VMAX is riding into the sunset…
Europe’s latest emissions regulations effectively killed the Yamaha VMAX in the continent when they came into force at the start of 2017 and now the firm is to bring the bike’s production to a halt entirely.
The current VMAX hit showrooms in 2009 after a pre-publicity campaign that lasted nearly four years. The first concept version, a sculpture, was revealed back in 2005 at the Tokyo Motor Show. Two years later there was another Tokyo teaser and finally the production version was unveiled in late 2008.
Last Euro-spec bikes were 2016 models, including this anniversary edition
With 200PS it was, briefly, the world’s most powerful production bike, although a lumbering 310kg weight meant its performance never really reflected the engine’s impressive output. Not that it was slow – in a straight line, few things will stay with a VMAX off the line.
A legendary name, the VMAX has always appealed to a niche market. Even its predecessor, the 1985-2007 V-Max 1200 – another road-going dragster – sold in fairly small numbers. But its followers are passionate, helping to develop a mystique around the model.
Now an announcement on Yamaha’s Japanese website reveals that production is to end in August this year. It says that the firm will be making only 120 more of the bikes at most, although it’s not clear if that’s for the Japanese market only or worldwide. If August comes and not all have been ordered, the final number may actually be lower than that.
This is the 2017-spec VMAX, as sold in America
Although the VMAX is still listed on Yamaha’s websites in some European countries, the bikes are still 2016 models. In America and Japan there is a 2017 VMAX, but not for long. A message on Yamaha’s Japanese website translates as: “Although the VMAX has been popular since the start of sales in 2009, we will close production in August 2017.”
It also warns that once 120 orders are placed, there will be no more available.
