The VMAX 500 was a “budget” performance trail snowmobile manufactured from 1997 through 2001. It was powered by a liquid-cooled, 494cc, parallel twin that delivered a healthy 87hp. Its larger brothers were the VMAX 600 Twin, VMAX 600 Triple, and the top-of-the-line VMAX 700 Triple.
If you want to find out more about this classic Yamaha sled, you’ve come to the right place.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know into this Yamaha VMAX 500 review!
Yamaha VMAX 500 Review
The VMAX Series
The history of the widely popular VMAX series goes back to 1994.
This was the year that Yamaha revealed the VMAX 500 and VMAX 600, which were completed with the VMAX 700 in 1997.
While the 600 was marketed with both twin (‘94-‘98) and triple (‘99-‘03) cylinder engines the 500 was exclusively available with a twin power source.
The race-intended VMAX models were the flagship 4-cylinder VMAX-4 750 and VMAX-4 800.
In summary, the list of available VMAX snowmobiles was as follows:
- 1994-2001 VMAX 500 (Twin)
- 1994-1998 VMAX 600 (Twin)
- 1999-2003 VMAX 600 (Triple)
- 1997-2002 VMAX 700 (Triple)
- 1992-1994 VMAX-4 750 (Quad)
- 1995-1997 VMAX-4 800 (Quad)
The 500 was only in production for eight years and was marketed in many different configurations, including:
Yamaha VMAX 500 Model Chart
| Year | Model | Model Code |
| 1994 | VMAX 500 | VX500U |
| 1994 | VMAX 500 DX | VX500DXU |
| 1994 | VMAX 500 LE (ELEC START) | VX500EU |
| 1994 | VMAX 500 ST (LONG TRACK) | VX500STU |
| 1995 | VMAX 500 | VX500V |
| 1995 | VMAX 500 DX | VX500DXV |
| 1995 | VMAX 500 LE (ELEC START) | VX500EV |
| 1996 | VMAX 500 | VX500W |
| 1996 | VMAX 500 DX | VX500DXW |
| 1996 | VMAX 500 LE (ELEC START) | VX500EW |
| 1996 | VMAX 500 XT PROACTION PLUS | VX500XTW |
| 1997 | VMAX 500 XT | VX500XTA |
| 1997 | VMAX 500 XTC | VX500XTCA |
| 1997 | VMAX 500 XTC (ELEC START) | VX500XTCEA |
| 1997 | VMAX 500 XTC (REVERSE) | VX500XTCRA |
| 1998 | VMAX 500 XT | VX500XTB |
| 1998 | VMAX 500 XTC | VX500XTCB |
| 1998 | VMAX 500 XTC DELUXE (ELEC START) | VX500XTCDB |
| 1998 | VMAX 500 XTR (ELEC START+REVERSE) | VX500XTRB |
| 1999 | VMAX 500 | VX500C |
| 1999 | VMAX 500 DELUXE | VX500ERC |
| 1999 | VMAX 500 SX | VX500SXBC |
| 2000 | VMAX 500 | VX500D |
| 2000 | VMAX 500 | VX500D |
| 2000 | VMAX 500 DELUXE (ELEC START) | VX500DXD |
| 2001 | VMAX 500 | VX500F |
| 2001 | VMAX 500 DELUXE (ELEC START) | VX500DXF |
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about this sled in detail!
Yamaha VMAX 500 Review
The VMAX 500 was the smallest member of the legendary Yamaha VMAX family.
This series of performance snowmobiles was designed for trail use and came with affordable price tags.
They were not racing sleds like the 4-cylinder VMAX-4, but their performance was more than enough for most sledders.
Compared to the air-cooled Phazer line, the VMAX series tend to be much more reliable.
The most affordable model in the VMAX line was the entry-level VMAX 500, which was also known as the “VMAX 500 Twin,” and with good reason.
The power source of this sled was a de-bored configuration of the 600 twin engine.
This power mill was a liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 494cc, parallel twin-cylinder engine. According to this contemporary dyno sheet from DynoTech, the VMAX 500 delivered 87.5bhp (86.6hp) at 7500 RPM in its first model year.
This engine was designed with many innovative features, including:
- 2 x rack-mounted Mikuni TM36 flatside carbs
- Mikuni fuel pumps
- CDI ignition
- Reed valves
- Automatic oil injection system
- Nikasil-plated cylinders
- BR9ES spark plugs
- Liquid-cooling system
- And more
This 494cc unit was the smallest liquid-cooled Yamaha snowmobile engine in the lineup.
Compared to the 485cc, air-cooled Phazer engine, it delivered 40 percent more power and was far more reliable. What’s more, it was less prone to overheating on warm days.
The VMAX 500 borrowed its monocock chassis from its 600 and 700 brothers.
This aluminum/steel frame was completed with a Pro-Action Plus rear suspension system. It featured adjustable coil-over springs and rebuildable gas shocks for maximum comfort.
On the front, you could find a Yamaha-exclusive Telescopic Strut Suspension (TSS) system with nitrogen gas shocks.
Yamaha marketed the VMAX 500 in many different variations over the years.
What were the differences?
In a nutshell, the base and SX models came with stiffer suspensions, lower center of gravity, and fewer features. For example, they lacked an electric start.
These sleds were tuned for performance rather than comfort, so they were faster and more aggressive in the corners.
In contrast, the XT, XTC, and DX/Deluxe models came with longer travel suspensions and more bells and whistles. They offered more comfortable, relaxing rides.
The DX/Deluxe models were the high-end sleds in the 500 series, they come standard with many convenience features including:
- Long travel suspensions
- High-profile windshield
- Reverse
- Electric start
- Dual mirrors
- Variable hand and thumb warmers
- And more
Aside from these minor differences, the engine, exhaust system, and chassis of each VMAX 500 were identical.
The ’94-’95 models were the same but the sled was refreshed for the 1996 season. The key upgrades on the sled were as follows:
- Softer and thicker seat
- Better cornering abilities
- More leg room
- Upgraded thumb and hand warmers
- High-profile windshield for the upper-level models
- New color scheme
The VMAX 500 and the VMAX Deluxe remained in production until the 2001 model year.
Yamaha VMAX 500 Problems
Although the VMAX 500 built its reputation on its rock-solid durability and innovative features, it has some design flaws, which are as follows:
- Overgearing: It was common knowledge among sledders thatthe ‘94-‘96 VMAX 500 and 600 were greatly overgeared. This problem could be easily fixed by upgrading the gear(s) and the chain in the chaincase. While some owners simply replaced the upper gear with a 1-2 teeth smaller gear, others replaced both of them along with the chain.
- Weak clutch internals: The clutch internals, especially the rollers in the primary wore out really fast in these sleds. It could be fixed by replacing the flyweights, bushings, and rollers with aftermarket parts
- Suspension issues: Although the VMAX series came with a decent suspension system, it typically couldn’t beat the ones on competitor models.
- Unique front shocks: In case of an accident, the front shocks were prone to damaging the chassis. These damages were not easy to fix, and a bent frame often caused further problems in the front suspension system.
- Poor fuel economy: The VMAX 500 wasn’t the best on fuel, but it was still more fuel efficient than the 600 and 700!
Yamaha VMAX 500 Specs Chart
Note that the VMAX 500 was produced for many years and in many different versions, so listing the specifications for all of them would be nearly impossible.
But as a reference, we’ve listed the specifications of the 2001 Yamaha VMAX 500 in these charts.
(Note that the specifications may be different in other model years.)
Yamaha VMAX 500 Dimensions and Weight
| Dimensions | 2001 VMAX 500 |
| Length | 2760 mm (108.7 in) |
| Width | 1200 mm (47.2 in) |
| Height (VX500) | 1230 mm (48.4 in) |
| Height (VX500DX) | 1330 mm (52.4 in) |
| Ski Tread | 1070 mm (42.1 in) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 44.3 L (11.7 US gal) |
| Oil Tank Capacity | 3.0 L (3.2 US qt) |
| Dry Weight (VX500) | 211 kg (435 lb) |
| Dry Weight (VX500DX) | 223 kg (492 lb) |
Yamaha VMAX 500 Engine Specs
| Engine Specs | 2001 VMAX 500 |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 7-port |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Parallel, 2-cylinder |
| Engine stroke | 2 |
| Cooling system | Liquid-cooled |
| Bore x Stroke | 2.68 x 2.68 in (68 x 68 mm) |
| Displacement | 494cc |
| Idle Speed | 1600 +/- 100 r/min |
| Carburetor | Mikuni TM36 x 2 |
| Turbocharged | No |
| Engine oil type | YAMALUBE 2-cycle oil |
| Throttle Operation | Handle lever, right-hand operated |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline. Min pump octane (R+M)/2; 88 or Min research octane: 93 |
| Starting system (VX500) | Manual with recoil starter |
| Starting system (VX500DX) | Electric and manual with recoil starter |
Yamaha VMAX 500 Track
| Track Features | 2001 VMAX 500 |
| Track | Molded rubber, fiberglass rod reinforced |
| Length on ground | 29.6 in (752mm) |
| Width | 15.0 in (381mm) |
| Track deflection | 0.98-1.18 in (25-30mm) / 10 kg {22lbs} |
| Drive Sprocket | Duple polyethylene, 9 teeth |
| Suspension type | Slide rail suspension |
Yamaha VMAX 500 Transmission
| Transmission | 2001 VMAX 500 |
| Primary reduction system | Belt |
| Primary reduction ratio | 3.8:1-1:1 |
| Type | Automatic centrifugal engagement, infinitely variable |
| Drive | Silent chain enclosed in oil bath |
| Secondary Reduction Ratio | 1.77 (39/22) |
Yamaha VMAX 500 Electric Features
| Electric Features | 2001 VMAX 500 |
| Ignition system | C.D.I. |
| Spark plug type | BR9ES (NGK) |
| Spark plug gap | 0.028 – 0.031 in (0.7 – 0.8 mm) |
| Headlight | 12 V, 60/55 W x 1 |
| Tail/brake light | 12 V, 8/23 W x 1 |
| Meter light | 12 V, 1.7 W x 2 |
| Indicator light | 12 V, 1.7 W x 3 |
These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.
Yamaha VMAX 500 For Sale
The VMAX 500 was manufactured for eight years, so you can still find many of them in good condition.
If you are considering buying one, you can’t go wrong by visiting some Yamaha sled forums and Facebook groups.
Also, you may find some used Yamaha VMAX 500 for sale on Craigslist, eBay, or dedicated snowmobile ad sites.
You can’t go wrong with any of these!
Takeaway – FAQs About the Yamaha VMAX 500
What year did the Yamaha VMAX 500 come out?
Yamaha revealed the VMAX 500 for the 1994 season.
What years was the Yamaha VMAX 500 made?
The Yamaha VMAX 500 was marketed from 1994 to 2001.
What size was a Yamaha VMAX 500?
The (2001) Yamaha VMAX 500 measured 108.7 inches in length, 47.2 inches in width, and 48.4/52.4 inches in height.
What was the track size on the Yamaha VMAX 500?
The track of the Yamaha VMAX 500 was 15 inches wide, while its length on the ground was 29.6 inches.
How much did a Yamaha VMAX 500 weigh?
The (2001) Yamaha VMAX 500 weighed 465-492 pounds depending on the model.
What kind of engine was in a Yamaha VMAX 500?
The power source of the VMAX 500 was a liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 494cc, twin-cylinder engine featuring a single-pipe exhaust, CDI ignition, and two rack-mounded Mikuni TM36 flatside carbs.
How much horsepower did a Yamaha VMAX 500 have?
Thanks to its liquid-cooled 2-stroke twin engine, the Yamaha VMAX 500 delivered 86-87 hp out of the box.
How fast did a Yamaha VMAX 500 go?
The top speed of the Yamaha VMAX 500 was about 65-70 mph under ideal conditions.
Was the Yamaha VMAX 500 a 2-stroke?
The Yamaha VMAX 500 was powered by a 2-stroke engine.
How Much Does a Yamaha VMAX 500 Cost?
The asking price of a used VMAX 500 varies between $1,000 and $2,500 depending on the year and condition.
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