Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Yamaha VMAX VMX17 Specs News and Review
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| 2011 Yamaha VMAX (VMX17) |
The 2011 Yamaha VMAX (VMX17) is the ultimate muscle bike and is the awesome result of its evolutionary journey. The unique features of this iconic beast are richly blended with advanced sportbike tehcnology and forward-thinking style. It all adds up to a machine with immense performance and visual power. Theres only one V-Max.
Liquid-cooled, 1,679cc, DOHC, 16-valve, 65°, V-4 engine has no equal in its class. The compact engine design has allowed the engineers to place the engine in the "sweet spot" of the frame to optimize handling. DOHC 4-valve "pent roof" cylinder head design provides optimum breathing efficiency for incredible engine performance. Valve actuation is via under bucket shims. Compression ratio is 11.3:1.
Steel valves are used for excellent durability. Intake valves are 34mm in diameter with a 14-degree valve angle while exhaust valves are 30mm with a 15 degree valve angle. "Combination" chain and gear camshaft drive system is utilized. With this system, only the intake cams are driven by a chain (attached to the crank), the exhaust cams are driven by a gear drive off the intake cams. This design allows for more compact cylinder heads since the distance or "pitch" between the camshafts is reduced. High-performance camshafts provide incredible engine performance. Centrifugal decompression device on the exhaust cam means fast, easy starting.
Automatic hydraulic cam chain tensioners reduce engine mechanical noise.
Lightweight, forged, aluminium short skirt pistons help provide fast throttle response, reduced vibration and provide excellent durability. Connecting rods are carburized and use a nut less design. The lower end "cap" of the rod is made from the same piece of material as the upper portion; this design is known as "fracture splitting". This design aids in establishing true big end roundness, greater precision in con rod dimensions and are extremely durable.
180-degree crankshaft design is utilized.
Gear-driven engine counter balancer shaft is used to reduce vibration and maximize rider comfort. The balance ratio is 50% to allow some pulse feel. Since the crank design is 180 degrees, there is also some inherent natural balancing effect as well. Twin radiator design features a curved upper rad and lower flat rad for maximum cooling efficiency. Each rad has its own cooling fan. An oil-to-coolant heat exchanger type oil cooler maintains stable lubricant temperatures for increased performance and extended engine life.
Wet sump oil lubrication system is used and features a spin-on cartridge-type oil filter.
Mikuni fuel injection system uses four 48mm throttle bodies fitted with T.P.S. (Throttle Position Sensor) and numerous other sensors. An oxygen sensor has been fitted into the exhaust making this a "closed loop" type FI system. The benefits include excellent throttle response, great fuel economy, reduced emissions, stable idling and no choke to fuss with during start up. The closed loop design means the system is constantly monitoring the fuel / air mixture and adjusting it as required for maximum performance plus reduced emissions.
Denso 12-hole injectors are used for excellent fuel atomization for maximum power and response across the entire rev range.
The Yamaha VMAX utilizes a lightweight main Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that in fact consists of 3 - ECUs in total. The main 32-bit ECU controls the ignition and fuel injection process, while a 2nd and 3rd integral ECU controls the YCC-T & YCC-I. This "combined" ECU design reduces weight.
YCC-I or Yamahas Chip Controlled Intake means the intake funnels / stacks vary in length (between 2 positions) depending on engine rpm. An electronic servo motor varies the funnel length from 150mm (for low to mid rpms) to the short setting of 54mm for high rpm. The transition or switching rpm between the 2 lengths is 6,650 rpms. The revolutionary YCC-I provides the best of both worlds, solid low rpm torque and power combined with an amazing high rpm rush. It takes only 0.3 of a second for the funnels to move from the tall to the short position.
Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) electronically controls the throttle valves for outstanding response and improved controllability at all rpms. This system features twin Throttle Position Sensors (TPS) and a D.C. motor driving the throttle valves. The YCC-T is used to provide even more control of the intake air volume for smoother torque character. The rider can "mechanically close" the throttles by simply closing the throttle twist grip.
Large capacity air box uses a viscous-type paper air filter.
Air Induction System (AIS) injects fresh air into the exhaust port area to fully combust any un-burnt fuel, reducing harmful HC and CO emissions for a cleaner environment. 4-into-1-into-2 into-4 exhaust system is used. Not only does it make a serious styling statement but also provides excellent performance and reduced emissions thanks to a 3-way honeycomb catalytic converter in the under engine "muffler box". It also features Yamahas patented Exhaust Ultimate Power Valve (EXUP). This system monitors engine rpm and adjusts exhaust flow (via the EXUP valve) for maximum performance at all rpms with no "flat spots". This system helps to improve torque, optimize fuel economy and reduce emissions too.
Crankcase design incorporates the cylinders into the upper half of the cases for reduced weight. Ceramic composite cylinder "bores" are a "liner-less" design with the ceramic coating sprayed directly on the aluminium block to ensure great heat dissipation for consistent power delivery, reduced friction and reduced weight.
Open deck type cylinder sleeves are used for maximum cooling efficiency.
Lightweight magnesium alloy crankcase covers are used.
Hydraulically activated, ramp-type slipper clutch featuring 10 friction plates is used to deliver consistent clutch performance with a light lever pull and minimal maintenance. A slipper or back limiter clutch assembly reduces rear wheel hop when making hard downshifts or under hard braking. The clutch master cylinder is a Nissin design using a 14mm piston. The clutch lever offers 4 positions of adjustability.
5-speed transmission features optimized gear ratios for maximum acceleration and performance. 5th gear is an overdrive gear to reduce engine rpm at highway speeds for a comfortable ride. Clean, quiet, smooth low-maintenance shaft drive is used. This system features dual "U" joints to accommodate the extra wide rear tire.
Compact rear shaft drive gear case assembly reduces weight and improves styling.
Functional hand finished aluminium intake covers highlight Yamahas quality and attention to detail. ACM magneto produces 420 watts of power at 5,000 rpms. High-performance direct ignition coils (ignition coil is built into the spark plug cap) reduce weight while iridium spark plugs and high-output magneto deliver increased spark energy.
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| 2011 Yamaha VMAX (VMX17) |
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION
Lightweight cast aluminium frame has been designed to offer an optimized rigidity balance to maximize handling performance. This frame is very rigid or stiff at the head pipe, engine mounts and swingarm pivot point. In other areas, material is less rigid in order to allow for "tuned flex".
Extra-long, lightweight cast aluminium swingarm provides great torsional rigidity for excellent handling and manoeuvrability. The distance between the swingarm pivot and the rear axle has been optimized (662.5mm) for great rear wheel traction. Threaded holes for racing type rear stand are provided. Detachable C.F. die cast aluminium and extruded aluminium rear sub frame means easier maintenance access (and a less costly repair if the unit is "looped out").
Huge fully adjustable, conventional cartridge-type 52mm front fork features 120mm (4.7") of road-smoothing wheel travel. The inner tubes feature a oxide titanium coating to reduce friction and wear. The adjustable design allows the rider to tailor suspension settings to match riders weight and road conditions to maximize handling and suspension performance. There is 5-way spring preload adjustability plus 20-way compression damping and 17-way rebound damping adjustability.
Lightweight triple clamps. The upper is made of cast aluminium while the lower clamp is forged aluminium. Fork pitch is 225mm while offset is 30mm. Link Monocross rear suspension utilizes a fully adjustable remote reservoir rear shock. Rear wheel travel is 110mm (4.3"). Adjustments include 11 way spring preload adjustability (via easy-access remote adjuster), 12-way compression damping and 18-way rebound damping adjustability.
15-litre fluorinated polyethylene fuel tank is mounted below the riders seat and therefore helps maintain a low centre of gravity plus mass centralization. It also provides space for the large capacity air box. The fluorination treatment reduces the "permeation" of fuel vapours (hydrocarbons) into the atmosphere. The electric fuel pump is housed inside the tank. The low fuel warning light will illuminate with approx. 4.2 litres of fuel remaining.
Dual floating 320mm wave-style front rotors are squeezed by radial mount, monoblock 6-piston calipers. The result is incredible braking performance with excellent control and lever feedback. The master cylinder is a Brembo radial pump master cylinder with a 16mm piston, a direct GP race innovation. The lever is adjustable for various hand sizes.
298mm wave-style rear disc is squeezed by a single-piston slide-type caliper utilizing sintered metal pads and a 14mm Brembo master. The caliper is mounted below the swingram to maintain a handling enhancing low centre of gravity.
Anti-lock braking system features Yamahas latest ABS system, very similar to that found on the FJR1300. The linear controlled 3-position ABS system features an ECU with an integrated compact hydraulic unit built into the ECU plus active type wheel sensors with magnetic rotors. The benefit is reduced weight, excellent mass centralization and better lever feedback feeling when the system is operating. The main benefit of ABS is excellent control under hard braking or braking on wet or slippery surfaces since the ABS system helps to prevents wheel lock-up.
Rugged yet lightweight cast aluminium 5-spoke mag wheels front and rear. The wheels utilize hollow "spokes" to reduce unsprung weight for superior handling. Front rim size is a 3.50 x 18 fitted with a tubeless 120/70R18 radial tire, while the rear is 6.00 x 18 fitted with a wide tubeless 200/50R18 radial tire.
Conventional tapered 1?" diameter low rise handlebar.
Cool multi-function handlebar mounted meter includes analog tachometer and digital speedo plus an adjustable shift light and a variety of warning lights. A second multi-function display panel is located on top of the "fuel tank" (actually it is the air box cover). Readouts on this panel include fuel gauge, fuel consumption display, odometer, dual tripmeters, clock, coolant temp, gear indicator, throttle valve opening, intake air temp, stop watch and fuel reserve tripmeter. This panel uses a highly visible 256 x 64 dot matrix "Organic Electro Luminescence display". Brightness is adjustable.
Bright, H4 60/55-watt, halogen headlight
Eye-catching LED tail light means it uses less electrical power.
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| 2011 Yamaha VMAX (VMX17) |
2011 Yamaha VMAX (VMX17) - USA Specifications
MSRP: * $19,890 (Granite Gray) Available from September 2010/CA model March 2011
Engine
MSRP: * $19,890 (Granite Gray) Available from September 2010/CA model March 2011
Engine
- Type 102-cubic-inch (1679cc) liquid-cooled 65° V-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder
- Bore x Stroke 90.0mm x 66.0mm
- Compression Ratio 11.3:1
- Fuel Delivery Fuel Injection with YCC-T and YCC-I
- Ignition TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
- Transmission 5-speed, multiplate slipper clutch
- Final Drive Shaft
Chassis
- Suspension / Front 52mm telescopic cartridge fork w/oxidized titanium coating. Fully adjustable preload, compression and rebound; 4.7 in travel
- Suspension / Rear Single shock w/remote reservoir and remote adjustable for preload, compression and rebound
- Brakes / Front Dual 320mm wave-type discs; radial mount 6-piston calipers, Brembo® radial pump master cylinder
- Brakes / Rear 298mm wave-type disc, single-piston caliper and Brembo® master cylinder
- Tires / Front Bridgestone® Radial 120/70-R18 59V
- Tires / Rear Bridgestone® Radial 200/50-R18 76V
Dimensions
- Length 94.3 in
- Width 32.3 in
- Height 46.8 in
- Seat Height 30.5 in
- Wheelbase 66.9 in
- Rake (Caster Angle) 31.0 in
- Trail 5.8 in
- Fuel Capacity 4.0 gal
- Fuel Economy** 27 mpg
- Wet Weight*** 683 lb / 685 lb (CA model)
Other
- Warranty 2 Year (Limited Factory Warranty) with Priority Delivery Program
