Stick, I don't even know how to explain it. This bike has always been compared to a 427 Shelby Cobra. So I guess if you found one in a barn with 2 flat tires, faded paint, a small crack in the windshield, but the engine fires right up, that's how I feel. As is, it is a very pristine Rat Bike. A few hundred bucks, some elbow grease, and some TLC, this bike will be mint.

RNShooter, I prefer the looks of the stock seat, so I need to have it reupholstered. I just want to put more "ass time" in it, to figure out which direction to go. I'm thinking leather, but I found a V-Max specialist that can pretty much create anything you want, depending on what you want. Gel inserts, low/high seat height, etc. That being said, I really want a sissy bar for my wife. The OEM ones no longer made are going around $450 on Ebay. A used bracket and a pad costs $450??? I don't like the aesthetics of the Corbin for the V-Max, but I do still have the backrest from my last Corbin, which I have been told will still fit for the V-Max Corbin. If anything I'll have both. I don't like the OEM backrest, because it's not easy to remove, and well, sissy bars on a V-Max are ugly.

Shocks. Those need to be addressed, the rear coils are completely rusted over. But this is a work in progress, so I'm going item by item, down the list. The mechanic said they are fine. Just ugly.

Brake lines. Those will probably be replaced this season, and I already planned on going with SS lines.

Stage 7. I already have a sentimental attachment to this bike. The original owner was a flight mechanic, and passed away. My brother was a pilot, and passed away. I told the seller, I would get this bike back into the condition her brother would have wanted, and basically leave it as is. It got neglected by another family member. Nothing that can't be fixed with some TLC, or cheaply replaced. Although this was the first V-Max I have ever ridden, I will miss the first experience of V-Boost.

nhracecraft, it has a Supertrapp exhaust and the 4 pods. From other owners who have similar setups, it should be good for around +150hp and 95ft/lbs at the wheel. I was kind of shocked it redlined at 9K. Most of the peak power is well below that, so no need to wring it out if you can short shift and use the torque. It does have that V8 vibe.

I'm surprised how compact it is. It's 596lbs dry weight, pushing 640lb fully loaded. It does have a very low center of gravity, but it feels a lot smaller than it should. I'm 5'11", 185lbs, and it feels like a small bike even for me. Just heavy as a pig.

I grew up fantasizing about this bike. I can spew stats, statistics, performance numbers about it all day long. But it's funny so many people DON'T know about this bike. Harley riders think it's a wannabe Harley. Sportbike riders think it's a wannabe Harley. RiceBoys and HotRods as well. By the time you hit second gear, you've probably embarrassed 90% of them. The new era of bikes are definitely faster, but stop light to stop light, the brute power is just amazing. A Harley friend asked why I didn't get a V-Rod. It's not even a comparison.

I love this bike. The seller contacted me today, and I told her I feel like the coolest kid in the neighborhood. Her response was, "because you are". She is just happy her brother's "prized possession" is going to someone who will love it as much as him.

Congrats on your new ride!!

The V-Max is legendary for what it was designed to be. A common 'complaint' as it were, at least on the 1st gen was the puny speedo/tach being on the small side and therefore hard to read.

That said, when you've unleashed the beast at WOT and yer hanging on with all your might, the only thing you'll be doing is looking ahead and aiming for clear space!

What tires are available these days for it? Even if the sneaks on look 'ok' I would recommend a fresh set.

I owned a 1990 Honda CBR1000F (gray body farings) 'back in the day', and it would have been a splendid choice as well.

May your new scoot bring your many safe miles of smiles!!

Cookster, the tires are brand new, as well as the battery. I have a Bridgestone Exedra on the back 150 R15. I have read people running 170’s and possibly 180’s on the back with stock rims. I’ll have to look into that more when it’s time for replacement.

I have seen fairly cheap shift lights, but honestly I don’t believe I’ll need that. One thing cool about this bike, is you can just ride slow, and still have a good time. The engine note, and just knowing the beast of the engine you are sitting on, is enough to just causally enjoy it. I may take it to a local track, to get some official numbers. After a 14yr hiatus, I had a lot of time to think about riding again. And I’ve definitely matured as a rider. Or I’m just becoming an old man.

I did see a review of the bike, and the commenter pointed out the “large and easy to read speedometer, so you know what kind of ticket you are getting”.

As for now, I just plan on enjoying it. Taking care of things that need to be taken care of. But I have years to do that. My oldest son will be a senior in high school next fall, and I mentioned using the V-Max as a back drop for his senior pics. His smile pretty much stretched around the back of his head.

Honestly, the reality of getting a V-Max hasn’t settled in. But it doesn’t help that it has rained non-stop since Friday night, and it’s snowing now. I guess I can start working on fluid changes...

If you frequent any local bike nights or bike shows, there may be 1000 bikes and one V-Max. And there is always a crowd around the V-Max. According to riders who own or have owned both the first generation and 2nd generation V-Max’s, the second gen is faster, but the 1st gen is cooler.

Well, well, I owned one in the early 90s. Monster power, straight line thrills, 35-4000 rpms and the butterfly valve opens up ( kinda like a 4 barrel carb) and it’s ON! That’s when you realized the seat design, to hold your ass in.

The front end needs stabilizing or you WILL end up with a death wobble and go through some tank slap that will leave you wishing for your Momma! The motor in that bike is SWEET!!!!!!!!! I hope you find what you are looking for and like to tinker, and go FAST. THEY CAN GO REAL FAST!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the input, Sybo. That is some scary crap. I did ask on a V-Max forum, and apparently it is more common on the earlier bikes with 40mm tubes. In 1993, they went with 43mm tubes, and eliminated the air joint. My bike is a 2003. But it was suggested to make sure all steering bearings are torqued to spec. Might have to break out the torque wrench today...

I do plan on upgrading the front suspension at some point. All part of the process.

You gotta post up some pics and maybe a video of it running. I want to see this beast.

Stick, PM’d you.

I haven’t posted a pic since Photobucket spiraled the drain.

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:

I haven’t posted a pic since Photobucket spiraled the drain.

Try PostImage. You don't even have to sign up for an account (FREE though, if you do want one).

Thanks V-Tail.

Sybo style... (first one was a video, but it’s not working through that link).

https://postimg.cc/gallery/t9r0wnr0/

I've always loved the looks of those. "Let's take the biggest engine we can, and shove it in there!"

A little TLC and that bike will look even more awesome than it does now.

Congratulations. Just be safe.

AH.74,

I have always admired them as well. Very beautiful lines, and brutal as hell.

I just bought two new helmets. Both Snell 2017 and DOT approved. My wife didn’t like my recommendation because I mentioned my last one “worked pretty good”. Got a new pair of armored gloves with sliders. My old school, retro cool, armored Hein Gericke First Gear V Pilot shows some wear and abrasion after my last incident, but is holding up strong. All the gear, all the time.

This is definitely a bike you need to “ground yourself” before you take it for a ride. As many have mentioned, what it lacks in handling, it makes up in power.

I got an insurance quote with a mid-life crisis policy for $75/yr.

I still can’t believe I own one, and it’s parked in my garage...

Doesn't look too bad from those photos.