Goodbye to the Yamaha VMAX

The VMAX is the relic of its time. The 80s were full of innovation and creativity. The first PCs came on the market, the Walkman was invented, new technologies conquered the everyday life and also with the motorcycles new machines had changed the motorcycle scene, whether with the new travel Enduros like e.g. the Yamaha Ténéré leaned against the Paris Dakar Rally, which had its high point in the middle of the 80's or whether with a powerhouse like the unique VMAX from the house of Yamaha. At that time, Harleys were hot chairs, ridden more by rockers or freaks, and Japanese brands dominated the market. And from the 70s were still boring four-cylinder in-line engines in the "grandpa" look that characterized the image of the mototrike. The 80s were a real game changer and the VMAX was a huge one on the motorcycle scene. With 145 horsepower and a cracking torque, the V4 machine impressed the bikers of the time, so much power was not known until then. Its unique look and style were never copied and therefore it kept its cult status until today. In 2009 Yamaha went one better and raised the displacement from 1200 cubic to 1700 cubic and delivered 200 hp and 167 NM at 310 hp: in short, a bullet! No wonder we had produced a major report in our 2013 issue.

Now increasingly stringent emissions standards are making life difficult for the VMAX and it seems that Yamaha is not responding to the stricter regulations with a modified model, but is taking the bike out of the program. This is a shame, a loss of bike history and culture! Many people secretly hope that Yamaha will come up with something, but Yamaha is saying "Goodbye to the VMAX". After 33 years, 2018 is the end!

In honor of this cult machine, Lucky Motos from Bulle is issuing a limited "Ultimate Edition" of 20 pieces at a unit price of 25,000 Swiss francs and equipped with individually numbered aluminum plaques on the sides and on the tank. Wrapped in a noble matte shimmering paint job by Yannick Design, equipped with micro turn signals by Kellermann Atto as well as filigree Rizoma license plate holder, the power diva attracts awe-inspiring glances. And those who don't see her, hear her. Guaranteed! Because it growls, snarls and hisses bitterly from two powerful titanium slip-on silencers from Akrapovic that are homologated for road use.