Working 09 Max at the 507 Ride!

[Buster Hymen]

HB Cycle lined up an 09 VMax to display at the start of our 507 ride. The big difference than the one that was on display at Thunder, was this one was working and we were allowed to start it ! (but not ride it :damn angry! The one at Thunder came without an ECU. The new VMax , in person, looks a lot better than in the pictures I have seen. The bike doesn't feel overly heavy but I found the seat to be really wide. The Yamaha rep was there and mentioned some interesting things that contradict what we have been reading. He said if you basically red line the bike through all the gears, like you are in a race, there is no top speed limiter that kicks in at 140 odd mph that we had been told. He said it will go until it can't go any faster! The limiter cuts in if you are, for example, on the highway in 5th and pin the throttle. The limiter will then cut in at about 230 kph. I don't know this really works, but the ECU must "keep track" of how you have just been riding to see if it will enforce the top speed limiter. If it works this way, it will be hard to program a by pass for this. The new VMax also comes with 4! ECUs. 3 are in a larger unit for controlling the fly by wire, variable length intake and EFI and a 4 separate ECU controls the hydraulic pump for the ABS. The Yamaha rep was a really great guy to talk to and was taking notes on what we liked, didn't like or would like to see added or changed. So who knows, maybe some more minor changes may happen. Also he mentioned the "official unveiling" happens in August at a big bike manufacturers event so hopefully after that there will be some real world ride feedback on the new Max. I've added a few short videos of it running. The sound from the camera isn't very good, but the exhaust sounds pretty god on the 09.

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0770.flv

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0736.flv
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0736.flv

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0769.flv

 

[gleno]

Do those front headers double up as crash bars?

 

[badVmax]

HB Cycle lined up an 09 VMax to display at the start of our 507 ride. The big difference than the one that was on display at Thunder, was this one was working and we were allowed to start it ! (but not ride it :damn angry! The one at Thunder came without an ECU. The new VMax , in person, looks a lot better than in the pictures I have seen. The bike doesn't feel overly heavy but I found the seat to be really wide. The Yamaha rep was there and mentioned some interesting things that contradict what we have been reading. He said if you basically red line the bike through all the gears, like you are in a race, there is no top speed limiter that kicks in at 140 odd mph that we had been told. He said it will go until it can't go any faster! The limiter cuts in if you are, for example, on the highway in 5th and pin the throttle. The limiter will then cut in at about 230 kph. I don't know this really works, but the ECU must "keep track" of how you have just been riding to see if it will enforce the top speed limiter. If it works this way, it will be hard to program a by pass for this. The new VMax also comes with 4! ECUs. 3 are in a larger unit for controlling the fly by wire, variable length intake and EFI and a 4 separate ECU controls the hydraulic pump for the ABS. The Yamaha rep was a really great guy to talk to and was taking notes on what we liked, didn't like or would like to see added or changed. So who knows, maybe some more minor changes may happen. Also he mentioned the "official unveiling" happens in August at a big bike manufacturers event so hopefully after that there will be some real world ride feedback on the new Max. I've added a few short videos of it running. The sound from the camera isn't very good, but the exhaust sounds pretty god on the 09.

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0770.flv

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0736.flv
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0736.flv

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/Jumbalaya696969/VMax/?action=view&current=MVI_0769.flv

It's begininng to look like the final setup of the Vmax is yet to be determined and that yamaha may be fine tuning it's public demand. We can all hope this is true. Yamaha if your listening, please allow an unlimited 1/4 mile run w/o electronic intervention. Otherwise the image your projecting in the videos you show with the Vmax running against jet cars etc. looks a little, well, stupid! No where in the American past-time of drag racing and acceleration, as listed in your promo video, does a drag racer of any kind come equiped with a 1/4 mile limiter. Please don't do it first with the Vmax, which is obviously marketed as just that.

 

[Thevmaxrider]

Hey I look pretty good in the top video!!!!! You are right the video doesn't do it justice.

 

[Jayhawk]

Four ECU's? Somehow, i don't think you'll be running down to your local Power Commander dealer and picking one for $265 and slapping it on. Four? Guys that like to wrench, I wonder what kind of hand you're being dealt with the new Max.

 

[Thevmaxrider]

It does look and sound like this bike will take away the ability for your average back yard tinkerer to do any serious work. I will be very interested to see what the aftermarket folks come up with. Also, this Max will be on the track at Shannonville in August at Yamaha's "R-Days" event. Will post the dates for all who are interested.

 

[maleko89]

Exactly! I hope it's reliable but you know that Yamaha is the least reliable brand of the Big Four.

"O2 sensor? That'll be $300 please"

 

[Buster Hymen]

It's begininng to look like the final setup of the Vmax is yet to be determined and that yamaha may be fine tuning it's public demand. We can all hope this is true. Yamaha if your listening, please allow an unlimited 1/4 mile run w/o electronic intervention. Otherwise the image your projecting in the videos you show with the Vmax running against jet cars etc. looks a little, well, stupid! No where in the American past-time of drag racing and acceleration, as listed in your promo video, does a drag racer of any kind come equiped with a 1/4 mile limiter. Please don't do it first with the Vmax, which is obviously marketed as just that.

I mentioned in my original post that, according to the Yamaha rep, if you are banging through the gears as you would in a 1/4 mile run, the electronically controlled top speed WILL NOT cut in. You can as fast as there is track. I don't know how this is accomplished, but this is what they have done.

 

[fastmax1]

Damn, that is one sexy looking bike if I do say so myself. I can't even imagine how I will feel once I'm standing in front of one. Thanks for the information and videos!!:biglaugh: