Motorcycle USA Forums : Join the Revolution
  HomeLog InRegisterCommunity CalendarSearch the ForumHelp
   
Motorcycle Message Board - Motorcycle USA > MotorcycleUSA.com! > Talk Back > 2009 Star Motorcycles VMax - First Look  Forum Quick Jump
 
You cannot post new topics in this forum. Post Reply Printable Version
27 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page :  1  2 
[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

Harley1
Forum Moderator



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to Harley1AIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 247
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 10:08 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
After ten years of R&D, Star Motorcycles unveiled its 2009 VMax aboard the USS Midway yesterday in San Diego. Check out the latest bad boy on the block and let us know what you think of the newest version of the iconic power cruiser.
Back to Top
 

jon
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to jonAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4569
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 10:43 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
i like the look so far.  it was option b for me but yamaha didn't make it for 08' so i went with option a (b-king)...it's even has the b-king's color scheme to boot.  it's also good to see this beast making close to 200 hp because anything less than that, most current madmax owners thinking about updrade would probably be disappointed.  however, i would hate to order one without sitting on it...especially at that price tag (a tad high imo). 
 
anything on other specs yet?  in particular dry weight...i imagine it being at least 600 lbs. given it's a cruiser. 
 
*never mind, i got the specs at yamaha.com already*  at 685lbs. wet, my guess was correct!

Post Edited (jon) : 6/4/2008 7:03:19 PM GMT

Back to Top
 

Desmolicious
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DesmoliciousAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 12:41 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
685lbs wet, about 170 rwhp? Nah, this thing will get smoked by the liter bikes or Busa/ZX14.
But... it is very very cool and looks wikkid. Plus it will stomp on the other power cruisers. I don't thing the BKing is a rival though cuz that bike is basically a nekkid Busa and it has a chain drive. The Vmax weighs more and is a shafty.

Are those air scoops functional or cosmetic? $18K is a lot, but then there a pleeeenty of bikes that cost that much or a lot more.
It is kinda funny that mo-usa mentions carbon fiber bits to make it 'even lighter'! When it's 685 wet!

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Back to Top
 

GAJ
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to GAJAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 4763
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 2:18 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

Wow...$18k and a five speed!

I was afraid it'd be a four speed!

Cool looking as all getout though. cool

Back to Top
 

Dr. Bombay
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to Dr. BombayAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Oct 2004
Total Posts : 1328
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 2:49 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The intakes are supposed to be functional.

Frankly, I'm a little disappointed in the looks. I understand the need to preserve a link to the original, but the concepting process hinted that it would be a bit more adventurous than it is.

685 pounds wet is a bit too hefty for my tastes but I'm sure it's still a hoot to ride.
Back to Top
 

Desmolicious
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DesmoliciousAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 3:52 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Interesting tid bit, taken from Yam's site it has ABS brakes. Don't know what 3 position means.

"VMAX uses Brembo®-designed master cylinders, the front with radial pump and reserve tank. Large 320mm wave-style dual front discs are matched to radial-mounted mono block 6-piston calipers. On the rear wheel, there’s a 298mm disc, also wave design, and single-piston caliper. These high-tech brakes also incorporate three-position ABS."

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Back to Top
 

EvilTriumph57
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to EvilTriumph57Click to Add EvilTriumph57 to Your AIM Buddy List.ICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 22
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 6:23 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
That thing is absurd, outlandish, ostentatious, unnecessary and just plain old overpowered....I NEED one.

2000 Honda CB750 Nighthawk- My First Bike :)

Back to Top
 

jon
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to jonAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4569
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 6:48 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
yep, it's heavy but having 123/129??? pounds of torque to push the weight should help it get into the 9's w/o too much of an issue.  i think that's what yamaha is aiming for in terms of 1/4 mile numbers.  i still remembered when the liter bikes finally caught up with the gen 1 busa in terms of hp in the year 2004 or so, it wasn't really faster than the 100 pound heavier busa through the 1/4 mile mainly because the busa still out torque those liter bikes. 

Post Edited (jon) : 6/5/2008 3:17:52 AM GMT

Back to Top
 

jon
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to jonAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4569
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 6:56 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Desmolicious said...
I don't thing the BKing is a rival though cuz that bike is basically a nekkid Busa and it has a chain drive. The Vmax weighs more and is a shafty.
yep,
 
although i'm sure it'll pit against sport, naked and other cruisers like the 85' v-max, i think its' chief competitors at this time are the v-rod, rocket 3 and m109r because those bikes are also cruisers. 
Back to Top
 

Somec
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to SomecAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jun 2005
Total Posts : 18
  		   Posted 6/4/2008 11:58 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Good to see mr Max is back...finally. I must admit tho' that I was hoping for a bit more of a styling touch-up, but this looks along the simillar thought process like the 'Busa upgrade...more like an decision to keep the original theme and just upgrade the hardware but stylistically maintain the look.
 
I've looked at the pics here and the star minisite for the VMax and to my eye it still looks cramped for a guy like myself (tall and long limbed) but I'll reserve judgment until I see and sit on one physically. Honestly I was hoping it would be a bit longer and a touch lower (my idea of 'sporty' lookin'), again to my eye that is kinda what that concept that was floating about for a while looked like.
 
I very much respect the Vmax but it does look at tad 'stubby' to me which in and of itself is not bad it's just that I look huge on the thing...Alas I'll keep my eye trained on the Rocket III and fingers crossed they will produce one in matte black, devoid of chrome and a touch sportier lookin'. Maybe it's just because it's late but is it just me or does the VMax look visually busier than the Rocket? (not good or bad, just observation)
 
Glad to see it's finally back, what do you suspect the valve check intervals are on yammy v4's? Also at $17k it'll dent the wallet some but it looks like a quality piece and likely worth the price.
 
Quite a number of new electronic busy-bodies on the new ride isnt there?
 
I have a couple of sportbikes presently and promised myself that my next bike in a year or two will be in this gray and shady category (almost cruiser "musclebike" ) as I dont think a full tilt cruiser will make me happy, but I do wish for comfort, power, relaxed ergos, respectable handling, ability to smell the roses as well as run like hell...the ingredients for long term contentment.
 
Cant wait to see a full review and accompanying video (devoid of distracting background music pleasey-weazy!!)
Back to Top
 

Jay Mack
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Sep 2003
Total Posts : 491
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 5:56 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

I like the motor.  I don't care for the looks too much. It doesn't look like a cruiser to me. Neither does the old one.  Just looks like a standard. Why is it a cruiser? 

I would like to see that V-4 motor in a re-designed Royal Star that is about the size and shape of the Warrior.  That'd be closer to my dream bike.

 

Back to Top
 

Desmolicious
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DesmoliciousAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 9:39 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
That motor in a full boat touring bike would smoke a Goldwing, BMW K12LT, Victory Vision, HD Electraglide.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Back to Top
 

Black Shadow
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to Black ShadowAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined May 2008
Total Posts : 103
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 11:31 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Desmolicious said...
685lbs wet, about 170 rwhp? Nah, this thing will get smoked by the liter bikes or Busa/ZX14.
"The pulse of the new VMax is provided by a 1679cc liquid cooled V4 with a claimed 197.4 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. That's not a typo. We're talking almost 200 horses. In a 'cruiser.'
 
C'mon, that's almost 30 HP swing! nono
 
jumpin 

'83 Shadow 750
'82  GS550E
'81  GS450L
 
 

Back to Top
 

Black Shadow
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to Black ShadowAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined May 2008
Total Posts : 103
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 11:36 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Even though this is a completely different MC, the new V needs to be reviewed for handling, brakes, etc, where the last generation were both sorely lacking by most accounts.
 
EDIT to say it looks awesome, IMO..
 
Yamaha seems to have the knack for putting out the hottest muscle cruiser bikes, V-Max, Warrior, Raider...
 
Still take the Cross Bones, though lol.

'83 Shadow 750
'82  GS550E
'81  GS450L
 
 

Post Edited (Black Shadow) : 6/5/2008 7:46:07 PM GMT

Back to Top
 

Desmolicious
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DesmoliciousAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 11:49 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Black Shadow said...
Desmolicious said...
685lbs wet, about 170 rwhp? Nah, this thing will get smoked by the liter bikes or Busa/ZX14.
"The pulse of the new VMax is provided by a 1679cc liquid cooled V4 with a claimed 197.4 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. That's not a typo. We're talking almost 200 horses. In a 'cruiser.'
 
C'mon, that's almost 30 HP swing! nono
 
jumpin 


That claim of 197.4 is taken at the crank.  At the rear wheel, with shaft drive, it will lose maybe 15% if not more.

Which is about 30hp.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Back to Top
 

louemc
Registered Member



Click to send louemc email.Personal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to louemcAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15451
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 12:06 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The Real issue should be how the power feels in delivery. The V-Max's , V-four has been steller in that dept. so it should continue that now.

 Focus the forces, Be The Force

Back to Top
 

Black Shadow
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to Black ShadowAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined May 2008
Total Posts : 103
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 12:12 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Desmolicious said...
Black Shadow said...
Desmolicious said...
685lbs wet, about 170 rwhp? Nah, this thing will get smoked by the liter bikes or Busa/ZX14.
"The pulse of the new VMax is provided by a 1679cc liquid cooled V4 with a claimed 197.4 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. That's not a typo. We're talking almost 200 horses. In a 'cruiser.'
 
C'mon, that's almost 30 HP swing! nono
 


That claim of 197.4 is taken at the crank.  At the rear wheel, with shaft drive, it will lose maybe 15% if not more.

Which is about 30hp.

      Ah, I see. You even wrote 'about' & 'rwhp'... I was just bustin chops and do stand corrected, sir. blush

'83 Shadow 750
'82  GS550E
'81  GS450L
 
 

Back to Top
 

Nodian
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to NodianAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined May 2008
Total Posts : 18
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 12:33 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

I am confident that if Yamaha sells all 2,500 copies in short order they WILL make more, and toss that limited production crap out the window 

 

By doing it the way they are doing it, if the V-MAX doesn’t sell well, Yamaha can pull the plug and not have any egg on their face. If it does sell well (at that price) Yamaha has successfully found the market price without pissing off their customers like Honda did when they jacked up the price of the RC51 for the 2001 model year.

 

Either way, it is a real cool bike regardless if it were 10K or 18k.

Back to Top
 

louemc
Registered Member



Click to send louemc email.Personal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to louemcAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15451
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 12:42 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I'd hope to see someone (or a flock of someones) do a convertable from bare to full boat touring rendition, to show up everywhere, and do some power ass kicking in the touring world, along the way.

Maybe it's too late for that, since the ZX14 Connie and Busa are out there, but, The V-Max rider could have a real good time, anyway.

 Focus the forces, Be The Force

Back to Top
 

Dr. Bombay
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to Dr. BombayAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Oct 2004
Total Posts : 1328
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 1:24 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
You can bet someone will, Lou.
Back to Top
 

hipsabad
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to hipsabadAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 29
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 1:29 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Pardon my french, but what a f**king joke. Why stop here? why not make the Boss Hoss the goal of motorcycle aspirations. To hell with old-fashioned weenies like Frank Melling, to hell with sub-400lb. bikes that emphasize something as gay as 'handling' and 'agility'. In this age of diminishing oil supplies 'men' from the most affluent part of this planet in this most democratically jaded time need something to wake our old, sad cocks. 197 HP at the crank? HA! The Boss Hoss LS2 puts out over twice that: 425 HP! Torque? It's the same, that's right, 425 ft. lbs. of twist! Don't waste our important North American time with these limp rice burners...We've got a planet to burn.
Back to Top
 

BikesTrikes4EVER
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to BikesTrikes4EVERAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableClick to Add E_Z_R_C_N to your MSN Buddy List.
Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 133
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 2:37 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Jay Mack said...
I like the motor. I don't care for the looks too much. It doesn't look like a cruiser to me. Neither does the old one. Just looks like a standard. Why is it a cruiser?

I would like to see that V-4 motor in a re-designed Royal Star that is about the size and shape of the Warrior. That'd be closer to my dream bike.

JMack, I'm with you Bro!
To be honest, I've been holding off on the Yamaha Tour Deluxe until Yamaha let it be known there was a revamp of VMax's wimp 1200cc for 2008! Looks to be a done deal
Once the upgrade is applied...it's mine!
BT4E
PS: Yes, Vmax is a limited offering, but, they wouldn't have put that much into a V4 unless the real target is their Tour Bikes devil
Later
Back to Top
 

jon
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to jonAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4569
  		   Posted 6/5/2008 2:42 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
i'm pretty sure madmax have a better to power to weight ratio than that boss hoss and handle better at half the price.  and speaking ugly, have you seen a boss hoss lately?  of course opinions vary so to each their own but that's a bike that's really a waste of time because it gets eaten at the 1/4 mile strip by a number of bikes that only cost a fraction of it due to its' car like weight.
Back to Top
 

Desmolicious
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DesmoliciousAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
  		   Posted 6/6/2008 9:14 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
2500 bikes is not exactly a limited run. that is 2 bikes for every Yam dealer in the US. The vmax is a niche bike, not a v-twin cruiser, and not a sport bike (or even a standard). The market is now for sport bikes, or v-twin cruisers so there is not exactly going to be a run on this. Sure there will always be those guys who have to have the first bike on the block, but after that people who want cruisers want a v-twin that, let's be honest here, looks like a Harley. 2500 bikes will be plenty to go around.
The issue that I have with is price. Sure this bike is new and has new features etc but all new next generation bikes do.
When Suzi updated the Busa, it had all new everything including electronics and maintained the Busa look, the way the new vmax retains it's look, but the Busa's price went up maybe $500-$1K.
This new Vmax has had it's price increased by $4K. How can a tiny company like Ducati produce an all new sports bike, the 1098, for less than the one it replaced while a huge company like Yamaha has to jack up it's new bike by such a large amount?
I think the pricing is set so high just to give it the image of a super premium product. As in "look, it's so expensive it must be special!"
Yeah, it is a cool bike. It will be a blast to ride. But it is just priced too high.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Back to Top
 

flickmeister
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to flickmeisterAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined May 2004
Total Posts : 1021
  		   Posted 6/6/2008 3:30 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
So far, I'm impressed. I'll need to see it in person, but it follows the V-Max tradition only moreso as far as styling goes. If it handles, it'll be a "gotta have for me." I see a B-King vs. V-Max battle brewing here: I can hardly wait!
Back to Top
 
You cannot post new topics in this forum. Post Reply Printable Version
27 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page :  1  2 
 
Forum Information
Currently it is Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:39 AM (GMT -8)
There are a total of 447,406 posts in 35,241 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 13 new threads and 230 reply posts. View Active Threads
Who's Online
This forum has 17572 registered members. Please welcome our newest member, hotlunch.
1 Guest(s), 0 Registered Member(s) are currently online.  Details
Forum powered by dotNetBB v2.42EC SP2
dotNetBB © 2000-2009
All content found on motorcycle-usa.com is copyrighted by MotorcycleUSA.com, INC.

Need Support? | Forum Help Manual