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V-Rod VS V Max

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#3 ·
vrodfl said:
So who has owned both , I'm looking for info on handling ,power etc between two bikes.I'm considering buying a second bike.
Thanks Dan
Click to expand...

Ridden my buddys V-Max when I had my CBR900RR and it would be right behind me on the straight, but it does not corner for $hit. He had it set up with two brothers exhaust, sounded great and it was a fast bike, nothing compared to the V-Rod IMHO it (V-Max) on had that one thing for it straight line speed, not a lot elts.
 
#4 ·
Got baet by one a couple of weeks ago! I missed shifted!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOOOO!
 
#5 ·
Test rode them back to back before buying my V-Rod. The Max is SCARY fast, with emphasis on scary. The chassis is not built to handle at the speeds the bike can go. Also rather uncomfortable riding over the long haul, but the feeling when the v-boost hits is pretty cool.
 
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#6 ·
The V-Max is a little faster then the V-Rod but as others have pointed out handling is the pits on the bike. It was made to go straight and go fast but just like Derick Zoolander it can't turn. :rofl:
 
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#7 ·
I owned a V-MAX for 7 years and I will tell you they are scary fast. Everyone of my friends who I let ride it came back with thier hands shaking after that first blast. And besides being fast IT WILL pull the wheel straight up just from shifting. Yes the handling leaves a lot to be desired. I miss it and wish I still had one to put in the garage beside the V_ROD. But I wouldn't give up my V_ROD for one. By the way I found it interesting that the harley Making of the V-ROD video claimed to have found an innovative solution putting the gas tank under the seat, My 1986 V-MAX had the gas tank, guess where?, Yeah under the seat. :vrod:The 1986 V_MAX did high ten second et's BONE STOCK with a hot rider aboard. I bought it because at the time it was the Quickest and Fastest production motorcycle you could buy. Of course that didn't last long. My wife is much happier with the V-rod, she never did get used to those 60- 80mph wheelies. :cheers:
 
#8 ·
yeah, no kidding... I have a buddy with a Shadow which fills under the seat. Nothing new.
 
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#9 ·
One of my riding buddies has a V-Max and as much as I hate to admit it when the rode get twisty he can run off an leave me, not because he's a better ride but because the V-max has a much greater lean angle then the V-Rod. I drag the foot pegs and the pipes all the time.
As for straight line well I still have the stock 30 tooth pulley so he'ss a little bit faster.

We have traded bikes and the results are the same. I've ridden his bike many times over the years and I like the V-Max. When I decided to add another bike to the stable I considered the Max but in the end I bought the Rod instead, about the same performance and IMHO better looks.

When I want all out speed and handling I throw a leg over one of the Gixxers.
 
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#11 ·
seawallkid said:
I owned a V-MAX for 7 years and I will tell you they are scary fast. Everyone of my friends who I let ride it came back with thier hands shaking after that first blast. And besides being fast IT WILL pull the wheel straight up just from shifting. Yes the handling leaves a lot to be desired. I miss it and wish I still had one to put in the garage beside the V_ROD. But I wouldn't give up my V_ROD for one. By the way I found it interesting that the harley Making of the V-ROD video claimed to have found an innovative solution putting the gas tank under the seat, My 1986 V-MAX had the gas tank, guess where?, Yeah under the seat. :vrod:The 1986 V_MAX did high ten second et's BONE STOCK with a hot rider aboard. I bought it because at the time it was the Quickest and Fastest production motorcycle you could buy. Of course that didn't last long. My wife is much happier with the V-rod, she never did get used to those 60- 80mph wheelies. :cheers:
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:stupid:
I TO OWNED A VMAX BUT FOR TEN YEARS A 1984 HEAVILY MODIFIED, CAMS,
NO VBOOST RAN ON TWO CARBS PER CYLINDER ALL THE TIME,CUSTOM MADE TUNED EXH, HIGH COMP. PISTONS,SMOOTH BORE OVER SIZED DOWN DRAFT
CARBS. RAN LIKE NOBODYS BUSINESS.10.50'S ALLDAY LONG.MY VROD WILL
DO THE SAME NOW, VMAX $ 10,000 VROD $28,000. TWENTY YEAR DIFFERANCE ABOUT THE SAME DOLLAR WISE. HEY IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER
SO PLEASE DONT BURST MY BUBBLE ABOUT THE MONEY I'VE ALLREADY SPENT.
 
#12 ·
My bud has a V-max. We are equally quick at about any speed (note my is modded, so is his, but less), I out corner him easy, mine is more comforable to me, riders are of equal skill (we swap bikes sometimes). What type of second bike are you looking for, straight line speed, cornering, comfort, cruising?????
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Thanks guys that about covers it for me - guess I will just stay with my 03 two tone.
I just sold my 02 so I had a liitle cash , might be better to improve the 03 which I truely love to ride. Again thanks for all your good advice and info.
Dan
 
#14 ·
Rick Nielson said:
:stupid:
I TO OWNED A VMAX BUT FOR TEN YEARS A 1984 HEAVILY MODIFIED, CAMS,
NO VBOOST RAN ON TWO CARBS PER CYLINDER ALL THE TIME,CUSTOM MADE TUNED EXH, HIGH COMP. PISTONS,SMOOTH BORE OVER SIZED DOWN DRAFT
CARBS. RAN LIKE NOBODYS BUSINESS.10.50'S ALLDAY LONG.MY VROD WILL
DO THE SAME NOW, VMAX $ 10,000 VROD $28,000. TWENTY YEAR DIFFERANCE ABOUT THE SAME DOLLAR WISE. HEY IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER
SO PLEASE DONT BURST MY BUBBLE ABOUT THE MONEY I'VE ALLREADY SPENT.
Click to expand...
Hey Rick, just curious were you a harley guy when you had the V-MAX or did you convert afterwards? And if you had a chance to get one cheap now would you?
 
#15 ·
I had a 96 Max that was putting out 130hp with just a jet kit and pipe and I can tell you a Vrod is no match for a stock Max. I ride with several maxes all the time and even with the turbo I don't just blow them away. As for handling, a good pair of shocks and progressive springs in front along with radial tires really make a difference in handling. You can also get frame braces that really help. The dreaded high speed wobble is caused by improper setup of the tripletree bearings. I had mine to 150mph many times with no wobble. I think the Vrod is more refined than the Max though. When people ask me to compare the two I liken the Max to a Shelby Cobra, raw and mean. The V-rod is more Ferrari like, refined and fast. I love my V-rod but I miss the brute power of the Max. The Max is a Street Fighter and the V-rod is more like a Pro Boxer. My buddy Don has a turbo Max with over 220hp and it's a beast! Bill
 
#16 ·
I know it's been mentioned before on another thread, but it's hard to compare a bike that has twice our cylinders. So, if you look at it this way, if the VRod was a 4 cylinder, there'd be nothing that would touch it!
 
#17 ·
Finally after much awaiting I was able to race a v-max for myself. I was pretty impressed with the vmax but from a 50 mph roll on I was barely pulling away from him up to about 120 and from there we were about equal. He was never gaining on me. I also hit the rev limiter in 5th gear top speed I believe it was right around 144. We did this twice and both times we had the same results. I would have licked to have started from a complete stop, maybe next time. I did change my box settings today should I change them so I don't hit the rev limiter, the bike was still pulling really well. Topless, 28 tooth, k&n air filter, v-mod exhaust.

The looks of the v-max are ugly in my opinion, I couldn't find one thing I liked about it except for the speed.
 
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MrHD1
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