Kelly Hicks
New Member
I'm wanting to purchase a 1st. Gen VMax. What are the good years for them ? Years to stay away from. TIA.
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MaxMidnight
Well-Known Member
Short answer - none.
There have been few changes over the years and like any machine they have their foibles most of which are detailed on the attachments.
Provided you get evidence that the bike has been regularly serviced then, within reason, mileage is not an issue.
From a personal perspective I'd rather have a bike that has a higher mileage and has been used than one that has sat immobile for most of its life.
The usual rules apply to buying a Max as with any other so as long as you have some idea what to look for you shouldn't end up with a dog.
If it looks clean and tidy, has been serviced and the owner knows what they are talking about you should be OK.
Perhaps most important is to take a friend along who is capable of stopping you buying the first bike you look at...
.
If you have any questions about a machine you've looked at we are here to help and offer advice.
Finally, could you add your location to your profile - it's nice to know where folk are based.
There have been few changes over the years and like any machine they have their foibles most of which are detailed on the attachments.
Provided you get evidence that the bike has been regularly serviced then, within reason, mileage is not an issue.
From a personal perspective I'd rather have a bike that has a higher mileage and has been used than one that has sat immobile for most of its life.
The usual rules apply to buying a Max as with any other so as long as you have some idea what to look for you shouldn't end up with a dog.
If it looks clean and tidy, has been serviced and the owner knows what they are talking about you should be OK.
Perhaps most important is to take a friend along who is capable of stopping you buying the first bike you look at...
. If you have any questions about a machine you've looked at we are here to help and offer advice.
Finally, could you add your location to your profile - it's nice to know where folk are based.
Kelly Hicks
New Member
Thanks. Completely new to the V Max's. Been a Harley owner since 95. So know the ins and outs on them. V Max's, no clue !
It's more about 'how was it maintained?'
A bike with low miles sitting for years is probably going to take more $$$ to set it right, than a higher-mileage, frequently ridden bike which has been maintained.
That bike last powered-up in Geo W Bush's time with 10K miles is gonna take more work than one bought at the same time, which is sitting at 45K miles, and is ridden every season receiving whatever service it requires for another season.
The two things our bikes are subject to are cruddy carburetors (often from deteriorating gas tank innards) and the condition of brake fluid in the front/rear master cyl's, and the hydraulic clutch. If it's at least halfway up the round window with the bike upright, and it looks like apple juice instead of espresso, the hydraulics should work. A fluid change every year or two removes water from the system, preventing corrosion.
A bike with low miles sitting for years is probably going to take more $$$ to set it right, than a higher-mileage, frequently ridden bike which has been maintained.
That bike last powered-up in Geo W Bush's time with 10K miles is gonna take more work than one bought at the same time, which is sitting at 45K miles, and is ridden every season receiving whatever service it requires for another season.
The two things our bikes are subject to are cruddy carburetors (often from deteriorating gas tank innards) and the condition of brake fluid in the front/rear master cyl's, and the hydraulic clutch. If it's at least halfway up the round window with the bike upright, and it looks like apple juice instead of espresso, the hydraulics should work. A fluid change every year or two removes water from the system, preventing corrosion.
