I just came into possession of a 1986 V-Max with 18,000 miles on it. I didn't buy it myself, my boss surprised me with it. (no, you can't have my job).
This is my first V-Max and I have some concerns.
The engine sounds like it is about to fall apart, but I've never even heard one run before. It sounds like it needs the valves adjusted at the very least but this might just be how they sound.
I changed the oil using Mobil 1 full synthetic motorcycle racing oil and after riding it around the block a couple of times, the oil is already very discolored...almost black...after just a couple of turns around the block. I was riding a suzuki intruder and the oil in it still looks pretty clean and amber after 500 miles (1993 800 w 15,000 miles and the Mobil 1 smoothed out the shifting and engine noise a lot) This thing whines loudly whenever you let off the gas at speed. Neutral is impossible to find but I see that this bike just has this problem. The oil change had no effect on that or shifting in general. It also makes a loud clunk sometimes when you let the clutch out at lower speeds or shift at lower speeds. Some trans gears might be whining too.
I think the front brakes are almost gone. The disks are scored...for that matter the rear disk is scored also. I think we are looking at a serious brake job front and back.
I love the way this bike rides and this is the type of bike for me but I'd like a 1999 or better since it appears that the front forks and transmission problems were all fixed by this year.
My questions are:
This engine has a lot of moving parts...are they just loud or should the engine be a bit quieter. If so, then is it possible that something really expensive is about to fail?
My inclination is to tell my boss to sell it and get his money back out of it at once. He actually bought it for me to "let me ride one and get the desire for one out of my system so we could move on to gold wings. Now he's ridden it and was blown away by how well mannered it is if you don't stand on it. He wants one too now. LOL.
I don't know a lot about motorcycles but I know a hell of a lot about cars and building drag racing engines for cars. I know the effects of letting a machine sit up for years and not start it regularly. I think, considering the age and lack of miles, this vehicle has been sitting unused too long to be reliable without spending more money on it than it's worth.
All comments, humor, flames, and anything else appreciated.
The V-Max is the most special bike I've seen and I want to own one as my daily riding bike, but I'm afraid of this one breaking down or the engine failing and costing me 4 to 6 grand.
put my fears to rest. LOL.
This is my first V-Max and I have some concerns.
The engine sounds like it is about to fall apart, but I've never even heard one run before. It sounds like it needs the valves adjusted at the very least but this might just be how they sound.
I changed the oil using Mobil 1 full synthetic motorcycle racing oil and after riding it around the block a couple of times, the oil is already very discolored...almost black...after just a couple of turns around the block. I was riding a suzuki intruder and the oil in it still looks pretty clean and amber after 500 miles (1993 800 w 15,000 miles and the Mobil 1 smoothed out the shifting and engine noise a lot) This thing whines loudly whenever you let off the gas at speed. Neutral is impossible to find but I see that this bike just has this problem. The oil change had no effect on that or shifting in general. It also makes a loud clunk sometimes when you let the clutch out at lower speeds or shift at lower speeds. Some trans gears might be whining too.
I think the front brakes are almost gone. The disks are scored...for that matter the rear disk is scored also. I think we are looking at a serious brake job front and back.
I love the way this bike rides and this is the type of bike for me but I'd like a 1999 or better since it appears that the front forks and transmission problems were all fixed by this year.
My questions are:
This engine has a lot of moving parts...are they just loud or should the engine be a bit quieter. If so, then is it possible that something really expensive is about to fail?
My inclination is to tell my boss to sell it and get his money back out of it at once. He actually bought it for me to "let me ride one and get the desire for one out of my system so we could move on to gold wings. Now he's ridden it and was blown away by how well mannered it is if you don't stand on it. He wants one too now. LOL.
I don't know a lot about motorcycles but I know a hell of a lot about cars and building drag racing engines for cars. I know the effects of letting a machine sit up for years and not start it regularly. I think, considering the age and lack of miles, this vehicle has been sitting unused too long to be reliable without spending more money on it than it's worth.
All comments, humor, flames, and anything else appreciated.
The V-Max is the most special bike I've seen and I want to own one as my daily riding bike, but I'm afraid of this one breaking down or the engine failing and costing me 4 to 6 grand.
put my fears to rest. LOL.
