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All the specs and pictures in this article ( scroll down to bottom of page for various models) are from the Yamaha Web Site www.yamaha-motor.com.au

The V Star series.

When I told Inskip Motorcycles, I wanted to do a feature on the Yamaha XV series, they couldn’t have helped more, "ride this and that, take a look at this" etc. This is exactly what a struggling motorcycle journo needs.

Back in 1980, Yamaha launched the XV750, a bike that was to sire a popular lineage, far beyond their wildest expectations. The current V-Star range are descendants of that first purpose built cruiser, inspired stylistically by the American market. The Virago, as it became known, had a family starting at 250cc then the marginally bigger 535, through to 1100cc with the 750 poking it’s head in on numerous occasions. These days the V-Star series comprises the ever popular best selling 250 ($6,461 yes that’s right), plus a learner legal 650 ($12,274) (once called DragStar) which is very similar in physical size to it’s 1100 brother ($16,187). There is the 1300cc Vee Four Royal Star range and the mega-cruiser 1600cc Road Star that’ll turn heads wherever it goes.

There have been very few problems with the series, and braking was very good considering the persistent inclusion of rear drum brakes. Buying second hand is safe, parts or accessories are plentiful without breaking the bank. All models will suit riders of varying sizes, mirrors have minimal vibration, there’s shaft drive on all but the 250 and 1600, plus controls are simple and easy to use. Quality is always very good. I have come across some high mileage examples of various Viragos and they still run smoothly without puffing any smoke.

The 250 is an excellent machine capable of 130kph out on the freeway. It’s light, nimble, economical, very easy to learn on with good aesthetics, plus they hold their value better than other 250’s.

The 535 (or forgotten Virago) can pull to 160kph and put larger base bikes like the Harley 1200 Sportster to shame with it’s performance and handling. The fuel is split 5 to 8.5 litres between the tank and the under seat main. For a good example, at around the 40,000k mark, you’ll pay up to $5,000 and are brilliant if you just want a bike to suit yourself and rarely carry a pillion, plus you get that nice clean shaft drive.

Ruth Rawlings has owned her XVS650 for about a year. She finds it quite responsive, all controls within reach. It’s very economical, she can get to around 260klms before reserve is required. At 163cm she finds the bike very easy to handle, although she does admit to being a little intimidated by it’s size to start with. There have been no special adjustments to her purple cruiser (her YamaHarley to annoy the odd friend), and she totally enjoys the laid back style of riding.

The 1100 Virago first appeared in 1988 following on from the XV1000 and while it’s style has been criticised as looking like something Arnold Schwarzenegger has sneezed on, it’s still a very popular bike even today. With the new XVS1100, styling was smoothed out, with the bike looking longer and leaner while not compromising it’s easiness to ride. John Madden owns one and was attracted to it for its, style, torquey air cooled engine, wire wheels, low centre of gravity, and at 175cm the fact he can get both feet flat to ground. John’s favourite pillion, Francis, loves it.

1997 gave birth to the Royal Star, and apart from some refining it hasn’t changed much since then. Very comfortable ergonomics, plus, a pleasant exhaust note reminiscent of an old V8 soothe the rider. The Royal Star is a big piece of machinery, heavy at slow speeds, but, it is extremely comfortable for long hauls and could pull a caravan with all that engine grunt. The addition of the Venture ($30,195) to the range added all those nice little luxuries that the discerning rider wanted, without having to go to an expensive GoldWing or Electra Glide.

Finally in 1999, after decades of firing styling shots at the big American, Yamaha produced the closest thing to a Harley Davidson ever dared, in the form of the 1600cc Road Star ($20,120). The air-cooled pushrod engine delivers 134NM of torque at 2250rpm with a toothed belt giving final drive to the rear wheel. There are wide backswept handlebars on rubber-mountings, floating floorboards, 20 litre fuel tank plus big disk brakes front and rear that could stop a truck. I want to thank Garry Hughes for letting me ride his XV1600, it’s definitely something any true cruiser rider has to sample.

Trying to cover a bike series like this is hard, just not enough words, but stay tuned and maybe we can do an individual test on each in the future.

All Prices quoted on road, many thanks to Inskip Motorcycles Toronto 49592937.

May your lid never skid....www.users.hunterlink.net.au/~mbbidp

Garry Hughes purchased his " Roady " second hand from Holeshot Motorcycles in May 2002 with only 4,000 klicks on the clock, since then he and wife Sue have taken the dial to 41,000.

"We have ridden it to Queensland on three occassions plus up and down the N.S.W. coast before going to Tassie for 6 weeks clocking up nearly 8,000 klicks .........Whilst in Tassie we took the bike on some the windiest roads over there , going on an organised ride through Gunns Plains , Rianna & Upper Natone and although you treat these roads with respect the "Roady " handled them quiet well ..........It is stock standard apart from adding a screen, Dririder Saddle bags & an Rjays top box & lambswool seat covers..............We have had the bike serviced regularly at Inskips at Toronto where they look after us very well. In the time we have owned the bike we have put on two rear tyres at 17,000 K's & one front at 22,000 K's & relined the rear brakes 39,000..........Before it ran out of warranty in February this year , I put it on the Dyno . In 4th gear ( 5th is overdrive , it was doing 100 K's @ 2350 revs.............Being of height of 5'4'' I can just get both feet on the ground but it is very comfy to ride & handles very well , although , being a cruiser you tend not to ride very hard into corners..........Sue says that it is as comfy as can be depending if the road is rough as or not , but with a few modifications to seat & suspension we hope to make her happier .

Yamaha XV1600A Road Star

Engine /Ignition/Transmission - Type 4-stroke, 4-valve OHV, Air-cooled, V-twin

Displacement - (cc) 1602

Bore Stroke - (mm) 95.0 x 113.0

Compression 8.3:1

Lubrication Dry sump

Carburation BSR40 x 1

Ignition TCI

Starter Electric

Fueltank - (L) 20

Transmission 5-speed

Final Transmission Belt drive

Chassis

Length - (mm) 2500

Width - (mm) 980

Height - (mm) 1140

Seat Height - (mm) 710

Wheelbase - (mm) 1685

Clearance - (mm) 145

Dry Weight - (kg) 307

Front End - Suspension Front Telescopic fork

Tyres Front 130/90-16 M/C 67H

Brakes Front Dual disc

Rear End - Suspension Rear Swingarm

Tyres Rear 150/80-16 M/C 71H

Brakes Rear Single disc

XVZ1300TF Royal Star Venture

Engine /Ignition/Transmission - Type DOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, V-four

Displacement - (cc) 1294

Bore Stroke - (mm) 79.0 x 66.0

Compression 10.0:1

Lubrication Wet sump

Carburation 4 x BDSR32

Ignition TCI

Starter Electric

Fueltank - (L) 22

Transmission 5-speed

Final Transmission Shaft drive

Chassis

Length - (mm) 2705

Width - (mm) 900

Height - (mm) 1565

Seat Height - (mm) 750

Wheelbase - (mm) 1705

Clearance - (mm) 155

Dry Weight - (kg) 375

Front End - Suspension Front Telescopic fork

Tyres Front 150/80-16

Brakes Front Dual disc

Rear End - Suspension Rear Monocross

Tyres Rear 150/90-15

Brakes Rear Single disc

V-Star - XVS1100A Classic

Engine /Ignition/Transmission - Type 4-Stroke, SOHC, air-cooled, V-twin

Displacement - (cc) 1063

Bore Stroke - (mm) 95 x 75

Compression 8.3:1

Lubrication Wet sump

Carburation 2 x BSR37

Ignition TCI

Starter Electric

Fueltank - (L) 17

Transmission 5-speed

Final Transmission Shaft drive

Chassis

Length - (mm) 2465

Width - (mm) 945

Height - (mm) 1095

Seat Height - (mm) 710

Wheelbase - (mm) 1645

Clearance - (mm) 145

Dry Weight - (kg) 272

Front End - Suspension Front Telescopic fork

Tyres Front 110/90-16 M/C 67S

Brakes Front Dual disc

Rear End - Suspension Rear Swingarm

Tyres Rear 170/80-15 M/C 77S

Brakes Rear Single disc

V-STAR, XVS650A CLASSIC - Engine /Ignition/Transmission

Type 4-stroke, SOHC, air-cooled, V-twin

Displacement - (cc) 649

Bore Stroke - (mm) 81 x 63

Compression 9.0:1

Lubrication Wet sump

Carburation BDS28 x 2

Ignition TCI

Starter Electric

Fuel tank - (L) 16

Transmission 5-speed

Final Transmission Shaft drive

Chassis

Length - (mm) 2450

Width - (mm) 930

Height - (mm) 1105

Seat Height - (mm) 710

Wheelbase - (mm) 1625

Clearance - (mm) 145

Dry Weight - (kg) 235

Front End - Suspension Front Telescopic fork

Tyres Front 130/90-16 67S

Brakes Front Single disc

Rear End - Suspension Rear Swingarm

Tyres Rear 170/80-15 M/C77S

Brakes Rear Drum