Riding on the back of my dad's brand new '90 max when I was 12 was the first experience. HOLY SHIT THIS IS INSANE. That's pretty much all i could think. Well, that and I'M GONNA DIE. LOL. Took a while to get used to being on it after coming off the KZ1300. The KZ was fast but nothing like the Max.
Fast forward 18 years to this summer. After not having my own bike for 7 years I've been bummin' a bike to ride from my boss, or riding his. It's been all Harleys for me for the past couple years. I decided it was time to get my own bike and a max is all I could think of. Fast, fair priced, been around for awhile, looks cool, not a crotch rocket but not a f'n hog. Find one 5.5hrs away for a good deal. Take the test ride....
First thoughts, this thing is quiet as hell. Seating arrangement much different than the hogs, makes you feel like you need to pay attention. Pull out and turn choke off, taking it down the road nice and easy giving her a chance to warm up. Just putting around under 4500RPM its amazing how you can feel the power underneath just waiting, I know its there. I'm being patient. No labor at all to cruise through the gears, you gas it, it goes(much unlike the 883xl i've been riding lately). I make it into town. Pull a u turn and punch it. HOLY SHIT!. I shift a couple times and look down in what felt like 3 seconds from cracking the throttle. over 100MPH. This ain't no FUCKING 883! OH SHIT, here comes a bend and I'm goin way too fast for it. Slow down asshole! ...Brakes don't feel as bad as I've read. Went throught the turn ok. cool.. Ahh, twisties are over. Let's hammer this bitch! HOLY FUCK! 115+ in what felt like seconds. This thing flat out rips. I gotta slow down a bit there's some more turns coming up........
I got back to the sellers house after a few more rounds of this and gave him cash in hand on the spot. I don't regret it yet.