The "max heads" around here probably won't like this, but in a modern scopethere are bikes out that that "do what the vmax does" and do it better. They're called nakeds or streetfighters.
A couple recent excellent examples are the Kaw Z1000 and the Honda CB1000. Both of those are faster out of the box than a gen 1, they get similar mileage, but have longer ranges. They will handle better than the Max could ever dream of. And they're free of Mr.Max's many quirks and issues. They're not cramped or "tough to live with" like a dedicated sportbike, yet offer sportbike stability and power, with engines re-tuned to be more useable "on the street". The Z1000 I rode had an absolutely tremendous motor, more power everywhere than my Max.....low end, midrange, and up top. You could lug it around in 6th at 1500rpm no problem.
Do I love my Vmax? You bet, and it's definitely got that head-turner, comment-getter, "weren't those banned"? looks from people. The v-boost is a hoot, no question. And while there's things faster, it' by no means slow....pretty much any cruiser is cannon fodder, and even 600 sportbikes as long as you keep the race quick. I've also spend far more time fixing it and pouring money into it than I think should be necessary, compared to other, older bikes I've owned that weren't maintained nearly as well.
It all depends on the value you put on image and legacy, both of which few, if any other bikes compete with the Vmax on, or prefer modern technology. Performance is all relative....when I first got on my Max from my 500cc Magna, it felt like an absolute rocketship. I demo'd a Z1000, whacked it on the highway, and if I thought the Vmax was peppy, this thing was like hitting warp drive when the RPMs passed 8 grand. When I got back on my Vmax, I still knew it was fast, but suddenly that "spark" was gone. It didn't feel as fast as it used to. I suppose it's that "never meet your heroes" thing....
Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose. To me, change is great....I'm constantly trading toys around, I never seem to hang onto any one thing for more than a couple years.
h yeah:
