~Seriously?!~

Picture: Raptors & Rockets

When it comes to pure thrills, there's nothing that can quite match the kick you get out of riding a really fast motorcycle. If straight line speed is you thing, then as the name implies, one of the baddest (though not as most people would know) bikes ever to come out of Japan - the Yamaha V-Max- was launched in the mid 80's with a 1200cc V4 engine. It produced a monumental (even by todays standards) 145hp with the aid of a system called v-boost.

The bike was a hoot to ride, often seen blasting away from traffic lights. The first generation V-max with V-boost managed a 1/4mile time of 11seconds, and in the process obliterating all but the fastest of its contemporary supersport bike rivals. Throughout the years however, ever tightening noise and emission regulations meant that the once mighty v-max now only makes a "measly" 100 or so horsepower, nearly 50% less the original one.

The traffic light drag king was dead. Fans bemoaned the loss, critics rejoiced.

Now however, the fans will have something to cheer about. Yamaha will relaunch an all new V-max in 2009. The bike will come powered by a 1800cc v-four (as per tradition) producing 210hp. That's the amount of power in between a Golf GTI's 200hp and a Civic Type-R's 220hp. If that amount of power is enough to propel those cars to 60mph in under 7 seconds, imagine what it would do for a bike weighing a fraction of what those cars weigh. 1/4 mile (400m) times are estimated to be about 9seconds from a stock bike - Long live the street drag king!

Here are some pictures for your ogling purposes.








Source: The Kneeslider