2005 yamaha vmax 20th anniversary edition

This was, arguably, for the best though, with the bike’s '80s chassis technology showing its age.Įquipped with non-adjustable forks and lacking ground clearance, handling was questionable at its inception and, nearly 20 years on, didn’t improve with age. This version then remained until 2003, at which point Yamaha ceased importing them, thanks to tightening emissions regulations. These later machines came equipped with a V-Boost system, which uses an internal servo motor to open all of the valves at once to deliver an additional burst of power from around 4000rpm onwards. Furthermore, it wasn’t available in the full 143bhp de-restricted format until 1996, which can be spotted by looking for frame numbers starting with 2EN 042101 onwards. Yamaha V-Max (1991-2003)ĭespite being available as a grey import from 1985, the Yamaha V-Max (or VMX1200 to give it its proper name) didn’t officially arrive in the UK until 1991. Ultimately, it was this that limited the second generation machine’s appeal, with many unable to justify the price tag for such a one-dimensional machine. Retaining the original bad-boy, muscle bike style for the 21st century, the name was also changed from V-Max to VMAX and came complete with an eye-watering £20,000 price tag.

Following the original’s max-power ethos, the 2009 machine hiked the capacity to 1679cc and claimed power to a monstrous 197bhp. Production of the original 'Max ended in 2003, with Yamaha’s line-up remaining devoid of the power cruiser until 2009, after a prototype version appeared at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Styling cues were also taken from California-based British customiser John 'Uncle Bunt' Reed. So inspired by the spectacle, he then shut himself away in Yamaha’s Santa Monica design offices for a month to begin creating the beast we know today. Interestingly, the V-Max project happened by complete accident, after Yamaha Venture Royale full-dresser project leader, Akira Akari, stumbled across a motorbike drag race over the span of a bridge, when visiting the New Orleans, in the US. It wasn't until 1996 that the UK could enjoy an official full-power version. This then changed in 1991, when Yamaha officially imported the bike in a 90bhp, restricted format. Powered by an 1197cc shaft-drive V4 engine producing 145bhp, the first V-Maxs to arrive in the UK were unofficial imports. For many, it was, and remains, the epitome of the muscle bike, with Yamaha producing two generations, before ceasing its production for UK markets in 2016. The Yamaha V-Max was first unleashed in 1985, released solely to Yamaha’s US market as an exercise in excessive power, aggressive looks and neck-jarring performance.

2005 yamaha vmax 20th anniversary edition