In 2022 I sold my 2006 Vmax, with plans to buy an older model, just a runner, for a couple thousand less. After looking around all this summer, I decided I really did like the 06-07 bike color schemes, so on Monday I bought a 2007 in nice condition. However it came with what appears to be Cobra slashcuts, and I have read/known all the disadvantages of these pipes, as far as robbing horsepower, etc. So my plan was to bring it home, and take it to a local Vmax shop and have them put a 4-2 exhaust with jetting on it. I got home at midnight Monday night from driving 3 states away to pick it up, so I didnt have a real chance to ride it until last night after work. ITS FAST!! I was expecting a dog with those slash cuts but I am 100% sure its faster than my 2006. I know its been 1.5years since I sold my 06, but I kinda have an idea what fast is, as I have a 2010 Gen 2 with 187 rwhp, a couple 900 Eliminators that run perfect and are very quick, etc. I started off with bikes at 18, and rode through college, then got married and had 4 kids and didnt have a bike again until 2020 (age 57) when bikes were really cheap during Covid, and I bought several and started riding again. I take good care of my bikes and dont beat on them, but I had often taken my 06 on rolling start runs to 85 mph close to the redline.
Anyway after all this rambling, as we were waiting for a notary to show at the bank, it just kinda hit me when looking at the bike that the chrome headers on this bike seemed to be larger than what I remembered on my 2006, and I might just be forgetting also. One reason they caught my eye was that they had some discoloring in the chrome, and I didnt remember that on my 06. The person I purchased it from was the 2cd owner, and the first owner had the Yamaha dealership put the exhaust on and jet the carbs accordingly, so he didnt know the whole specs for what was done. So last night I took my calipers and measured the header pipes and they measured around 1.84 OD. I was wondering if someone that has stock headers on their bike, could measure the OD for me? I am curious to see if the original owner put headers on the bike, and that might be why these slashcuts seem to perform, as I read on this site that one of the reasons the Cobras dont perform is that they use the smaller factory header pipes. In riding the bike it seems to be quicker in the 3-5K range before hitting the Vboost, and because it seems to ramp up quicker, the vboost might not feel as defined, although the boost is there and fast, and that is what I read on this site that the cobras make the vboost a little mushy. Another thing that I did notice was that it seemed that the oil light would flash on quicker than my 06, as I got close to the redline, almost like I was getting there quicker. I know I will probably have to get it dyno'd to make a decision on a different exhaust. If it dyno's 100 hp, its gone. If it dyno's 113+ hp, I will keep it as is, as I dont want a Stage 7, just a little more than stock, like a Stage 1. In looking at the header pipe, it looks like it necks down before going into the slash cuts. The slash cuts have 1.25" OD exhaust pipe exits inside the chrome outer cans.
Another question is on the rear shocks. I noticed that the factory 2007's have a chrome top cap, whereas the one I bought has a black top cap. I am wondering if the previous owner possibly lowered the rear, as it seems to sit lower than I remember my 06 did. I always wanted to lower my 06, but never did, and I really like how this one sits. It does have a Corbin seat, and I have never sat on a Corbin on a Vmax, so dont know if that seat changes the height slightly or not. I measured the shocks at approx 13.25" mounting hole to mtg hole.
The bike came with newer Michelin tires, and it might be my imagination, but it seems to handle better in the corners than my 06 with Metzeler tires. Any comments on Michelin versus Metzeler tires for handling? They are not radials.
I was happy not to find "the Vmax wobble" in my riding last night. The guy I bought it from said it didnt wobble for him until he hit 130 mph, so since I will never ride it up to 130, I should be good
.
I have attached a couple pics for observation. I have found the guys on this Vmax forum have a wealth of Vmax knowledge that I dont have. I rarely post, but read and enjoy the forum posts frequently.
Anyway after all this rambling, as we were waiting for a notary to show at the bank, it just kinda hit me when looking at the bike that the chrome headers on this bike seemed to be larger than what I remembered on my 2006, and I might just be forgetting also. One reason they caught my eye was that they had some discoloring in the chrome, and I didnt remember that on my 06. The person I purchased it from was the 2cd owner, and the first owner had the Yamaha dealership put the exhaust on and jet the carbs accordingly, so he didnt know the whole specs for what was done. So last night I took my calipers and measured the header pipes and they measured around 1.84 OD. I was wondering if someone that has stock headers on their bike, could measure the OD for me? I am curious to see if the original owner put headers on the bike, and that might be why these slashcuts seem to perform, as I read on this site that one of the reasons the Cobras dont perform is that they use the smaller factory header pipes. In riding the bike it seems to be quicker in the 3-5K range before hitting the Vboost, and because it seems to ramp up quicker, the vboost might not feel as defined, although the boost is there and fast, and that is what I read on this site that the cobras make the vboost a little mushy. Another thing that I did notice was that it seemed that the oil light would flash on quicker than my 06, as I got close to the redline, almost like I was getting there quicker. I know I will probably have to get it dyno'd to make a decision on a different exhaust. If it dyno's 100 hp, its gone. If it dyno's 113+ hp, I will keep it as is, as I dont want a Stage 7, just a little more than stock, like a Stage 1. In looking at the header pipe, it looks like it necks down before going into the slash cuts. The slash cuts have 1.25" OD exhaust pipe exits inside the chrome outer cans.
Another question is on the rear shocks. I noticed that the factory 2007's have a chrome top cap, whereas the one I bought has a black top cap. I am wondering if the previous owner possibly lowered the rear, as it seems to sit lower than I remember my 06 did. I always wanted to lower my 06, but never did, and I really like how this one sits. It does have a Corbin seat, and I have never sat on a Corbin on a Vmax, so dont know if that seat changes the height slightly or not. I measured the shocks at approx 13.25" mounting hole to mtg hole.
The bike came with newer Michelin tires, and it might be my imagination, but it seems to handle better in the corners than my 06 with Metzeler tires. Any comments on Michelin versus Metzeler tires for handling? They are not radials.
I was happy not to find "the Vmax wobble" in my riding last night. The guy I bought it from said it didnt wobble for him until he hit 130 mph, so since I will never ride it up to 130, I should be good
.I have attached a couple pics for observation. I have found the guys on this Vmax forum have a wealth of Vmax knowledge that I dont have. I rarely post, but read and enjoy the forum posts frequently.
![Bovemanx Motorcycle Phone Mount Holder, [150mph Wind Anti-Shake][7.2inch Big Phone Friendly] Bike Phone Holder, Motorcycle Handlebar Cell Phone Clamp, Compatible with iPhone 16 Pro Max Smartphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51F+1sontPL._SL500_.jpg)
