One to one with the Yamaha guys:
Raptors and Rockets
It did not help that Yamaha asked in their online survey whether we would prefer a big displacement, big horsepower muscle bike. One of the questions was whether we would want it to be 200hp+. Yes we do! The displacement is not ready yet either, but as we know that this bike will not be purely about horsepower, we expect a bigger than usual displacement too. The current engine in the concept looks like a big boy already, but there has been speculation from 1400cc to 1800cc in the new V4.
Whatever Yamaha decides in the end, the Vmax is about muscle, pure muscle and nothing else. In the US the concept has already been branded under the Star motorcycles cruiser division. So in essence the Vmax is looked upon by Yamaha as a muscle or power cruiser. And if that continues through to the end it will be more powerful than any other muscle cruiser currently on the market. We know that it will be powerful, just look at the six pot radial brakes that also graces the 2007 R1 created to stop the beast. Then look at the double radiator/oil-cooler unit and the serious looking swingarm and frame. The double cone shaped mufflers look menacing too.
The Vmax concept was recently showcased for the very first time outside of Japan to the US public. Long Beach and the Cycle World International motorcycle show was the venue chosen. For a long time we thought we would also get to see it at the EICMA show in Milan, but internal European Yamaha-motors politics stopped that from happening. One country in Europe did not wish to see the Vmax on the floor yet. This was due to beliefs in that country that the new Vmax would compete with the existing air-cooled MT-01 model. We think they screwed up and imported too many MT-01’s. However nice the MT-01 is, it is far away from the Vmax concept. The Vmax stands for true muscle and power-A performance cruiser that actually has been made to destroy anything else on two wheels in a straight line. The ruling country for such a bike is without doubt the US. So whilst we were in the US we spoke to Derek Brooks, the Motorcycle Product Planning Manager in Yamaha Motor USA.
What can you tell us about the concept now compared to last year?
“Nothing different. It is still kind of the American muscle car, typical American muscle car type image. To clarify, it was built in Japan but based on the US concept, US project.”
Did the Japanese engineers contact you to finalise the design?
“Oh sure, yes.”
Still a big bad V4?
“At this point it is still purely a concept. The benefit of doing this, of course we did it in Japan originally, but having the bike on display here in the US we can listen to feedback and get comments on style, expectations for power and handling. This is a good chance to get feedback for us.”
Why Star for the Vmax and not Yamaha as the original is well known as a Yamaha?
“The original Vmax concept was really before the huge explosion of American cruisers. But its concept was very much cruiser original. So that was back in the days you know Virago and then Vmax-Very much a Hot Rod, cruiser type bike. And Star being our Cruiser brand, it actually makes sense. Even with Star though, even all of our Star bikes have Yamaha casings, on the back fender and on the engine. So we are not trying to mislead anyone by saying this is not a Yamaha but a Star. We liken it more to kind of the Toyota/Scion brands style in the US, it's the sister brand, brother brand of Yamaha. It's a Star Vmax. By separating the brands it allows us to position an image that is more focused and more appealing to the usual American cruiser rider as opposed to a very sporty offroad and supersport type image. But certainly, we don't want to loose our brand affiliation with Yamaha, the quality and performance is so strong.”
There is no schedule at all for the Vmax?
“No, it's still purely a concept. It has not been in the US in this sort of setting before. So before we make that final stand, ok let's do it, we want to make sure we get all the feedback first.”
In the UK Miles Taylor, the Marketing, Press and PR Manager had this to say:
Expectations for the UK market on the Vmax? Compared to the MT-01?
“It is clear that the VMax still has a large following and it would be great if we/Yamaha could produce a bike which carried on the mantle of the original. The MT-01 was never intended to be a Vmax replacement so I don't feel that any new bike would necessarily compete with the customer base for attention.”
“We received a lot of questions at the recent NEC show regarding the Vmax and this interest has been relayed to the factory for their consideration and as and when any information relating to new models for 2008 and beyond becomes available we will of course keep everyone informed.”
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