Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A$$ Off ROTFLMAO

My nikname on the forum in Holland 370H55V0773H

I made a crazy 7hr trip to Thunder in the Valley in Pa. to see The New V-Max I could not wait until it showed up at the dealership in Oct.Nov .I then spent 3hrs there 90% of it by the new V-Max's side then drove 7hrs home. The trip was worth every penny I mean dollar. If you have the chance to see it "JUST DO IT" It really helped me get a better understanding for it's overall look ,beauty, and incredible potential. It also helped me grow into it ,because there are somethings about the bike that pictures can not capture ,and you maybe taken back by at first look . The bottom line is Your gonna be taken back sooner or later, either when you first see it or when you twist the wrist.. Just hold on it's gonna be a hellloffaaarideeeeee:side:

otodama wrote:
Otadama: good for you! Glad the hours and petrol wasn't wasted. You voiced my sentiments exactly!

I rode my 1998 VMAX to Sturgis from Chicago to see the new VMAX. I just got back a few hours ago. This was not a great feat on my part but I was a bit disheartened by the number of trailer queens I saw on the road. To me, the journey to get there is part of the experience. I didn’t by the way see any other VMAX’s on the road. I arrived on Friday before they were set up at the Chevy dealership. I visited the Star Yamaha tent downtown as they were setting up. The 09 VMAX was closest to the street and the tent was roped off to the public. I explained that I had been to Sturgis before and had made the 1000 mile ride from Chicago on my 1998 VMAX only to see the new VMAX being I had had put my deposit on one. They let me in and I was able to spend and hour or so alone with the new VMAX. I took some lame photos with a cheap camera that I take on bike trips. I will say that the promotional photos that you see are more accurate than I could have taken. The only thing that I saw that must go are the two 2 ½ inch reflectors that face out to the sides from where the license plate mounts, otherwise the bike is impressive. It is several inches longer and a couple wider than the previous models. I was told that there were going to be two 09 VMAX bikes in Sturgis, one at the promotional tent and the other at the Chevy dealership. They stated that they were not trusted with keys to the bikes and that nobody would be allowed to ride them in Sturgis.

I stopped back there on Sunday and spoke to the sales team. It was apparent that they were not kept in the loop as far as facts and features about the new models. Not to their discredit, there were a lot of questions that I asked that they just smiled and shrugged their shoulders as a response. I was told that the bikes currently touring are just prototypes and that the new production bikes may vary a bit from what has been shown thus far. He admitted that the reflectors on the tail had to go and the tail should be shortened by an aftermarket tail shortening kit he expected to materialize in the future. They told me that prior to the public showing scheduled later this summer at INDY, the bikes will be at a dealer-only expedition in which they will allow employees of the dealerships to ride them. His understanding is that those who subsequently show up at INDY for the public showing may have a shot at riding an 09 VMAX. The sales representative chased me down the street after I had walked away from the tent to tell me that and added that this information came from one of the guys who transports the new bikes around the country and is considered to be most credible information.

I have to add that while I was out in South Dakota, I decided to replace a half bald rear tire that I had left with. The people at Black Hills Powersports located in Rapid City were wonderful. Without any prior notice, they replaced my rear tire for $129 for the tire and $40 cost to replace it. I normally buy my rear tires from the Internet for $110 and then pay $75 for the tire replacement. I made out for a total of $180 installed. They were great and in my opinion deserved an honorable mention.

Sounds like a greta trip. Thank a lot for sharing your perspective!

Way to go 98MAX! Riding your bike to Sturgis is the only way to go. Have done it from the east coast and it's about 2200 miles to get there from here. Awesome when the weather cooperates! You can't help but your shake your head when you pass the Wild Hog guys trailering their Geezer Glides on landscaping trailers! I believe that there are black T-Shirts being produced that say "No Trailer Queers Allowed" that is meant about them.

When I saw the 09 at the Star tent in Laconia back in June, I was told by those guys that the 09 would be in the demo flee for mere mortals to ride at Biketober Fest in Daytona.

Thanks for the headsup.
I just booked my room. I'll be there, Ya'll come if you're in the general area

Thanks 98VMAX, for this report of your visit. I enjoyed it immensely.

The bike we saw at Yamaha Europe was also a preproduction bike, but a Yamaha type, not a Star Vmax one. This prototype will be used for learning sessions at dealers (or so they told me).
Those reflectors you spoke of are not on the European version of the bike. But from photographs I can understand why they have to go.

Are you going to take a shot at riding at at the INDY (is that in Daytony, by the way? Have NO idea... sorry...)?

Well, after ordering mine on June 6th, I finally decided to ride with my lady over to the Cornelius, NC showing of the new V-Max. It was about a 430 mile ride each way for us but it was worth every great mile of it as we went through some great scenery and great roads getting there. I rode my Rocket III and she road her Honda 750-C2 Spirit. The V-Max was sitting right in the Yamaha dealers showroom and we spent about 2 hours looking it over, sitting on it and talking to other riders about it. They had already put a new tire on it but there was still bits of melted rubber on the inside of the rear fender. I also found an attached spare key under the seat right next to the gas cap but the Corporate guys said that it wouldn't start anyway as it no longer had the battery or fluids in it. Oh well, I got to ride a Raider Demo bike while I was there and it was a nice 20 mile demo ride. I am attaching some of the pics that we took. The bike seemed to fit really well and I am 5'11" at around 215 lbs. My girl even looked good on the back but we did notice that her boots are going to be really close to the upper exhaust pipe ends. Oh well, she likes to rider her own two bikes anyway. To see all of the pics that we took go to this weblink: http://www.geezerglides.org/rick/