£22,000 for a new motorcycle and you can't get a test ride. Really, Yamaha? How many people are there out there who will splash out that kind of money without having a ride first? Obviously not as many as Yamaha think.
I got mine second hand and I love it to bits. Awesome looks and bigger than you expect when you see one up close but I am learning to live with the less desirable aspects of the bike. Fuel economy is awful. It's a shock at first when you realise how few miles you're doing between fill ups, but the impressively massive amount of power available is the trade off. But you don't buy a near 1700cc, 200 bhp bike and expect 50cc scooter mpg figures. It weighs 300 kgs., so upper body strength is important when trying to manoeuvre the bike under your own steam. The centre of gravity is somewhere in the middle so it's not trying to dive into the ground but be careful because turn in can be quite sharp. It's a well put together piece of kit with a high quality finish. Accessories are super expensive and very rarely in stock. Destined to be a modern classic but not for touring or the faint of heart.
In the US the VMax is yours for $19890, which is around £12500. There is sales tax to add, which varies, depending on which US state you are in, but the massive price difference between here and there is down to import duty, VAT etc. added by HM Gov't.
