Overall, the V-Max was 2,300 millimetres (90.6 in) long, 795 millimetres (31.3 in) wide, and 1,160 millimetres (45.7 in) high.

The engine was a tuned version of the double overhead camshaft, four valve per cylinder, liquid-cooled V-4 from the Yamaha Venture. Along with other modifications to the engine, the compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1, and the V-Boost system was added.

V-Boost

V-Boost is a patented System from Yamaha which opens butterfly valves between the manifolds of the 1st and 2nd and between the 3rd and 4th cylinder starting from 5750 rpm. The valves are opened gradually to match the rising rotational speed signal provided by the ignition system. The valves are at the full open position at 8000 rpm. There is a small black box that reads the rotational speed and sends a computed signal to a servo motor. The servo pulls a wire to open the butterfly valves. The V-Boost System adds 10 percent to the top power rating of the base engine.