Earlier this year Yamaha published the questionnaire data from the www.next-vmax.com survey. Here is an overview of the feedback Yamaha received from more than 10,000 of online visitors about the all new next generation Yamaha Star VMax.

To start with lets have a look at the age distribution of the participants: The vast majority of replies came from cruiser riders with more than 10 years riding experience with 30 to 40 year olds forming the majority. Overall a wide range of riders participated.

The next area of interest was focused on the experience level of participants. The results show very clearly hat the potential customers come from a rather mature segment of the riding population. More than 50% of riders have stated 10-30 years of riding experience. These are clearly experienced riders with a clear vision/understanding of what they want. They have been riding multiple motorcycles for many years and and have a rather clear opinion about this new motorcycle.

Also interesting is the background of people responding to the survey. A very large majority of riders comes from the cruiser segment of the market. Individuals that enjoy riding, lots of it, want gobs of power to satisfy their cravings for ultimate acceleration, but not necessarily the group of super bike replica riders - typically a much younger audience too. This is not to say that these individuals might not be potential customers but it does speak for the rather mature following of VMax owners word wide.

Asked about the overall design rating more than 80% of surveyed individuals responded positive with 53% giving the VMax concept prototype and exceptional rating. That's a very clear signal for Yamaha that the VMax community means business. Get that next generation motorcycle into the dealers showrooms and people will come and buy them. There is a large international following that likes what they are seeing. The prototype - with some flaws in its design - was clearly a big step into the right direction and Yamaha got very serious about making it real.

Last but not least Yamaha asked about the favorite design elements of the all new next generation Yamaha Star VMax. Over 40% of riders responded with the engine as being the key element of the new design that they liked. The all mighty Otodama engine with its refined V4 setup, underscored buy beautiful color shades of red and black has drawn a lot of eyes to it. Now, beautiful is one thing, it better makes some real power. Another area that riders responded with very high demands. If this new engine with its speculated displacement of 1800cc really puts out 210 crank hps, it will make a lot of riders very happy.

{mosgoogle right}Yamaha has taken the design feedback that you and others have left very serious. In fact we believe that it has led to several design changes for the production model, that have been asked for by potential customers. A good example is the change from dual independent 'old-school' shocks in the rear to a much more state of the art mono-shock setup - as just seen at the 2007 Tokyo Motor show. Many potential customers have been highly disappointed about the delay in the new VMax roll out. However we believe that Yamaha is doing the right thing in addressing areas that many riders have asked for. A more state of the art suspension was probably the most asked for change to the prototype shown 2 years ago. This will further help the success of the new VMax. We all can't stand the waiting. Yamaha go hurry! ;-)

• < Prev
• Next >