V-Max??

[New_rider417]

I didn't know where to post this cause a v-max doesn't really fit into a catagory imo. Hope you all can help.
One of my buddies is wanting to buy a Yamaha V-max for his first bike. I'm trying to find a way to convince him that its probably way too much bike for a new-b. I've never rode on one, but the specs I've seen make it out to be a powerhouse and then some. I mean my bike scares the crap outa me the second I don't show it the respect it deserves, and its no where close to the bike that one is. I'm worried for my buddy's safety tryin to figure everything out on such a machine.
I showed him the sport bikes aren't for beginners thread, but he argues that I bought a sport bike, why can't he. I try to tell him that I didn't buy the kind of sport bike he's thinking (an "R" bike). Then he's like, well the V-max isn't a sport bike either, but anything that runs the 1/4 mile in the low 10's is a sport bike in my book. He's not really taking my opinions to heart because I'm just getting started, so hopefully if I can show him enough stuff from experienced riders he might think about something else.

[Rockhead]

I’m not a riding expert and have had the honor of taking the mighty v-max for a spin.

That bike for sure is no beginner bike. Your buddies going to twist that throttle and the bikes going to fly out from underneath him. At 70mph I pulled back the throttle and almost got tossed off the back.

Your buddy who has no experience can’t show that machine any respect because he has experience how too.

[intimid8er]

Sure...what are we talking here? A paltry 150 hp? Ask him what he's gonna do when that bike starts getting a case of "head shake" when he gets "comfy" on it, and decides to run it up in the triple digits.

Eh....sorry I'm being cynical....just my opinion that more often than not, most people don't change their opinions when they have their mind set.

[Clint]

It is a bad idea, but there's not much you can do. If he's interested at all in safety, have him come and meet us.

[New_rider417]

Thanks for the input guys. He keeps telling me that he'll take it easy and not twist the throttle etc. I know whats going through his head. Its the same thing that was going through mine about a month ago when I had my heart set on a gsxr. After trolling around here and talking to some rider buddies I started looking for something else when that self preservation part of me started paying attention to what was being said.

I've been thinking about taking him to this huge parking lot around here (its like 10 acres!) and sticking him on my bike or my buddies gsxr 600 and having him twist that right hand. If he still thinks he can handle a bike with a considerable amount more power and still live after that I don't think there's alot more I could do to get him to realize the kind of power a bike really has. You guys think that might give him a good reality check of what he's getting into? I don't wana scare him outa riding cause I can't think of anything else that compares, but at the same time I don't wana lose one of my childhood friends for good.

[Atlas68]

I love the V-Max as well. I too considered it as my first bike. However, I have one friend and also a workmate who own a Max. Both of them counseled that this is not a bike for newb's. The issue is not only the horsepower, but also the handling. Remember, this bike has literally been duplicated for 20+ years. They simply haven't changed. The suspension is very unforgiving. And while the bike is easy to ride in a straight line, one has to 'fight' this beast to commit in a corner.
Don't make the mistake and reason that even though the technology is old, it was good enough 23 years ago. The reality is, that back in 84 when they introduced this monster, it wasn't marketed as a beginner bike...it was marketed as a bike that pushed the envelope...and that it did.

Your friend needs to realize that this bike needs to be 'massaged' by someone who has already developed the skill to make it go where HE wants it to go, not where IT wants to go. Your friend will attain these skills on a bike designed to be more responsive to his direction, and less responsive to his mistakes.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Atlas68

I love the V-Max as well. I too considered it as my first bike. However, I have one friend and also a workmate who own a Max. Both of them counseled that this is not a bike for newb's. The issue is not only the horsepower, but also the handling. Remember, this bike has literally been duplicated for 20+ years. They simply haven't changed. The suspension is very unforgiving. And while the bike is easy to ride in a straight line, one has to 'fight' this beast to commit in a corner.
Don't make the mistake and reason that even though the technology is old, it was good enough 23 years ago. The reality is, that back in 84 when they introduced this monster, it wasn't marketed as a beginner bike...it was marketed as a bike that pushed the envelope...and that it did.

Your friend needs to realize that this bike needs to be 'massaged' by someone who has already developed the skill to make it go where HE wants it to go, not where IT wants to go. Your friend will attain these skills on a bike designed to be more responsive to his direction, and less responsive to his mistakes.

Well put sir!

That was one of the most cogent, well thought responses I have seen in a long time!

[koolbreeze25]

I agree with Atlas68, well said. My dad had one many moons ago, and I can say without a doubt, everytime I rode it my heart was in my was pounding like a jackhammer. Man I love that feeling.

[GregR1]

take my case as an example. total newb to the sport, and ended up with a ZX-9R as my first bike. it'll run the 1/4 in a hair over 10sec with a good rider, and puts down upwards of 120hp to the rear rubber.

anyways, do i REGRET buying that as my FIRST bike? yes and no.

yes = until actually cranking the throttle, it was hard to truly appreciate just how much power these things have and how quickly it builds up. it is, by all accounts, just like having a 650+ hp car that corners very very well. yea, it's hard to control not only the bike, but also your own self. i would be less nervous flogging an SV650S, and even less nervous on a more upright standard like a honda 599. i have to be careful with what i try to get the bike to do, lest i'm not careful enough with my inputs and the bike decides to go riding into other traffic either with me on it, or without me. one way would suck, other way i'd be too dead to know.

no = i'm tall (6'3" and 215 pounds) and had a bloody hard time finding a bike of any kind that actually felt ergonomically right to me, but this particular machine [NOT sportbikes in general] was one of the few that actually fit me - it was big enough that i didn't feel cramped on it, but wasn't an oversized missle like a ZX-12R. i could have gotten away with a more standard bike IF i found one that had a big enough chassis, but i like the looks of this one (see pic in sig below) and at least it'll keep me entertained for a few years.


knowing what i know now about it and some of the challenges of riding, would i STILL buy it? rationally speaking, not likely. it does what i would want it to do, and i enjoy riding it, but i'm probably not learning as much or as well as i would if i was on a lesser and more forgiving bike. if i were to do my MSF-type course / exam on it, i'd fail it for sure.

[texrider]

Having had a 2005 not long ago, I'll share a bit about V-Max-ing...

It will get your attention. Did I mention it will get your attention?
The V-Max is unique in several ways worth pointing out.

The combination of HP and torque, while no big deal by sportbike standards, are more than enough to get you in a pickle on this one. There's some strange stuff going on when you get into the V-boost feature, which is like hitting the secondaries with a big block four barrel muscle car. It gets jiggy pretty quick, with strong shaft jacking effects on the chassis, and rather poor tires skittering around...

Once you've got it honkin' along, the tall steering headset and long forks gets a bit light and shaky feeling. Mine never got the full-on headshake I'd heard about (my '85 V-65 Honda did), but sometimes felt like it was going to.

I never felt at ease in turns with it, and a newbie will likely crash it sooner than later. It is a bike that will test your nerve and skill, and is quite unforgiving in most cases. The brakes were adequate, but wasted on the stock tires. That's just one of the many ways the V-Max could bite you.

A first bike? Hardly. First and last bike real quick, is more like it...

[Rockhead]

I still get goose bumps looking at that power plant, very sexy~~~

Originally Posted by texrider

Having had a 2005 not long ago, I'll share a bit about V-Max-ing...

It will get your attention. Did I mention it will get your attention?
The V-Max is unique in several ways worth pointing out.

The combination of HP and torque, while no big deal by sportbike standards, are more than enough to get you in a pickle on this one. There's some strange stuff going on when you get into the V-boost feature, which is like hitting the secondaries with a big block four barrel muscle car. It gets jiggy pretty quick, with strong shaft jacking effects on the chassis, and rather poor tires skittering around...

Once you've got it honkin' along, the tall steering headset and long forks gets a bit light and shaky feeling. Mine never got the full-on headshake I'd heard about (my '85 V-65 Honda did), but sometimes felt like it was going to.

I never felt at ease in turns with it, and a newbie will likely crash it sooner than later. It is a bike that will test your nerve and skill, and is quite unforgiving in most cases. The brakes were adequate, but wasted on the stock tires. That's just one of the many ways the V-Max could bite you.

A first bike? Hardly. First and last bike real quick, is more like it...

[Franklyspeaking]

Has he taken any basic or advanced riding programs? He CANNOT start out on a V-Max. It'll either kill him or his desire to keep riding after his first twist of the throttle. He needs to learn the basics of how to safely operate a bike in any condition before even attempting a V-Max!

FS

[New_rider417]

Who makes a bike that would have similar styling? If thats possible LOL... He doesn't like the look/styling of most sport bikes or cruisers, I guess the sport bike x cruiser mut is his fancy.
I guess when he was about 10 someone gave him a ride and he got a taste for that power and sound and has been hooked since. Hopefully there is something similar looking out there with a manageable amount of power for a new-b that I can get him interested in. Then if he's still wanting one next summer he'll have a better chance of controlling it.

[SNAFU]

How about a Ducati Monster 695?

2007 Ducati Monster 695 Motorcycles

[GregR1]

let's see:

ducati monster
triumph speed triple
honda 599 ad 919
buell (dunno which model)

[palanon]

Originally Posted by New_rider417

Who makes a bike that would have similar styling? If thats possible LOL... He doesn't like the look/styling of most sport bikes or cruisers, I guess the sport bike x cruiser mut is his fancy.
I guess when he was about 10 someone gave him a ride and he got a taste for that power and sound and has been hooked since. Hopefully there is something similar looking out there with a manageable amount of power for a new-b that I can get him interested in. Then if he's still wanting one next summer he'll have a better chance of controlling it.

The ONLY thing I can think of that is close would be a custom chopper. Something with a worked S&S motor and a fairly standard cruiser frame.

The Vmax is a hybrid. Unfortunately it takes the worse characteristics from both styles of bikes, insane power of a race bike and the handling and weight of a cruiser.

I've mostly rode standard / café style bikes, never a big cruiser fan. I've ridden 2 Vmax bikes and was spooked each time. In the old days we had an expression when riding a bike close to the limit. " Riding on the ragged edge" . Thats what the Vmax feels like all the time. Very loose and on the edge of control. I can't think of a bike that could kill an unexperienced rider quicker.

[chrisan]

in any other country he won't be allowed to. /well most countries/
I still find it disturbing that here anybody can buy automatic guns and V-max'es
without the proper certificates and training.

[fivepointnine]

find him a VX800, naked styling, 800cc v-twin, enough power to be quick, but not oh-my-god Im gonna kill myself power, decent handling (with the addition of progressive fork springs) and you can get them cheap if you can find one.

also a big fan of the monster.

my friend has a XB9 buell and its a maintenance nightmare, ergos are about perfect, but you never get to ride it cause its always broke.

[PRABBIT]

Originally Posted by chrisan

in any other country he won't be allowed to. /well most countries/
I still find it disturbing that here anybody can buy automatic guns and V-max'es
without the proper certificates and training.

Were in the US can you buy automatic guns without a certificate?
Been reading the LA times
pat

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by New_rider417

I didn't know where to post this cause a v-max doesn't really fit into a catagory imo. Hope you all can help.

Good comments all.

Just one more thing to add. It's not just the excessive power, it is the top-heavy weight. The weight will get a newbie in trouble just as easily as the raw power.......maybe quicker because of the poor handling.

Suggest to him that he do his family a big favor and pre-pay for his funeral !!