Any V-Max riders out there?

[Kaiser]

I am contemplating selling my '01 I/S and downsizing to a V-Max (not the new V-Max, just pre-2007).

I bought the Valk with the intention of taking long weekend cruises with my wife every now-and-then...or just getting away by myself for several hundred miles at a time.  Reality has struck and I find myself lucky if every other weekend I can get in 50 miles or so.

I had the opportunity to ride on the back of a friend's V-Max long ago and remember what an awesome machine they are.  However, I have never had the opportunity to ride one by myself.  I think the V-Max will be better suited for the short solo trips I find myself taking.

So - anybody out there have a V-Max?  How would you explain the ride?  Any known issues to watch out for if I decide to pull the trigger and switch bikes?  Any specific production years to avoid or try to find?  They made these things for 20 years, so I'm guessing the newer I can find, the better.  But that may be an incorrect way of thinking about it.

I'm still not convinced that I will go this route.  I really enjoy the Valk, but it seems like overkill for the buzzing around I find myself doing.

I am specifically looking for input about a V-Max.  Please resist the temptation to post "why don't you just keep the Valk?"  or "you could make it a Super Valk".  I've already thought about those things.  None of the local stealerships have a used one I could test ride (and I HATE stealerships with a passion) and people selling them usually aren't up for "hey can I ride your bike" without showing them the cash.  I could hit up the V-Max forums, but I value the input of the VRCC members above that of total strangers.

On a slightly related note...if I do sell the Valk...am I living a dream thinking that I can get $9,000 to $9,500 for this bike?  I've hit up e-bay, craigslist, and cycletrader (and saw one that just sold on the Delphi Valk forum with an initial asking price of $9,800) and this seems like a reasonable amount.  Check out this link and let me know what you think:

http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx14/01interstate/2001%20Honda%20Valkyrie%20Interstate/?albumview=slideshow

Thanks for your input,

Kaiser

[Willow]

We know someone who's looking specifically for that bike.  

You may be able to get your price.

[Mickey Runie]

I bought my Vmax in March 1985 - AND STILL RIDE IT.  Too fun for words to express.   So much different than my Rune (which I also cherish)  I couldn't part with either one.  Each has it's own purpose, etc.


I do a lot of lurking on Vmaxforum.net.   They are a good group of people.  You might try visiting this site.  Yamaha made minor changes to their engine blocks over the years to strengthen it, upgrades along the way for better braking capabilities, the gears were strengthened and also some front fork changes.   

Sorry, I have enjoyed my original 1985 model so much that I really don't have the breakdown of what year included what mods.   But I am positive you can learn answers to all your questions if you spend a few minutes at the forum I've mentioned. 

Here is a link to a thread that specifically discussed certain changes.  I'm not sure you can get there without signing on, though.

Hope this helps in your decision.

http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=11756&highlight=year

[Sherrill]

Each bike has it's place and purpose as you know and the Vmax is no slouch. I pre-ordered an 09 and have never regretted it. I had an 85 and 98 Gen-1 Maxes years ago and had lots of miles and experience with them. There is nothing out there to date like the 09/10 but I loved the Gen-1 models too. Their weak link was 2nd gear failures and front forks (seals/bends) from self inflicted wheelies. The Gen-1 is pretty much a straight line bike but the Gen-2 is much better suited to flick around. I have 2 Valkyries and even bought my son one a couple of years ago for trips with me and can't think of anything to take their place. But when I want to spend a day "playing" around the N. Ga. mountains or head up to my place in Maggie Valley for a day, the Vmax is my choice. It is the most refined bike I have ridden in a long time and with the limiters removed, Few bikes can keep up. If you find a Gen-1, run it up and down through the gears, check the clutch, inspect the forks, and look for new case gaskets which mean 
the engine was split to repair/ replace gearset. The VMOA is a great forum for info but charges admission; The Vmaxforum is great for Gen-1, and Starvmax.com is better suited for the Gen-2. I wish you luck finding your Bad Max...

[Hoser]

Nice IS, but selling for 9k pretty iffy in the current economy, sold a 1999 black one last year for 6500, and was lucky to get it.  hoser

[Kaiser]

http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=11756&highlight=year

Thanks for that link!  It seems like the consensus is that no major changes happened after '02.  So anything newer than that should be the latest-and-greatest...at least as for a Gen I is concerned.

[Kaiser]

Their weak link was 2nd gear failures and front forks (seals/bends) from self inflicted wheelies. The Gen-1 is pretty much a straight line bike...

Nice bike!!!  I would *love* a Gen-2, but $$$ is a limiting factor in getting one of those.  Plus, I would never get to ride it because I would have a chubby every time I looked at it and couldn't move. 

Thanks so much for the head's up on what to check out on a Gen-1.  That was exactly the information I was looking for.

I can attest to the wheelie power of a Gen-1.  My 235 lb. friend and I (180 lbs. at the time) were riding when he cracked the throttle while we were rolling at about 25 - 30 mph and the thing stood up with both of us on it!    He wasn't even trying to pop a wheelie - he just gunned it a little too hard.

A straight line bike is what I'm looking for.  Where I am at in FL, you have to ride 20 miles to get to the first curve.  And being in a college town (Gainesville), I would love to put some of these weedeater-soundin' Civics in their place. 

[Kaiser]

Nice IS, but selling for 9k pretty iffy in the current economy, sold a 1999 black one last year for 6500, and was lucky to get it.  hoser

Hoser - thank you very much for your input.  I've seen what you have had to say on this forum, and you obviously know a lot about these bikes and their value.

As with most things in life, the owner usually thinks whatever they have is worth more than it really it is.  Probably the emotional attachment factor, I guess.

I am still undecided about selling.  I made the mistake of going into the garage last night and looking at the bike, thinking "do I really want to do this?"  I could sell it and get a Gen-1 V-max and still pocket some money.  And some extra $$$ sure wouldn't hurt right now.  But...it's a Valk.  'Nuff said.