Property of a deceased's estate, 1988 Yamaha 1,198cc V-Max

Few motorcycles attain cult status as soon as they are announced. Introduced in 1985, the Yamaha V-Max is one of those rarities, but given the fact that it was conceived as a street-legal dragster perhaps that is not so surprising. 'Ballistic Muscle' was how Bike magazine entitled its first road test of the 143bhp monster, declaring: "When it comes to straight-line street rods, the V-Max is It."

The uninspiring basis of this tyre-shredding tarmac-scorcher was the Venture cruiser's water-cooled 16-valve 72-degree V4 engine, which was breathed upon by Yamaha's engineers and given a near-60% power increase. A five-speed gearbox, shaft final drive, an under-seat fuel tank (the 'tank' is an air box), and a massive 150/90x15 rear tyre were all part of the package, but arguably one of the cleverest touches was the V-Boost intake system. Electronically controlled and triggered by the ignition, V-Boost operated butterfly valves within the inlet tracts to dramatically increase power from around 6,000rpm, with the maximum available from 8,000 revs, thus enabling the V-Max to be relatively docile at low revs. "The first time you roll it on in the gears you feel like you're hanging on to the outside of the space shuttle as it blasts off from Cape Canaveral," declared Bike, "although you can pussyfoot around with no drive-line snatch in top gear as low as 2,500rpm."

And as for the looks: with its broad-shouldered power plant, huge air scoops, and that monstrous rear tyre, the V-Max is one of the most inspired pieces of motorcycling styling of all time and one that still turns heads today. With Yamaha UK not officially importing the V-Max until 1991, and then only in restricted 90bhp form, demand was satisfied by a host of unofficial imports. Not until 1996 did Yamaha UK begin bringing in the full-power model. The original V-Max disappeared from the range in 2003, reappearing as an all-new version in 2009. Production of the second-generation V-Max ceased in 2016.

Previously registered overseas and first registered in the UK in 1991, this example was manufactured in 1988 and thus is a desirable first-generation V-Max, the most sought-after by collectors. The machine is presented in age related condition, with accumulated dirt and possibly overpaint to the engine. The engine turns over but no attempts have been made to start it. Recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent with be required before further use and thus the machine is sold strictly as viewed. Accompanying documentation consists of a V5C Registration certificate; a quantity of expired MoTs recording minimal use between tests; current MoT (expires 17th May 2024); old insurance paperwork; and an HPI report listing the previous colour as blue. One key present.