|
|
 |
Taking It to the V-Max
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Star V-Max
Basem Wasef
08/01/2005
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
More than two decades ago, long before pavement hungry Vulcans and V-Rods
roamed the streets, Yamaha decided to build the ultimate muscle cruiser. Unable
to squeeze a turbocharger onto the 1,198cc V-4 powerplant that would grace the
new bike’s low-slung chassis, engineers designed a radical induction system
called “V-Boost” in order to yield substantially more horsepower out of the
engine. Using servo motors connected to rpm sensors, butterfly valves open
between 6,000 and 8,500 rpm, creating space between the inlet tracts feeding
from four downdraft carburetors and boosting horsepower to a stunning 145. The
result was an explosive burst of arm-stretching, tire-smoking power that would
woo the speed-addicted with a dramatic moniker implying maximum velocity:
V-Max.
Shod with dragstrip-worthy 150mm tires and polished chrome and
aluminum air scoops, the V-Max desperately sought attention and earned it in
spades, inspiring imitators seeking to emulate its badass attitude. Though it
never quite shook its reputation for being twitchy in corners and impractical
for long rides (thanks to a 100-mile cruising range), the V-Max’s straight-line
capabilities have proven so alluring that it is now one of the longest-lived
motorcycles on the market.
While imitators have come and gone, the
essentially unchanged V-Max celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a
Limited Edition model featuring special Shift Red paint with flames, blacked-out
rims, red pinstripes, yellow turn signal bulbs behind clear lenses, and a
serial-numbered plate. The commemorative touches may seem incidental, but the
tweaked cosmetics are consistent with V-Max’s winning formula: Stay true to a
simple idea, and don’t mess with success.Star Motorcycles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
