Rider Owner Reviews

A few years back, I picked up my Yamaha V-Max 1200 for a good price. She wasn’t in the best shape at the time, but I saw straight away that the bones were solid—and she had serious potential. Fast forward to today, and after some serious time in the garage, she’s been transformed into a proper head-turner and a road-ripping machine.

I’ve completely stripped her down and rebuilt her with pride. New brake discs front and back, fresh pads, new clutch, and every nut, screw, and bolt replaced with stainless steel. Fork seals and oil done. Various parts like the wheels, panels, and rockers have been powder coated to bring her looks back to life. The carbs have been stripped, re-jetted, and tuned to perfection, and she’s running a new battery to keep her starting strong.

She’s now 26 years old, but let me tell you—she still delivers. The V-Max 1200 is no ordinary cruiser. With an 1198cc V4 engine pushing out around 140 horsepower, she boasts a top-end speed of over 150 mph. And the torque? A thumping 112 Nm (83 lb-ft) that kicks hard and fast.

And then there’s the legendary V-Boost system. Mine has it, and it’s an absolute game changer. Between 6,000 and 8,000 rpm, V-Boost electronically opens butterfly valves between the intake manifolds, letting each cylinder breathe through two carbs instead of one. The result is a massive surge of power that hits like a hammer—raw, instant, and completely addictive. It’s not just fast—it’s feral.

But make no mistake—this is not a bike for beginners. You need serious saddle time under your belt before throwing a leg over a V-Max. There’s no traction control, no ABS, no ride modes—no electronic safety net whatsoever. It’s just you and the machine. If you don’t respect it, it will bite.

What it does have is a shaft drive, which puts the power down immediately and cleanly, with zero fuss and less maintenance than a chain or belt. You feel it every time you launch—it’s direct, smooth, and brutally efficient.

The V-Max isn’t about finesse. It’s about raw power, presence, and attitude. It doesn’t whisper—it roars. And after all the work I’ve put into bringing her back to life, I can say with pride that she runs, rides, and looks better than ever.

The Yamaha V-Max 1200 is a true legend. And mine? She’s proof that real muscle never goes out of style.

If you want to find out more about what she’s like t live with then drop me a message.