New bike, 1995 V Max 1200

[Markgenesis]

Fancied something different, got rid of my 2004 GSXR600 as I'd used it three times last year, loved the condition (it was mint), the noise and the looks but it just became torture even to just sit on. Got this V Max delivered last Thursday, full power Japanese import, very nice condition, completely standard, has a few minor issues I need to sort, not even ridden it yet as the weather is ste but folk say I'm in for a shock in more ways than one, i don't think I'll get bored with it that's for sure

It joins my 2006 Hayabusa and 82 Kawasaki Z650 Hardtail Chop in the garage.

[trickywoo]

Looks super clean.

Check the date on the tyres. While you might be ok I’d be replacing if they are more than five years old. It’s a lot of motor to put through a 150 section rear.

[Markgenesis]

trickywoo said:

Looks super clean.

Check the date on the tyres. While you might be ok I’d be replacing if they are more than five years old. It’s a lot of motor to put through a 150 section rear.

Cheers for that, tyres are dated 2021 but still have the hairs on them so still brand new (Bridgestones), the 150 rear tyre shocked me a bit but that was the widest in 1985, it'll take a 170 but don't think i'd bother.

My old Chopper's tyres are dated 2006 and 2007 (bike was first MOT'd in 2008), they look ok but obviously i'll be replacing them.

[spoodler]

Love these old things... When we were young, we believed all sorts of myths about how they'd kill you if you so much as said the word, "Honda" in front of them, let alone actually riding such an evil beasty on the road.
Fast forward many years and experience shows that they are much lazier and much nicer to ride than their reputation would have you believe... Still a weighty old dinosaur on thin tyres and weedy forks, but compared to an old Zed or similar muscle bikes, they feel quite modern and well behaved. Cracking bike tho', make a lovely noise... and when you hit about six and a half grand...
From what you've previously posted... I have little doubt you'll enjoy it.

[Stevemr]

I keep looking at these, almost mythical some how. Great story about how they came about.
Be interested to hear what issues you have, and how you get on with it.
More pictures?
Looks a nice one.

[steve1968]

[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/f2X14imN[/url

Great bikes !

Here’s mine 2001 carbon edition, recommissioned with new tyres, never seen water , 525 miles only !

Edited by steve1968 on Sunday 22 January 17:22

[Markgenesis]

Cheers guys.

Stevemr said:

I keep looking at these, almost mythical some how. Great story about how they came about.
Be interested to hear what issues you have, and how you get on with it.
More pictures?
Looks a nice one.

A bit like the Hayabusa the V Max is a bit of a legend, must admit i found the Hayabusa no where near the mental animal i thought it'd be, it's absolutely lovely to ride and very easy, like any other big bike it's only quick when you want it to be. Cant wait to see what the Max is like.

Issues are the V Boost is not working, checked it and it looks like the controller (most common issue) so will need one of those, started it yesterday and the starter clutch sounded noisy so that might need work, though it might have been the battery slightly flat as i had the ignition on (so also the lights) when i was checking for power to the boost controller, i've heard these things need a really good, fully charged battery.

[Markgenesis]

steve1968 said:

Here’s mine 2001 carbon edition, recommissioned with new tyres, never seen water , 525 miles only !

Edited by steve1968 on Sunday 22 January 17:22

Crikey, that looks mint, barely ran in, original ones are getting harder to find.

[Jazoli]

It looks great, I'd recommend fitting a steering damper, the one I rode tried to kill me several times and it was factory fresh on decent tyres, it felt like a ICBM after getting off my VFR750 back in 1997, I guess I thought it would handle like a VFR

[808 Estate]

I had one back in the day. Totally awesome machines. The noise they make causes an instant silly grin. Add the just about good enough brakes and slight front end wobble at about 35mph and its a recipe for extreme fun.

[Stevemr]

OP, how are you getting on with the Vmax then?

[Markgenesis]

Stevemr said:

OP, how are you getting on with the Vmax then?

Great, only did about 60 miles last weekend as it was freezing (I'm in central Scotland) but dry. Love it already, there is a lot of low down grunt and the motor sounds amazing, very easy to ride but also feels very old school (which i like), very heavy bike at 280kg wet (it feels heavier than my Hayabusa) but doesn't feel at all top heavy (probably due to the under seat tank), didn't really push the handling but felt fine, might get a steering damper anyway as it's nice to have.
Riding position for me is really comfortable at 5'7" but i'd imagine taller riders might struggle with the low seat and reasonably high pegs.
Weather was crap today but hope to get out on it again tomorrow.

[Stevemr]

Good to hear you are enjoying it.
Did you sort the issues out yet?

[HertsBiker]

steve1968][url said:

|https://thumbsnap.com/f2X14imN[/url

Great bikes !

Here’s mine 2001 carbon edition, recommissioned with new tyres, never seen water , 525 miles only !

Edited by steve1968 on Sunday 22 January 17:22

would you like to sell it to me?. seriously. You should ride it more.

[steve1968]

Yes I probably would at the right price, let me know if you seriously interested.