• Claimed power: 147.2kW[197hp]@9000rpm
• Claimed torque: 166.8Nm[123ft-lbs]@6500rpm
• Wet weight: 310kg (full tank, oil and coolant)
• Fuel capacity: 15L
• Oil capacity: 5.9L
• Engine: G.E.N.I.C.H Liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve 65-degree V4 four-stroke
• Bore and stroke: 90.0 x 66.0mm
• Displacement: 1679cc
• Compression ratio: 11.3:1
• Fuel delivery: YCC-I intake, YCC-T throttle, quad 48mm throttle-bodies, quad 12-hole injectors
• Exhaust: Titanium/stainless steel four-into-one-into-two-into-four
• Gearbox: Five-speed constant mesh
• Ratios: 1 2.375, 1.810, 1.400, 1.115, 0.935
• Final ratio: 3.083
• Clutch: Wet multi-plate 19-plate slipper clutch, diaphragm spring
• Final drive: Shaft
• Frame type: Aluminium cast and extruded diamond-shaped Delta Box
• Wheelbase: 1700mm
• Rake: 31 degrees
• Trail: 148mm
  Front suspension: 52mm oxidised titanium coated conventional forks, 225mm pitch, 30mm offset, fully adjustable, 120mm travel
• Rear suspension: Monocross link-type fully adjustable (all remote) shock, 110mm travel
• Front brake: Dual 320mm floating wave rotors with six-piston radial-mount calipers and Brembo radial-pull master-cylinder, ABS
• Rear brake: Single 298mm floating wave rotor with pin-slide single piston caliper, ABS
• Front wheel: Cast alloy five spoke, 3.50 x 18in
• Rear wheel: Cast alloy five spoke, 6.00 x 18in
• Front tyre: Bridgestone BT028 120/70 – 18
• Rear tyre: Bridgestone BT028 200/50 – 18
• Ground clearance: 140mm
• Seat height: 775mm
• Overall height: 1190mm
• Overall length: 2395mm
• Instruments: Electronic fuel tank mounted display with temp, trips, live fuel, throttle angle opening, stop watch and count down, intake temp, gear position – dash display with digital speed, analogue tacho, programmable shift light
• Price: Expect to pay around $30,000 (call your local dealer for details on ordering and deposit payment system for the new VMAX)
• Warranty: Two-years/unlimited kilometre
• Colours: Solar Black

Powering the new VMAX is an all-new 1679cc liquid-cooled four-stroke DOHC 65 degree V4 engine.

Running with bore x stroke dimensions of 90.0 x 66.0mm (compared to 76.0 x 66.0mm for the old VMAX) and featuring a compression ratio of 11.3:1, the new powerplant develops 147.2kW[197hp]@9000rpm, together with a huge torque output of 166.8Nm[123ft-lbs]@6500rpm.

The new VMAX benefits from advanced Yamaha G.E.N.I.C.H (Genesis in Electronic engineering aimed at New, Innovative Control technology based on Human sensibilities) technology with features such as YCC-I (Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake) and YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) which are key factors in achieving the new engine’s high levels of power. This new high-tech engine is the first Yamaha V4 to be equipped with a sophisticated new fuel injection system.

In order to achieve a rapid and efficient combustion process Yamaha engineers have designed a new four-valve pent-roof combustion chamber. For such a large capacity engine with its massive bores, these new high-efficiency combustion chambers are remarkably compact, and their space-saving design has been facilitated by the introduction of an ingenious new camshaft drive system.

On a conventional DOHC engine, the intake and exhaust camshafts are usually driven by one chain, but Yamaha engineers have designed a system which the intake camshaft is driven by a chain, while the exhaust camshaft is driven by a gear mechanism. This innovative combined chain and gear cam drive minimizes the pitch between the intake and exhaust camshafts, which in turn permits a much more compact cylinder head design. The new VMAX also runs with Iridium spark plugs.

The use of the space-saving combined cam drive has also allowed narrower valve angle of 14 degrees IN and 15 degrees EX, giving a total of 29 degrees. This narrow valve angle helps to minimize engine dimensions, while also permitting the use of optimised port shapes.
Yamaha engineers have also reduced the overall weight of the valve train assembly by using an inner shim type valve clearance adjustment system, as opposed to the outer shim system on the previous VMAX engine.

Despite the fact that engine features a 40 per cent increase in cubic capacity compared to the old model the new V4 powerplant’s overall dimensions are remarkably compact.

In order to keep the new engine’s front-to-rear length as short as possible, it adopts a 65-degree V bank, compared to 70 degrees on the original VMAX. This narrower angle between the massive cylinders serves to concentrate mass for more neutral handling performance, and makes the new powerplant 27mm shorter than the original.

Also, the use of a centrally located cam chain helps to minimize the new engine’s width. Despite the fact that the bore dimensions on the new larger-capacity VMAX are over 18 per cent larger than its predecessor, the new engine’s overall width is approximately the same as the current model, and overall height is only 6.5mm taller.

Another example of the way in which sophisticated technology has been used to enhance the performance on the new VMAX is evident in the new forged aluminium pistons.

Fracture-split (FS) carburised conrods were first used on the 2004 model YZF-R1, and in order to handle the huge power and torque output of the new 1679cc V4 engine, this technology is now featured on the new VMAX.

The YCC-I (Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake) system is designed to vary the intake funnel length so that it is ‘tuned’ to give a positive intake pulse that best suits the prevailing engine speed.

When engine revs rise above 6650rpm, electronically-controlled servomotors cause each intake funnel to separate instantaneously, effectively creating a shorter intake funnel measuring only 54mm from 150mm, which enables the VMAX engine to deliver even stronger performance from the mid-range right through to peak rpm.

Another highly advanced feature seen on the new VMAX is the YCC-T throttle, which features the same design as that used on the current Yamaha supersport models.

This innovative throttle has a remarkably high calculating speed, and assesses the engine’s running conditions every millisecond, which enables the system to respond instantaneously to rider inputs.

Aggressively-styled hand-finished aluminium air intakes mounted on the front left and front right side of the dummy fuel tank give the VMAX a muscular profile, and direct an intense flow of air straight into the massive new airbox which is approximately twice the volume of the design on the existing model.

To complement the machine’s more powerful 1679cc V4 engine, a compact new shaft drive system has been designed for the new VMAX. By optimising the ratios of the engine-side reduction gear and the final gear, engineers have designed a smaller-diameter rear gear case. Featuring 29 teeth compared to 33 on the existing model, the slimmer and more compact case measures 188mm.

An 02 sensor (Lambda sensor) detects oxygen levels in the stainless-steel/titanium exhaust system and regulates the fuel supply via the fuel injection system to ensure that emissions are minimized, while a 3-way honeycomb catalyser ensures the VMAX exceeds EU3 regulations.
For reduced weight and a high quality finish, the clutch cover, AC magneto cover and drive shaft cover are all manufactured from lightweight magnesium alloy.

A sophisticated cooling system, which consists of two radiators and an oil cooler keep the temp under control. The two-piece radiator features a curved-type upper section, which allows the engine to be situated closer to the front wheel for idealised mass centralisation. In order to achieve a maximum surface area for highly efficient engine cooling, the lower part of this two-piece radiator is a conventional flat shape whose unobtrusive design allows the massive V4 engine to be seen in all its glory – and at the same time permits the fitment of a fan. And to ensure stable oil temperatures for consistently strong engine performance, the 1679cc engine is equipped with a liquid-type oil cooler.

Mounted on top of the dummy fuel tank is a multi-function Organic Electro-Luminescent OEL instrument panel that displays a wide range of information on its 256x64 dot display. This newly designed OEL panel gives a bright, easy-to-read display and offers an instant response, and its functions include odometer, tripmeter, clock, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, gear position, running fuel consumption, intake air temperature and throttle opening, as well as a stopwatch with a countdown function.

The fact that the styling on the original VMAX has remained largely unchanged for 24-years is a tribute to the immense strength and unique character of its original design. Creating a worthy successor to this iconic motorcycle posed many challenges for Yamaha’s team of designers.

While the original VMAX embodied the spirit of the drag strip the new model has been designed to radiate a feeling of massive internal strength that hints at the awesome power just waiting to be unleashed at any time.




2009 - Yamaha VMAX - Engine Features