Yamaha V-Max and VMAX

Yamaha V-Max

Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Company
Successor	VMAX
Class	Power cruiser
Engine	1,197 cc (73.0 cu in) liquid-cooled DOHC 70° V-4
Bore / stroke	76 mm × 66 mm (3.0 in × 2.6 in)
Power	113.5 hp (84.6 kW)[1]
Torque	83.1 lbf·ft (112.7 N·m)[1]
Transmission	5-speed
Rake, trail	29°, 4.7 in (119 mm)
Wheelbase	1,590 mm (63 in)
Dimensions	L: 2,300 mm (91 in) W: 795 mm (31.3 in) H: 1,160 mm (46 in)
Seat height	765 mm (30.1 in)
Weight	263 kg (580 lb) (dry) 631 lb (286 kg)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity	15 L (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 US gal)
Fuel consumption	34.2 mpg-US (6.9 L/100 km; 41.1 mpg-imp)[1]
Related	Yamaha Venture

The Yamaha V-Max, called the VMAX since 2008, is a cruiser motorcycle made by Yamaha since 1985, known for its powerful V4 engine, shaft drive, and distinctive styling.

History

The V-Max was designed by Atsushi Ichijo in a team led by Akira Araki with input from Ed Burke and John Reed.^[2][3][4]

Upon its release in 1985, the V-Max garnered instant critical acclaim and earned the title "Bike of the Year" from Cycle Guide.^[5] Sold both in Japan and abroad, the V-Max was sold with only minor modifications from the 1985 model year until the 2007 model year. The V-Max was noted for its quick acceleration, but was also criticized for its poor cornering ability and soft suspension.^[6][7][8]

Valves and cylinder inside a cutaway V-Max engine.

Until 2008, the original V-Max was offered for sale through the Star Motorcycles division of Yamaha Motorcycles. Apart from a minor freshening to the bike's specifications in 1993, when the bike gained a larger-diameter fork to minimize high-speed wobbling and drift, four-piston brake calipers, and other handling and safety related upgrades, the 2007 V-Max was almost the same as the original 1985 version.^[9]

Specifications

Overall, the V-Max was 2,300 mm (91 in) long, 795 mm (31.3 in) wide, and 1,160 mm (46 in) high. The engine was a tuned version of the double overhead camshaft, four valve per cylinder, liquid-cooled V-4 from the Yamaha Venture. Along with other modifications to the engine, the compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1, and the V-Boost system was added.

V-Boost

V-Boost is a system that opens butterfly valves in the intake manifold between the 1st and 2nd and between the 3rd and 4th cylinders starting from 5,750 rpm. The valves are opened gradually to match the rising engine speed with a signal provided by the ignition system. The valves are at the full open position at 8,000 rpm. A small black box sends a computed signal to a servo motor that pulls a wire to open the butterfly valves. The V-Boost system adds 10 percent to the top power rating of the base engine.^[10]

VMAX

Yamaha VMAX

Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Company
Production	since 2009
Predecessor	Yamaha V-Max
Class	power cruiser
Engine	1,679 cc (102 cu in) liquid-cooled DOHC V-4
Bore / stroke	90 mm × 66 mm (3.5 in × 2.6 in)
Power	174.3 hp (130.0 kW) @ 9,000 rpm[1][11]
Torque	113 lbf·ft (153 N·m) @ 6,600 rpm[11]
Transmission	5-speed, slipper clutch
Frame type	cast aluminum
Suspension	adjustable front and rear
Brakes	Front: radial mount 6-piston calipers, dual wave-type 12.6 in (320 mm) discs, brembo master cylinder Rear: single piston caliper, wave-type 11.7 in (298 mm) disc, Brembo master cylinder
Wheelbase	66.9 in (1,699 mm)
Dimensions	L: 94.3 in (2,395 mm) W: 32.3 in (820 mm)
Seat height	30.5 in (775 mm)
Weight	n/a (dry) 694 lb (315 kg)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity	4.0 US gallons (15 l; 3.3 imp gal)
Fuel consumption	28.3 mpg-US (8.3 L/100 km; 34.0 mpg-imp)[1]

In 2005, at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show, Yamaha displayed an all-new V-Max concept bike. It featured a new chassis, upgraded components all around, and state-of-the-art braking components.^[12]

On 4 June 2008, Yamaha officially released a completely redesigned 2009 VMAX in North America and Europe. The features of the VMAX include an all-aluminium frame with its 1,679 cc (102 cu in) liquid-cooled V4 DOHC engine used as a stressed member of the chassis, an electroluminescent instrument readout, Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I), fully adjustable suspension, anti-lock brakes, slipper clutch, a fuel tank beneath the seat, and a distinctive key.^[13]

On 20 September 2009, VMAX was also launched in India.^[14]

YCC-I/YCC-T

Instead of the V-Boost on the original carburated V-Max, the fuel injected VMAX uses YCC-I and YCC-T. Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) is a new addition to the VMAX. The airhorns inside the airbox are lifted by a servo activated at 6,650 rpm to open up the airway underneath. This shortens the length of the intake system from 150 mm to 52 mm. This system had its first appearance in the Yamaha stable with the 2006 YZF-R1. The MV Agusta F4 Tamburini was the first bike with such a system. Massimo Tamburini invented this idea. It is called Torque Shift System (TSS) on the Agustas.

Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) is also a new addition. The throttle cables are connected to a throttle position sensor and a new computer called G.E.N.I.C.H. that operates the butterfly valves, the EXUP valve in the exhaust and the other components involved, such as the igniter unit, and the YCC-I lifter unit. The YCC-T computes all the input of the sensors and calculates the best throttle position, ignition advance, EXUP valve and injection time in milliseconds.

See also

• List of Yamaha motorcycles

References

1. "Performance Index '10" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News (Bowtie Magazines), 2010, retrieved 2010-01-03
2. "世田谷美術館に行きませんか？". Yamaha Motor Company.
3. "GK Report No.19" (PDF). Atsushi Ichijo, Takeshi Umemoto. GK Design Group. April 2010. pp. 9–12.
4. Gardiner, Mark. "2009 Star V-Max Launch". Motorcycle.com.
5. Chris MacMahan (September–October 2007). "Yamaha V-Max". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
6. Motorcycle Online Muscle Bike Shootout
7. Motorcycle Cruiser 1999 V-Max article
8. Motorcycle USA 2004 V-Max article
9. Motorcyclist March 2006 issue p. 89 Primedia Inc.
10. VMX12F series Service Manual - LIT-11616-VM-13
11. Gleason, Jay; Blades, Brian (December 2008), "Max muscle", Cycle World, pp. 34–43
12. Motorcyclist January 2006 issue p. 16 - 17 Primedia Inc.
13. 2009 VMAX Model Home Page
14. The Economic Times 16 September 2009: "Yamaha launches superbike VMAX for Rs 20 lakh"

External links

• Canadian Motorcycle Guide Online 2009 V-Max press launch review