Yamaha VMAX 1700 (VMX17) Complete Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the second generation Yamaha VMAX, the VMAX 1700, released in 2009 in Europe and the US.

The Yamaha VMAX followed on from the original Yamaha V-Max 1200, the VMX1200. This was a huge update — a much bigger motor, more rigid chassis, and a lot more ride tech.

But the core of the VMAX is the same, a fire-breathing V4 musclebike that’s awesome in a straight line and somewhat acceptable around corners (but a lot better than the first gen).

The heart of the Yamaha VMAX is a liquid-cooled DOHC 65-degree V4 with a displacement of 1679 cc and compression ratio of 11.3:1. It puts out a ludicrous 147.2 kW (197 hp) at 9000 rpm, and peak torque of 166.8 Nm (123 ft-lb) at 6500 rpm. There’s a 5-speed gearbox with slipper clutch and a shaft drive.

The VMAX was discontinued in 2016 in Europe and in 2020 in the US in the wake of tightening emissions regulation.

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Maintenance schedule for the Yamaha VMAX

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha VMAX 1700. It’s the same content as in the manuals, but presented more succinctly.

There are two maintenance schedules below

  • US version — 4000 mile (6000 km) or 6 month maintenance intervals
  • Europe/APAC version — 10000 km (6000 mile) or 12 month maintenance intervals

This follows a pattern common to many (if not all) Yamaha motorcycles.

Notes:

  • Observe the earlier of time- or distance-based intervals if both are present. Some items have only a distance interval (e.g. valve service), and some only a time interval (e.g. brake fluid).
  • Follow the pattern of the maintenance schedule once you reach the end of it.
  • The break-in service is not shown (this bike is no longer in production)
  • Replace the air filter; don’t clean it with compressed air as you may damage it (and the engine)

Yamaha VMAX 1700 — US maintenance schedule (4000 mile intervals)

Below is the maintenance schedule for the US-delivered Yamaha VMAX 1700 with 4000 mile / 6 month maintenance intervals.

mi x 100048121620
Time (mon)612182430Every
Change engine oil (warm engine before draining) (Yamalube 10W-40)
Replace engine oil filter (HF303)
Check spark plugs. Adjust gap and clean.
Replace spark plugs (NGK CR9EIA)
Replace air filter (K&N YA-1709)24K mi, or more often if riding in dusty/wet areas.
Check and adjust valve clearance26.6K mi
Check/adjust fuel injection synchronization
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, routing, and clamping.
Replace brake hoses4 years
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)2 years
Check coolant hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Change coolant. (Ethylene glycol-based coolant)
Check exhaust system for leakage. Tighten, and/or replace gaskets as necessary.
Check the EXUP system’s operation, cable free play, and pulley position.12000 mi
Check final gear oil level and for leakage. Change (C) periodically.C
Check the air induction cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
Check clutch operation. Adjust, lubricate, or replace cable.
Check wheels for runout and damage. Replace if necessary.
Check tyres for tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack swingarm bearing with lithium soap-based grease.
Check operation of sidestand, including switch. Grease if necessary.
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack steering bearing with lithium-soap-based grease.
Check all chassis fittings and fasteners. Secure/tighten if necessary.
Check fork operation and for fluid leaks. Repair/replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for fluid leakage. Repair/replace if necessary.
Check operation of rear suspension link pivots.
Check operation and play of throttle grip, adjusting if necessary. Lubricate grip housing.
Lubricate control cables (Protect All Cable Life)
Lubricate brake lever pivot shaft (silicone grease)
Lubricate brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal pivot shafts. (lithium-soap-based grease)
Check evaporative emission control system for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check operation of front and rear brake switches
Check operation of lights, signals, and switches
Adjust headlight beam
Yamaha VMAX — US version maintenance schedule

Yamaha VMAX 1700 — Europe / APAC maintenance schedule

The below maintenance schedule is for the VMAX 1700 as delivered in Europe / APAC. Maintenance intervals are a wider 10000 km / 1 year, though major items like valve clearance checks follow a similar schedule.

km x 100010203040
mi x 10006121824Every
Change engine oil (warm engine before draining) (Yamalube 10W-40)Year
Replace engine oil filter (HF303)
Check spark plugs. Adjust gap and clean.
Replace spark plugs (NGK CR9EIA)
Replace air filter (K&N YA-1709)40000 km / 24000 mi mi, or more often if riding in dusty/wet areas.
Check and adjust valve clearance40000 km / 24000 mi
Check/adjust fuel injection synchronizationYear
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.Year
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.Year
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.Year
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, routing, and clamping.Year
Replace brake hoses4 years
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of master cylinders and calipers2 years
Check coolant hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.Year
Change coolant. (Ethylene glycol-based coolant)3 years
Check exhaust system for leakage. Tighten, and/or replace gaskets as necessary.
Check the EXUP system’s operation, cable free play, and pulley position.20000 km
Check final gear oil level and for leakage.
Replace final gear oil
Check the air induction cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
Check clutch operation. Adjust, lubricate, or replace cable.
Check wheels for runout and damage. Replace if necessary.
Check tyres for tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.Year
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack swingarm bearing with lithium soap-based grease.50000 km (30000 mi)
Check operation of sidestand, including switch. Grease if necessary.
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack steering bearing with lithium-soap-based grease.50000 km (30000 mi)
Check all chassis fittings and fasteners. Secure/tighten if necessary.Year
Check fork operation and for fluid leaks. Repair/replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for fluid leakage. Repair/replace if necessary.
Check operation of rear suspension link pivots.CHECK
Check operation and play of throttle grip, adjusting if necessary. Lubricate grip housing.
Lubricate control and meter cables (Protect All Cable Life)Year
Lubricate brake lever pivot shaft (silicone grease)Year
Lubricate brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal pivot shafts. (lithium-soap-based grease)Year
Check operation of front and rear brake switchesYear
Check operation of lights, signals, and switchesYear
Adjust headlight beamYear
Yamaha VMAX — Europe/APAC version maintenance schedule

Wheels and tires for the Yamaha VMAX 1700

Below are the standard quoted tire sizes and pressures for the Yamaha VMAX 1700. Use these as a starting point and adjust as suits your needs.

WheelTyre (Tire) sizeTyre (Tire) pressure (cold)
Front120/70R18 M/C 59V36 psi / 250 kPa / 2.5 bar
Rear200/50R18 M/C 76V42 psi / 290 kPa / 2.9 bar
Tyre sizes and pressures for the Yamaha VMAX 1700

About the Yamaha VMAX 1700

2014 Yamaha VMAX 1700 on road

The Yamaha VMAX 1700 is in a rapidly dying, highly specialised breed of motorcycle — the muscle cruiser.

There’s very little like it out there in the motorcycling world. There’s the Ducati XDiavel, which actually has respectable weight and handling, and there’s the now discontinued Harley-Davidson V-Rod line, which never made as much power as the VMAX (but which has many other virtues).

But the Yamaha VMAX 1700 stands alone on a number of fronts. It has a massive engine in a quite unique configuration for a cruiser — a V4, which itself is a more rare configuration among motorcycles. Yamaha had made V4 cruisers before, but not intended for straight-line blasting like the VMAX 1700.

The 1679cc 65-degree V4 in the Yamaha VMAX is liquid cooled, with dual overhead cams in each cylinder head, and 16 valves. It has a compression ratio of 11.3:1, similar to many early sportbikes. But despite this, the Yamaha VMAX puts out a massive amount of torque, helped no doubt by the huge displacement.

In the words of one reviewer: “The VMAX will pass just about anything — other than a gas station.”

The Yamaha VMAX’s engine makes 147.2 kW (197 bhp) at 9000 rpm — the same as a stock 2nd gen Suzuki Hayabusa territory — and peak torque of 166.8 Nm (123 ft-lb) at 6500 rpm. There’s a 5-speed gearbox with slipper clutch and a shaft drive.

Even more shocking, there’s no traction control. The Yamaha VMAX 1700 has to make do with a few other technologies, like

  • YCC-I — a technology first seen on the Yamaha superbikes a few years earlier, this is a variable length intake controlled by the ECU
  • ABS (standard)
  • YCC-T — Yamaha’s nomenclature for ride-by-wire
  • A digital tank-mounted dash which has a gear indicator

The VMAX has fully adjustable suspension front and rear. The front forks are massive 52mm units — able to withstand a lot of abuse.

Front brakes are huge 6-piston calipers on 320mm wave-style rotors. Big brakes, not intended to provide great traction, but a lot of stopping power. The calipers are from the 2008 YZF-R1, by the way.

The old V-Max (which was written differently) suffered from really bad handling. It could corner, but it wasn’t its happy place. Yamaha sought to rectify this with the new VMAX, significantly strengthening the frame.

The result is a bike that holds itself together, but it’s still a heavy, long motorcycle that takes a bit of muscling to get it to change direction.

However, with its formidable torque and upright seating position, the Yamaha VMAX is still the best bike for those who wish to detach their shoulders from their sockets in a hurry.

Manual for the Yamaha VMAX 1700

The above maintenance schedule came from the European and US versions of the manuals for the Yamaha VMAX from recent years, and were checked against earlier years.

You can download manuals from Yamaha online here.

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