sbeduckman
Well-Known Member
Well, in a mere week's time, I've gone from wanting a vmax to looking for a vmax to finding a vmax to buying a vmax to bringing a vmax home to spending my first day with a vmax. Pretty nice progression if you ask me.
I've ridden these bikes before, but for no extended time...just a block or two. This afternoon, I went just over 100 miles. The bike is a carbon 99 (say what you want, I love this color) with 8800 (now 8900 and change). It has progressive 440's out back with progressive fork springs too. UFO seat. OEM windshield and engine guards. Engine, carbs, and exhaust are stock.
I'm coming from a 99 Honda Magna, and like it real well, I was just getting bored with it (and I HATE chrome). Immediately, I notice that this doesn't share the same ergonomics as I'm comfortably with. I haven't had my feet this far back since the college sportbike experiment (ended horribly). I like the way I sit in this thing. It feels more like.....a motorcycle. Now, my hips don't agree with me as I type this, but they will learn to comply.
At first, I have to say I wasn't uber impressed with the getty-up. My Magna hits a "powerband" above 6k rpm, so the vboost felt normal. It wasn't until a few hard pulls that I kinda figured it all out, and yes, this is a different beast than I'm used to. I think the quietness threw me off at first (the Magna is very loud).
Overall....I'm impressed with this bike. I missed a couple shifts from second to third, the tranny is a bit stiffer than what I'm used to. The rear broke a couple times (hehehe) and the front lifted in second once (my mom saw this part and she wasn't pleased). The brakes are great compared to what I'm coming from. Magna has a single disk in front and a DRUM in the back.
One unexpected thing I enjoyed was the steering. Maybe it's all the Progressive goodness on the corners, maybe it's my knees right up against the bike, maybe it's the narrow bars.....but I think it turned well, and behaved perfectly at parking lot speeds.
My only faults at this point are the spedometer and the tachometer. This speedo has to be way off. I accept that all motorcycle speedos are biased to the high side, but I was clicking at 85 on a 70mph highway and barely gaining ground on the cages. Generally, 72 catches traffic on this particular stretch. Also, that tach is borderline useless, and definately a hazard...think I need a shiftlight (any advice?).
One last question, and this seems stupid to ask, but how the hell do you know when you're done putting gas in this thing? The manual says below the neck, but I can't tell where the level is while pumping it in.
I'm tickled with this bike. I've always wanted one, and just never got around to getting it. I should've parked a vmax in the garage at least 5 bikes ago. Looking forward to picking the various brains that hang out here. Thanks for letting me share!
I've ridden these bikes before, but for no extended time...just a block or two. This afternoon, I went just over 100 miles. The bike is a carbon 99 (say what you want, I love this color) with 8800 (now 8900 and change). It has progressive 440's out back with progressive fork springs too. UFO seat. OEM windshield and engine guards. Engine, carbs, and exhaust are stock.
I'm coming from a 99 Honda Magna, and like it real well, I was just getting bored with it (and I HATE chrome). Immediately, I notice that this doesn't share the same ergonomics as I'm comfortably with. I haven't had my feet this far back since the college sportbike experiment (ended horribly). I like the way I sit in this thing. It feels more like.....a motorcycle. Now, my hips don't agree with me as I type this, but they will learn to comply.
At first, I have to say I wasn't uber impressed with the getty-up. My Magna hits a "powerband" above 6k rpm, so the vboost felt normal. It wasn't until a few hard pulls that I kinda figured it all out, and yes, this is a different beast than I'm used to. I think the quietness threw me off at first (the Magna is very loud).
Overall....I'm impressed with this bike. I missed a couple shifts from second to third, the tranny is a bit stiffer than what I'm used to. The rear broke a couple times (hehehe) and the front lifted in second once (my mom saw this part and she wasn't pleased). The brakes are great compared to what I'm coming from. Magna has a single disk in front and a DRUM in the back.
One unexpected thing I enjoyed was the steering. Maybe it's all the Progressive goodness on the corners, maybe it's my knees right up against the bike, maybe it's the narrow bars.....but I think it turned well, and behaved perfectly at parking lot speeds.
My only faults at this point are the spedometer and the tachometer. This speedo has to be way off. I accept that all motorcycle speedos are biased to the high side, but I was clicking at 85 on a 70mph highway and barely gaining ground on the cages. Generally, 72 catches traffic on this particular stretch. Also, that tach is borderline useless, and definately a hazard...think I need a shiftlight (any advice?).
One last question, and this seems stupid to ask, but how the hell do you know when you're done putting gas in this thing? The manual says below the neck, but I can't tell where the level is while pumping it in.
I'm tickled with this bike. I've always wanted one, and just never got around to getting it. I should've parked a vmax in the garage at least 5 bikes ago. Looking forward to picking the various brains that hang out here. Thanks for letting me share!
Last edited:
unk:
