We have been testing the Star Motorcycles Wide Wheel kit (240 series tire) for the past few months. When the VMax first came out, we immediately checked for clearance to see if a 240 + widened rim would fit. Soon after the launch Star Motorcycles announced at last years Yamaha dealer show that it would come out with a wide wheel conversion kit for the VMax. Score!
The moment the wide wheel kit came out we got one delivered to our shop, together with matching Metzler 240 and the hardware kit.
Installation requires the removal of a portion of the shaft drive, a mere 4 nuts more compared to when exchanging the stock size wheel. For extra clearance, it is required that one of the shaft drive covers comes off. Some of our members have also come up with an alternative that involves modifying that cover to allow the tire to clear it. Check out our forums for more information.
As part of the installation you will be re-using some of the parts including spacers, nuts, cush drive and hub, break disk and ABS sensor plate from the OEM rim. If you plan on changing back and forth between stock size and 240, you might want to get those extra parts. That way you can treat each wheel as an assembly and swap them back and forth in little time.
It is also very helpful to get the K&L engineering scissor jack adapter for the VMax, that allows you to place a scissor jack under the Vmax and support its full weight, without damaging. Unfortunately some of the cheaper after market pipes can interfere with that adapter, rendering it pretty much useless.
The 240 is a visual treat for the new Vmax. Its size and form give the backend of the new VMax an even more masculine look. Nothing touches a wide wheel VMax! In addition to looks the wide wheel conversion adds plenty of traction. Take offs at the local red light will become even quicker. The 200 hps VMax still has plenty of torque to spin up that 240, just a bit harder than before. And if you have seen a 240 wide rubber snake on the pavement, you wont believe it came off a motorcycle.
Handling of the VMax with the 240 installed is great. It certainly changes the characteristics of the bike, but most riders wont notice after 10+ miles and stability and reliability are in no way reduced. While the Vmax feels slightly slower going into turns, there is still plenty of curvy-ness in it. Compared to other tire choices like the 210 on the OEM rim, the 240 is actually much better behaving. Most riders won't go past the limits of the 240 and for those canyon carvers, the stock 200 for the once in a while hardcore knee dragging, can be put on without much hassle.
Combined with Y-Gear's lowering kit (only available in Japan at this point in time), the Vmax makes a bold visual statement and improves on take offs, well beyond what is possible in its stock form.
Last but not least the wide wheel kit has some economical benefits: While the 240 tire is marginally more expensive that the stock 200, it last 2-3x the tire milage. The bigger surface contact patch make it last for many thousand miles beyond the stock tire.
For availability check with your local authorized Star Motorcycles dealer or one of our Site Sponsors.
Once you put that 240 on, you wont go back. Killer looks and awesome functionality at a very decent price. This Star accessory get two thumbs up from us.
To see more photos of the setup in our community albums: Click Here
.......merely sharing the color selection I made on my Gen I then repeated on my '09. My background (now retired) was in advertising & marketing. 4 out of home media, the striking visual combination was yellow & black. That fact influenced my selection. The application is a 3 stage metallic yellow with all edging bordered in metallic black. I am enjoying compliments galore, notwithstanding, I seldom received comments in OEM black form. Just in case U hadn't painted both bikes yet, U may wish 2 consider this choice. In the near term I'll post photos. C'est la vie.
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