Yamaha 1300 ROYAL STAR 2001 — Specifications

When Yamaha decides to build a custom, the brand doesn’t do things halfway. The Yamaha 1300 Royal Star XVZ breaks from the conventions of the genre from the outset by slipping a 70° V4 of 1294 cc under its American-style bodywork, whereas its rivals are content with a V-twin. This engine is not a creation ex nihilo: purists will recognize mechanics directly inherited from the GT1300 Venture and, further back in the family tree, from the famous V-Max. Except here, the temperament has been tamed. The 74 horsepower arrive at 4750 rpm and the torque of 111.8 Nm arrives as early as 3500 rpm, which is amply sufficient to propel the 330 kilos of the beast on the highway, but do not expect the adrenaline rushes of the V-Max. The Yamaha 1300 Royal Star Venture plays on a different register, that of relaxed cruising rather than urban sprinting.

Regarding the Yamaha 1300 Royal Star technical review, the steel double cradle frame with suspended engine is classic in its design, the 43 mm fork offers 140 mm of travel and the single rear shock absorber is content with 96 mm. Result: a machine comfortable on long stretches of road, but whose forward-mounted footpegs touch the asphalt at the slightest inclination to lean into a turn. The braking, two 298 mm discs at the front and a 320 mm disc at the rear, remains insufficient to effectively stop a machine of this size. This is a point that regularly comes up on Yamaha 1300 Royal Star Venture forums, and it deserves to be taken seriously before any purchase. The shaft drive, on the other hand, is a real asset on this type of machine: zero chain maintenance, impeccable progressiveness.

Visually, the Yamaha 1300 Royal Star succeeds in its American bet. The chrome is generous, the finish is refined for the time, and the imposing profile attracts attention. A seat height of 710 mm makes it accessible to a wide range of builds, and its 18-liter tank allows for reasonable stages before refueling. The announced top speed of 180 km/h is sufficient for long French diagonals without forcing it. Displayed at €11,735 when new, the Yamaha 1300 Royal Star Venture 2001 positioned itself against the Honda VTX and other Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, with the argument of a four-cylinder engine unique in its category.

This custom clearly addresses the contemplative traveler rather than the rider seeking sensations. For those looking for a used Yamaha 1300 Royal Star Venture today, the Yamaha 1300 Royal Star price guide remains reasonable and Yamaha 1300 Royal Star motorcycle parts are still available. Yamaha 1300 Royal Star accessories complement a machine designed to be personalized. If you want more power in the family, the 1600 Wild Star from the same manufacturer is a credible alternative. The Royal Star, for its part, prefers wide avenues at sunrise to the tight mountain curves.