Yamaha Shoot-Out: Two vs. Four

The new V-Max SHO is definitely a game changer

By Matt Spencer

Fuel efficiency and reliability are just a couple of the advantages four-stroke motors have traditionally had over two strokes. But power-to-weight ratio has always been dominated by two strokes – that is, until now.

Yamaha’s new V-Max SHO (Super High Output) four stroke is making some real waves in the outboard market. It is 34 pounds lighter than the VMax Series 2 HPDI two stroke it replaces, and is tied for the lightest engine (of equivalent horsepower) in the industry – no light feat for a four stroke.

Yamaha claims the V-Max SHO will outperform two strokes in all the categories a four stroke would usually fall short in. So we’re going to put it to the test, measuring hole shot, mid-range acceleration and top speed. But first we have to find out how they did it.

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