Yamaha V Max

Much as most people are slightly intimidated by fast noisy motorcycles, I've never been a fan of hanging over the handlebars of a machine that sounds like a hairdryer on speed. Motorcycling to me is about cruising country roads, enjoying the smell of woodsmoke and pine needles as you cruise the UK's best scenery. Throw in a low throaty rumble from the exhaust and the exhilaration of a powerful and well engineered engine (think 147 horses) and you're pretty much in heaven.

The VMax comes in two versions - normal power at 100 brake horse power and the full power of 147 stallions mentioned above. Quite simply back in 1985 some of the chaps at Yamaha decided to create a rival for the Harleys pounding the long straight roads through the American wilderness. (Did you know that while 28% of Africa is wilderness 38% of the USA is wilderness?) This they did with the VMax - they combined the looks and comfort of a cruiser with the performance of a sports racer. Very very fast in a straight line you need to think about corners - the angle through them and the speed you need to be at for them. This makes for some gentle approaches on unknown roads but doesn't detract from the experience of enjoying the ride and the scenery.

The disks front and back allow for strong safe braking which is useful if you have to pull her up after an enthusiastic gallop, and as long as you don't go over the score the VMax will look after you well. A nicely shaped and upholstered saddle will ensure that your beam end does not suffer unnecessarily and the placement of handlebars, back brake and gear shift all within comfortable reach ensures that none of your extremities will feel aggrieved either.

All in all you'll feel like an Easy Rider, you'll look like a cool dude and even although they haven't updated the design since its birth in 1985 you will never hear it criticised as looking dated. It's a big butch musclebike which will keep pace in a straight line with most sports bike, and ill give you an ear to ear grin everytime you get a chance to take her out. Not for scratching knees round bends and racing from point to point - think torquey cruising with the ability to overtake virtually anything on the road given the right conditions. Bliss, absolute bliss, I love my VMax.