Need opinion on potential purchase - '05 modded max

[LXoffroad]

Hi Everyone, I need your opinion on a potential 2005 Vmax purchase that is listed at $6k. I am 900 miles away so can't see it in person. Maybe that is a reason to avoid it entirely if I can't check for a 2nd gear issue before driving 13hrs.

Here is a video of the bike -

Here is what the ad says about the bike:
Runs perfectly, and handles better than 99.9% of Vmax in existence. Clean title.
Upgrades include:
-Full OHLINS suspension ($7000 alone)
-OTEC Billet aluminum swing arm
-Full Holeshot exhaust
-Cam upgrade, and tuned
-DYMAG carbon fiber wheels
-Billet adjustable rearsets
-Steering stabilizer
-Pro-Taper bars
-Led headlights
-ISR brakes with floating disc and steel lines
-More!

Thank you for any opinion!

If this one doesn't work out, The next one I was looking at is https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2221423514883869/ .

 

[Fire-medic]

The value of the Ohlins suspension alone would make this bike a deal. Plus, and probably more important, you get to say with assuredness that "my bike doesn't have a 'death-wobble!'

That bike is worth a trip, even if you don't buy it, just to see it. Besides what could be wrong with it, if you ask the seller about 2nd gear, nad he says, "it's OK and no jumping out of gear issues."



If you do buy it, I'd make an early priority to strip-off the exhaust wrap and get it Jet-Hot coated. The wrap over time could cause premature rust perforation.

 

[marsmax85]

I recently did a 1,000 mile one way for a bike ... 1500 built right and chain drive ... and yes that wrap looks cool but will help rot out piping

 

[cbx1260cc]

Apples and Oranges.

Only real similarities are the years.

One is heavily modded (correctly it appears--wheels suspension etc) other is basically a stock bike with pipes added.

You have to decide what you want and what your expectations are.

PERSONALLY would be on a 900 mile road trip .

Good luck

 

[Traumahawk]

I can tell you that I would make the trip to look at the bike. Parts alone make it worth the trip.

 

[MaxMidnight]

In addition to the Ohlins also add the ISR callipers, m/c's and Otec arm to the list of 'desirable' parts - look up how much they cost!
I had the long Holeshot end cans and they were loud so if these are the short ones they are likely to be louderer. The headers are most likely ceramic coated and I do have a little corrosion on the underside of mine. That may explain the wrapping so I would want to investigate the condition of the pipes under the bandage.
I doubt that any changes to the cam on its own will increase power much and could affect how the power is delivered (speculation). As with any purchase a ride on it would be prudent.

If it is this owner that has spent some significant amounts on the bike then it is unlikely to have been neglected. However if it was several owners ago then it's condition would warrant closer attention.

Bike like this don't come up very often and if it floats your boat then a trip should be considered.

 

[wilks]

Lotta cool expensive upgrades on that rig….gotta be worth a look.

 

[Zeus36]

Get a one-way flight and ride it home (unless he has all the stock parts).

I would buy it due to these upgrades alone:

Full OHLINS suspension
OTEC Billet aluminum swing arm
Full Holeshot exhaust
DYMAG carbon fiber wheels

It is also an anniversary edition with the tank badge. If this was in California, I'd be on it.

 

[John Henderson]

Hi Everyone, I need your opinion on a potential 2005 Vmax purchase that is listed at $6k. I am 900 miles away so can't see it in person. Maybe that is a reason to avoid it entirely if I can't check for a 2nd gear issue before driving 13hrs.

Here is a video of the bike -

Here is what the ad says about the bike:
Runs perfectly, and handles better than 99.9% of Vmax in existence. Clean title.
Upgrades include:
-Full OHLINS suspension ($7000 alone)
-OTEC Billet aluminum swing arm
-Full Holeshot exhaust
-Cam upgrade, and tuned
-DYMAG carbon fiber wheels
-Billet adjustable rearsets
-Steering stabilizer
-Pro-Taper bars
-Led headlights
-ISR brakes with floating disc and steel lines
-More!

Thank you for any opinion!

If this one doesn't work out, The next one I was looking at is https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2221423514883869/ .

This would be a dream bike for me. I just wish it still was in the Red stock color (personal preference).
She just looks so good in Red or Maroon to me. The gold front forks would look good with red also (to me).
I would steal it before you can buy it if wifey wouldn’t kill me for doing so . Definitely worth more than $6k to me.

I’m just happy the wife let me get a 2015 VMAX but I want to get a 2005 anniversary edition some day so I have a gen 1 version also. Good luck on getting it or whoever gets this beautiful toy.

P.S. I would also remove the piping exhaust wrap and heat treat it in some golden color to match front forks .

Maybe you can sell it to me when I retire in 10 years or so

 

[Davelaf]

Does anyone know what brand that hed headlight is on that Ohlins bike? And how difficult to mount it? Thanks.

 

[Davelaf]

One more thing, that Otac? Swingarm. How $, how hard, how big a tire? Thanks

 

[wilks]

The second gear issue is more prominent in the earlier years…..I wouldn’t let it dissuade you from considering a 2005.

If I was looking it would already be on its way to my home.

 

[CaptainKyle]

I would make the drive to look

 

[ouchez]

Hi Everyone, I need your opinion on a potential 2005 Vmax purchase that is listed at $6k. I am 900 miles away so can't see it in person. Maybe that is a reason to avoid it entirely if I can't check for a 2nd gear issue before driving 13hrs.

Here is a video of the bike -

Here is what the ad says about the bike:
Runs perfectly, and handles better than 99.9% of Vmax in existence. Clean title.
Upgrades include:
-Full OHLINS suspension ($7000 alone)
-OTEC Billet aluminum swing arm
-Full Holeshot exhaust
-Cam upgrade, and tuned
-DYMAG carbon fiber wheels
-Billet adjustable rearsets
-Steering stabilizer
-Pro-Taper bars
-Led headlights
-ISR brakes with floating disc and steel lines
-More!

Thank you for any opinion!

If this one doesn't work out, The next one I was looking at is https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2221423514883869/ .

I have a stock 05, original owner, I would stay away from this one as it will probably, most likely, give you many headaches due to all the mods. An 05 stock is a great machine if not abused.

 

[Fire-medic]

Here's one (2005 Anniversary model), fired-up after years of storage.

 

[Mr. Hyde]

Hi Everyone, I need your opinion on a potential 2005 Vmax purchase that is listed at $6k. I am 900 miles away so can't see it in person. Maybe that is a reason to avoid it entirely if I can't check for a 2nd gear issue before driving 13hrs.

Here is a video of the bike -

Here is what the ad says about the bike:
Runs perfectly, and handles better than 99.9% of Vmax in existence. Clean title.
Upgrades include:
-Full OHLINS suspension ($7000 alone)
-OTEC Billet aluminum swing arm
-Full Holeshot exhaust
-Cam upgrade, and tuned
-DYMAG carbon fiber wheels
-Billet adjustable rearsets
-Steering stabilizer
-Pro-Taper bars
-Led headlights
-ISR brakes with floating disc and steel lines
-More!

Thank you for any opinion!

If this one doesn't work out, The next one I was looking at is https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2221423514883869/ .

IMO your instincts were spot on, and you should have made the trek LXoffroad. I did make the trek last month, and this bike now sits in my garage. To say this Vmax is an exotic would be an understatement, both good and bad. The former owner made some poor wiring decisions regarding the lights and controllers, and now it's up to me to fix them.

It was about 40 degrees out when I bought it and I rode it home, and with the wind chill factor added to this naked bike I just wanted to get home as fast as I could before (while) I froze. I don't know about the 2nd gear issue, because the boots I was wearing were too thick to fit between the gear shifter and the footpeg and I couldn't shift worth a darn anyway.


I'll work on wiring this winter and will give her a proper shakedown this coming Spring. One thing I can say with confidence is this thing is a wheelie machine, and I have to be careful. Those Dymags make a huge difference. Love the brakes though.

If I decide not to keep it, I'll let it be known on this site first, and why it's not the bike of my dreams, before I go public.

 

[LXoffroad]

Congrats Mr. Hyde! I hope the bike works out for you!!

 

[Geomichael]

LXoffroad, I have a beautiful 2005 Limited Edition VMAX for sale in Eureka, NV! See my ad in the "For Sale" forum dated Dec. 17, 2024.