Welp....it's for sale

[VMAX NV]

Having similar thoughts about the Z1000-derived 1000 Ninja:

It's a bit more touring oriented than the Z1000, but basically the same bike. I doubt I'll pull the trigger on it at this point, but it's calling me.

Ouch! Where do you put your balls? In the saddlebags?:rofl_200:

 

[Geek_Law]

Just took a look at the ebay ad. I'm surprised no hits. It's a sharp looking bike ... but the economy is total crap. Maybe a few more weeks into summer will help. Maybe start lower but keep the reserve where you had it. Hell, start at $0.99 but put the reserve where you want.

Anyway, as for the Z vs. the max. Hell, they are different bikes. My max handles like ****, its not as fast as my supercharged rocket, and it tends to have silly issues every so often. But I love that sucker and I still have fun riding it. I have fun on my other bikes too.

I think about selling it sometimes, but then I think, why? What's the point? I'll just miss it when its gone. I love going out on that thing and tearing up the asphalt.

I've got a squid bike too, and its fast and it handles better, but the max gets crazy looks. The squid bike is just a squid bike. They are a dime a dozen.

 

[Ebein_486]

Ouch! Where do you put your balls? In the saddlebags?:rofl_200:

:rofl_200: Snotted the tea i was drinking :rofl_200:

 

[rusty]

I have an 05, since new, 18,000 miles now and runs flawless, of course stock and never abused in any way.

The Max 1st gen is what it is, like the brochure for the 05 infers, it is an old style hot rod, not a modern sport bike. You cannot expect more from an 85 design hot rod.

I know there are many faster bikes, far more modern, but I do love my Max and I am glad I have it. It has given me much smiles.

Next bike will be a super torquey Raider S, real old style too, air cooled v-twin.

O

Your commentary is right on.I feal the same way about my 1st jen Max.I'm also looking for a modern state of the art bike from Japan.But I'd never trade in my old Vmax for one.I love the z1000,it's awesome in black:clapping: Raider's are great bikes,but a little to harley like for my taste.

 

[RaWarrior]

Yeah, I get that the Max is far more distinctive and unique than "another" Japanese I4. It sounds better and has that bad boy look that's pretty much impossible to duplicate.

But my case was that the "value" of those things is wearing really thin when it comes to covering up the handling, wobble, and endless annoying problems. I'll sacrifice the 80's cool factor for better handling, better performance everywhere, modern technology, and equivalent mileage. Plus, I think the Z1000 will be the bike in 25 years people see as retro-cool...like how we see the vmax as now. It's got a real distinctive, aggressive style to it that I rather like.


The Raider may be the big cruiser, but to compare it in any way to a Harley is crazy. I rode a Raider, and found it composed, torquey, and stable, a well built machine. Big cruisers aren't really my cup of tea but I can appreciate it as a quality bike. Then I rode a HD....what a total piece of day old dog **** in comparison. Everything vibrates like crazy, the motor is laughably weak. There's no low end grunt, there's no pull up top. Handled like a vmax with a flat tire. Zero pull out of corners....felt like a scooter...just keep it pinned and wait for the speed to slowly tick upward, you have to drive with it near redline constantly to get any sort of pull whatsoever.

People call the Stars and Boulevards and Vulcans the "fake harleys" or "japanese copies", but these "fake" bikes are far better built than the originals, will last longer, perform better, and cost less. The Raider had effortless torque as long as you kept the motor in it's sweet midrange. Smooth and powerful....instead of noisy, shaky, and surprisingly weak.

 

[dannymax]

Maybe a reference to a 90 year old man with elephantiasis of the scrotum would be more appropriate? http://elephantiasis.freeyellow.com/elephantiasis_clip.mpg

GOT to be photoshop'd....Tell me that's photoshop'd!!!! :surprise::surprise::surprise:

 

[RaWarrior]

Well......looks like I'll be hanging onto Mr.Max for a while yet. Getting the cashola for the Z just isn't in the cards......I don't have a "deep" enough credit history to qualify for any sort of financing without a co-signer, and since my parents hate the fact that I ride motorcycles, they want nothing to do with it. Even if the Vmax and my sled sold tomorrow for the "high" numbers, I'd still be around $2k short. Just isn't gonna work financially.

So the Max will be around a while longer. I still love the Z1 and really hope to own one someday, but not this day. Guess I'll have to love/hate it's little idiosyncrasies a little bit longer lol

 

[tugla]

when the time is right im sure it will work out man. how long did it take you to get a vmax, ive been dreaming about them ever since i saw one in the magazines in the 80's.

 

[acammer]

Well......looks like I'll be hanging onto Mr.Max for a while yet. Getting the cashola for the Z just isn't in the cards......I don't have a "deep" enough credit history to qualify for any sort of financing without a co-signer, and since my parents hate the fact that I ride motorcycles, they want nothing to do with it. Even if the Vmax and my sled sold tomorrow for the "high" numbers, I'd still be around $2k short. Just isn't gonna work financially.

So the Max will be around a while longer. I still love the Z1 and really hope to own one someday, but not this day. Guess I'll have to love/hate it's little idiosyncrasies a little bit longer lol

Bummer dude. Sit on the sled till the winter, then get good money for that, and then in the spring make another play at selling the max, and looking for a lightly used Z1k. Maybe you'll have some credit to work with then. Have you considered talking with your own bank, I have had personal (unsecured, no collision required, good for hot-rods and powersports toys.) loans on and off since I was a teenager with near zero credit... helped me work my way up to a high 700's score now that will get me far more than I want/should spend.

Look at it this way, it could be work, you've got one of the coolest hot-rod bikes out there. It's funny, your thread inspired me to check out the Z1k, which I did go and eyeball in person, didn't get as far as a test ride. It looks very cool, and I could see have a lot of fun with it. But, I owe relatively little on the max, and I really don't need a bigger monthly payment right now. I am sure that I would love the handling and power, but Mr. Max has enough to satisfy for now.

Let me know if you're going to be down in the Syracuse way some time, we'll spend some time picking on the local sport bikers!

 

[Geek_Law]

Awe its just as well. Seriously.

CREDIT = PURE EVIL.

It's tough, but you are better saving for it and buying when you can afford to do so. Don't ever ask the bank if you can buy something. Only ask yourself.

I give this free, unsolicited advice, to any who will listen

The only exceptions to this rule are 1) A mortgage for a REASONABLE and MODEST home, and 2) Student Loans for a college education.

Note that cars, motorcycles, **** from walmart, toys, boats, etc. are not on that list. You can have those things ... I have some of those things ... but you buy them when you can afford them, not when the bank determines you are a credit worthy slave.

ok. I'm done.

 

[RaWarrior]

The Vmax actually happened pretty quick....I borrowed the cash up front from my father, bought it, then sold the Magna(about 1/3 of it) and paid the rest back. My GS450 and Magna I bought on my own.

Yeah, I kind of wondered about that. Credit seems to be a "chicken or the egg" type thing....you have to have credit to get credit, but where do you get started?


Maybe next summer I'll make another play at it...with the sled money, selling the Vmax right as summer breaks, and a bit of savings I can probably find a Z1 within reach without the need for any banks or debts.


Cammer, syracuse isn't that far from me. Maybe meet up around Utica some weekend? That's like an hour's drive. We can go v-boosting around.

 

[Geek_Law]

Credit seems to be a "chicken or the egg" type thing....you have to have credit to get credit, but where do you get started?

It is tough when you are just getting started. But, student loans help with credit, just make sure you pay them. Get a CC and always pay the full amount. That will help. If you pay interest to the bank, you are a sucker and will become their credit slave for life. You must develop the will power to resist the temptation to live beyond your present means.

Get a small, inexpensive used car. Get a used civic or ford focus, or toyota corolla, or something like that. Get a loan, insure it, and pay that sucker off as fast as you can. I think you should not get loans for such things ... but getting something modest and paying it off quickly can help establish your credit quickly.

Also, having more credit can be a very dangerous thing, so don't be too bummed that you don't have it now.

Decide now to not be a slave to the banks. Also, keep in mind that anything you buy on credit, you not only have to pay for, but you have to pay the banks to let you have it early. Pay cash, and then you can buy your next toy sooner.

In the end, not using credit for dumb things lets you have *more* toys because all that interest that could have gone to the bank, instead goes toward buying a new toy!

For a greedy person like me, that helps make it easier.

 

[G Man]

Yeah, I get that the Max is far more distinctive and unique than "another" Japanese I4. It sounds better and has that bad boy look that's pretty much impossible to duplicate.

But my case was that the "value" of those things is wearing really thin when it comes to covering up the handling, wobble, and endless annoying problems.

Look, sorry to hear yours is what it is or that you have been un-able to modify it to suit. Your experience doesn't mean the model should be written off. The rest of us aren't blindly un-aware of its idiosyncrasies or just putting up with something we shouldn't be. Very simple mods tweak this bike into a marvelous unit. I would say to you that if you were able to take mine or a great many other members on this boards Max's for a ride, you would easily see what you are missing.

... Plus, I think the Z1000 will be the bike in 25 years people see as retro-cool...

That very well may be. History will tell the tale on that one I guess.

...Then I rode a HD....what a total piece of day old dog **** in comparison. Everything vibrates like crazy, the motor is laughably weak. There's no low end grunt, there's no pull up top. Handled like a vmax with a flat tire. Zero pull out of corners....felt like a scooter...just keep it pinned and wait for the speed to slowly tick upward, you have to drive with it near redline constantly to get any sort of pull whatsoever...

Your opinion and you are fully entitled to it. However, you just don't seem to get it...

A true motorcyclist tries to be respectful towards other motorcyclists or at least keep an open mind. Your interests or what you see as the ideal benchmark in a motorcycle can be the same as many others or as completely opposite. Doesn't mean you or the next motorcyclist are right or wrong. Different things for different people. That's why there has never been a better time to be a motorcyclist. A huge amount of choices in motorcycles to suit as many different styles and tastes.

So quit bashing other bikes/brands and move forward. Enjoy yourself and maybe, just maybe, smile at the next rider who is enjoying themselves on whatever they feel is the bike for them as well.

 

[gamorg02]

i got a CC my senior year of college with like a $250 limit on it. bought some groceries each week and paid it off every 2 weeks when i got paid. when i got out of school i had like a 750 credit rating and it's helped me out. so much so i was able to get a mortgage 4 years ago with only having a job for 6 mos...

 

[KJShover]

Then I rode a HD....what a total piece of day old dog **** in comparison. Everything vibrates like crazy, the motor is laughably weak. There's no low end grunt, there's no pull up top. Handled like a vmax with a flat tire. Zero pull out of corners....felt like a scooter...just keep it pinned and wait for the speed to slowly tick upward, you have to drive with it near redline constantly to get any sort of pull whatsoever.

The big twin I had in my chopper made the Vmax feel neutered. Tons more pull and more HP put to the ground. With the 6 speed and about a 7k redline, it pulled just fine up top too.

There are a few street driven 10 sec twins up here, its great to watch them run. There was a couple on "Pass Time" One was a sportster that ran a 10.6 with a messed up shift (Driver said he was over 200lbs and the bike over 600 )and George Bryce's Bagger that went 10.90 with a huge second gear wheellie. Both bikes were all motor. One a 128ci and the other 145ci.

Here is a 10 sec, Street legal Nightrod. Goes to show, you never really know whats in the other guy's hand until the cards are layed out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeG1Lt54CRA

 

[acammer]

The big twin I had in my chopper made the Vmax feel neutered. Tons more pull and more HP put to the ground. With the 6 speed and about a 7k redline, it pulled just fine up top too.

There are a few street driven 10 sec twins up here, its great to watch them run. There was a couple on "Pass Time" One was a sportster that ran a 10.6 with a messed up shift (Driver said he was over 200lbs and the bike over 600 )and George Bryce's Bagger that went 10.90 with a huge second gear wheellie. Both bikes were all motor. One a 128ci and the other 145ci.

Here is a 10 sec, Street legal Nightrod. Goes to show, you never really know whats in the other guy's hand until the cards are layed out.

A 145 ci big twin doing mid 10s doesn't seem that impressive to me, a well riden max with stock internals could do similarly on its mere 74 ci. A 1500 max would turn 9s built right, and that's only 93 ci. I can see the appeal the big twins have to some folks, but I haven't met any one the street that have given me anything to fear, yet. I am sure they are out there, I am not sure too many of the owners will give it a go anyways, just a statement for some folks.

With regard to the sportster write up, I don't think that was off base. I owned a 1998 1200 sportster for three years, it vibrates like mad, has poor power, and even worse throttle response. It handles and brakes fair, and gets excellent fuel economy. It has the classic H-D sound, starts and runs great. I have it on permanent loan to a friend, and have no desire to ride it. Before and during its first years I had a 1987 Suzuki intruder 1400. It was a better bike in every way, other than the brakes and only being a 4 speed. It was way faster, smoother, better responding, and better looking. So, in having significant personal experience with both the max, sportster, and an equivalent jap cruiser, RaWarriors evaluation is pretty dead on. Truth hurts.

RaWarrior - this summer we ride. There are a few other local guys we could meet up with.

 

[Geek_Law]

It's fun to poke fun at some of the silliness in this world. I poke fun at HDs, Apple computers and any kind of I-thingy from the company, and lawyers. I really hate lawyers.


I've had some good seat time on HDs. HD's are ok, but they cost 3x what they should and a good chunk of folks just act goofy about them. I'm more realistic. I love my Triumph, but its not the most reliable thing on the planet. I love my max, but the '90 that I bought handles like a turd and its stock brakes were downright dangerous (the busa's are working great though and I have a blast riding it). I love my squid bike, but I personally think it looks stupid as hell ... and its my own bike!

Let's see ... apple computers ... yes, they are fitting for some. But they are essentially shiny objects backed by super effective marketing for folks that don't know better. I'm not a windows fanboy either. I'm a nerd ... nerds like Linux.

And lawyers ... oh god, don't even get me started. I really do hate lawyers. If you win, they win. If you lose, they win. If you get in an argument with one, they don't back down, no matter how ridiculous their position. Ugh. And god forbid you say this stuff to a lawyer! Oops! Learned that one the hard way.

Apparently most lawyers think they are down right super duper ... they love apple computers ... and if they happen to drive motorcycles, its predictably a Harley! Oh god, you see, we've gone full circle now.

 

[KJShover]

A 145 ci big twin doing mid 10s doesn't seem that impressive to me,

To each their own, I always say. Personally I find a 700+ bagger, not including the rider, running mid 10's impressive.

 

[MikeTD3]

to each their own, i always say. Personally i find a 700+ bagger, not including the rider, running mid 10's impressive.

+2

 

[G Man]

To each their own, I always say. Personally I find a 700+ bagger, not including the rider, running mid 10's impressive.

+3. Super impressive.