V-Max 1200

1997 Yamaha V-Max 1200 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Yamaha's custom - cruiser motorcycle lineup, the 1997 Yamaha V-Max 1200 pairs a 1198 cc (73.1 cu in) liquid-cooled v4, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 100 HP (73 kW) at 7,500 rpm while maximum torque reaches 117 Nm (86.3 lb-ft) at 6,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 83.5 HP per liter and a 1,500 rpm working window between peak torque (6,000 rpm) and peak power (7,500 rpm), the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the V-Max 1200 measures 262 kg (578 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.38 HP/kg (2.62 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 765 mm (30.1 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops.

Within MotoLibrary's Yamaha archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1996 to 2001, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.