Looking to buy my first VMax

[one2dmax]

Bike collecting and Car collecting are a lot different. Most bikes will never have the same collect-ability as the cars do. For the 85 to be worth more it would need to be 100% stock (or very close to it). They made a lot more 85's then any other year too. Only because they were the fastest bike for that year only. 86 and up were never the absolutely fastest bike you could buy.

Sean

 

[Norms 427]

I agree about these bikes not being "collectables" anytime in the near future.

OP, if you can get an original, cared-for and pampered one than that would trump whatever year it is. JMHO.

I would avoid LIKE THE PLAGUE significantly modified motorcycles ~ especially in the engine compartment. All things equal, I'll take an original over a "rebuilt" any day. The modifications might give you a clue as to its past treatment .... not always, but sometimes. Again, JMHO.

You're going to have fun shopping for one. I remember the day I brought mine home ....... April 30, 1985, north Georgia. Fun!!!

 

[4gasem]

I agree about these bikes not being "collectables" anytime in the near future.

OP, if you can get an original, cared-for and pampered one than that would trump whatever year it is. JMHO.

I would avoid LIKE THE PLAGUE significantly modified motorcycles ~ especially in the engine compartment. All things equal, I'll take an original over a "rebuilt" any day. The modifications might give you a clue as to its past treatment .... not always, but sometimes. Again, JMHO.

You're going to have fun shopping for one. I remember the day I brought mine home ....... April 30, 1985, north Georgia. Fun!!!

WOW! Moved a long way since then...

That's cool that you have an original that YOU bought. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to do that.

Chris

 

[Norms 427]

WOW! Moved a long way since then...

That's cool that you have an original that YOU bought. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to do that.

Chris

Thanks, Chris.

As I remember the VMax hit the showrooms in the Spring of '85 (at least in North Georgia) and mine was the first one I saw in the metal. The list price *I think* was $5,199.00. However, rumor had it that insurance companies were hesitating to insure The Beast because of all the magazine hype and that it was just too fast. I walked into the dealership in Dalton, GA, drooled on it for a while examining every detail .... and asked them what they wanted for it. They said, "$4,500 + tax and license". I went home that night to think about it and next morning called and said if they still had it I would take it.

Later that same day, April 30, 1985, I was the proud owner of the first year VMax.

Still remember driving it a couple of miles to a gas station on the way home from the dealership and had to get the manual out to find out how the h*** to put gas in it!!

Hey, Max is a part of the family now. As I've said before, we now set an extra place at the Thanksgiving table for him. :biglaugh: