Extreme Performance : Once you get on the motorcycle, it’s really hard to stop. There’s something exhilarating about the speed, the freedom and the system of your connection to the bike.” And when that bike packs a big engine, the experience gets cranked up even further. You twist the throttle, and instantly, power surges through the handlebars, the seat, even in your chest. What’s even more interesting:
The most powerful motorcycles can seem dangerously unruly, but the finest among them are designed with astonishing delicacy.Even though they’re big and powerful, they don’t exactly feel wild or unpredictable. That’s largely due to the modern tech that helps wrangle all that power. Modern electronics, well-built chassis, and sophisticated suspension systems help you ride
assured. So, rather than fighting the bike’s power, you use it, modulate it, letting all of that power flow in a manner that feels intuitive. So if you know how to ride already, and are looking for all-out power, these high-performance motorcycles above 1,500cc are what you want. It was popularly known as the “Widow Maker” bike. That’s because this is a seriously powerful bike
that’s meant for skilled riders only. Many of those who were not prepared for how quick and how fast it is have learned this lesson the hard way over the years. For real, the legendary motorcycle quickly became one of the best muscle bikes on the roads when it debuted in 1985. At its launch, there was nothing else the bike lacked in terms of technology and performance. And the
latest variant of the VMAX lives up to that reputation. Throbbing at its core is a monstrous 1,679cc V4 engine that puts out 197 horsepower — one of the fastest bikes in Yamaha’s stable. Yamaha constructed the VMAX with a stiff aluminum chassis and sophisticated electronics to cope with all that power. A ride-by-wire throttle system, multiple power modes and traction control
assist in keeping the bike stable and smooth. Those features also make the VMAX a much easier bike to control. And because so much speed needs some serious stopping power, Yamaha equipped the Hyper Naked with dual 320-millimeter front discs and a 298-millimeter rear disc.
As big and strong as it is, the comparatively low center of gravity and upright seating position makes it a generally more convenient car for day-to-day riding. There’s no compromise on straight-line speed, however. The design incorporates functional elements like ram-air intakes that force more air into the engine at speed for additional performance. The quad-exit exhaust gives the bike a menacing look, while providing a deep, throaty sound. That said, the VMAX weighs in at 683 pounds, a rather hefty machine. It does, of course, handle well for a bike its size and power displacement, but it isn’t at the level of cornering prowess as a sports bike. Sadly, Yamaha was forced to end the VMAX’s production in 2020 due to tighter emission regulations.