88 vmax and I have some questions

Excuse the terrible photos. I'll snag some other ones.

So I ended up using the vapor tech I got for the maxim x on the vmax and it works like a charm. No ignition in the way issues to speak of here.

So it has a stage 7 jet kit and a full Kerker race exhaust. Turns out I got a steal on the trade. Possibly has upgraded suspension (rear are 5 way adjustable) and came with Metzler tires already on it.

I had to bleed the clutch, new battery, install a vmax head light, and it needed an oil change/differential.

Safety question... I locked the brakes up bad on my way home from the shop. Was busy trying to get used to things and not paying enough attention. (learned a lesson) Anyway the rear brake locked up super easy. Like a ton easier than on the Maxim x. I am assuming it is because it's not a drum brake. The bike ended up going side wise some and sliding a good 7-8 feet. Surprisingly I was able to keep it under control. The bike seems to have a good balance so that made it easy.

These brakes seem to "bite" a LOT harder than the Maxim X. I am terrified of locking up the front since going down that way on the X so I have been breaking harder on the rear.

Is it possible someone put better calipers/rotors on it?


Fun part. Gobs and Gobs of torque. What takes my bike 1500 rpm to do this does in under 500 rpm. Due to its weight I know it will be different and the different style of ride will take getting used to.

I honestly see myself going slower normally with this bike. Doesnt seem nearly as easy to throw around. ( I only have 25 miles on it so far)

Bike seems a little harder to shift than the maxim x. (more foot pressure) Though the clutch is a ton easier to pull in do to the hydraulic system.


Tips? Advice? Obviously going to take it easy. Treating this thing like a monster and being careful.

 

those kind of bikes are like a sharp knife, if you start playing around you'll get cut.
you'll get used to the back brake, maybe someone put soft pads on it, see if their oem, same with the front. if the front has adjustable lever, that can change how it feels

 

good advice, get use to it before you play to hard, get a feel for it. then enjoy

 

.....and be careful of the V-Boost system. That rolls in when the rpm's get to around 3700rpm or something- can't remember where it really kicks in. Its a secondary valve that opens and then ties two carbs together per cyl. Similar to the idea of a 4-barrel carb on our cars back in the REAL muscle car days..........LOL

The V-Boost will take you from 0 to scary fun in about two seconds.

If you want to get an idea of what it really can do, go check out some of the videos on vmax outlaw . com , or any number of the speed tests, etc......on youtube. They'll scare you enough.

I have been fortunate enough to have obtained a couple.......an '85 and an '02. The first is a project, the second is on the road. Whew...........

Hang on!

Dave F

 

Afterthought............I'd recommend that you get in contact with listmember, dannymax , too..........he knows the vmax's inside out.

Dave F

 

Awesome advice guys will do. Ive noticed how i can go wot on the maxim x and wait for the power band to kick in. This thing is just immediate power. I havent even got on it. Lol

 

I have owned my 1998 for 14 years and know the VMax very well. Do all my own wrenching on it and have ridden it all over the eastern U.S. And I've ripped off some 1/4 mile runs on it too.
Your stage seven set-up is quite a bit to handle if you are new to these bikes.
From what I can see in the photo, you have the standard caliper on the back.
Get on the brake hard and the shaft drive will sometimes cause this bike to hop the rear tire. VMaxs have a light flywheel which shows it's head when you chop the throttle abruptly. Getting on the rear brake hard will exagerate that.
Our Royal Star Ventures have the same rear set-up and will lock that brake a bit more easily too.
Ride it enough to get used to it. Believe everyone who says these things are no canyon carvers and you'll be ok. Punch this thing in the curves and you'll head straight for the ditch. Been there done that.
Don't be afraid to use the front brakes for what they are. USE THEM!
I would suggest running an organic pad on the rear for a little less bite and rotor wear. Run the more aggressive sintered pads on the front.

I like the electronic gauge up front.
Rusty

 

Thank you for the advice rusty. I can get close to dragging a knee on the maxim x. So my mindset is keep that for carving and use the vmax for highway. These bikes sound so bad ass. Ive always wanted a vmax. I like the gauge too. It has shift lights so i dont have to look at the tank.

 

That V-Max is awesome. They definitely deserve some respect.

 

Thank you Honda Hack.


Anyone know what the vmax forum version of xj bikes is?


My "tank cover" rattles. Any idea how to stop that?

 

No idea on the tank rattle.

Here's a forum for you:
http://www.vmaxforum.net/index.php?s=ff ... ee83a829b9

Do a Google search and I'm sure others will turn up.

 

that thing is an absolute BEAST! you can go from 0 to shit your pants in about a second.... THEN the V-boost kicks in....

 

Three sources of normal rattles in the cockpit:
Faux tank locking/latching mechanism, the shroud (screen) for the radiator, the instrument panel is designed to wiggle a bit and sometimes may rattle if too loose.

Other sources of a rattle for our VMax rides are the clutch and brake handles pivot points.

And, if it still has the stock rubber brake hoses up front, the springs around the top of the hoses can be buzzy at certain rpms.

 

These bikes will wheelie quite easily in first gear, especially with a passenger (ask my wife). Be careful.

And you may find the Corbin seat a bit firm, but it is well worth it for longer rides. Best upgrade I did to mine. I installed a Corbin right after I got the bike.

I had taken a 500 mile day trip and the original seat about destroyed my crotch. After the Corbin, drove 850 miles to Cleveland OH in one day. No soreness at all.

Since I ride the highway a lot, I also installed a Venture rear diff to drop my rpms and make the four gallon tank of gas last a bit longer. I don't miss the decrease in "get-up".

Riding the interstate and running 75 on my speedo without digging into the throttle, I can go 160 miles by my odo now and still have fuel left.

Most owners launch the bikes in second gear during 1/4 mile runs anyway. The Venture gearing allows me to start a run in first gear now.

 

Its the faux tank cover for sure. I can lay my hand on it and the noise stops. Do you find your vmax has a firmer shift lever than the smaller bikes?

 

Firmer shifter lever?
Are you actually referring to the noticeable clunk when you shift into first with the engine running? That's normal. shouldn't clunk into any other gear though.
I don't think the shift lever is really any firmer than most of my other bikes, except maybe the SR500.
Since your bike is older than mine, you may do a thorough check on the shifter linkage. If these bikes fall over, the shifter/linkage can be easily damaged.
Also, your mention of the rear shocks being upgrades, from what i can see in your photos, it appears they are the stock shocks.
The caps will have 4 preload adjustments you can easily dial in.

And these bikes can have a deadly wobble above about 115 mph! The problem is that the frame isn't stiff enough for the powerful engine. Couple that with steering head bearings out of adjustment and you may get bucked off in the triple digits. Do some research on this for yourself.

You can install frame stiffening bars (welded in or clamped on type). Also, google the "Furber Fix" and check that out.

 

I have actually been looking at the frame bars and have already read up on the Furber fix. No sorry I should have been more clear. It doesn't clunk or slam at all. Just feels good and solid. I think its just that I've rode solely the Maxim X for the last year so I am very used to how it handles and feels. Just getting used to how solid this bike feels.

 

Unhelpful post but i just gotta say i think i know what i want my second bike to be XD that bike looks really nice