It's near Budapest, a little over 2 hours away. I had a Hungarian friend call and ask some questions. No leaks, no mechanical problems. Everything is good and ready to go. I have cash, but our schedules prevent us from meeting. Plus looking at the weather forecast for a good day to ride it home.
It's the equivalent of about $3,400. Keep in mind the value of "cruisers" is much higher here in Hungary than the U.S.
Here it is:
http://www.hasznaltauto.hu/motor/yamaha/yamaha_v-max-8240884 (http://www.hasznaltauto.hu/motor/yamaha/yamaha_v-max-8240884)
Here's an interesting history if you're interested and have some time:
http://youtu.be/3_RnPSZonfI (http://youtu.be/3_RnPSZonfI)
Sweet ride Mark, good for you!
Chris
Thanks Mark, glad you found your Vmax. Great value Cruiser imho. Surprised you found one in Hungary.
Found the History Link worth watching. Didn`t realise the claim, the Vmax was designed in America, which actually makes sense.
The sell in that video refers to Professor Abraham Maslow`s theory on Man`s hierarchy of needs. (Might be my hearing but the presenter calls him Madilow not Maslow...mistake 1.). The Paper was presented way back in 1943. (Long before the pill changed his theory on Actuation point! 2.).
They then interview a Logician. (wtf! 3)...Artificial Intelligence researcher. (probly a painter by trade!), who goes on to explain that the eye sends a message to the pleasure centre of the brain. (Hell, we could show him a number of examples of that right here!...mmm, so maybe he`s onta something!), he goes on (In a very Alfred Hitchcock trained tones cause the Logician can`t speak English apparently!) to explain by example, a passing landscape with one very straight road, that constant speed becomes boring for our brains! (Me thinks he`s referring to below the legal limit!)....but finally he gets to a REAL good point....That of adding Curves! ....Totally, totally agree! (and again we can show him many examples right here! 4)..."to the excitement of not an involuntary response" (wtf!...I know you guys have probs with Aussie language....but why can`t ya just cut to tha chase!....we would simply use one word, "climax"!)
......But then the stupid basted goes on to talking about acceleration again! 5....(give me strength!)...despite explaining how the vision of these curves send excitement signals to the pleasure centre of our brain!
Shit he even researched the operation of a Roller Coaster and missed on the pleasure excited by CURVES! 6!!!
I wanta know about handling speed in a curve dummy! We already know they accelerate similar to an FJ...even when both are modded!....But do they Handle? Do they have decent fuel capacity for longer pleasure? .....go back to painting your beard magician!...sorry, logician. ....So pleased the majority can see through this rubbish! (oops 7, just my opinion :pardon: )
Mark,...you know we love you!...I wish I could be by your side to get you through this crisis....so for Christ`s sake stay on this site so we can help with your rehabilitation. You have obviously got a mutated strain of Harleyitus....You need some R&R....(Rest and Rally!). :drinks:
Yes, I've owned two before. So I know about how terrible the V-Max is in corners. But the V-Max fits my personality better. I'm more of a hot-rod guy. Yes, I owned my FJ and V-Max at the same time. They do have similar acceleration. But once I installed the 4-into-4 exhaust on my V-Max, I was hooked. That's a roar my FJ would never have. I love it... never got over it.
Appointment to look at / purchase it on Friday. I'm getting excited. The 2-hour freezing ride home should be O.K... riding the new horse. :biggrin:
I am waiting to hear of your ride home on Friday Mark. I just had 3 days of twisty FJ fun with Steve (Moparman) and Cap'n Ron in central CA. So Post up your new beast and the fun you had coming home with it.
Quote from: Lotsokids on December 10, 2014, 01:14:48 PM
Yes, I've owned two before. So I know about how terrible the V-Max is in corners. But the V-Max fits my personality better. I'm more of a hot-rod guy. Yes, I owned my FJ and V-Max at the same time. They do have similar acceleration. But once I installed the 4-into-4 exhaust on my V-Max, I was hooked. That's a roar my FJ would never have. I love it... never got over it.
Appointment to look at / purchase it on Friday. I'm getting excited. The 2-hour freezing ride home should be O.K... riding the new horse. :biggrin:
Hey Mark , have fun with the V-Max . Keep posting here as I enjoy your stories of Hungarian Adventure . :drinks:
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 10, 2014, 05:06:32 PM
Quote from: Lotsokids on December 10, 2014, 01:14:48 PM
Yes, I've owned two before. So I know about how terrible the V-Max is in corners. But the V-Max fits my personality better. I'm more of a hot-rod guy. Yes, I owned my FJ and V-Max at the same time. They do have similar acceleration. But once I installed the 4-into-4 exhaust on my V-Max, I was hooked. That's a roar my FJ would never have. I love it... never got over it.
Appointment to look at / purchase it on Friday. I'm getting excited. The 2-hour freezing ride home should be O.K... riding the new horse. :biggrin:
Hey Mark , have fun with the V-Max . Keep posting here as I enjoy your stories of Hungarian Adventure . :drinks:
Hey Mark , have fun with the V-Max . Keep posting here as I enjoy your stories of
Hungarian Hooligan Adventure . :drinks:
Fixed it.
I think Mark made it quite clear that regardless of the bike he rides, his heart will be here with us. I resemble his sentiments, if I moved on to an 89 FJ I would still be here with you nut jobs....
Quote from: Dads_FJ on December 10, 2014, 06:28:42 PM
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 10, 2014, 05:06:32 PM
Quote from: Lotsokids on December 10, 2014, 01:14:48 PM
Yes, I've owned two before. So I know about how terrible the V-Max is in corners. But the V-Max fits my personality better. I'm more of a hot-rod guy. Yes, I owned my FJ and V-Max at the same time. They do have similar acceleration. But once I installed the 4-into-4 exhaust on my V-Max, I was hooked. That's a roar my FJ would never have. I love it... never got over it.
Appointment to look at / purchase it on Friday. I'm getting excited. The 2-hour freezing ride home should be O.K... riding the new horse. :biggrin:
Hey Mark , have fun with the V-Max . Keep posting here as I enjoy your stories of Hungarian Adventure . :drinks:
Hey Mark , have fun with the V-Max . Keep posting here as I enjoy your stories of Hungarian Hooligan Adventure . :drinks:
Fixed it.
Thanks John for the edit . :mail1:
just for something different, an old mate of mine who's 78 and lives only a couple of hundred yards up the road from me rides his V-Max everyday unless its raining... reckons it took him a few years to get use to it and has fallen off 3 times..
His other bike is a XS1100 which he had to ride for a couple of weeks while the new regulator turned up from the states. Nearly every morning when im taking the young fella to school i pass his place and see him out the front yard waiting for his riding buddy to arrive. He goes out for 2 or 3 hours then drinks beer from 12m/d till about 4pm then is in bed at 630pm.. When your his age you can do whatever you want......
Quote from: ken65 on December 11, 2014, 03:13:01 AM
just for something different, an old mate of mine who's 78 and lives only a couple of hundred yards up the road from me rides his V-Max everyday unless its raining... reckons it took him a few years to get use to it and has fallen off 3 times..
His other bike is a XS1100 which he had to ride for a couple of weeks while the new regulator turned up from the states. Nearly every morning when im taking the young fella to school i pass his place and see him out the front yard waiting for his riding buddy to arrive. He goes out for 2 or 3 hours then drinks beer from 12m/d till about 4pm then is in bed at 630pm.. When your his age you can do whatever you want......
He's not married then?
John
hehe john , nev is 78, he can do as he likes now, just like his wife who tends to the bromeliads all day. ha it would take them years to finalize a divorce..
Quote from: ken65 on December 11, 2014, 03:13:01 AM
....... an old mate of mine who's 78 Nearly every morning when im taking the young fella to school i pass his place and see him out the front yard waiting for his riding buddy to arrive. He goes out for 2 or 3 hours then drinks beer from 12m/d till about 4pm then is in bed at 630pm.. When your his age you can do whatever you want......
Jumping into bed with the missus at 78 with a gut full of beer I doubt that.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on December 11, 2014, 08:03:34 AM
Quote from: ken65 on December 11, 2014, 03:13:01 AM
....... an old mate of mine who's 78 Nearly every morning when im taking the young fella to school i pass his place and see him out the front yard waiting for his riding buddy to arrive. He goes out for 2 or 3 hours then drinks beer from 12m/d till about 4pm then is in bed at 630pm.. When your his age you can do whatever you want......
Jumping into bed with the missus at 78 with a gut full of beer I doubt that.
Noel
Personal experience talking here ? :-)
:smile:
(https://forum-s3.pinside.com/201304/776403/88318.jpg)
:rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
NO DEAL!!!
Before leaving, I had a Hungarian friend ask if there were ANY mechanical issues at all before I travel 2.5 hours to pick it up and ride back. The response was "No problems or mechanical issues, it's ready to go."
What a piece of non-running junk. It was barely running when I showed up. Would not accelerate with the throttle. Played with the choke some, but wouldn't rev. There's no way it would make it home. The seller said it had old fuel and needed new spark plugs.
I'm NOT happy. I should give him the fuel bill for my 5 hours of driving. :ireful:
Quote from: Lotsokids on December 12, 2014, 02:51:22 PM
NO DEAL!!!
Before leaving, I had a Hungarian friend ask if there were ANY mechanical issues at all before I travel 2.5 hours to pick it up and ride back. The response was "No problems or mechanical issues, it's ready to go."
What a piece of non-running junk. It was barely running when I showed up. Would not accelerate with the throttle. Played with the choke some, but wouldn't rev. There's no way it would make it home. The seller said it had old fuel and needed new spark plugs.
I'm NOT happy. I should give him the fuel bill for my 5 hours of driving. :ireful:
Bugger mate...
Wow , you gotta be just so pissed. :ireful: :ireful:
Typical of bike sellers all over the world, runs great no problems.
did you offer him half price and think about a trailer?
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 12, 2014, 03:14:42 PM
"Typical of bike sellers all over the world, runs great no problems."
"Like new", "Just rebuilt", "runs like a top", "stored inside", "very rare", "just needs fresh gas", "very reliable" etc... +1 Mark......
Here is mine "trust no one"... :good2: :good2:
George
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 12, 2014, 03:14:42 PM
did you offer him half price and think about a trailer?
This.
You've got him where you want him.
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 12, 2014, 03:14:42 PM
did you offer him half price and think about a trailer?
Thought about it, yes. The problems are:
1. I live in Hungary and I cannot get cheap parts from Ebay. Practically no online shopping at all. I need to go to a dealer and provide my VIN, then pay 27% tax on the part when it arrives.
2. If I used a trailer, that would generate another 5 hours of driving, plus renting a trailer.
I had to back out. I was pretty ticked off, and that's a bad time to make a decision. When I left, I saw the seller making a phone call. He called my translator and and said I seemed a little angry when I left. No kidding.
That sucks. Whenever that happens to me I try to tell myself there will be a better one around the next corner. Patience will bring you the one you want.
Quote from: fj johnnie on December 13, 2014, 07:08:16 AM
...there will be a better one around the next corner. Patience will bring you the one you want.
I too, have found this to ring true over the years. Time is definitely on your side for something better to pop up, and be taken advantage of.
There's a reason for everything that happens.
Quote from: fj johnnie on December 13, 2014, 07:08:16 AM
That sucks. Whenever that happens to me I try to tell myself there will be a better one around the next corner. Patience will bring you the one you want.
Over the last 6 mths I have covered about 4000kms by road and two interstate trips in my search for a bike - and I stil don't have one!
Expecting the first bike you look at to be
the one is maybe a little optimistic.
Keep hunting, or import one from somewhere that has plenty to choose from.
You're in the business, have one crated up and marked "Aircraft Parts" and pull a few favours. As I recall, you have worked for Boeing for a long time.
Good luck with the search.
Noel
What if we took one apart here in U.S. and then shipped it piece by piece to you . Then you could reassemble there? would you have to pay 27% for each part?
Aw shit Dude! Been down that road myself...keep lookin, the right one is out there waiting for you. Charley.
Here we go... round two!
Tomorrow I'm going to look at (and possibly purchase) a different V-Max. A little pricey, but that's their value here. But to my advantage, the USD is stronger here now than the last 10 years.
I have cash, and a filled-out Hungarian bill of sale. It's like I've been planning this. :pardon: This seller seems more believable than the last one. He gave more details. I'm pretty confident. Best part is the 4-into-4 exhaust. Love it! Yes, the goofy skulls will be removed and somehow turn the side scoops ALL aluminum color.
Here it is (in Hungarian):
http://www.hasznaltauto.hu/motor/yamaha/yamaha_vmax_1200-8303886 (http://www.hasznaltauto.hu/motor/yamaha/yamaha_vmax_1200-8303886)
Great news , did you have him send you a video of it running?
Hopefully this one will pan out. Being without a motorcycle will start to make you crazy. :wacko2:
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 13, 2014, 05:11:02 PM
What if we took one apart here in U.S. and then shipped it piece by piece to you . Then you could reassemble there? ...
We're working on a technology to FAX tangible objects.
So far, the cheese pizza trials have been messy.
:pardon:
Steve
Quote from: Steve_in_Florida on December 26, 2014, 05:55:24 PM
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 13, 2014, 05:11:02 PM
What if we took one apart here in U.S. and then shipped it piece by piece to you . Then you could reassemble there? ...
We're working on a technology to FAX tangible objects.
So far, the cheese pizza trials have been messy.
:pardon:
Steve
Well I knew somebody had to be working on that.
Great looking V-max. The exhaust looks awesome and has to sound incredible. I agree the skull mirrors would have to go.
Good luck when you go and look at this one.
Fred
GOT IT!!!
YAY! It was about 1.5 hours away. It started snowing just before we left to go look at it. We went anyway - the weather forecast was 0% precipitation, so it didn't last.
The seller came down on his price, but not much. I worked on him for a while, but he wasn't moving. He had the stock mirrors and stock exhaust, so that was good (for inspection purposes). This thing is LOUD with the 4-into-4 exhaust. I love it. But I'm a little concerned because he installed this custom, rather free-flowing exhaust, but he didn't re-jet the carbs. Usually that results in burned valves. Maybe it will be fine. He had maintenance receipts and records. That's very cool.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/V-Max/New%20VMax/New_VMax_zpsbfac1577.jpg)
Nice! Welcome back! Bet you're jones'n for a ride...
That is great news Mark, :yahoo:
Stock parts and maint papers is a plus.
Look at the color of the pipes off the head , blue is bad and gold is good. The v-max is jetted rich from the get go anyway so you should be ok.
Go ride that bike and feel good about it.. Happy day.
dude, thats a sweet ride!