Yamaha Drag Star / V-Star 650 (XVS 650) motorcycle review

Yamaha Drag Star 650 cruiser model

appeared in 1997 as a replacement for the obsolete Yamaha XV 535 Virago. In fact, the new Yamaha Drag Star 650 was built on the same old engine, which was simply increased in displacement to 649 cc. and retuned for more powerful “chopper” thrust at the expense of maximum power.

In appearance, the Yamaha Drag Star 650 also became noticeably different from the Virago - the classic design of American cruisers with an elongated frame, a teardrop-shaped tank, a monoshock absorber, an abundance of chrome and an instrument panel on the tank.

Based on the Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star, a Japanese version was built - the Yamaha XVS 400 Drag Star.

The Yamaha Drag Star 650 model also has the following names:

• Yamaha XVS 650
• Yamaha V-Star 650
  - name for the American market

The main feature of the Yamaha Drag Star 650 is a 2-cylinder V-twin air-cooled engine that produces 40 hp. power and 50 Nm of torque. Compared to the previous model (Yamaha XV 535 Virago), the maximum power has decreased slightly, but the torque has increased and became available much earlier.

Main modifications of the Yamaha Drag Star 650:

• Yamaha Drag Star / V-Star 650 Custom
  - basic version of the motorcycle - short fenders, thin front wheel.
• Yamaha Drag Star / V-Star 650 Classic
  - version with longer fenders, wider front wheel, headlight without visor, foot platforms (instead of pegs), wider seat and different handlebar shape.
• Yamaha Drag Star / V-Star 650 Silverado
  - Classic version with touring body kit - high windshield, leather bags, passenger seatback and exclusive trim styling.

2019 was the final year of production for the Yamaha XVS650 Drag Star.

The main competitors of the Yamaha Drag Star 650 in the class:

• Honda Shadow 600 / Honda Shadow 750
• Kawasaki VN 800 / Kawasaki EN500 Vulcan Classic
• Suzuki VL 800 Intruder / Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder / VS600 Intruder

Brief history of the model

• 1997 - start of production and sales of Yamaha Drag Star 650.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 (Europe).
Factory designation
: 4VR2, 4XP1, 4XP2, 4XR1, 4XR2.

• 1998 - the appearance of the Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic modification, the start of sales in the North American market.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650, Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4VR3, 4VR4, 4VR5, 4VR6, 4XP3, 4XP4, 4XR3, 4XR4, 4XR5, 4XR6, 5BN1, 5BN2, 5BN3, 5BN4, 5BN5, 5BN8, 5BN9, 5FB1, 5FB2, 5FB3, 5FB6.

• 1999 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650, Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4RX8, 4VR7, 4VR8, 4VR9, 4VRA, 4XR7, 4XR8, 4XR9, 4XRA, 5BNA, 5BNB, 5BNC, 5BND, 5BNE, 5BNF, 5BNG, 5FB7, 5FB8, 5FB9.

• 2000 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650, Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4VRB, 4VRC, 4XRB, 4XRC, 5BNJ, 5BNK, 5BNL, 5BNM, 5BNN, 5BNP, 5BNR, 5FBA, 5FBB, 5FBC.

• 2001 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650, Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4VRD, 4XRD, 5BNT, 5BNU, 5BNV, 5BNW, 5BNX, 5FBD, 5FBE, 5FBF.

• 2002 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650, Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 4VRE, 4XRE, 5FBG, 5FBH, 5FBJ, 5SC1, 5SC2, 5SC3, 5SC5, 5SC6.

• 2003 - appearance of the Silverado modification.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 5FBK, 5FBL, 5FBM, 5SC7, 5SC8, 5SC9, 5SCB, 5SCC, 5SCD.

• 2004 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 5FBN, 5FBP, 5FBR, 5SCE, 5SCF, 5SCG, 5SCJ, 5SCK, 5SCL, 5SCM.

• 2005 - appearance of the Midnight modification.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (+ Midnight), Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 3B61, 3B62, 3B63, 5FBS, 5FBT, 5FBU, 5SCN, 5SCP, 5SCR, 5SCT, 5SCU, 5SCV, 5SCW, 5SCX.

• 2006 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha Drag Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (+ Midnight), Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 3B64, 3B65, 3B66, 4C51, 4C52, 4C54, 4C55, 4C56, 4C57, 4C58, 5FBV, 5FBW, 5FBX, 5SCY.

• 2007 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (+ Midnight), Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 3B67, 3B68, 3B69, 4C59, 4C5A, 4C5B, 4C5D, 4C5E, 4C5F, 5FBY, 5S11, 5S12, XVS65AW-B, XVS65AWC-B.

• 2008 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (+ Midnight), Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 3B6A, 3B6B, 3B6C, 4C5G, 4C5H, 4C5J, 4C5L, 4C5M, 4C5N, 4C5P, 4C5R, 5S13/ 5S14, 5S15.

• 2009 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (+ Midnight), Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 3B6D, 3B6E, 3B6F, 4C5S, 4C5T, 4C5U, 4C5V, 4C5W, 4C5X, 5S16, 5S17, 5S18.

• 2010 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (+ Midnight), Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 1BF1, 1BF2, 1BF3, 1BG1, 1BG2, 1BG3, 3B6G, 3B6H, 3B6J, 5S19, 5S1A, 5S1B.

• 2011 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 1BF5, 1BG4, 3B6K, 3B6L, 3B6M.

• 2013 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha Drag Star 650 Silverado, Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: 1BFA, 1BG6, 3B6S, 3B6T, 3B6U.

• 2014 - model available only in the North American market.

Model

: Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (North America).
Factory designation
: 1BFC, 3B6V, 3B6W, 3B6X.

• 2015 - only the Custom version of the model is available.

Model

: Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (North America).
Factory designation
: 3B7D, 3B7E.

• 2016 - Model sold only in Canada and Australia.

Model

: Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Canada, Australia).

• 2017 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Canada, Australia).

• 2018 - no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Canada, Australia).

• 2019 is the last year of production.

Model

: Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic (Canada, Australia).

Main modifications of the Yamaha Drag Star 650:

Yamaha Drag Star / V-Star 650 Custom - basic version of the motorcycle - short fenders, thin front wheel.

Yamaha Drag Star / V-Star 650 Classic - version with extended fenders, a wider front wheel, a headlight without a visor, foot platforms (instead of pegs), a wider seat and a different handlebar shape.

Yamaha Drag Star / V-Star 650 Silverado - Classic version with touring body kit - high windshield, leather bags, passenger seat back and exclusive trim style.

Since 2014, the Yamaha XVS650 V-Star has only been available in the US market and is currently only sold in Canada.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of Yamaha Drag Star 650 / V-Star 650:

What do the owners say?

This is not the cheapest motorcycle, but it is still more affordable than many when compared with current options,

And, judging by the reviews of the owners, this is important for many. However, many bikers believe that it is better to buy a more expensive but more reliable bike

However, opinions on this matter vary. And there is a reason for this. On the one hand, the car is still in production, and therefore there are no problems with spare parts and maintenance. On the other hand, the bike has a drum as a brake at the rear, an outdated solution that is considered dangerous by today's standards.

One owner review shows the car to handle medium speeds just fine. However, there is not a word about braking. When buying such a bike or any other with a drum brake, you should first make sure that the brake is working properly.

This technique, as described by many owners, is not bad for short pleasure trips. However, this cruiser is still not suitable for the role of a motorcycle for long distances. Maybe in videos and photos this car looks reliable, but in practice there are much more worthy representatives of the class in this regard.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star is a bike that is primarily suitable for connoisseurs of old representatives of this class. Others are unlikely to be interested in him. It is better for a beginner not to ride such a vehicle at all, since this bike will not be easy even for those who are accustomed to cruisers, but modern ones.

Reviews

Reviews about Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star:

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Quite a thick and large motorcycle for 650cc. It rides like a tram and takes turns perfectly due to its balanced center of gravity. The motorcycle is quite low, it is very comfortable to sit on it. Manage too. In my opinion, anyone who can lift it off the stand will be able to ride it, regardless of age and gender. Its acceleration dynamics are not as good as we would like, but still this is a cruiser, not a sport. An excellent sofa for long distances and leisurely rides.

I have a classic, it’s very good, but the pendants on it are rather weak! It hits our holes and goes flying. I also have a Steed - it rides more fun than the Drag Star, and it’s tougher. Both are awesome, but each in their own way. As for the rarity of the mot, there are a lot of them in St. Petersburg. Cool mot-solid. There is not a single inscription on mine, so everyone asks - Horley, right?! But because of the low seating position (which is convenient), the moto often draws on the pegs, even at low speed (which is not pleasant).

In August I passed 400 ku and took 650 ku. It’s all stuffed and cheap, although I was looking for 1100. At all the gatherings with spectators, I’m the first to take a class photo. I've done 6t.km. I'm delighted. And I realized what a fucking thing the platform is. Especially on long trips. Your legs don’t get tired anymore. Now I recommend it to everyone. The option is expensive, but it's worth it. I weigh a hundred, height 184, and my friend is 65 kg, yes, a tent, food and everything else - 120 is easy, 140 is possible. Quite acceptable.

I've owned this device for 5 years now. I switched from the scabies bandit. Compared to it, it doesn’t rush, doesn’t slow down, well, in general, like all choppers. He knew what he was getting into. But the device is simply super, it pleases with its appearance, although it is tuned, with sound and fit. I get great pleasure from driving, it’s just a holiday. Comfortable speed is no more than 120, further it is possible, I drove at 160, but it’s not comfortable, the engine vibrates. It's a bit hard to sit in the back of my classic. The device has never failed, there is a complete absence of breakdowns. I like the bike so much that if I change it, it will only be for a Harley. At one time I also thought about switching to a liter, but I rejected this idea because I was switching to choppers for the sake of safety, and I would want to drive a more powerful 1100 (at least for me), but that’s not what they are for. The power is enough for me even with this. I forgot about chain lubrication like a bad dream because of the cardan. Great moto.

Advantages of a motorcycle

There aren't many motorcycles out there that don't have a family bug, and the Drag Star is one of them. The secret to the reliability of this model is technical solutions as simple as a hammer. Editorial bike!

The first advantage you should pay attention to is the appearance of the bike. Its laconic, but at the same time attractive design looks very cool on the road.

High reliability is also an advantage

It is simply impossible to overheat the power unit, since it is air cooled. The engine is serviced as simply as possible, since the motorcycle does not use electronics or an injector. But you also don’t have to worry about the quality of gasoline; the cruiser has a good fuel filter.

Incredibly convenient and comfortable due to the soft suspension. You can sit comfortably in the seat and travel for a long time. Wide wheels will allow you to overcome bad and uneven roads without problems, and large fenders will save you from splashes and dirt.

The cruiser is lightweight for its size. It is convenient to move around the city, and in order to stop in traffic jams, you just need to stick your foot out. Many owners claim that when they were drifting on a bike, they tried to make a large angle of inclination at which the motorcycle could fall. But with your leg out, it is very easy to hold it and this is one of the main advantages.

Servicing a motorcycle is a pleasure. There are no such problems as with sports bikes, which need to remove a large number of elements. Spark plugs, oil and oil filter are very easy to change. Difficulty can only arise when replacing the fuel filter. But this is not a drawback, since this consumable changes very rarely, and, for example, it can be replaced at the moment when the carburetor is cleaned.

and disadvantages

Now let's look at what the disadvantages are.

• The most significant disadvantage is the lack of a fuel level indicator. Any self-respecting motorcyclist simply cannot do without this device. The bike may only have a light on when the system switches to reserve fuel.
• Before you ride your motorcycle, you need to warm it up properly. It will not run on a cold engine, like an injector. If you try to ride without warming up, the motorcycle will jerk and there will also be dips. It is unlikely that this will bring pleasure while moving.
• Some motorcyclists may find it insufficient that the transmission has only 5 ranges. Many people believe that in sixth gear, fuel was consumed economically when traveling at high speeds.

Video

• A brief look and sound of the Yamaha Drag Star 400 Classic motorcycle.
• Review of the Yamaha Drag Star 400 Custom motorcycle.

Yamaha XVS 400 Drag Star

is a very popular motorcycle among beginner chopper riders. The reliability of the Drag Star line has already become a legend, and in general, Yamaha is not in vain considered one of the best motorcycle manufacturers in the world - they don’t do nonsense at the factories of this company. And the youngest from “Drag Stars” is an excellent confirmation of this.

This bike looks just like an adult, full-size chopper. And in fact, of all 400 cc motorcycles in this class, it is one of the largest, which makes it convenient for most motorcyclists. This motorcycle was produced in two versions, like its older brothers in the model line - Classic and Custom. You can read about the differences between these versions of Drag Stars here. Of course, the Drag Star XVS 400 has its pros and cons, just like any other motorcycle. The advantages, first of all, include reliability - despite the considerable age of most 400 cc Dragstars, with proper care there are usually no problems with them. And the classic appearance, verified over decades, leaves few people indifferent.

The Yamaha Drag Star 400 is also as simple as possible. The V-twin air-cooled engine, based on the Yamaha Virago engine, dates back to back in 1981. It is powered by two carburetors, and torque is transmitted to the rear wheel via a cardan drive. Drag Star XVS 400, by the way, is one of the few 400 cc choppers with a cardan - chains are more often used in this capacity. The gearbox, as usual, is a classic five-speed.

The Drag Star XVS 400 is surprising in that it is actually quite comfortable to sit on both with a height of 160 and 180 centimeters. If you are taller, your legs may be a little tight, but this depends not only on your height, but also on the length of your legs. Overall, the bike is great for a wide range of body types.

The Drag Star XVS 400 handles in much the same way as any light chopper. Of course, in this parameter it cannot be compared with any classic motorcycle, but due to its low weight - about 200 kg, and low center of gravity, this motorcycle is really easy to control. At the same time, in the city, thanks to the above-mentioned characteristics, it feels like a fish in water, and on the highway, due to its not the smallest, albeit modest by the standards of the chopper class, weight, it is not so strongly blown away by the side wind.

The Drag Star XVS 400 engine produces 32 horsepower - not much, especially considering that the driveshaft takes away part of this figure. Some similar chopper with a chain drive will be a little more lively, but this is not a very noticeable difference. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h for the Drag Star is about 6.5 seconds, only one and a half seconds more than the Yamaha Drag Star XVS 1100, but after “hundreds” the 400 cc motorcycle immediately loses its enthusiasm, and if you If you want to see on the speedometer the maximum speed for this bike is 140 km/h, you will have to unscrew the knob all the way and be patient.

This motorcycle consumes gasoline moderately - about 4.5 liters in the city and 5.5 liters on the highway, provided that the engine operates in the optimal speed range. As practice has shown, when driving at a cruising speed of 130 km/h, the Drag Star 1100 consumed 7.5 liters of AI-92 per 100 km of road, and the Drag Star XVS 400 consumed a liter more because its small engine had to work at high speeds.

In general, this motorcycle can be safely recommended to both beginners and those simply wanting to purchase a small and inexpensive, but at the same time “adult” and beautiful cruiser. On the secondary market, prices for the Drag Star XVS 400 currently start at approximately 110-120 thousand rubles, and for 150 thousand you can buy a very good and well-maintained motorcycle. However, at this price there is plenty to choose from, besides “Dragstar” - whoever has a passion for what. For example, the Honda Shadow 400 Slasher is practically a twin of the Yamaha in terms of performance.

Video

• Review of the Yamaha XVS1100 Drag Star motorcycle.
• A story about the Yamaha XVS1100 Drag Star motorcycle.

Yamaha Drag Star (V-Star) 1100

— the motorcycle is already, without exaggeration, legendary. Its reliability, coupled with good characteristics, made it mega-popular among both beginners and experienced motorcyclists. Why does it have two names? It’s just that in the American market it was produced under the name V-Star, and in the rest - Drag Star. There are also two versions of the motorcycle - Classic and Custom. They differ mainly in appearance, and you can read more about their differences from each other here.

So, we will assume that you have already become familiar with the differences between “Classic” and “Custom”. And what do we have in the end? A lot of things, actually. Drag Star 1100 is a strong mid-ranger in all respects, and this is its strength, this is why they love it. It cannot boast of excellent power, excellent handling, or unusual appearance. But the main thing is that it can legitimately boast an excellent combination of all characteristics, and this makes it one of the most balanced motorcycles in the world. This is the secret of his popularity.

The Drag Star (V-Star) series was built based on the development experience of the Virago series, and these motorcycles have one important similarity - the engine. The Drag Star 1100 uses a modified Yamaha Virago 1100 engine with a modified CPG and increased compression compared to the Virago

At the same time, the power characteristics of the engine remained the same - 62 horsepower. It should be noted that the “Viraga” with the same engine was a little faster, since it weighs fifty kg less than the Drag Star. But this engine is more than enough for the Drag Star 1100; 62 horsepower and 80 nM of torque allow this motorcycle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in five seconds.

The gearbox, traditionally for Yamaha choppers, works hard, engaging with a knock that frightens beginners, but at the same time it is extremely reliable. The engine pulls from the lowest speeds, finally going wild at about 1500-1700 rpm and delivering insane torque. The gears are flexible enough to drive in the city in 3rd, as with an automatic transmission, in the mode from 40 to 90 km/h.

With a height of 170-185 cm, sitting on the Drag Star 1100 will be very comfortable. However, this motorcycle is very friendly to both fragile girls and simply short people - all thanks to the very low center of gravity and low saddle height. The standard seats are quite comfortable, but on long trips, when you have to ride for 5-10 hours, the fifth point still begins to go numb, so if you are planning a trip around the world, it would not be a bad idea to replace them with tuning ones, since the choice of tuning for this bike is amazing scale. The suspensions work flawlessly - just good. It could be better, but a steel frame instead of an alloy frame also makes its contribution.

The volume of the Drag Star 1100 gas tank is 17 liters of gasoline, and consumption starts from 5 - 5.5 liters per hundred kilometers. The motorcycle fits into this figure when driving quietly on the highway at 110-120 km/h, but in the urban cycle the consumption can be 7-8 liters, depending on road conditions and your riding style. However, at high speed the bike’s appetite awakens in any case - for example, at a cruising speed of 140 km/h it already consumes about 8 liters of AI-92. Carburetors, of which there are two on Drag Star, have never been particularly economical.

This motorcycle handles really well, without exaggeration. The author of this article rode two Drag Star 1100s for three years, putting many thousands of kilometers on the wheels, and not once did the bike give reason to complain about handling. As, indeed, for anything in general. The balanced product of Japanese engineers works like a Swiss watch. It’s convenient to drive around the city as well as go on long trips, and it copes with all of this perfectly. It is not for nothing that this motorcycle, now replaced by the Midnight Star series, still has a whole army of fans, in Russia, for example, represented by the Yamaha Star Club owners club. Arguably, the Drag Star 1100 is truly one of the best and most balanced motorcycles ever made.

Video

Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star

, also known as the V-Star 650, is a prominent representative of mid-sized cruisers. Produced for ten years, this motorcycle has won a whole army of fans, like its 400 cc and 1100 cc brothers in the model line. The combination of style, low price, proven reliability and the size of a full-fledged chopper appeals to many bikers.

The Yamaha Drag Star 650, in terms of its characteristics, occupies an intermediate niche between 400 cc and “almost liter” motorcycles. Its V-shaped air-cooled twin with 2 valves per cylinder produces 40 horsepower. Two carburetors and a rock-solid driveshaft complete the picture. This is the embodiment of a classic of the Japanese school of cruisers. Of course, the appearance, so classic and painfully familiar, is inspired by the American Harley-Davidson. But this is the case when the follower is no worse than the original - in its class, of course. And if someone does not have the opportunity or desire to ride a large motorcycle, then the Drag Star 650 would be an excellent choice.

However, if we talk about physical dimensions, then everything is fine. The Yamaha Drag Star 650 is the exact same size as the 400cc version, but is a full-size bike that will be comfortable for most people, except the very tall ones. And in general, there are few differences between the 650 and 400 versions - the electrical circuit, the CPG and small body kit elements, such as the air filter cover. Otherwise, the parts of these motorcycles are interchangeable.

The gas tank of the Yamaha XVS 650 holds 14.5 liters. Consumption varies from 4 liters during quiet driving on the highway to 6.5-7 liters in the city. Yamaha prefers to consume gasoline with an octane rating of at least 92. The braking system is similar to that installed on the Drag Star 400 - one brake disc at the front and a drum brake at the rear. The rear brake is auxiliary, while the front one copes with its function quite well, although installing reinforced brake hoses will still not be superfluous.

One of the old-school styling elements is the gas tank-mounted instrument panel. It reads well and is intuitive, but if there is a windshield, glare from the dashboard at night can sometimes be a bit annoying. However, these are minor things. In other ways, like this, the Drag Star 650 is the epitome of a classic cruiser. An abundance of chrome, a V-shaped engine that growls very pleasantly (with direct-flow mufflers instead of standard pipes, of course), as if it had not 650 cubic meters, but about a liter and a half...

You can, of course, say that the Yamaha XVS 650 is a motorcycle without any special features. That’s how it is, in general. But this motorcycle is loved for something else - for its proven reliability, balance of all parameters and versatility. You can either drive it to work and back, or go on a trip, taking a passenger with you. You can ride in the evenings from bar to bar, or you can turn it into some incredible custom, fortunately the simplicity of the design of the Yamaha Drag Star 650 does not prohibit this. And, believe me, it’s not for nothing that this motorcycle has so many fans. Oh, not in vain...

Exterior of the XVS 650 Drag Star

Drag Star was not the first attempt by the Japanese to make an American-style motorcycle, and they definitely succeeded. Editorial bike!

There are a lot of chrome-plated parts here, the gas tank is made in the shape of a drop, and the instrument panel is installed directly on it. A long fork protrudes forward strongly, and the steering wheel has a horned shape. The seat has a deep depression, and the motorcyclist literally drowns in it.

Classic mechanical speedometer in a chrome frame. Editorial bike!

Modifications

The motorcycle is available in three modifications: Silverado, Custom and classic version. In general, all these models are very similar and differ only in technical data, as well as in some other details.

• The Custom modification has a high backrest for a more comfortable ride. But a windshield is also installed. This model has thin wheels and short fenders.
• The Silverado trim received side panniers, a seat with a backrest and glass. The chopper is finished in an exclusive style, and there are special leather bags.
• The classic version is equipped with wide wheels and elongated fenders. The bike differs from other modifications by having a slightly different shape of the steering wheel, and instead of a footrest, a special platform is installed here.

Peculiarities

Despite the fact that the motorbike has a fairly modern filling, it is still equipped with a carburetor engine. The five-speed manual transmission shifts only using a foot switch.

• The power unit and gearbox are mounted on a high-strength steel frame created in the form of a tubular structure. It is worth noting that it is made in the style of Harley Davidson. Special stays protect the front telescopic fork on which the headlight is located.
• The turn signals are installed just below it. An interesting design feature of the motorcycle is that the rear shock absorber is mounted directly under the rear passenger seat.

Due to the long wheelbase, the main load during braking falls on the rear drum. Editorial bike!