Maple Leaf asked me this question in another thread. PM isn't working for some reason so I wanted to make sure he got it.
I had a 1985, and it was the fastest production machine in 1985. The V-Max is very realible, and you will find that it will hold its value (as long as you don't dump it). Make sure that you look under the rear fender to see if the current owner has tried to burn out (smoke) the rear wheel. By looking under the rear fender you can see rubber stuck to the fender's underside. If that is the case, then you might want to reconsider making the purchase. Check for oil seepage around the rear cylinder heads, that is another indicator of owner abuse. Listen for any top end noise, and make sure the V-Max shifts through all gears smoothly. Yamaha V-Max transmissions should not clunk or be hard shifting, that only indicates that you will have future issues.
If you buy a V-Max avoid installing nitrous bottle, the motorcycle doesn't need it, and you would be better served by installing an after market pipe. Make sure you feel comfortable on the machine and that while in the seated position you are flat footed. V-Max center of gravity is high, and you need to feel comfortable when seated and stopping. Riding is one thing, but stopping is another.
Enjoy the ride.
In Jesus name
Brother Benincasa
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