Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: 1294cc stock V-Max, v max, yamaha venture

Question
Hi,

I was wondering if you could help with this.

I purchased a used '88 V-Max and the Yamaha tech tag stuck on the underside of the fake fuel tank claims that it is a 1294cc V-Max. Opposed to the traditional 1198cc. It looks authentic and I can send a picture if you want.  Could this be true? Did Yamaha really build a 1294cc V-Max? Jon Cornell from UFO cycles claims Yamaha did install a few of the lower part of the Yamaha Venture engines (1294cc) in a couple of V-Maxes due to slow sales of that bike.  

I've been looking all over the place and can't find any information that would confirm that I actually do own a stock 1294cc V-Max. Any information or leads you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Jeff
Nashua, NH

Answer
Hi Jeff,

I'm certain Yamaha did not produce any "specials" or "variations" of the V-Max to help sales, as it has never been a slow seller. It would have been big news if they did. Also, it would be highly unusual for someone to take the time to put the Venture motor in a V-Max. The stock V-Max made more horsepower than the Venture, because the Venture was tuned for more torque. Also, the Venture engine looks a bit different (it's not painted black), so that would be a dead giveaway. The engine mounts are also different, making an engine swap a difficult proposition.

Most likely what you've come up against is some bad information from an uninformed source, or a little bit of poor salemanship (dishonesty). It's been known to happen.

Even if it WAS a true swapped engine, I'd stay far, far away from it unless you knew who did the work. Such a major operation on a bike like that is going to have problems, not limited to more vibration, more weight, unknown build quality, possible handling problems and so forth. I'd really stick to getting a stock V-Max. Don't worry- it's going to be plenty fast.

Bill Roberson