1996 Yamaha VMX1200 V-Max

Even turning the motorcycle's key to the on position generates a little shot of adrenaline, as the fuel pump spools up with a turbinelike whine, hinting at what awaits. But the real fun begins when you thumb the starter and that 1198cc V-4 awakens and snarls a challenge for all within earshot.

Ready? Throw a leg over the stepped saddle, point Yamaha's V-Max in a safe direction and pull the trigger. It might be smoking now but this isn't the gun -- it's the bullet. Snap the throttles open, and it fires down the road. Depending on the heaviness of your throttle hand and the deftness of your clutch control, this bike can explode from a stop with the rear wheel spinning, or launch straight and sure with the front wheel just skimming the pavement.

Sure, some big nasty sportbikes accelerate harder, but they all lay you down into the bike so you can absorb the forces. The upright riding posture of the V-Max means you feel all the acceleration ripping at your arms. You are thankful for that big backstop in the saddle, which holds you in place as the engine bellows like a Top Fuel car as it tears through first gear. Although the wheelbase is shorter than what is found on most big cruisers, it's long enough to keep Mr. Max from standing up and snapping over backward the way some high-powered sportbikes want to do when you hold them wide open in first gear.

If you haven't scared yourself yet, catch second gear with a short, light flick of the lever and grab another handful. But be careful. Letting it run all the way to the 9500-rpm redline in second gear jeopardizes your driving record anywhere in the United States. The speedo is reading more than 75 mph before the little tank-top tach shows redline in second gear.

If you miss it on your blast through second, the rush through third might give you time to take note of one of the V-Max's special tricks. It's called V-Boost, a clever bit of intake plumbing. When rpm reaches 6500, a valve in a crossover manifold between the cylinders in each bank opens, allowing each cylinder to draw through two carbs. It's something like the four-barrel-carb arrangement used in cars. If you happen to have the opportunity and presence of mind to notice while you are accelerating through that portion of the rpm band, you can feel the surge as the extra breathing comes on line.

You don't have to ride the V-Max everywhere at full throttle, of course. Even when you aren't berserking, the engine will impress you. You'll notice throttle response, though slightly abrupt, is strong right off the bottom. The engine ticks along contentedly at 1800 rpm, but wakes right up and yanks the bike forward when you snap the throttle open. You can go from communing with nature to talking to God in a heartbeat. Almost any situation, save an inches-to-spare pass of slower traffic, gives you a choice of three gears. When you do need every ounce of thrust, downshifting to first or second gear provides you with more passing acceleration than any other stock sit-up bike on the road.

Yamaha V-MAX 1200 specs
Engine: 1198cc, liquid-cooled 4v v-four

Power (claimed): 145bhp @ 9000rpm

Torque (claimed): 90lb-ft @7500rpm

Transmission: Five speed, shaft final drive

Frame: Steel cradle

Wet weight: 274kg

Suspension: (F) Air-adjustable 40mm telescopic forks

(R): twin shocks, preload adjustable

Brakes: (F) Twin 298mm discs, two-piston calipers; (R) 286mm disc, two-piston caliper

Tires: (F) 110/90-18; (R) 150/90-15

Top speed: 145mph

Average fuel consumption: 31mpg