Best all around bike ever made...
Carburetor manifold gasket leak; fuel petcock leak. No biggie.
This is my 2nd '85 700 Maxim X... have owned 22 bikes over the last 50 years. My favorite bike by far. Fast out of the hole and tours well.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 31st August, 2014
700cc open throttle baby!!!
Bought this Maxim for 500 bucks from some guy that had it in a warehouse. Took the carbs apart, repainted it, new clutch cable, new tires, new fuel, new spark plugs, new oil, new coolant.
This bike is a beast for being 28 years old. New seats. Love this bike!!!
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th July, 2014
The bike is solid and well made; I like it
The bike was stored outside for a year or more before I got it.
The seat has a tear, but this item could be repaired easily.
I had to have the carburetors cleaned, due to the long period of disuse.
It is hard to start when the weather is cold.
I tipped the bike over while pushing it; put a smooth dent in one side of the gas tank; otherwise no damage.
Several times, early on, it stopped suddenly while cranking it over to start. Took out number four spark plug to check whether the head gasket was leaking and had filled the cylinders with antifreeze. Whoosh! Out came gasoline! Lucky I didn't burn the garage down. This must occur due both to a leaky vacuum valve on the petcock and a bad carburetor float valve. I have done nothing to correct this, and the problem has not recurred, recently.
The bike is very quick.
I like the sound of a four cylinder engine. This engine purrs with a very pleasant sound.
I use the bike for around town travel. I have put about 1200 miles on it since getting it.
The seat is not comfortable for a long ride. I have ridden about fifty or sixty miles at a stretch. Seat gets sore, but I am 81 years old; maybe that is the problem!
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th October, 2012
Hi, my Dad has the same bike. We love it; the power band and stuff, but I got into an accident and the bike slammed down on one side. No real cosmetic damage, but now it doesn't have the same smooth feel when you rev from 6,000 RPM and up, but it sounds fine; just not as much of a power band either; more doggy in the high range power band. Idles fine though; you wouldn't know the difference unless you rode it. But anyway, we took the plugs out and tested the compression, and all the cylinders come up 10-15 compression. Is it a blown head gasket from the sudden stop in the accident?
Sell these junkers while they are running. Engine overhaul parts are either obsolete or way over priced. I have been customizing and restoring bikes since the 70s, and have never had so hard a time finding engine parts. If anyone out there knows without doubt where I can get head gaskets and standard rings, let me know. Please don't tell me Bike Bandit or Parts-n-more or Partzilla etc. If you are not an actual mechanic or shop, then please don't waste my time or yours sending me on a wild goose chase.
Thanks.
sales@cycletherapy.co
I have owned my 1986 Maxim X for more than a decade, and it currently has just under 15K miles on it. Yesterday I took it out of the garage to clean it up for possible resale, and it appears the head gasket is leaking. I am just starting to look for parts, but won't know for certain what's needed until I get it apart. Any advice on where to find gasket kits would be appreciated.
Without question, this bike has been awesome to own and ride. Just purchased a FJR1300A and am enjoying it, but can see where I will miss the Maxim X IF I let it go. Let's hope I can find the parts...
I have a 2009 FJR and an 86 Max-X, and I'm not selling it, it's mint.
25th Apr 2015, 05:01
I agree almost 100% on the 1 through 10 score. Also, the bike is fast out of the hole, and has great pick up (even at high speeds) for its size. If I find another I'll buy it. My bike would get a wobble on the front at 120 to 130 MPH. Could have been the tire - not sure.
I've had many bikes. This was the best all around bike. Besides that wobble, this was the funnest and most reliable bike.