royal star tour deluxe review

• NEWS Latest
• LATEST BIKES
• POPULAR ARTICLES
• MCNEWS COMMENTS

2005 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe Review

With big splashes occurring in the cruising market waters these days, Triumph’s Rocket III and Kawasaki’s Vulcan 2000 take a bow, the recent release of Yamaha’s Road Star Tour Deluxe is more of a ripple than a wave. No biggest, fastest, or most powerful accolades adorning the latest Star, but not to worry, in the real world it is going to win awards for some new and innovative ideas applied to a well proven theme.

For 2005, Yamaha has launched the new Star Tour Deluxe in the fast growing segment of the market they call “Cruiser Touring.” Basically, for those like me that haven’t heard of it before, it is a category of cruising that encompasses the elements of both types of riding. According to Yamaha, they have seen a healthy increase in sales of their Road Star Silverado and V Star Silverado’s: More tour focused versions of the stock Star and V Star. So, to cater to this need, they decided to build a bike that could quickly be converted from one application to the other.

To achieve this aim, they started with the trusty Royal Star that debuted in 1996. Featuring a 1294cc V-4, liquid-cooled engine, with a five-speed gearbox and shaft drive, the Royal Star comes without luggage or fairings. The new Tour Deluxe uses this Royal Star platform, but has hard luggage, a windshield, leg shields and a passenger backrest. The cool part here is, the windshield and backrest both remove in seconds, thanks to quick release fasteners that don’t require the use of tools. This allows the rider to change from tour mode to cruise mode, depending on their preference, with the absolute minimum of fuss.

To give the press an opportunity to ride the new bike, Yamaha’s Brad Bannister had chosen the east coast location of Charlottesville, Virginia, for the unveiling. This meant I was able to ride to the launch, and the left coast guys got chance to see some serious green, while enjoying some humidity for a change. It was also a chance to indulge in a little American history, as our route took us past Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, where we stopped for a tour.

This was very valuable for me as I made my assessment of the bike. I tend to be in fast-forward mode too often these days, and hadn’t reprogrammed from the previous day’s 700km Interstate blast. Meandering through the vineyards and rolling hills of Virginia, then stopping to indulge in a little history and culture, gave me a chance to figure out what a touring/cruising rider might want from his machine.

Weighing in at 383kg pounds full of fluids, and sitting on a 1650mm wheelbase, the new Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe has a commanding presence when you approach it for the first time. Surprisingly, and no doubt helped by the low 740mm seat height, it is not too hefty coming off the side stand. The bars are big cruiser wide, and a quick stab of the starter button has the V-Four burbling to life, a nice crackle emitting the four-into-two exhaust system when you blip the throttle. While not enhancing the sound, the muffler tips are actually adjustable, so you can tailor the look of the pipes to your own design. By loosening a screw, they spin through 360-degrees to one of four positions, which I thought was a pretty unique idea.

A light pull on the large “macho” looking clutch lever, and a quick tap with the left foot has the first of the five gear ratios quietly and smoothly selected. In keeping with its cruiser style, the bike uses a heel-toe shifter that has few rivals for ease of operation. No missed or time-delayed shifts here. Just quick, precise gear changes in either conventional or heel/toe mode, depending on your personal preference. The top two ratios are both overdrives, so highway cruising speeds arrive at fairly low rpm. This does mean you need to downshift for swift passing manoeuvres, but one quick click will have you where you want to be in the power band for adequate acceleration from 110kph.

Speaking of power, the Tour Star Tour Deluxe pumps out just shy of 100 horses: 98 to be precise. This figure comes up at 6000 rpm, with a solid 89 foot-pounds of torque being delivered at 4750 rpm. Using a derivative of the venerable V-Max engine that debuted in the early ‘80s, the big V-four uses four valves per cylinder and breathes through four, 32 mm Mikuni CV carburetors that come equipped with their own heaters. The delivery is smooth and progressive, with the bike gathering speed, rather than accelerating hard. And, I have yet to ride a fuel-injected bike that has superior throttle control or such a glitch free power delivery. Ninety-eight horsepower is a useful amount of grunt, even if it is somewhat off set by the bikes weight. But power cruiser the Tour Star Deluxe is not, and rolling along the twisting rural Virginia roads, there was more than enough to get the job done.

Allowing the bike to use the power available is a taut chassis and some quality suspension components. The strong, rigid frame is made of steel and solidly mounts the counterbalanced engine. Attached to this up front is a beefy set of 43mm forks. With 140mm of travel, adjustable over a wide range with the addition and removal of air, I was impressed by the ride quality and relative lack of dive under hard braking. The forks have a 23mm rake, which certainly helps the big Yamaha steer very quickly for such a big bike. Keeping your butt off the floor at the other end, and aiding the broad, comfortable saddle in making for a super plush ride at all times, is the single rear shock. Air adjustable over a very wide 0-57 psi range, it has a useful 105mm of travel. It is also going to be very user friendly when changing from cruising to touring mode, or for the addition of a passenger.

Related Posts

Cam Swain splashes to clear victory in France – R3 bLU cRU World Cup

WorldSBK riders reflect on Magny-Cours Race One + WorldSSP/300/R3 reports/results

As was expected, cranking up the pace will quickly introduce hard metal parts to the surrounding asphalt. And, while this can be a lot of fun when passing a car full of cotton-topped tourists on smooth four-lane black top, caution is needed when the road surface gets bumpy. It is not that the air suspension can’t deal with the bumps, it can; it’s just not wise to get cranked over too far in case the hard parts hit an area of raised tarmac, as the results could get ugly. Especially if “her indoors” is riding pillion. Keep your throttle hand restrained, your Miguel Duhamel instincts in check and all will be fine.

With its good handling manners and nice turn of speed, the Yamaha has thankfully been blessed with some great brakes to quickly and safely retard this forward motion when needed. Nothing earth shattering about the twin four-piston calipers up front with their 298mm discs, just a good solid system that has plenty of feel at the lever, and more than enough power to bring the bike to a very swift halt. Just don’t expect sport bike two-finger braking, as all four fingers are recommended to make the best of this system. In the rear, a larger 320mm disc also has a four-piston caliper. This provides a lot of additional stopping power, as the long, low machine doesn’t tend to drastically weight the front wheel under heavy braking. The rear wheel will lock if you are too enthusiastic, but there is a good amount of pedal travel and feel before this happens.

For the first part of my ride on the new Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe, I had the windshield and backrest installed. I liked the protection offered by the windshield, but found it a tad awkward at times. I am just under six foot and sitting straight up induced some buffeting at speed. If I crouched it was ok, but this made for some distortion when negotiating the bends. It wasn’t critical, but I would have liked it either higher or lower. With the windshield removed, the breeze hit me smack in the chest and the view forward was a lot cleaner. The bike also exhibited a different feel in this “cruiser” mode, and this was no surprise as it most certainly what Yamaha had intended for this bike.

Ample luggage can be stowed with the large, nine-gallon side bags that are able to take 20 pounds of gear in each side. These are lockable with the ignition key when you want to leave the bike parked for a time. Add in a tank bag, and the accessory rear fender rack and bag, and you should be all set for a short tour. Round the world adventurers might want more, but the bike will certainly hold more than enough equipment for most regular tour duties.

Making all day riding a breeze, Yamaha have spent a lot of time developing the passenger seat and backrest to compliment the super comfortable rider’s perch. With a total gas capacity of only 20 litres, Iron Butt mileage is not going to be happening between fill ups, so rider and passenger should remain the best of friends. Helping with any Interstate work you might do, is a superb automotive style cruise control. Operating in a similar fashion to your family car, even I got it quickly figured out, and had a fun setting it on 110kph, sliding on to the back seat, and passing some of my fellow journos looking like I had lost my rider. This was on a closed course with professional riders of course; so don’t try this at home kids.

Monitoring your mileage, and keeping you on the right side of the law, the Tour Deluxe uses one of the most unique speedometer housings on two wheels. Looking more like the dash from an older American car, it gives your speed in mph as well as kph. I liked the look, but would have preferred the option of turning one or the other, as I felt it was a little redundant to see both while riding. This sits in a beautiful chrome housing that nicely complements the large headlight with its own sea of highly polished chrome. I have no idea how this works at night as our ride finished before dark, but I have yet to test a Yamaha with poor headlights, so doubt there is anything to worry about here.

With our day ending early due to monsoon style rains, it was a little disappointing to turn the bike back in early. I had found it to be extremely comfortable, a lot more manageable than I first thought, and a blast to ride. Making me slow down and relax, while allowing me to take in the peaceful Virginia countryside, the new Yamaha Tour Star Deluxe was the perfect tonic for a speed-crazed journalist in need of some quality ride time. Now all I have to do is talk one out of Yamaha for a few days, deposit the kids at Grandma’s, and take the missus for a long ride.

NB: Yamaha Australia have indicated that this new model will be making its way to Australia in the near future.

Motojourno - Founder of MCNews.com.au - Australia's leading resource for motorcycle news, reviews and race coverage for over 20 years.

2024 Yamaha MT-09 Review – Motorcycle Test

2024 Yamaha WR450F Review – Motorcycle Test

2023 Yamaha MT-10 SP Review | Motorcycle Test

Yamaha YDX-Moro 07 E-MTB Review | E-Bicycle Test

Get latest news in your inbox, support mcnews on patreon, support our supporters.

MCNEWS.COM.AU is a specialist on-line resource that provides motorcycle news for motorcyclists. MCNews covers all areas of interest for the motorcycling public including news, reviews and comprehensive racing coverage.

©2024 MCNews

• ALL NEWS CONDENSED
• Husqvarna News
• Suzuki News
• Yamaha News
• Triumph News
• CFMOTO News
• Ducati News
• Moto Guzzi News
• Royal Enfield News
• Kawasaki News
• Aprilia News
• Harley News
• Indian News
• MV Agusta News
• Benelli News
• GASGAS News
• Norton News
• Victory News
• Sherco News
• Bimota News
• Zero Motorcycles News
• EV Electromobility News
• Scooter News
• ATV / SSV News
• All Bike Reviews
• LAMS Reviews
• KTM Reviews
• Honda Reviews
• Yamaha Reviews
• Triumph Reviews
• BMW Reviews
• Suzuki Reviews
• CFMOTO Reviews
• Ducati Reviews
• Kawasaki Reviews
• Husqvarna Reviews
• Aprilia Reviews
• Benelli Reviews
• BETA Reviews
• EV Electromobility Reviews
• EBR Reviews
• GAS GAS Reviews
• Harley Reviews
• Indian Reviews
• Kymco Reviews
• Moto Guzzi Reviews
• MV Agusta Reviews
• Norton Reviews
• Royal Enfield Reviews
• Scooter Reviews
• Sherco Reviews
• Victory Reviews
• Rieju Reviews
• Bimota Reviews
• Zero Motorcycles Reviews
• NEW PRODUCTS
• ALL LATEST BIKES NEWS
• Royal Enfield
• EV Electromobility
• Zero Motorcycles
• Real Road / TT
• Historic Road Racing
• Japan / Asian Road Racing
• Endurance Road Racing
• American Road Racing
• NZ Road Racing
• ATC / Rookies / Junior GP / MiniGP
• Australian MX
• Enduro / Rally
• Dirt / Flat Track
• LATEST COMMENTS
• COMMUNITY FORUM

• new motorcycles
• buyers guide
• tips and tech
• parts and gear
• Motorcycles

1997 Tourer Comparison: Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe

Last but not least on the 1997 Tourer Comparison is the 1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe

2009 Star Royal Star Tour Deluxe

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

People Are Going To Great Lengths To Prevent EV Owners From Charging Up

Is the average harley-davidson owner old this is what the company says, china’s 2000cc tourer has way more power than the honda gold wing.

Can’t decide between cruising and touring? Why don’t have both with the Star Royal Star Tour Deluxe, a full-sized touring motorcycle that can easily be stripped into a veritable cruiser. Powered by a lively V-four engine, it loses nothing of the old Yamaha cruisers/tourers charm and we’re talking about a 2009 model year.

• Make: Array
• Model: 2009 Star Royal Star Tour Deluxe
• Engine/Motor: liquid-cooled 70° V-four; DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder
• Horsepower: 97hp @ 6000 rpm
• Torque: 89 ft.-lb. @ 4750 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed, wide-ratio w/5th-gear overdrive; hydraulic clutch
• [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Introduction

• Motorcycles
• Yamaha Royal Star

• Forum Listing
• Advanced Search
• Kawasaki Motorcycle Forums
• Kawasaki Cruisers

Anyone here with Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe experience or opinions?

• Add to quote

I know this is a Kawasaki forum but I found a good deal on a new 2009 Star Royal Star Tour Deluxe. I've always loved the look and feel of this bike. It fits me very well and fits both the wife and I perfectly as well. I've been looking for a light tour bagger. My list includes the Vaquero, Nomad, Cross Roads/Country and the Street Glide. While I love the look of the Street Glide it is off the list. Just feels cramped to me and the fairing seems more intrusive than the Vaquero. I prefer the 1600 Nomads in both look and fit over the new 1700's. The Vaquero is just bad *** and I may demo one this week....not sure I'm ready to drop that kind of coin though. The Victory's have nailed it but again, to get the version I want we're pushing $17k Plus...a bit more than I'd like to spend. The New Tour Deluxe is about $5-$6k cheaper. The one negative on the Star is the fact that it is carbed, not FI. I might be willing to overlook that however. I love the quick release back rest and windshield over the Nomad since actual touring will be far less than everyday cruising. Though for commuting daily the shield will be just fine. The 1294cc V4 is a solid motor and while plenty powerful, It's not a powerhouse. The fact that it comes with a 5 year Yamaha warranty is a tremendous plus! The bike is heavy, but the weight feels down low. I wonder how the V4 sounds with pipes?? Any of these bikes will be a far step up from my Vulcan 800a. Anyone with any experience or opinion on this bike. I know a lot of you guys have experience on many bikes besides the Kawasaki's>  

I have a friend that rides one and we have tried each others bikes, my bike is a 2001 1500 Classic I have rode his bike with 2 up and bags on a trip and I felt it was under powered with 2 up riding, no midrange power as for ride and comfort it seemed to be better that the Kaw! If I was you I woud try out a Nomad 1700 and see how that feels to you plus that cost would be about the same as the Yamaha!!  

If I recall, and that is questionable at best, the Yammy has heated carbs. Should have no problem with them in the cold weather. I have a friend who had one for years but finally traded it in on a H-D. But, he had no problems with it, other than seeming to be a bit top-heavy. If I recall, the Nomad has a standard 2-year warranty, but you can purchase an additional four (total of six) years if interested. And, there are still a few 1600 Nomads out there. I bought mine NEW in Feb 2010 (yes, a 2008 NEW 2 years later). Tell your dealer to find you one - you'd be surprised. (I am 6'2", and I prefer the 1600 with the extra legroom over the 1700, whose frame was shortened by Kawa.)  

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I have found a few left over 2008 1600 Nomads new in the $11500 range in Ohio. My local kawi dealer (who I would rather do business with) does not have any left over stock but they have the Vaquero in stock, plus the owner will let me demo his personal vaquero) and they do have a 1700 Nomad for $13500 in stock. I may take your advise and see if the dealer can find a left over 1600 Nomad. I'm 6' pushing close to 300 and the TD seems to fit me very well but so does the 1600 Nomad. The 1700 seems cramped but the riding position feels fine.  

THe Venture is also in the running for me as a replacement for the 900 I currently ride.Wife saw the bark-o-lounger seat avilable for one of them things and was interested. Most of them I see for sale seem to keep thier value, and most guys dont seem to mind putting miles on them. Anybody I have talked to at a bike run or wherever I cant remember anything that sticks out as a constant problem. Power and maybe lack of high fuel milage might be the only down side I can thing of. It is about the smallest engine of a touring bike @ 1300cc but knowone has said it was weak enough they felt in danger of getting run over. And with the carbs I just dont think your going to get FI type milage, most guys I have talked with say mid 30's. It sticks me that the going price for a new one is right up there with the Kawai and Vic touring bikes though they have not really changed the bike since its redesign in about 99. Still its a good mchine I think.  

The Venture seat is probably the most comfortable factory seat available from any manufacturer. Owners seem to love them. I sat on a 2008 Venture Saturday as well and it is stupid comfortable. Beautiful bike but just a bit bigger than I want for my needs. It is funny that the machine has a tape deck.....yes a tape deck! The Venture seat will not fit on the Tour Deluxe without modifying the mounts. Yeah, the mpg is not the greatest. My research has shown about mid 30's on average. Big, wide heavy bikes with not a lot of aerodynamics and carbs are not condusive to good fuel mileage. While they are not hot rods, and mods are few and far between, they are great engines that operate the best at higher rpms than most vtwins so the "seat of the pants feel" is different for those used to vtwins. They no longer offer the Tour Deluxe, 2009 was the last year and the Venture is in need of an update but I agree, it is a nice ride. Rumors and Venture fans hope the a detuned version of the new Vmax engine makes it's way into an all new Venture.  

I have a Royal Star Venture and ride with two people that have the Tour Deluxe. The Venture and the TD are almost the same bike. TD is missing the fairing, trunk and the sound system. These are great bikes. The V-Four produces HP to the rear wheel so they have amply power to ride two up with luggage. The heated carbs help in cold weather and are very easy to synchronize. There is more room for the passenger than all of the HD models. They are also a very comfortable bike for the driver. I'd say if you're getting a good deal you should jump on it. Oh and as far as the warranty in concerned. I had an issue with my outer fairing ($1000) and Yamaha replaced it without creating a stink about it. From the people I know that have had warranty issues, Yamaha has been very good about honoring their warranty. I get 41-45 MPG all the time. I've never had gas mileage in the 30s, ever. What's the price on the TD?  

They want $12,400 otd and I'm working on a little better price for the bike or a deep discount on slip on pipes and driving lights. Exhaust and lights are the only immediate accessories I want....oh and iso grips. It has everything else I need. The bike has a lot of room. I'm big, 6' 300 and the wife is not big but she is not petite. We both have a lot of room when on the bike. Some claim not that powerful but it's rated at 97hp....about 30 more hp that Kawi's 1700 and more torque as well. Just different characteristics I think. I've looked online and there are a number of new 09's still available and prices are all over the place....some still close to original retail. I'm not sure if $12,400 is a great deal but it certainly seems like a lot of bike for the money. Bullet proof engine and a stellar warranty. The best I can find a new 1700 nomad is a bit over $14k otd and over $16k for the Vaquero. Even the new 08 Nomads I've found are priced higher. I like the Vaquero and 1600 Nomad but the 1700's do absolutely nothing for me in the look and feel department.  

If that TD were used with average miles on it (10250) the retail price would be $9395 according to Kelly Blue Book. If you can get them to throw in the pipes or the light bar you'll have a great deal. Remember, they've had this bike for quite some time. Good luck and keep us posted. Oh yeah, the stated 97hp is at the crank, it's about 78hp to the rear wheel. That's a lot more than most 800lb bikes.  

• ?            
• 135.4K members

Top Contributors this Month

• [ September 7, 2024 ] Excessive rain at WorldSSP Race 1 is postponed due to foul weather News
• [ September 7, 2024 ] Crazy Saturday at Magny-Course as rain makes Race-1 a real lottery News
• [ September 7, 2024 ] Misano weekend kicks off with new all-time lap records for Pirelli News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] Intense Friday for two Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team riders at WorldSSP News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] Five Ducati machines in Top 5 at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] Yamaha Return to Fighting Form on Day 1 at Magny Cours News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] Alessandro Delbianco Makes his Debut on Yamaha R1 at WorldSBK News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] Interactive Friday: Crushing Bikes, eBikes and Pricey Ducati’s! News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] World Superbike Championship is back on track at Magny-Cours circuit France News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] Is Superpole the most important session of a WorldSBK weekend? News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] Register Now for the 2024 YXZ1000R European Cup SuperFinale News
• [ September 6, 2024 ] MXGP and MX2 teams gearing up for final stretch of FIM Motocross World Championship News
• [ September 4, 2024 ] Maestro 4.0 Ducati 30° Anniversario 916 News
• [ September 4, 2024 ] Highly Anticipated Ducati Home Grand Prix San Marino GP News
• [ September 4, 2024 ] Close to Record-Breaking 10th Premier-Class Championship on FTR750 News

2001 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe

Back to 2001 Yamaha Motorcycle Index Page

Click photo to enlarge. It makes a great desktop image. 2001 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe  

– 2001 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe

A Classic beauty with cross-country legs..

No where else will you find a bike like this.

2001 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe Features and Benefits

Liquid-cooled V-4 engine, plush saddles, hardbags, windshield and 5-year warranty

2001 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe – Specifications/Technical Details USA MSRP Price: $15,499 USD Canadian MSRP Price: See dealer for pricing in CDN

DIMENSIONS Length 97.8″ Height 58.1″ Width 36.4″ Weight 728 lbs. Ground Clearance 5.7″ Wheelbase 66.7″ Seat Height 28.5″ ENGINE Engine 1294cc, 79-Cubic Inch, DOHC, Liquid-Cooled, 70° V-4 Displacement 1294cc Bore x Stroke 79 X 66mm Compression Ratio 10:1 Carburetion (4) 28mm Mikuni Constant-Velocity Fuel Capacity 4.8 gallons DRIVETRAIN Transmission 5-Speed, Wide-Ration; Overdrive in 4th and 5th Gear Final Drive Shaft BRAKES/WHEELS/TIRES Brakes Front: Dual 298mm Discs Rear: 320mm Disc Tires Front: 150/80-16 Rear: 150/90-15M/C OPERATIONAL Suspension Front: Telescopic Fork, 5.5″ of Travel Rear: Single Shock, Link-Type, 3.7″ of Travel OTHER Colors Onyx

Specifications are subject to change without notice, in accordance with national regulation and legislations. Suggested Starting Price shown does not include tax, title, or destination charge. Dealer prices may vary.

Be the first to comment

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Copyright © 1999 - 2024 | Total Motorcycle ∙ 13 Billion Hits ∙ 25 Years ∙ 425 million Readers ∙ 1 Great Motorcycling Community!

•   by Brand
•   by Year
•   by Category
• New 2024 models
• All 2023 models
• Newest additions
• 50cc motorcycles
• 125cc motorcycles
• 150cc motorcycles
• Electric motorcycles
• 1960s motorcycles
• 1950s motorcycles
• 1940s motorcycles
• 1930s motorcycles
• Contribute your specs / pics
• MC of the Year
• Advanced search
• Compare specs
• Compare ratings
• Unit converters
• Words & terms
• Riding safety
• Insurance quotes
• News & reviews
• General topics
• Motorcycle brands
• Motorcycle categories
• Best forum for your bike
• Latest discussion posts
• Free classifieds

YAMAHA XVZ1300 ROYAL STAR (1996 - 2001) Review

At a glance

Overall rating.

If you want a cruiser because it attracts attention then the Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star certainly does the job. With a V-Max motor ( detuned of course ) Tonka Toy bodywork and a gnat's bollock of ground clearance, the Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star is something truly different from the typical 90s V-twin Harley tribute act.

Ride quality & brakes

Even for a cruiser, the Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star handles like a jelly burglar's swag bag. There's hardly any ground clearance, the bike steers slower than the QE2 and the riding position is akin to a dentist's chair. The Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star is great fun whilst posing on Brighton prom, but disappointingly vague on normal roads.

The Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star has a really soft, lazy old motor, which makes a claimed 75bhp or 98bhp in the full dresser XVZ Venture Star touring model. Peak torque is at just 3500rpm, so you'll rarely need to stir the Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star's five-speed gearbox once on the move. 

Reliability & build quality

The Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star is beautifully finished. The chrome glitters, the paint is thick. The Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star's engine is so understressed that it's difficult to imagine any mechanical problems affecting it for at least 50,000 miles. Owners tend to use the Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star/Venture Star in sunny weather, so used examples often look near mint. 

Value vs rivals

If you want a mega cruiser then Harley have street cred and resale values that cannot be matched by any other brand. The Valkyrie is faster, handles better too and a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 does the same job and costs less secondhand. Hard to see why you'd want a Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star, unless someone was virtually giving it away. Find a Yamaha Royal Star for sale

The fully tour kitted Yamaha XVZ1300A Venture Star has all the bells and whistles you'd expect including audio, although it's only a quaint radio/cassette player. Huge fairing will keep a monsoon at bay. The basic Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star has less sophisticated suspension, a less luxurious pillion perch, but still boasts twin front discs. 

Model history & versions

Model history.

1996: Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star launched. 1997: Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star Tour Classic joins it. 1999: Yamaha Venture Star replaces Tour Classic and Royal Star. 2001: Yamaha Venture Star withdrawn from UK market.

Other versions

Yamaha XVZ1300 AT Tour Classic. Yamaha XVZ1300 TF Venture Star.

Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA XVZ1300 ROYAL STAR (1996 - 2001)

7 owners have reviewed their YAMAHA XVZ1300 ROYAL STAR (1996 - 2001) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your YAMAHA XVZ1300 ROYAL STAR (1996 - 2001)

Version: Boulevard

Annual servicing cost: £100

Rare less mentioned of the Royal Star family

Good ride quality and breaking for me

Still getting used to it not accustomed to V4’s sound or power

Never let me down or stranded yet

Carb cleanings, tune up, tires, oil changes, miscellaneous things not every year on some more frequent on others

All standard factory equipment

Buying experience: Private party purchase, $3200.00 advertised, paid $3000.00

Version: 2018

Annual servicing cost: £70

got this with only 20000 miles runs and rides spot on

it's a good bike but will not be for every one try before you buy

i have a friend who has had one from new it now has 150,000 miles on the clock with no problemes

for a heavy bike it's good on fuel

you dress these as you wont

Buying experience: i got this one second hand but with 20,000 miles and service history it was in good condition

Version: Venture Royal Star TF in Silver

An amazing bike not for the faint hearted, it had some nasty tricks up it's sleeves. Particularly very slow speed control. Very easily forgiven when up and moving 1 or 2 up Sit back, enjoy, chill. All I can say is make your mind up what are you looking for?. I bought mine ready for retirement, I then did 30.000 miles a year on it. I bought it in 2005 for £4000 with 10.000 miles. I was taken out on the M5 Dec 2008 with 80,000 miles on the clock. The final benefit as I had watched the prices climb (rarity value) AND INSURED ACCORDINGLY the insurance paid out £7.750.00. The down side after the smoothness of the Royal Star although I enjoyed the style I could not stand the clunckyness sorry made up word. I replaced it with a Honda ST1300 Pan

You can spend hours in the saddle comfortably. Braking is not superbike standard but is very good for the type of riding/cruising, associated with this style bike (bearing in mind it cruises much quicker than a Harley) Would have benefited from ABS.

Largest single requirement. The custom replacement screen you will need to fit. The original is not fit for purpose. particularly to a 6'3" rider

The luggage not being detachable proper custom inner bags would have been good

Version: TF Venture

Previous bikes include, GPZ 600, a Falco, Capanord and prior to the XVZ a Blackbird. The bike cruises all day, cruise control a real bonus, the radio, with IPod plug in, is fine in the garage for listening whilst cleaning, but not really my thing when riding.

Self service simple enough, less changing the headlight bulb which is a right pain in the butt!!

Nothing to dislike in the engine department, pulls strongly, decent mpg.

Extremely well built, at 14 years old it is proven totally reliable, with the paint work still fresh and the chrome gleaming.

A huge comfy seat, could do with heated grips, but less that, nothing missing, plus a shaft drive to boot.

When looking to replace my Kawasaki VN1500 Nomad I looked long and hard at all types of big cruisers (didn't consider Harley as they are too overpriced for me). I narrowed it down to the Honda VTX 1800, Suzuki C109 and Kawasaki VN 2000. All big powerful cruisers but not quite right. I stumbled in my research across the XVZ 1300. The smaller capacity turned me off until I discovered it was a V4. That really got me interested. Fast forward I did my research and opted for a low km one owner CT version in pearl white. The motor is superb. Mine has slip on BUB exhausts and sounds amazing. The V4 really rumbles like a V8. Sounds much better than a V twin. Comfort is excellent, performance is exceptional for a BIG bike and economy/range is good when not pushed. Remember this is a big and heavy bike but for my 6'4 115 kilo frame is perfect. I find it is easy to handle at low speeds and fast in straights. Remember this is a long distance tourer and not a sports bike. It's not a fan of the twisties. Yamaha build quality is outstanding - period! Before you consider a Harley Road King, Kawasaki Voyager and/or Nomad, Goldwing, Suzuki C109 strongly consider the XVZ new or used.

I have owned this bike since 1999 and have the silver and gold model. I first saw it in a motorcycle magazine and thought it was beautiful. Yamaha obviously borrowed some styling cues from the Harley Davidson Classic and made just enough changes to make it unique. I love the look and especially the dash which looks like a 1955 corvette dash. What You don't know is that the Engine was designed by Porsche for Harley Davidson!!! Harley passed on it because they were afraid the Harley faithful would not go for the 4 cylinder. Porsche later designed the twin cylinder V-Rod for Harley and it has mixed reviews from the Harley Faithful. The 4 cylinder V Engine Porsche designed was later sold to Yamaha who put it in their 1983 Venture Royale Touring bike. Later the folks at Yamaha thought it was too nice an engine to waste on a touring bike so they added V-Boost and put it in the V-Max in 1985. Yamaha stopped production of the Venture Royale in 1989 but brought it back as the Yamaha Venture in 1999. The Engine in the V-Max makes 145 HP at the crank, in the Venture it maked 98 HP and 89 FPT. This is a lot of power for a touring bike and the bike tops out at 135 MPH!!! What I like about the bike is it can tour like a Gold Wing, but cruise like a Harley. With the aftermarket Bub's Pipes, it sounds like a chevy V-8 small block and I should know because I have owned two - a Vette and a Z-28 so I know that sound!!! I like that the bike looks a lot like the Harley Classic - so much so that the Harley Faithful wave to me all the time!!! I love the smoothness and sound of the engine which gets 45 mpg in touring mode! I love the comfort of the riding position and I added the backrest for even more comfort! I love the paint and the colors that looks like a custom job to me and my friends. I love that Yamaha thinks enough about the bike to provide a 5 YEAR Warrantee!!! The Radio/Soundsystem is excellent and it consists of 18 FM channels, 6 AM channels, cassette tape player, plug in for my Sony I-pod, CB Radio, and I have the Clarion 6 disk CD player!!! I have put on almost 30,000 trouble free miles in the last 10 years and in three years I plan to buy a brand new one to take me through my retirement years!!! What I don't like about the bike is it is heavy (809 lbs) so the handling is rather heavy and slow. It is an excellent bike for cruising and touring on open roads with the same limitations the Harley classic has which is the handlebar mounted fairing (less stable in the wind), the heavy handling (heavyweight), and the limited ground clearance. The pipes and floorboards scrape but it is better when one up and with the aftermarket (Bub's)pipes which are smaller in diameter. As long as you remember that this bike is not a sport bike, or even a sport tourer, You will be fine. What it is is an excellent heavyweight cruising touring bike! When I bought this bike back in 1999, I had a Harley Davidson Classic on order! It was due in in 3 months, but a friend talked me into a test drive on the Venture and I was sold!!! I saved $5,000 over the cost of the Harley and got an excellent bike for my money. What I hope Yamaha does to improve the bike is add fuel injection, anti-lock brakes, heated grips and seats and GPS as options. They might also think of putting a water cooled, fuel injected, high performance twin cylinder engine for better mileage (55 vs 45 MPG), and higher torque. Bottom line is I will probably buy another Yamaha Venture in three years when I retire!!! I think that says it all!!!

IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A BIKE THAT DOES ALL WHAT A GOLDWING DOES AND COSTS LESS, WEARS BETTER,AND LOOKS LIKE A BIKE ,AND NOT A SPACESHIP THIS IS FOR YOU .YAMAHA GOT THE STYLING SPOT ON " WITH SOME HELP FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON.THERE IS AMPLE LUGGAGE SPACE THE ONLY MINOR GRIPE IS THE SCREEN HEIGHT TOO HIGH FOR SOME RIDERS .APART FROM THAT ITS WORTH A TEST RIDE I THINK YOU WILL BE SURPRISED

• Latest News
• Latest Reviews
• Brand New Bikes
• Accessories
• Base Layers
• Communication
• Learn To Ride A Motorbike
• Group Tests
• Used Bike Guides
• Bike Type Buying Guides
• Riding Tips
• Buying and Selling
• Inspiration
• Travelling and Touring
• London Motorcycle Show
• Motorcycle Live

• Account Settings

Classifieds

• Bike Reviews

Product Reviews

• Best Motorcycle Cameras
• Best Motorcycle Earplugs
• Best Motorcycle Oil
• Best Leather Jackets
• Best Winter Gloves
• Best Sportbike Tires
• GPS Buyers Guide
• Adventure Touring
• On-Off-Road
• Sport-Touring
• Touring Scooter
• Harley-Davidson
• Royal Enfield

New Rider's Hub

Top stories.

1996 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic - Motorcycle.com

Yamaha claims the Royal Star's long, low and wide styling was conceived and developed by full-sized American riders(?). We're not sure what they're implying with that statement, but it'll be these "full-sized" riders (along with their full-sized beer bellies?) who will most appreciate the 'Star's roomy accommodations. With the wheelbase of a stretch limo (66.7 inches) the Royal Star has the extra leg space many taller riders pine for.

Style and comfort were the Number One priorities when Yamaha engineers designed the 'Star. Style is oh-so-important in the ultra-cruiser class - that "American Classic" H-D look that all the manufacturers are trying so desperately to imitate. For good reason too, style sells bikes. The Royal Star has plenty of that "classic" style too. Large floorboards, heel-toe shifter, fat tires, deeply drawn steel fenders, a large plush saddle and oversized fuel tank accentuate the look, while staggered exhaust pipes exude style as well as a deep rumble. Yamaha even added bolt-on finned castings to give that air-cooled look to the water-cooled V-4; in the open cruiser class, you gotta have it.

The Tour Classic edition of the Royal Star family adds a slightly different twist by blending both cruising and touring via factory installed upgrade options. These include retro-style saddlebags with a hidden, stiff inner liner that retains their shape when the bags are empty, large touring windshield with lower wind deflectors (which are adjustable for height and angle), custom seat and passenger backrest, chrome plated engine guards, and an enhanced chrome package. Ahh, the chrome -- it's triple-plated and it's everywhere, including the engine cases, fender tips, handlebar ends, and even the side stand. Gotta have it.

With the Royal Star, Yamaha applied a new idea they call their "Elemental Design" concept, "giving each component its individual strength and freedom" according to a factory press release. Yamaha states this concept opens the door for customizing/personalizing -- an important aspect of the cruiser class. Yamaha is ready, with a full catalog of 'Star Accessories. Yamaha is offering an unprecedented 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with the Royal Star as well.

On the road the 'Star typifies the cruising experience. Its long, low style gives a kicked-back, relaxed and stable feel. The adjustable windscreen is very effective at lower speeds and the roomy, soft ergonomics of the 'Star make you feel as if you're riding a Lazy Boy recliner down the road. The large 1294cc V-4 engine, straight out of Yamaha's Venture touring model, is tuned for boulevard cruising low rpm torque, coupled with the wide-ratio five-speed gearbox it turns a sedate 2500 rpm in top gear at highway speeds. The four chromed exhaust pipes give off a deep rumble, and sound is an important factor in the thunder cruiser class. A lack of roll-on punch from the big V-4 was a bit disappointing, making it difficult to pass traffic on two-lane country roads with fully loaded saddlebags and passenger.

The suspension is also tuned for the boulevards, giving a soft, supple ride around town. The Royal Star Tour Classic is a bit of a brute, weighing in at a burly 725 pounds. With extremely limited ground clearance and soft springing and damping rates, it demands to be ridden at a slow, relaxed pace. If you don't, you'll quickly have the 'Star grinding hard parts while you and your passenger are bouncing off the shock's bump stop. You simply cannot travel briskly on this beast. Nor will you want to. Brakes are standard Yamaha four-piston units, with dual discs up front, and a large, very effective 320 mm disc in back.

Long-range touring is not in the cards on the Royal Star Tour Classic either. The fat-bob style fuel tank may look huge, but it only holds 4.8 gallons, and it's ready for a refill after only 120 miles. We found, too, that comfort diminishes in direct proportion to speed. Above 65 to 70 MPH, wind spilling around the large windscreen buffets the riders head. Similarly, engine rumble/vibration at highway speeds had our feet shaking off the floorboards, forcing us to make a conscious effort to hold them on, leading to fatigue and frequent stops.

The Tour Classic's specialty will be in tranquil short-range tours or day rides, where looking good is just as important as getting there. Civilians liked the Royal Star's retro styling and clean, simple looks. The 'Star delivers a smooth, comfortable, relaxed ride - as long as speeds are kept low. We enjoyed the Royal Star Tour Classic; it could be a real winner in the ultra-cruiser class - but we're holding out to see how it stacks up against the competition.

Specifications:

More by Tom Fortune, Contributing Editor

Join the conversation

Find your Motorcycle

Specs classifieds, popular articles.

Honda Files Trademark for CBR400R Four

2025 CFMOTO 450 CL-C – First Look

2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP Review – First Ride

Ten Motorcycle Riding Tips, Tricks and Techniques

2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Review

You may also be interested in.

A New Era of MotoGP Begins in 2027

2025 KTM 990 RC R – First Look

How To Know When It's Time To Change Your Motorcycle Tires

Cardo Releases PACKTALK PRO

BMW R20 Concept Gallery

What Motorcycle Are You Surprised is Still In Production? – QotD

How Big is Too Big? – Question of the Day

2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 – First Look

Cristian Sosa Builds Retro Custom Ryvid Anthem Electric

Sam Sunderland Retires from Professional Racing

Cardo’s New PACKTALK PRO Has Crash Detection

2025 Indian Scout Review – First Ride

All-Female Eric Cleveland Memorial Team Looking To Tackle 2024 ISDE

DGR Sets Records In 2024

Honda Shows 2025 CRF Dirt Bikes

2025 KTM EXC SIX DAYS Lineup Is Ready To Race

2024 KTM 390 Duke Review – First Ride

World Supersport 300 Championship to End After 2025 Season