Okay, so the Ducati XDiavel makes the Yamaha VMAX look a bit ancient, but Mr Max isn't ready to ride off into the sunset just yet. With near-200bhp from its 1.7-litre V4, The Max fears no one
For a mere US$17,990 you can now take home the 2016 Yamaha VMAX, which is still one of the most outrageous high-performance cruisers in the world of motorcycling. With close to 200 horsepower from its 1679cc liquid-cooled 16-valve DOHC V4, the shaft-driven VMAX delivers superbike-like acceleration and despite its heft, handles well enough to be ridden at a fair clip over a set of twisty mountain roads. With its ride-by-wire throttle, slipper clutch, lightweight aluminium beam frame, and fully adjustable suspension front and rear, the VMAX is a cruiser that thinks like a sportsbike.
The 2016 VMAX?s running gear is all top-spec, as you?d expect ? 52mm fully adjustable cartridge-type front fork, fully adjustable ?monocross? rear suspension, twin 320mm brake discs at front with Brembo master cylinders and radial-mount monobloc 6-piston calipers, standard ABS and 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 120/70 (front) and 200/50 (rear) tyres. For 2016, there?s also LED turn-indicators and taillamp, OLED multi-function instrument panel, and a choice of new colours, including Yamaha?s 60th anniversary yellow-and-black paintjob. With its 15-litre fuel tank and 11.5kpl fuel efficiency, the VMAX has a range of only 172km (probably less if the bike is ridden hard), but as long as there are plenty of ...