andyrpsmith

I found a very easy way to remove grip. Take a thin stiff piece of wire and bend a crank shape in the end. Insert wire down grip and then turn wire, it will work round the bar and release the grip all the way round with no damage at all.

My bikes since 1999 1) Dragstar 650 same as above, bought new to commute from Reading to London. As leatherat says its all over by 80mph and just makes 90mph if you must. After 6 months I traded it in for 2). 2) Yamaha Royal Star deluxe (screen, panniers) XVS1300 V4 detuned V-Max engine. Did 75,000 miles on this until 2004. 3) Traded in the XVS1300 for a Harley 1200 Sportster Custom. Just had to do the Harley thing. Poor finish and expensive parts made me finally trade it in. I also bought a Honda Lead scooter. 4) Traded Honda Lead for 2001 Burgman 400 5) Traded Burgman 400 for Yamaha Virago XV750. Great bike to ride, quite buzzy and low geared but handled very well. I had to trade it in as every time the temp went below freezing the carbs iced up and the thing would just stop. 6) Traded the XV750 for a new Burgman 400 in Jan 2009. A great scooter for commuting all through the year, fast and tops out at 100mph. 7) Traded Harley 1200 for V-Max 1200 in May 2010. 8) Bought 17yr old son a Virago 125 to learn on from Jan 2011. 9) Bought 17 yr old son Suzuki Gladius 650 for when he passes test (restricted to 33bhp). An absolutely excellent first big bike by the way, handles great, low down power from the V-twin. 10) Bought 15yr old son Aprilia Sport City 50 for when he is 16 - soon.

I typically get 45mpg with gentle riding or 35mpg if you vboost a lot. If you buy a non vboost model you miss the whole point of a MAX, after all you can ride around all day on a full power model below 6-7000rpm and it will be like any other 100bhp bike but you also have the option of a bit of fun when you feel like. Trust me forget the low power model. The low power types have a smaller rear exhaust opening. There are some mods which make the vboost come in sooner at 3000rpm but my view is that this would be too risky - too much power too soon. Yamaha got it just right with the original set up. I get about 110 miles from a tank before the light comes on, you must switch to reserve quickly or the fuel pump is switched off. The early 90's models had electronic ignition and 43mm front forks plus better brakes all worth having. The seat can be a little uncomfortable after about 50/80 miles. I paid £5000 for mine with 8000 miles in mint condition a bit over the top but I do not regret it and I have obtained a wide variety of virtually new spare parts from eBay over the last year, including two brand new wheels. You need to have a test ride and get on the motorway to take it up to 6000rpm and see how it feels, my favourite gear is third go from 30mph to 80mph like starship enterprise. Oh yes - never vboost until engine warmed up, also the oil is flung to the rear of the sump on acceleration. Andy

I have a 2000 Carbon version imported from Canada I think. Some key information: Only ever buy the full power version. They produce 145hp at crank and about 110HP at rear wheel. If looked after they remain in very very good condition with little corrosion. Best kept in original condition if possible as this maximises value. 1985 bikes are very prone to second gear problem, jumps out under power. From 2003 on the oil gallery was redesigned slightly to stop/reduce O-ring popping out. Engine is more powerful than frame can handle plus front and rear shocks lead to bouncy ride. Heavy bike to push around and can easily fall off side stand if ground not level. Do not worry about all the stories about the MAX being a brute, you can easily ride it gently and it is quite happy, hit 6000rpm and keep throttle open (full power only) and you will love the instant arm wrenching acceleration (make sure road clear ahead and you are upright) nothing else like it. (From 6000rpm the butterfly valve opens and each cylinder is fed by two carbs rather than one hence the power boost). Once you have one few owners want to part with it, it's a classic bike and can still give virtually anything a run for the money (straight line only). Cheap to buy, plenty of parts available many shared with Virago range, easy to work on, sounds great, looks great with original exhaust. Low geared for acceleration, 150mph top speed, can be prone to steering wobble if head bearings too tight. Engine can go for 150,000 miles if looked after, does not need synthetic oil. Even harley riders respect a VMAX (I traded my 1200 sportster for mine). Buy the best example you can afford. Great bikes.