Star's insane VMAX behaves...
Star's insane VMAX behaves like this pretty much all the time.
Once in a while a bike comes along that's so menacing and so utterly nasty it redefines its class. And while this only happens every blue moon, Star, the cruiser division of Yamaha, recreated the muscle bike when it reintroduced the VMAX. That's right, after fading into the shadows the legendary VMAX is back with a vengeance.
Packing a 1679cc, DOHC V4 engine that's good for almost 200 HP and a ground-pounding 123 LB-FT of torque, the Max is capable of low tens at the strip. But that's only half the truth because it would surely touch nines if it didn't annihilate the 200-series tire in the first three gears. Yep, you read that right, chop the gas at anything below 60 mph in the first three cogs and it'll paint black marks until you run out of rubber. Can you say "drift?"
But more than just a muscle bike, it has moves thanks to adjustable suspension that does an admirable job of lassoing the bull. And it's got braking covered as well thanks to a pair of giant six-piston calipers backed by ABS that really hauls down the hay. While you won't be dragging a knee, if asked to round some corners it'll do so without much complaint and much more confidently than the previous gen VMAX.
Along with the killer looks you also get a host of cool features like a giant center-mounted tach and shift light as well as a tank-mounted display with cool graphics and full instrumentation.
The 2010 VMAX truly represents a revolution as it takes a stand against conventional wisdom.
Tires beware-VMAX is back...
Tires beware-VMAX is back.
2010 Star VMAX
MSRP: $19,500
Motor: 1679cc, DOHC, V-4
Curb Weight: 701 pounds
Measured Horsepower: 170.1 HP
Measured Torque: 109.7 LB-FT
Quarter mile: 10.4 @ 138 mph
50-100 mph third-gear roll-on: 4.5 seconds
60-120 mph roll-on (second-fourth gear): 5.3 seconds
*Unfortunately we couldn't achieve better acceleration figures due to severe wheel spin in the lower gears. With good rubber the numbers would have been significantly better.
Second Opinion
"This thing might look a little funky, but don't mess with it. It doesn't matter if you're on a 'Busa or ZX-14 'cause the VMAX will still walk your ass from light to light.
It's seems like a big old heavy thing, but once you whack the throttle and the rear tire starts laying darkies everywhere it feels instantly lighter.
I'd love to hear it roar with a proper exhaust. I can imagine that V4 bellowing through the gears as the rear end fishtails side to side through the first three gears. Sick."-Dave