with me.

Nice video but you say it not that fast.... What?!? The vmax does 0-60 in 2.8 sec and sub 10 sec quarter mile, if that's not fast, what is? 🤣

Rev the VMAX out and it will leave the H-D for dead. And the new VMAX 1700 is even another leap beyond that.

Puts this on par with a Sportster 1200....not a fast accelerating bike 🤣 He never took it past 4k Rpm🤭 He rode it like a Harley lol If he would have hit 6k he would have crapped his pants 💩 I know the European vmax is detuned...but common 🙄

Dude open it up.... you didn't even hit 6k vboost. Lol

Omg! Did he actually say it’s not a fast bike ?? Wow he missed the mark on this bikes review. That bike will eat your Harley buddy.

I bet your review changes then lmfao....

It's not fast.... Bwahaahahahhhaha.... You need to redo your little test ride... That vmax will out 10 bike lengths on your HD by 100 mph. Easily.