Yamaha XVS1300A Midnight Star 2014 — Specifications

What does a Japanese custom look like when trying to compete with the big American V-twins? Look at this Yamaha XVS1300A Midnight Star; it will answer you with its massive presence and clean lines. Yamaha retired the Dragstar to launch this Midnight Star family, where the 1900 sets the foundation and this 1300 offers a more accessible entry point, but without sacrificing any character. We’re talking about a true cruiser, an animal weighing over 300 kg fully fueled, which asserts its authority from the first glance.

The heart of the machine is a 60° V2 of 1304 cc, an engine that breaks with the tradition of air cooling. This modern twin, liquid-cooled and equipped with four valves per cylinder, delivers 73 horsepower at 5500 rpm and a torque of 106 Nm from 4000 rpm. That’s where things get tricky for some purists: the power is modest for the displacement, especially when compared to competitors like certain Harley-Davidson or Indian models. But Yamaha played the card of technical sophistication with a balance rail system to filter vibrations and roller rockers for the valves. The result? An engine that aims to be more civilized, more performant at low speeds, but which may lack the raw roughness that some seek in a custom. Injection and variable ignition are included, while engineers have hidden the cooling elements to maintain a very classic “finned” look. Remaining is the sound: Yamaha promises a deep sound, but with current standards, expect a restrained murmur rather than a roar.

The chassis is a steel double cradle that uses the engine block as a rigidity element. The rear suspension is a monocross hidden under the frame, a typical aesthetic solution for cruisers. The brakes? A single disc at the front and rear – sufficient for the intended riding style, but far from the performance of the double-disc systems of roadsters. Yamaha has, however, introduced its Unified Brake System, a system that links the rear brake to a moderate action on the front, to improve safety without complicating riding. The final transmission by belt is a refinement and silence choice. With a 715 mm seat height and a 19-liter fuel tank, this Midnight Star targets the touring rider who wants to cover long distances without struggling with the machine. The dashboard, simple and without a tachometer, confirms this philosophy: the essentials, without frills.

So, who should consider this Yamaha XVS1300A Midnight Star? It’s a motorcycle for those who want a modern, reliable custom, and technically advanced, without embarking on the sometimes capricious maintenance of American machines. Its price of €9,999 places it in a competitive category, but its weight of 304 kg and its announced top speed of 180 km/h reveal a machine made for cruising, not for pure performance. It is the stylish heir to the Dragstar, with a refined “Streamline” aesthetic, an elegant headlight and that impression of well-balanced mass. For the cruiser beginner? Its weight and moderate power can be an asset. For the V-twin purist? It may lack sonic character and mechanical roughness. Yamaha offers here a credible Japanese alternative, a machine that relies on sophistication and style to seduce, rather than simple imitation.