WebWatch: 2009 V-Max Revealed? - First Look

Gotta hand it to our ink-stained chums across The Pond at Motor Cycle News, England's weekly moto-tabloid. Yesterday, they went big with news of the long-rumored Star V-Max, much-anticipated successor to Yamaha's original tire-shredding musclebike from 1985.

First came a tease on MCN's website, then a full story in yesterday's print edition. However, while the photos appear to be genuine, apparently obtained from a highly unofficial source, many of the facts accompanying the story are just guesses.

More than 200 horsepower, claimed MCN, from an engine of "at least" 1800cc working through a six-speed gearbox. Not true on any count says one of our contacts in the U.S. without going into further details. Here's what we know as of today: Star is planning to introduce a new model next week—obviously the V-Max is now the most likely candidate.

Cycle World will be there, of course, with notepad, cameras and video crew. We'll have all the details about the new bike here on www.cycleworld.com at 11 a.m. PST, Wednesday, June 4. See you then with Max facts in hand.