The Yamaha V-MAX was a cruiser motorcycle manufactured by the Japanese maker from 1985 to 2020. The bike was well known for its 70 degrees V4 engine with a final shaft drive and distinctive styling, being discontinued following the 2020 model year.
After its release in 1985, the V-MAX earned the title "Bike of the Year" from Cycle Guide and was sold in Japan and aboard. From 1985 to 2007, the bike featured only minor modifications and was noted for its fast acceleration but also criticized for its lack of cornering ability and soft suspension.
Besides minor modifications made in 1993 that included a larger-diameter front fork for minimized high-speed wobbling and drift, four-piston calipers, and various handling and safety refreshments, the 2007 Yamaha V-MAX was almost identical to the first released model.
In 2011, the Japanese maker released the Yamaha V-MAX, a cruising machine equipped from the factory with a three-piece dual seat and a small rider backrest, a dual exhaust system with mufflers on each side, and lightweight five-spoke wheels.
The bike was built on a diamond-shaped aluminum frame with a 52 mm telescopic fork on the front and 120 mm wheel travel. On the rear, the bike featured a link-type shock absorber with 110 mm wheel travel.
The 2011 Yamaha V-MAX took its power from a 1,679cc four-stroke V-four liquid-cooled engine with 200 hp on tap at 9,000 rpm and 167 Nm (123 lb-ft) torque with a maximum peak at 6,500 rpm.