Whats faster the FJ1200 or the V-max?

[jjbillington]

Does anybody have any proof or experience on this topic?  

[Flying Scotsman]

Does anybody have any proof or experience on this topic?  

I dont know I am new to this game.
Are you looking for top end or acceleration #s.I do know that the stock speedometer on my fj1100 is not accurate I do know that it will run 155 mph  on the speedometer
I have a hand held GPS with a max speed feature I didnt GPS it then but at low speeds my speedometer is off 4 or 5 mph.I did GPS her at 137 mph at lower rpm.If the 5 mph difference is the same then 155 mph would be 150 mph.

[jwh]

every v-max owner i have ever meet says there's is the fastest v-max ever made!!, but none of them have modified the shaft drive gearing,
and they seem to like pottering along slowly so everyone can see them!

[andyb]

A good friend has a 93 VMax, and I've raced against an `85 at the dragstrip.

The FJ wins easily.

[jjbillington]

Thanks eveybody for your replies. I think that V-max owners under-estimate the FJ1200 when it comes to HP... I always get guys who say, well the V-max is faster because its a dragbike blah-blah-blah...  Then you have to state the fax to them, like the specs and everything and they still insist... I just want to know from you people. I think you have the best knowledge of these bikes.  If anybody has anymore info let me know.

[racerman_27410]

best way to prove your point is to line the two bikes up side by side and drop the flag.

the proof is in the pudding.   


Kookaloo!

[doright1]

I have ridden with a buddy with the V-max, and he had trouble keeping up.  He kept making excuses as to his bike's state of tune, maybe that was the case.  He did spend alot of time being small in my rearview mirror, though.

That is just one example, though.  Any of the motorcycle magazines that tested both bikes new had them pretty even, with a slight advantage to the V-max.

To increase our sample size, maybe everytime one of us sees one, they should race it and report back.

[RichBaker]

Fast or Quick??   The FJ is Faster, but the VMAX is quicker........ gotta get the semantics correct.  


ETA:

'84 FJ: From our very own FILES section
PERFORMANCE
Quarter mile. . . . . . . . . . 11.257s econds
Terminal speed. . 202.23k m/h
(125.69m ph)

Spent time looking, can't find a review with 1/4 mile time for an '85 VMAX...  

Found this:  Some of you will remember PeeWee Gleasons press launch of the new Vmax motorcycle that was introduced in 1985 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. His subsequent 1/4 mile times back then set a world record for a stock Motorcycle and the Vmax made history with a 10.33 quarter mile time back in 1985.
From: http://www.starvmax.com/news/1-v-max-news/68-jay-gleason-951-143mph-vmax-history

[fj1289]

Not what I'd like to report, but according to the comparism test done by Motorcyclist - Speed Wars III - had both the FJ1100 and V-Max in it.  Jay "Pee Wee" Gleason did the 1/4 mile testing.  FJ1100 10.781 @ 124.30; V-Max 10.610 @ 128.20.  The year prior the FJ1100 was a tenth quicker (but no V-Max in the test that year).

Which bike could the average rider go quicker on?  Probably the FJ.  Which is quicker with different riders will depend on the rider, not the bike. 

Suggestion - go practice your launches, learn how to set up the bike to launch better, gather all the info you can that shows the V-Max is quicker, then challenge your "buddy" to a friendly wager (preferably at a test-n-tune night at a local dragstrip -- the entire atmosphere [staging, the tree, having spectators, etc] will more than likely intimidate him and give you an even bigger advantage!).  Even better yet, make it an 1/8th mile track - a lot easier to change the gearing on the FJ than the V-Max!  "Drag bikes" don't have shaft drive!!!

Also - it's a lot more fun to race the bikes that the magazine stats!

[andyb]

Stock for stock, who cares  

However with the usual bolt-on stuff, they're both high 10 second machines.  The FJ is nice with no shaft drive doing wonky things to the tire, and the ability to throw some gearing at it....  The max is pretty responsive to a decent pipe though (quite overjetted on the mains from the factory), but it's heavier and carries the weight badly by comparison.  Doesn't hurt that the FJ is super easy to get quite a lot lower, too.

On the street, the max just blows the tire off and the FJ tries to stand on end, so it's kinda moot there.  One issue that my friend endlessly whines to me about is the lack of remotely sticky rubber for the vmax's goofy wheel size.

Assuming the same 60' times, I'd still bet that an FJ in decent shape with the same bolt-ons will beat a max of comparable condition and mods.  The difference becomes bigger the faster you go, as the aeros start making a greater difference too.  Dunno, maybe the ones I've ridden and raced against weren't up to snuff.

[RichBaker]

The rider's ability and experience probably make more of a difference than anything....

[Firehawk068]

Does having Vmax parts on my FJ make it quicker? or slower?.........

[fj1289]

Does having Vmax parts on my FJ make it quicker? or slower?.........

depends on the tires, oil, or handgun you're using!

[Mark Olson]

Ok.  here is my personal experience with the subject at hand.

it depends who is riding the v-max and who is riding the fj.

I have owned two v-max's , an 85 and a 2001.

I have run the 2001 against the 86 fj I now own.

depending on which bike I was riding I was faster.

I no longer own a v-max, I ride a 86 fj1200.

I believe this answers the question.   

[Shane4371]

I rode a 85 vmax and a 85 fj.they were gonna be a his graduation present for bought by my father.both new off the show room floor.vamx was tons faster.I rode the fj for 1 day test ride till dad pulled it from for acting a fool on it.caught