Need someone to help to look at a V-Max in Pheonix Arizona

[93fj1200]

I live in Panama in Central America and I am looking to buy a V-Max.  Right now I am talking to a guy from Pheonix Arizona and I am thinking about purchasing this bike but I am nervous to send money to them especially without seeing the bike in person.  If someone from this Forum could help, that would be great since I have a lot of faith in the members here and they are familiar with moditis and this V-Max has its share.  I would like to know how it looks, how it runs, starts, do the mods appear well done, etc.  Hope someone can help.j
Greg

[93fj1200]

I live in Panama in Central America and I am looking to buy a V-Max.  Right now I am talking to a guy from Pheonix Arizona and I am thinking about purchasing this bike but I am nervous to send money to them especially without seeing the bike in person.  If someone from this Forum could help, that would be great since I have a lot of faith in the members here and they are familiar with moditis and this V-Max has its share.  I would like to know how it looks, how it runs, starts, do the mods appear well done, etc.  Hope someone can help.j
Greg

Also, if anyone knows of a good V-Max out there for a reasonable price.  I am looking to spend $2,500-4,000.  Preferably verifiable low mileage. (Seems like there is a lot of low mileage very old bikes, personally, I think they have gone around the clock but who knows until you look at it) Also like the mods.....been addicted to them since I bought my first bikes, cars & trucks.

[FeralJuggernaut]

I'm in the South-East suburbs of Phoenix and may be able to help you.   I know zero about Vmax.  I won't have any time until Saturday to go take a visit.  If that is soon enough...   Is he sending photos?  Is the title in his name and paid off and not salvaged?   Are the tags current?   Those initial questions go a fair way into a legit sale.   We have to smog the bikes annually in Maricopa county (read Phoenix), so it has to be in decent running order to pass.   Unless he registers it out of town or petitions for a one time waiver...   Let me know!

[93fj1200]

I'm in the South-East suburbs of Phoenix and may be able to help you.   I know zero about Vmax.  I won't have any time until Saturday to go take a visit.  If that is soon enough...   Is he sending photos?  Is the title in his name and paid off and not salvaged?   Are the tags current?   Those initial questions go a fair way into a legit sale.   We have to smog the bikes annually in Maricopa county (read Phoenix), so it has to be in decent running order to pass.   Unless he registers it out of town or petitions for a one time waiver...   Let me know!

Thanks a lot, if you can send me an email to (z28gh@yahoo.ca), I can send you the advertisement that I found.  It is not too important if you are an expert or not in V-Maxes, I´m not either but from what I have read, they do a lot of the same modifications to the V-Max that we do to the FJs. (forks, shocks, brakes, wheels, tires, etc)  From what you said, it seems you are much more knowledgeable about purchasing a bike in Arizona than I would ever be. I really appreciate your help.  I am not sure what the time difference is from Panama to Arizona but I will try to call him today.
Greg

[movenon]

What year is the V MAx ? Owned one of the early ones back when they were new.
George

[93fj1200]

What year is the V MAx ? Owned one of the early ones back when they were new.
George

2000

[Mark Olson]

I have owned 2 v-maxes over the years a 85 and a 2001. the 85 was stolen and the 2001 I sold and bought a fj.

the shaft drive will make you nuts . Have you ever ridden one?

The big mod you want is the chain drive conversion .
the next mod is the carb override to bring on all 6 carbs at once.
followed by the true ducting of the side scoops into the air box.
check out the v-max mod web site and that will help.

you will need asbestos pants when you ride in temps over 90 degrees, the heat off the radiator fan blowing on your legs is a bitch.

they are fun, however the novelty will wear off .
enjoy.

[93fj1200]

I have owned 2 v-maxes over the years a 85 and a 2001. the 85 was stolen and the 2001 I sold and bought a fj. the shaft drive will make you nuts . Have you ever ridden one? The big mod you want is the chain drive conversion .the next mod is the carb override to bring on all 6 carbs at once.  followed by the true ducting of the side scoops into the air box.  check out the v-max mod web site and that will help.  you will need asbestos pants when you ride in temps over 90 degrees, the heat off the radiator fan blowing on your legs is a bitch. they are fun, however the novelty will wear off . enjoy.

Thanks for the heads up.  To be honest, the shaft drive is one of the reasons I want a V-Max.  Not going to race it, just have fun with it.  I want to make a bagger V-Max.  (Batwing fairing, big hard bags, etc.) The bike I am looking at has a lot of mods already such as front and rear suspension upgrades, exhaust upgrade and a lot of others as well. One of my best friends has had his 85 since new and continues to love it and we think similarly about bikes.  One thing I do like about the V-Max is that there are a lot more accessories available to make the bike personally mine.  I love my FJs but they have always been lacking in that aspect especially since there are so many dedicated FJ fans out here...we deserve better treatment. Good to know about the heat factor since I am living in Panama but will have to see how it is for me and deal with that when the time comes.  As for the novelty, been driving for a long time and it hasn´t worn off me yet.  A 70 year old Mexican biker friend of mine just finished a complete 10,000km trip on a tiny Italika motorcycle with less than 200cc.  He loved every minute of it, it is all how you look at it.  I did that ride on my FJ and it was not easy.  Thanks for the comments. Any more V-Max experience out there?  Good or bad, want to hear them.