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

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Yamaha XVS650 Drag Star: cruiser, 1997 - present.
vr., 649 cm³, 40 hp, 225 kg, 170,000–320,000 rub. Yamaha XVS650 Drag Star: cruiser, 1997 - present. vr., 649 cm³, 40 hp, 225 kg, 170,000–320,000 rub.

STORY. Yamaha XVS650 Drag Star became the successor to the “honored witch of all Japan” - XV535 Virago in 1997. Unlike its predecessor, the Star was no longer a timid attempt to make a motorcycle in the American style - the Japanese had already accumulated experience in creating this kind of equipment. Low, elongated frame, rear suspension a la “softail” with a monoshock absorber hidden in the depths of the frame, teardrop-shaped tank, stepped saddle, tidy on the tank, a lot of chrome... In general, you can’t complain. But the engine on the “drag” is already familiar: a 75-degree four-valve V-twin from the same “Viraga”, only slightly modernized in appearance and “grown” to 649 “cubes” due to an increase in cylinder diameter by 5 mm and by 4 - piston stroke. With the same compression ratio of 9:1, the updated engine has become more “chopper-like”, that is, less revving, but more torquey. Compared to the Virago, the power even decreased from 42.3 hp. at 7500 rpm up to 40 hp. at 6500 rpm, the torque, on the contrary, increased, and its peak “fell” by as much as “half a tachometer”: from 46 Nm at 6000 rpm to 50.9 Nm at 3000 rpm.

Otherwise, there are no high-tech and modernistic trends alien to cruisers: a disc brake in the front, a drum in the rear, a carburetor power system, which, by the way, has not yet been replaced with injection, and other technical solutions that are simple and reliable as a hammer. The motorcycle created according to this simple “recipe” turned out to be extremely reliable, comfortable, easy to operate and maintain and, of course, got its own piece of the consumer “pie”, which it is still “chewing” to this day. True, this happens mainly not in Russia, but in countries where motorcyclists suffer from “lithromania” in a less advanced form.

conclusions

The Yamaha Drag Star 650 is a real “steel horse” that appeals to many bikers and is still popular today.

Despite the engine being rather weak by modern standards, the motorcycle accelerates well, and at speeds up to hundreds it is almost as good as more powerful choppers.

The solid appearance with numerous chrome elements can attract thousands of glances. Good stability will allow you to move without problems on any road surface. The cost of a motorcycle starts from 170 thousand rubles.

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1997 - Yamaha XVS650 Drag Star.
The model replaced the obsolete Virago. Classic shapes, high-torque engine, comfortable suspension – with this motorcycle Yamaha has opened a new page in its cruiser range. At the same time as the 650, the domestic Japanese “four hundred” also saw the light of day. 1997 - Yamaha XVS650 Drag Star. The model replaced the obsolete Virago. Classic shapes, high-torque engine, comfortable suspension – with this motorcycle Yamaha has opened a new page in its cruiser range. At the same time as the 650, the domestic Japanese “four hundred” also saw the light of day.

Appearance

The Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star looks decent. Elegant mirrors, exquisite spoked wheels, two chrome-plated pipes arranged in a ladder. The front headlight is cone-shaped, also chrome-plated. The frame is painted cherry color.

Otherwise there is nothing remarkable about the bike. The design feature of this car is that it combines sophistication with modesty. And this creates a positive impression of the motorcycle. Everything here is appropriate, logical and concise, which is not always the case with cruisers.

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1998 - Yamaha XVS650A Drag Star Classic.
A year later, Yamaha released the “even more classic” Drug Star Classic. It differs from the basic version in a wide front wheel, deep fenders, a large headlight without a visor, and a different seat and steering wheel. Instead of driver's footrests there are platforms. 1998 - Yamaha XVS650A Drag Star Classic.
A year later, Yamaha released the “even more classic” Drug Star Classic. It differs from the basic version in a wide front wheel, deep fenders, a large headlight without a visor, and a different seat and steering wheel. Instead of driver's footrests there are platforms.

Pros and cons of Yamaha Drag Star 400

The advantages include:

• its price and maintenance costs;
• unpretentiousness and high reliability;
• “adult” appearance, despite the small cubic capacity;
• low seat height, which makes it possible for even very short people to comfortably operate the motorcycle.

The XVS 400 has few negative points, but they do exist:

• lack of at least some adequate dynamics in gaining speed;
• Weak brakes for a motorcycle of this mass.

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2003 - Yamaha Drag Star Silverado.
The latest incarnation of the “drag” to date is the Silverado version. Essentially this is a Classic in a touring package. The basic package includes a windshield, a passenger backrest, side cases and some “exclusive” trim elements like rivets. 2003 - Yamaha Drag Star Silverado. The latest incarnation of the “drag” to date is the Silverado version. Essentially this is a Classic in a touring package. The basic package includes a windshield, a passenger backrest, side cases and some “exclusive” trim elements like rivets.

FOR WHAT? Conversations about the purpose of any cruiser always end in controversy. Fans extol the comfort and relaxation of the landing; opponents point to the weakness of the engines, the weakness of the chassis and the inconvenience of maneuvering in city traffic. Both are true, but in relation to the Drag Star 650, all arguments are only partially applicable. Although 40 “horses” look rather dull, in fact they “carry” a 225-kilogram motorcycle quite vigorously. The low center of gravity of the motorcycle itself and the rather low saddle (695 mm) make it easy to shift the motorcycle in turns and not only for “big pot-bellied guys,” but also for petite girls to feel confident in the grip of traffic jams. By the way, it is precisely thanks to this feature that in Russia “drag” is so popular among the fair sex. It looks large and “cast iron”, but in reality it is a light and obedient device. It is precisely due to its light weight, low center of gravity and relatively compact dimensions that the 650 feels much more at ease in the city than all kinds of VTX, Boulevard and other “mastodons”. The device is also quite good as a route tool. A relaxed landing, soft suspension and excellent directional stability make long-range driving quite comfortable, although not fast.

WHERE TO LOOK? There are plenty of offers for sale, both from private owners selling devices that have already traveled around Russia, and from companies transporting equipment “from there”. “drag” can be found in almost any salon selling second-hand goods. Unlike most entry-level and mid-level models, the vast majority of dragstars are in fair, and often truly perfect, condition. The reason for this is the reliable design and the almost complete ignorance of the model by beginners. So you shouldn’t avoid vehicles with mileage in Russia. It’s quite difficult to come across blatant trash. Moreover, a device from “Russian” hands can be a more profitable purchase than one freshly imported from Japan or the States. The technical condition may be no worse, and the price may be more attractive. The price range for motorcycles is quite wide. From 170–195 thousand rubles. for copies of the first years of production up to 300–320 thousand rubles. for almost new one-year-old - three-year-old specimens. In part, the price depends on the amount of tuning, but, as a rule, the bulk of the devices have a similar set: panniers, a windshield, arches and various “tchotchkes” that do not affect speed and comfort. So you shouldn’t consider the presence of any of the above as a serious reason for raising the price. There should be no issues with selling a used device. There is always a stable demand for it. Naturally, taking into account cruiser specifics. Unlike enduro or even 400 classics, appearance for a custom car is far from the last thing, so traces of falls, scuffs and scratches on chrome and paint seriously reduce both the marketability of the device and its price. It will be difficult to sell the motorcycle at the end of the season. Potential buyers of the “drag” are most often people of average income and by the end of the season are not burdened with an extra two hundred thousand rubles. And a chopper is not an enduro to buy in winter.

WHAT TO WATCH FIRST AND WHAT TO FOLLOW LATER?

(+) From a technical point of view, the motorcycle can be considered almost problem-free. There are not many motorcycles without “family diseases”, and the Drag Star is one of them. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the refined design of the engine and transmission, which is based on the Virago power unit, is simple and long ago “cured” of all infantile shortcomings. Secondly, the relative freshness of the model and far from exorbitant popularity. The device very rarely reaches people with crooked hands and a hot head. So all checks when choosing a motorcycle can be reduced to a standard diagnostic list: timing noise, freshness of consumables, tightness of shock absorbers and checking frame geometry. By the way, the system for adjusting timing valve clearances here is a common one - a screw-nut, so there will be no difficulties with adjustment.

(+) Unlike the older model XVS1100 Drag Star, the “six hundred and fifty” is practically not subject to slipping of the starter overrunning clutch, so a slightly different design is used here, but even if the defect does come out, the part costs half as much as the similar one from the 1100.

(!) The design of the average “drag” is almost identical to the internal Japanese “400” (only the size of the cylinders, gearbox ratios and other minor details differ), so you can extrapolate some of the defects of the “400”. Since there are many more of them in Russia, more extensive statistics have been collected on them. So, sometimes on the XVS400 the driveshaft breaks, the starter overrunning clutch fails, and the voltage regulator relays burn. However, all these defects can be attributed not to the weakness of the design, but to improper operation and lack of timely maintenance of the equipment. In general, if the motorcycle has not been damaged by its previous owners, then with proper care it will work without problems for many years.

WHAT TO BUY? Advising something specific from tuning a cruiser is a thankless task. As they say, all markers are different in taste and color. Numerous aftermarket catalogs offer every imaginable and inconceivable bells and whistles for a dragstar, from caps on wheel nipples to complete exhaust kits, Dinojet kits for carburetors, from gel seats to designer rims. In a word, the tuning possibilities are limited only by a sense of proportion, taste and the thickness of the owner’s wallet. The only things that can be classified as very desirable body kits are crash bars and a windshield, although both are already installed on the vast majority of vehicles sold.

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).

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Thanks to its low weight, low center of gravity and low seat (only 695 mm), the “drag” is very popular among the fair sex.
Many copies sold on the secondary market are already equipped with wind deflectors, panniers and other tourist accessories, but if not, buying these elements will not be difficult. Any catalog will offer dozens of options. Thanks to its low weight, low center of gravity and low seat (only 695 mm), the “drag” is very popular among the fair sex. Many copies sold on the secondary market are already equipped with wind deflectors, panniers and other tourist accessories, but if not, buying these elements will not be difficult. Any catalog will offer dozens of options.

COMPETITORS:

Comfort

The car is convenient for driving on highways, and, like any other representative of the class, is not suitable for rough terrain. Riding with a passenger is possible, but this is not the most comfortable motorcycle for this option. As for maneuverability, among cruisers, even modern ones, the bike occupies a moderate position.

After a cross-country motorcycle or a sportbike, it will not be easy to get used to it. And it’s better to choose not this cruiser, but another, smaller and weaker one. But professionals in this class will probably find the motorcycle comfortable right away, they won’t even have to get used to it.

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Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder: 1996 - 2002, 805 cm³, 50 hp, 130,000–320,000 rub.
Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder: 1996 - 2002, 805 cm³, 50 hp, 130,000–320,000 rub.

Known problems and frequent breakdowns of the Yamaha Drag Star 400

Despite the fact that the motorcycle is inferior to other cruisers with 400cc engines in many respects, the XVS 400 can be nominated for the title of “Reliability Standard”. It does not have the problems typical for motorcycles of the XVS family. Due to the simplicity of the design, the motorcycle is difficult to “drive away” even with careless handling. Most breakdowns can be fixed simply by following the instructions and having a minimal set of tools.

The weak point can be considered the wiring, and even then, frequent problems occur due to age and operating conditions, or due to an attempt to turn a motorcycle into a Christmas tree with a sound system, the work of which will be heard in Australia.

The XVS 400 is also unpretentious in maintenance. The owner will spend more time polishing chrome parts than on manipulations related to the technical part. If we talk about consumables and their prices, then you can find absolutely everything and it doesn’t cost the most money. All this ensures “Drag”’s high popularity, which is why it is often recommended to buy it as the first motorcycle.

Driving characteristics, fuel consumption

The cruising speed is 130 km/h, and it is at this speed that the bike behaves ideally.

Different publications provide different data on consumption and acceleration qualities.

• Maximum speed 180–185 km/h .
• Acceleration to 100 km in 4.8 - 5 seconds .
• In the suburban cycle the consumption is 5 liters , in the city - 6.5 liters .