Yamaha XV 1900 line - technical specifications and model range

The first mention of the Yamaha XV 1900 model appeared in 2006. The motorcycle was immediately announced in two flagship models:

• Midnight Star variant was offered for European markets ,
• for the USA - Roadliner .
• Raider, the second flagship of the line, was also announced for Americans.

The American version was continued in several additional modifications, which are discussed below. The Night Star was produced in only one version. The main difference was in color - Americans were offered several color options.

Comfort

Such a machine is definitely not suitable for a beginner.
It is better to pay attention to road motorcycles, because they are the most balanced motorcycles in existence. Cruisers require a special approach

To drive such a giant comfortably and safely requires sufficient physical strength and skill in handling heavy models.

If you have previously handled touring bikes or enduro bikes, it will be easier to get used to this technique. Maneuverability here is weak, as is acceleration. But if you get used to the smooth dynamics of this huge machine and use it exclusively on spacious roads, you will be able to get maximum driving pleasure.

Video

• Review of the Yamaha XV1900 Raider motorcycle.
• A quick look at the Yamaha Roadliner (2014).
• A quick look at the Yamaha Stratoliner S motorcycle.

Every motorcycle line has a flagship model, and some even have two. Yamaha XV 1900 Raider

- this is exactly the case, it is one of the two top cruisers in the modern line of motorcycles of this class from Yamaha, along with the XV 1900 Stratoliner model. This is a consequence of the manufacturer’s habit of making several different motorcycles based on the same engine, styling one of them as a chopper and the other as a cruiser, as was the case, for example, with the Classic and Custom versions of the famous Yamaha Drag Star 1100 and 400/650. More recent examples include the Yamaha Stryker and Yamaha Midnight Star 1300.

Be that as it may, the subject of our article is related to the Stratoliner by the engine, injector and part of the light-alloy frame (it is collapsible on the XV 1900). The name Yamaha Raider is translated from English as “Raider”, and it fully reflects the character of this motorcycle. A huge, powerful, evil chopper, charged with a hundred horsepower, it seems to look down on all other road users, knowing that one turn of the gas handle will be enough to leave them all behind, announcing the surrounding area with the hellish roar of an almost two-liter engine.

Speaking of the engine, this air-cooled V-twin was inherited from the aforementioned Stratoliner, but was slightly retuned. It feels great in the lower and middle speed range, inferior, however, in the abundance of “lower end” to the model standing slightly lower on the Yamaha hierarchical ladder - the Yamaha XV1700 Road Star. In total, the Yamaha Raider engine is capable of producing 98 horsepower and 167 Nm of torque, and the wide rear wheel will ensure that all this power is put to the best use. It is better to be careful if you open the gas suddenly on the XV 1900 - this is fraught with skidding.

The Raider engine is powered by an injector, thanks to which consumption at a speed of 120 km/h does not exceed 5-5.5 liters, which is very beneficial for it, since for an unknown reason its creators decided to install only a 15-liter gas tank on their brainchild. However, this does not prevent many Raider owners from traveling on their steel horse not only throughout Russia, but also abroad. The rear wheel drive of the motorcycle is belt driven, and the instrument panel located on the gas tank is laconic and informative. The only thing that is not clear is the designers’ decision to deprive the Raider of the small oil cooler that was installed on the same engine on the Stratoliner - without it, the engine began to heat up a little more.

The entire appearance of the Yamaha Raider suggests that this is not a heavy cruiser, but a lean chopper, or at least a motorcycle that really wants to seem like one. The seating position on it is very comfortable for adherents of this class - the legs and arms are extended forward, so you can relax. The metal trim on the gas tank looks unusual, but it is another stylish highlight of the XV 1900 Raider’s appearance, along with the standard mufflers, which follow the curve of the motorcycle frame in their shape. By the way, this is one of the few cases when standard exhaust pipes look better on a bike than any tuning ones.

The Yamaha XV 1900 Raider refutes the stereotype that a chopper is a heavy, clumsy, completely archaic design. No, this bike weighs a lot, no doubt about it, but thanks to the thoughtful arrangement of internal components, the center of mass is shifted down. The technologically advanced and phenomenally reliable engine cannot be called archaic either, although it is structurally quite simple, and the Raider’s chassis is very good. The conventional telescopic fork and rear monoshock absorber work like a charm, and this motorcycle shakes much less when riding on bad roads than on previous generations of cruisers.

The brakes are also good - two discs with powerful calipers at the front and a disc at the rear, so this whole design is quite enough to effectively slow down. Vibrations also do not bother the motorcyclist - unlike the Yamaha Road Star, the Raider has balancer shafts that successfully dampen these same vibrations. So this motorcycle has, perhaps, only one drawback - it is too powerful for a beginner. But an experienced biker will undoubtedly appreciate this combination of reliability, power and beauty, embodied in metal.

Review of the Yamaha XV 1900 motorcycle (Midnight Star, Roadliner, Stratoliner, Raider)

In total, 34,000 km were covered during the season. Of these, only 6,000 are on long-distance routes. The rest are all in Moscow and its suburbs. Mot never failed, he showed himself from all possible sides, and I think I already know him well enough to confidently talk about the pros and cons.

First the dry numbers:

I fill up with 92nd, the tank is 17.5 liters (like on Drage), the reserve light turns on in the urban cycle at about 220-230 km. The minimum consumption on the highway was 4.8 liters per hundred (the reserve was turned on at 290). The maximum was when we were coming from Brest and suddenly the warning light came on after 170. I chalk it up to burnt gas and a strong headwind, because this never happened again.

The optimal speed for minimum consumption, as found experimentally, is 125-130 km/h. Comfortable cruising - 140. Maximum speed - 200 exactly at 5.5 thousand rpm. Then there is a cutoff point and it won’t go even a kilometer faster.

The bike weighs about 380 kilos with all the body kit, gas and what's in the panniers. I must say that at first I treated this figure with noticeable apprehension - 100 kilos heavier than Draghi, after all, I’d suddenly fail. But that was only before the first departure.

And now about the main advantages (there are many more non-main ones, I will reveal them later, otherwise the review will become a couple of pages long).

1. The very first ride showed that the Strat, like most Yamaha cruisers (and I tried almost all of them in one way or another), has excellent handling. The weight of the bike after reaching 3 km/h is not felt at all!

At the same time, it is large, very large and inspiring confidence. And the weight - well, it’s like you’re riding the same Dredge. It’s even easier, because you don’t have to turn the engine - a slight movement with your right hand presses you into the saddle, and the asphalt, if it could, would probably roll up under the rear wheel. The song, not the dynamics!

When I got used to it and started to anneal it, I periodically experienced slipping when moving to third from second! The dimensions, despite their significant increase compared to Draga, do not interfere at all in the aisle. I thought it would take me a couple of weeks to get used to it, but in reality it took me no more than about thirty minutes.

2. The second advantage (from my point of view) is the sound on the stock muffler. I have an American, so the nozzle, unlike the European one (the European is on the right in the picture), is quite large in diameter. And the exhaust sound is audible, again, unlike the European one. Not like with direct flows, when it’s like they’ve put a pan on your head and they’re banging with a ladle, but that’s normal. It’s quite enough to identify yourself in a traffic jam.

And I don’t want to tear down the towers of motorists, scaring them with exhaust and spoiling karma with curses from sleepless neighbors when I return to the garage at night) Also, as a plus for Americans specifically, you can add that, compared to Europeans, they are not strangled. At drag racing, regularly held from a traffic light, my Alba pulls the European by about half a length at 400 meters)

3. Another plus is the optics. Liner's headlight is his calling card, some like it, some don't. I personally am wildly delighted.

It is both stylish and functions as it should, whether in near or far range. And two additional chandelier lights add range for confident driving around the city.

And this cover that covers the top of the ignition switch located on the headlight! It’s a lot of fun to give keys to friends (who don’t know this joke) and say, start it. And watch them spend half their time looking around, trying to figure out where to put them.

Europeans, by the way, do not have such a lid. But in the Euro headlight, the dimensions are brought inward, and not displayed on the chandelier, eliminating the need to install additional headlights and freeing up a button on the right remote control for the standard emergency lights.

Another minuscule difference between the European and the light is that the button for switching from low to high beam has a third position for a short blink of the high beam.

Well, the turn signals do not light up as dimensions.

4. Liner’s tidy, stylized as an antique clock, is his second calling card. Large, informative and beautiful. In the dark, it is illuminated with a pleasant white light, and the numbers turn blue - a very pleasant combination.

Americans mark the speedometer in miles, Europeans mark it in km. There is a tachometer and a fuel level indicator, which is important. The odometer is located in a small LCD screen, which also houses two Trips (daily mileage) and an on-board clock. For Americans, the odometer can be switched from miles to km. Two trips are very convenient on long-distance trips, when you set the first one for the total distance so that you know when you return how far you have traveled, and the second one, as usual, from refueling to refueling.

Also, when you turn on the reserve, a new counter appears - how many kilometers you are already driving on reserve. Unrealistically convenient. After refueling it disappears by pressing the reset button.

5. Liner's suspension is beyond praise. Moderately soft shock absorbers smooth out any unevenness in the road. Even on cut asphalt you feel confident.

We went to Kazan, near Vladimir there was a section of 30 kilometers - only a grader. I walked 100 and continued, but Vtyks, who was walking second, began to noticeably throw from side to side and he begged for mercy)

I punched the front fork three times during the entire season - twice just on the way to Kazan (the roads there are terrible, it’s a pity I didn’t take photos) and once already in the capital, when I flew into a heavily recessed sewer manhole. It was unpleasant.

A small drawback of the suspension is the front fork when getting into deep holes or when driving over particularly high speed bumps. No matter how hard I tried to find the reason, I failed. I'm sinning with specific springs. Because all the Liners I know have this kind of creaking noise.

Well, now about the small disadvantages, or rather, shortcomings, most of which can be resolved.1. Saddles - yes, a sofa. Which is front and which is back. But personally, I really missed the backrest. In the city it’s still not so bad, but on long drives, especially if you drive for 12-15 hours, your lower back gets really tired.

I found several ways out of this situation; I’ll tell you in more detail below. At the moment I am altering the Corbin ones I bought by chance on ebay. Well, we got it very cheaply, it would have been a shame to miss it.

2. The second disadvantage is the absence of emergency lights on the American. I don’t understand why they don’t include this option. Maybe because Yamahas don't break? :)

In any case, I decided on this too - I found an excellent electronics guy from Kharkov who produces relays the size of a matchbox, and which are soldered in place of the standard turn signal relay. And thus, without attaching any additional buttons or garlands of wires, the standard turn signals begin to work from the standard button and in emergency mode as well.

“Right-left” - the emergency lights turned on. “Right-left-stop” - blinked three times and turned off - like “thank you” or “sorry.”

If anyone needs this, I’ll give you the contacts). By the way, the rear turn signal caps are also the weak point of the Strat. They protrude slightly beyond the dimensions of the motorcycle, the plastic is quite fragile, so any awkward movement of a passerby or careless reversing through a narrow gate can deprive this beauty. I broke it on the first day) Now I ordered all 4 caps, they are at home as spare ones.

3. Not really a minus, rather a mini-disadvantage - tall people need to raise the steering wheel by replacing risers or spacers. Otherwise, at maximum rotation, the handles rest against the knee, which is unpleasant and sometimes unsafe.

I bought beautiful and powerful ones from Baron. They arrived from eBay in a couple of weeks.

4. The main disadvantage. Brake system.

Here it is necessary to mention that since 2011 airliners have been equipped with a combined brake system - when you press the rear brake, it distributes brake fluid through a distribution valve to the rear caliper and one piston of the right front one. As a result, braking, whether emergency or normal, is much better and more predictable.

The American airliner still does not have such a system - even on models of the 14th year. In addition to the “combination”, the Euroliner has powerful Nissin calipers in front with 4 pairs of pads for two discs. The American ones are weak and frail, only under two.

Because of this, its braking in normal mode is still no good, especially with the engine, but in emergency mode the brakes are categorically lacking. There were several situations during the season when I thought I was done. But for now the guardian angel protected.

The points. Some are subjective, some are objective.

1. The feeling of weight when driving is not felt. On the contrary, it stands very confidently on the road and steers well. Before him I drove a Suzuki M800. and the day before yesterday I rode an xv1300... light bikes, it feels like smaller, lighter and blown off the road by the side wind..

2. Knowing how to drive - maneuvers at low speed are not a problem. A small problem is pushing it backwards up a hill, here you can feel the weight of the entire body kit. The steering wheel is too wide for traffic jams.

3. The dynamics for such a quite large unit are good. Of course, it’s worse than the Suzuki VZR1800, but the belt drive is pretty good.

4. Real consumption: depending on how you turn the throttle. With V&H in the city I average 7.5-8l/100km. Outside the countryside: 6.5-7. When I traveled around civilized Europe, for example, in Switzerland, their gasoline consumption was 5-5.5... I don’t know why. Maybe their speakers are calibrated differently... idk.

5. For long-distance driving, I don’t have enough driver’s backrest. I will definitely buy it in winter. After 16 days of driving, the Shopipets' back was aching. There is not enough support for the back.

6. The second number also tried the xv1300 with me, now it says that the 1900 is “not comparable to how much better.”

7. The brakes are slow. Successfully.

8. The side wind bothered me a little in the mountains. But I have a windbreaker, like a sail... But nothing fatal.

9. Confidently on gravel and forest roads. I didn’t poke my nose into shit. Wet roads - a lot depends on the quality and age of the tire. The suspension absorbs potholes on the roads with a bang.

Air cooled engine. Well, how about cooling... this is if you drive. In Berlin, I was stuck in a traffic jam last summer; not even a cyclist could pass between the lanes. At that moment the eggs were fried, yes... But this only happened once.

As mentioned above, the tank could be larger. In short, I like her a lot. I won’t recommend it, because there are too many people driving 1900s... I don’t want to be like everyone else.

Dudes, this is one hell of a splurge!

1. I stopped being afraid of weight distribution 100 meters after the start, and then, if there was no ice in the passage there, then probably after 20 meters. Yamaha engineers, after all, are great in this regard - the center of gravity is so low that you don’t feel this colossus at all after reaching 5 km/h.

The weight distribution is probably even better than Draghi’s, despite the +100 kilos in total.

2. Dynamics... DYNAMICS!

Stsuko, it is precisely at the moment of turning the handle on the bottom that the full power of this monster is felt. If asphalt could be rolled into rolls, it would probably do so. The buzz is indescribable, I’ve never had anything like this on Drag.

3. Dimensions - it really doesn’t matter) I didn’t even have to get used to it, the steering wheel may be 5 centimeters wider than that of the 1100, but I had wide Kiryakin mirrors on it (which, by the way, I stuck on this little thing too), so after 5 minutes after the start, I calmly taxied into the lane and improved there a little, refreshing my memory skills.

4. It growls amazingly even on the stock jammer. Not hysterical, like an itch with broken flutes, but pathetic and decorous. As befits ~1900 cubes. I won’t install direct flows, this is quite enough to do vroom-vroom)

5. The only tension at the moment is that I’ll have to figure out something with the brakes. In quiet mode, engine + both brakes provide high-quality and confident braking, but in an emergency it may not be enough. To begin with, I'll install softer pads, and then we'll see.

Nice, I've driven almost 20,000 miles already, except for the not very grippy brakes, no complaints!

Steering is 10 out of 10, the dynamics are crazy, the pickup at the bottom is awesome, the center of gravity is balanced simply with a bang, the comfort for a cruiser and a tall person is at an excellent level, in long-distance fuel consumption I couldn’t be happier (4.8 liters per hundred, switches to reserve after 290 km ).

I regularly do motogymkhana (figured bike driving) on ​​it, the spectators are in awe, I’m happy).

I don’t want to change anything, my only plans are to someday make a “Deluxe” version of it with a faring and plastic trunks and felt boots.

What do the owners say?

Judging by the video and photos, the bike is very popular. And many rave reviews confirm this. Fast and dynamic, this bike is capable of showing excellent results if you use its capabilities wisely.

They advise you to pay more attention to how you manage to maneuver this machine.

If this skill seems weak, it is important to improve it. Even if you have previously driven a motorcycle for many years, but not a cruiser, you should not consider yourself experienced in driving heavy bikes

Considering how much maintenance costs, the bike can be called a bargain. This is not surprising, given that it ended production only a couple of years ago. However, when buying a motorcycle second hand, it is advised to take with you someone who is experienced in the technical part and in operation (if the buyer is not yet confident in his knowledge). It is best if he has owned the same motorcycle for a long time.

Some problems cannot be seen at a glance. Requires a short bike ride

It is also important to ask the owner about how he used the equipment. By asking leading questions, it will be easy to determine whether a person understands such equipment at all, and this will allow us to assume how competent the bike was handled

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Yamaha XV 1900 Midnight Star, judging by the reviews, is a great bike that will be a real pleasure for the rider. Of course, only if the person has experience driving such cars. Otherwise, it will be difficult to cope with such gigantic equipment, even if you have previously driven many models of other classes.

Video

• Test drive of the Yamaha XV1700 Warrior motorcycle.
• A quick look and sound of the Yamaha XV1700A Road Star motorcycle.

Yamaha XV 1700 Road Star

— a Japanese motorcycle in the cruiser class, built according to the canons of the American school of motorcycle building. Actually, it was initially aimed at the American market, like its predecessor - the Yamaha Road Star 1600, and was also developed by the American division - Star Motorcycles. Based on its 1600 cc predecessor, the XV 1700 is, however, quite different from it. As, indeed, from another motorcycle with which it is often confused, and with which it has very little in common - the XV 1700 Warrior.

Having replaced its predecessor on the assembly line in 2005, the new motorcycle received many minor improvements. Thus, the volume of its V-shaped air-cooled twin increased by 100 cubic meters. cm, and power increased to 75 hp. At the same time, the torque also increased, and it is best characterized by the expression “traction, like a locomotive.” The torque on the Yamaha Road Star 1700 is available from the very start, compensating for the lack of top end, so this massive motorcycle does not take up the dynamics. The only thing that is sorely missing is sixth gear in the gearbox - without it, at speeds above 140 km/h, vibrations caused by high speeds begin to annoy.

The XV 1700 Road Star has a top speed of 180 km/h, the same as its predecessor, but at that speed you're unlikely to get much driving pleasure. After reaching approximately 150 km/h, the heavy cruiser begins to handle significantly worse, and even its generally quite good brakes do not add confidence. The optimal speed for him is 120-130 km/h, although, of course, if necessary, he is capable of much more. But is it really pleasant to “twist” a low-speed engine, causing it to strain? It’s unlikely, but it’s very pleasant to ride the Road Star 1700, growling with mufflers.

The first versions of this model were equipped with a carburetor, although it was different from the one installed on the XV 1600, but after a couple of years of production it was replaced with an injector. The rear wheel drive of the motorcycle is belt driven, which greatly contributes to a smooth ride; the frame is steel. One of the features of the Yamaha Road Star 1700 is the absence of balancer shafts in the engine, which creates strong vibrations at idle, just like on a Harley-Davidson. This was done specifically to please the Americans, who like vibrations.

However, once you get going, the vibrations practically disappear, so you don't have to worry about them bothering you during the trip. Heavy and massive, on the move the XV 1700 is quite easy to control, and its enormous weight is not felt. Maneuvers are also easy for him, even rare ones - it all depends on the skills of the motorcyclist piloting him. Soft and energy-intensive suspensions perfectly absorb road irregularities, and work no worse than on any XV 1900 Stratoliner, and forward driving platforms, a wide seat and a steering wheel curved towards the rider provide a comfortable and relaxed fit.

This motorcycle is not without some “childhood ailments”, although they are not very common and not too serious. The first is the rear fender, which sometimes cracks on older motorcycles, and the reason for this is vibration. By the way, the XV 1600 suffers from the same problem. The second is rubber manifolds that supply air to the pipes. They are located behind the rear cylinder, and they are not difficult to find, after which their condition should be inspected. Heavy manifolds, screwed onto steel pipes with clamps, shake mercilessly from engine vibrations, and sometimes they are torn in the place where they are secured by clamps.

Yamaha XV 1700 Road Star is an excellent heavy cruiser for lovers of such equipment. Huge, heavy, comfortable, with monstrous low-end traction, good suspension and good brakes, it is capable of both regularly cruising around the city and taking its owner even to the ends of the earth. The 20-liter gas tank was transferred directly from the XV 1600, and fuel consumption decreased thanks to the injector, so the bike can travel 300-350 kilometers without refueling. And we can safely recommend it to fans of the old school - they will be satisfied.

Flaws

Since the models turned out to be too different, their reviews are sometimes radically opposite.

The stock muffler nozzle of the American (pictured on the left) is larger in diameter than that of the European (right). Therefore, the exhaust sound on the American version is more loud, not like with forward flow, but it is quite enough to indicate in a traffic jam.

For the Raider line, the disadvantages include excessive engine power, due to which, when starting sharply from a standstill, the motorcycle tends to “goat”, which, with a net weight of more than 300 kg, can lead to unpredictable consequences.

For the Stratoliner line, insufficient brake power , especially when a sudden stop is necessary. Mechanics recommend replacing the entire front brake drive.

This is roughly what replacing a rear tire looks like, but in reality it’s not all that scary - the rear part can be easily removed if you unscrew 5 bolts on each side.

The second disadvantage is the standard seat, which is not intended for serious and long trips . The possibilities for tuning the Stratoliner are almost endless. The quality of the parts depends on the wallet and imagination of the owner.

and dignity

The advantages include:

• power , ability to pull well at any speed;
• a strict and at the same time beautiful appearance , whether a chopper or a cruiser;
• good reliability, maintainability;
• unlimited tuning possibilities.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of Yamaha XV 1900:

Yamaha XV1900: Review and test drive

There are things that, when you look at them, you involuntarily say a meaningful “Wow...”. This is a multi-deck battleship or an 800-meter skyscraper, or the skeleton of a predatory dinosaur... or the Yamaha XV1900A Midnight Star cruiser.

Men's love for big engines has existed since they appeared (motors, not men). This is where the favorite sayings “F**k fuel economy” and “There’s no replacement for displacements..” come from. The answer to the question “Assuming that the price is the same, which motorcycle will a biker buy: a 700 cc chopper or a 1700 cc?” has long been known - he will buy a 2700 cc 1000 hp prepared dregster and in a year will increase the engine displacement to a “boyish” three liters... Because size really matters.

Yamaha XV1900A Midnight Star - “strategic missile”. For the Japanese concern, this model is the best argument in the ancient dispute “Japanese” vs “Americans”. And in many ways, the 1900 cc Zvezda is superior to motorcycles from the country with the striped flag. This cruiser was created specifically for the American market, so it comes to Europe with the annotation “We understand that you are not interested in such huge devices... but look at what we can do!”

It is clear that choosing a cruiser based on technical characteristics is the last thing... But why not! In Russia, sports bikes are chosen solely by appearance! And the XV1900A has a lot to be proud of: the press release dedicated to this model contains more technical details than the user manual for a $1,000,000 laser lathe...

The engine is a gigantic, almost 1900 cc air-oil-cooled V-twin with a clever fuel injection system, “correct” OHV timing and a dry-sump lubrication system. The piston diameter is 100 mm, the throttle valve is 43 mm... A monster! The 2-in-1 exhaust system matches the engine: huge, shiny, with a powerful EXUP valve and, of course, a catalyst.

Considering that the XV1900A engine weighs so much that if you dropped it from the tenth floor, it would “fly” to Australia, the chassis of the motorcycle simply had to become a role model and be stronger than the Lenin monument. And so it happened: a large aluminum frame, an aluminum swingarm of the rear suspension, a “fat” fork with 46 mm diameter stanchions, giant brake discs and no less “large-scale” calipers and super-strong 12-spoke wheels. Why not a monument?

But how different is the Yamaha XV1900A from the 1700cc model? Is it “the same song, only louder” or a completely different “melody”? Is it worth overpaying for volume or choosing a simpler and lighter model? And, in the end, what is it - a status model or a device that can be used not only to go to the bank to cash a check for a million?..

In 1925, Bradley Polytechnic University expelled the careless student Gordon Miller Buehrig for poor academic performance, who, instead of diligently crushing the granite of science, drew cars in notebooks. Three years later, the guy’s work was noticed by Harley Earl, who invited the young talent to the newly created General Motors design studio, the Art&Color Section. Yes, the same Harley Earl who, in the late 40s, created the “Detroit Baroque” style - cars with sky-high tail fins and an ornate appearance!

But Buehrig worked on Earl's team for only a year and left for the post of chief designer at Duesenberg. Soon, working on the style of the Auburn brand, Gordon created the image of a car that was ahead of its time and recognized as one of the greatest cars of all ages - the Cord 810/812. It was about this model that Ilf and Petrov wrote in their “One-Story America”: “American girls climb into these cars and sit there for hours, unable to get out. In complete frustration, they press the button, and the lanterns solemnly crawl out of the wings. They touch the button again and the lights go back into their sockets. And again nothing is visible from the outside - a bare sparkling wing.”

What does the Yamaha XV1900 Midnight Star have to do with it, you ask? Moreover, when looking at a Yamaha cruiser, it is almost impossible to dismiss the Art Deco style motifs inherent in the Cord 810/812! And the triple moldings running along the entire “body” of the motorcycle only enhance the similarity. A huge “air vent” with developed cooling fins, crackling in the parking lot after a trip, a lower camshaft with long valve rods... What year and century is it now?

However, the big “Midnight Star” is still a child of modernity. Therefore, injection, and “exap”, and disc brakes, and an aluminum frame with a rear monoshock absorber, and other attributes of the 21st century.

“Puff-puff-puff…” - the engine begins its measured run, reaching the “line” of 155.1 Nm already at 2500 rpm. “Clack-puff-puff-puff.” — the next gear was switched on. “Clack-puff-clack-puff-clack.”! And here you are, cruising at 140 km/h, and the engine drones at 3000 rpm. But it’s better to drop the gear down and roll no faster than 100-120 km/h, so that the headwind doesn’t make your eyes water. Are you alone or with a passenger - this almost two-liter low-revving engine doesn’t care! The timbre of the “voice” and the acceleration dynamics do not change at all due to the load.

Probably, this is exactly what transport should be like for a happy retirement, when the “bloody business wars” are long over, and there is time to “live beautifully” (provided that such an opportunity exists.). You no longer need to rush into the thick of dead traffic jams every day, and trips of more than 100 km have ceased to be part of business activity and have turned into pleasant “travels,” as they say, “for the soul,” towards new experiences. You can roll wherever you look and not pay attention to the strange bustle outside this “battleship” - a big man on a big ship. And the city... What is the city? You can go there from time to time - cinema, theater, restaurants... Moreover, inside the metropolis it’s not so difficult to push the Midnight Star - such stable and predictable handling at any speed is rarely found in “chopper-shaped” ones!

It’s a good motorcycle, but I wouldn’t ride it every day - fortunately, I don’t look like a pensioner yet. But for lovers of great American technology who want to stand out from the crowd of “real wild boars”, it will be just right! It’s a pity that you still have to hear behind your back: “And still not a Harley...”

I once had the opportunity to drive an army BTR-80. A normal 13-ton armored personnel carrier with a deadly large-caliber KPVT machine gun and an equally terrible 7.62-mm PKT, with “triplexes” through which you have to look (although it’s not clear how to look through a 10x10 cm window...), with sad soldiers inside and with a big diesel V8 in the engine bay. Yes, there is such a page in the book of my life! But why am I doing this (wiping away a large officer’s tear)? Moreover, the Yamaha XV1900A reminded me of the feelings I experienced while driving a huge 7.6-meter armored personnel carrier!

The difference between a modern Japanese cruiser and a very outdated combat vehicle is not as great as it seems! After all, the main thing is the overall feeling, and not little things like chrome handlebars or raised linings on the gas tank, which still cannot hide the essence of this motorcycle. The XV1900A is straightforward, charismatic, uncontrollable and, now I’ll say sedition, like an armored personnel carrier! Yes, the Japanese tried to teach the motorcycle to at least somehow turn and brake - they probably spent a lot of money, tortured more than one engineer and designer to death... but to defeat the simple truth - “a cruiser with an almost two-liter engine cannot be light, fast and elegant,” of course Well, they couldn’t. And this is good!

From a giant “chopperoid” you expect “solidity” and brute force, “lightness of being” is not its element. A rigid hydraulic clutch designed for huge, hairy arms used to lifting 40-pound dumbbells, not clumsy little hands that have never held anything heavier than a tube of lipstick. Tough, but surprisingly clear gearbox - for a powerful foot in a combat boot. The optional tall windshield, which only creates difficulties for “runts” like me - for a two-meter tall guy... I also felt uncomfortable while driving the BTR-80, but I got out of the cockpit happy, as if I had just piloted a Bugatti - with the XV1900A the same “ story".

Surprisingly, the giant V-twin Yamaha XV1900A did not seem phenomenally torquey and fantastically powerful to me! Especially after the 1300 cc Midnight Star, which “rides” at least no worse. But the performance of the XV1900A’s suspensions was a pleasant surprise: the vehicle flew over road junctions with the softness of a luxury sedan, although light cruisers galloped on the same bumps like show jumping horses in an arena.

But with all this, the Yamaha XV1900A Midnight Star is a very “thin” motorcycle. Because not everyone can understand him, and not everyone will be “understood” by him himself. No matter how hard I tried, this giant did not “accept” me... Well, that means I haven’t grown up yet! I’ll go, let’s get some steroids out of grief, load them with amino acids and wash them down with a protein shake...

Yamaha XV1900A Midnight Star is such an uncompromising, absolutely not politically correct barrier for wimps and other undersized people who have failed to gain “at least” 190 cm and 90 kg of weight (preferably two meters and a quintal). My height and weight are exactly at the level of the minimum “system requirements”, but even with these “pathetic” 191 cm it was inconvenient to ride the XV1900A.

The “span” of the steering wheel of this motorcycle giant would be the envy of the world’s largest eagle, and Midnight Star’s persistent reluctance to turn is unlikely to be compensated by the pilot’s 120 kg weight. But the car (yes, exactly a car!) turned out to be “alive” and with a soul! The “correct” air vent, without deception and cheap kitsch in the form of a finned liquid cooling jacket, which you often find today on motorcycles of this class, with “kilometer-long” clutch and brake levers, with footrests “from shoe size 46.”

Any action of the pilot of this two-wheeled analogue of American highway tractors must be verified, both in time and in effort. To begin with, we straighten our frail shoulders, take hold of the endless steering wheel, try to reach the mighty double-shouldered gearshift lever with the toe of the motorboat, then, straining in vain, we try to squeeze the tight hydraulic clutch and, if successful, “send the cartridge into the chamber,” and not some kind of automatic rifle, but a rusty pump-action shotgun (that is, we turn on the gear)... We set off - majestically and solemnly, and here it is appropriate to draw analogies not with a hooded truck, but with an ocean liner. Scaring away the small passenger “fish”, we smoothly move towards the endless ocean, away from the bustling city, where the Yamaha giant is frankly cramped. As soon as you manage to break out of the concrete shackles of the metropolis, life instantly improves. The toy tachometer shows 2000 rpm, the speedometer needle lies at 90 km/h, the almost two-liter “two” mutters from below, lazily spitting colossal torque... The only thing that prevents the pilot from falling into complete nirvana is the optional windshield, distancing the rider from reality .

Over time, you get used to the XV1900A’s persistent reluctance to turn, making adjustments for the inertia of the motorcycle. Except that the indecently low, huge platform steps “kill” the ground clearance even by cruiser standards—I’m still not used to this. But in a straight line, this cruiser moves so “reinforced concrete” that any, even the brightest, metaphor will be a faded shadow of reality.

Unlike the usual “try-ons”, I had the opportunity to drive almost 1000 km on the XV1900A in a few days and, damn it, I even started to like it! Typically, cars of this class reward the owner with a stiff suspension and, as a result, constant shocks/impacts that threaten to “shatter” the spine into underpants - but not in the case of the XV1900A Midnight Star, which completely ignores even large potholes. It is curious that with a “pensioner” approach to life (90 km/h), the fuel consumption of such a monstrous engine turned out to be 30 percent less than expected - 4.9 l/100 km!

I can’t say that a powerful cruiser with three tuning forks on its sides filled me with vivid emotions and bursts of adrenaline, but there is also no indifference, which so often remains in my soul after testing this kind of equipment. Probably, one could also write about the comfortable seat, excellent brakes, amazing elasticity, but. Let's assume I've already done it. The main thing is that the feeling of a quality product remains: please, repeat it, only without the windshield...

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• Read review Yamaha XV 1900

Dimensions and weight

Both the weight and other dimensions of the model as a whole are impressive, even for a cruiser. The length of this motorcycle alone is worth it. All this makes the bike categorically unsuitable for tight city streets. It’s not that he can’t ride there, but if the motorcycle is not intended to be used in any other way, it makes sense to buy something from the road motorcycles, and not a cruiser.

The dimensions of the Yamaha XV 1900 Roadliner are as follows:

• curb weight – 346 kg;
• seat height – 735 mm;
• ground clearance - 158 mm;
• wheelbase – 1715 mm;
• height – 1125 mm;
• width – 1100 mm;
• length – 2580 mm;
• tank volume – 17 l.

The dimensions and weight of the motorcycle indicate that this machine will perfectly cope with what a cruiser should, ideally, handle. The bike will be like a ship, floating on the asphalt softly and weightily. Perhaps it is even difficult to describe in words the sensations that a person experiences when he feels such power beneath him.

TEST RIDE: NEW ROAD LINER - ROADLINER CRUISER BY STAR MOTORCYCLES (YAMAHA)

The Roadliner was based on a simple idea. Make an air-cooled, belt-driven V-twin, develop retro styling, and then pack the car with modern high-tech parts and systems. But at the same time, all this should be organically combined in the car.

10/20/2005 We must pay tribute to Yamaha: when its designers almost finished work on a new cruiser with a 2000 cc engine. cm, but were dissatisfied with the results, they started work from scratch.

The “rejected” car seemed too heavy to the company representatives; I was also somewhat unhappy with the overall proportions of the motorcycle. So, the work began again, and the result was the flagship machine of the Star Motorcycle series - the wonderful Roadliner cruiser.

Cruiser enthusiasts want their bike to look great, handle well, and go long distances. These are exactly the features that the Star Roadliner model possesses.

The Roadliner was based on a simple idea. Make an air-cooled, belt-driven V-twin, develop retro styling, and then pack the car with modern high-tech parts and systems. But at the same time, all this should be organically combined in the car.

So, the engine has a volume of 1854 cc. cm air cooling and rods, but it is also equipped with a modern injection system and two balancing shafts, which dampen vibrations very well, so the engine can be rigidly mounted on the frame.

The engine has 4 valves per cylinder, two spark plugs and straight intake ports. The result is a very high compression ratio (by cruiser standards) of 9.5:1. The exhaust system even includes an EXUP valve, which is more common on sportbikes. Yamaha developers have been installing the EXUP valve on branded sportbikes for several years to change gas pressure and improve engine performance at low and medium speeds. On the Roadliner, this valve is installed internally to the entire system, so it remains there even if another optional muffler is installed.

The motor is mounted on a completely new aluminum frame consisting of eight parts. The frame weight (37 pounds, or 16.8 kg) is about half the weight of the Road Star frame. The rear swingarm is an aluminum casting that weighs less than 12 lbs. less than 5.5 kg.

The styling of the motorcycle is made in the spirit of the Art Deco movement of the 1920s.

What impressions do you get when riding this motorcycle? We drove the Roadliner over 250 miles during its launch in Portland, Oregon. There are three main features of the new car.

First of all, the Roadliner cruiser, with a dry weight of 750 pounds, or 339.75 kg (manufacturer's data), feels significantly lighter on the road. The difference is noticeable when compared to a number of other heavy cruisers.

Yamaha engineers explain this by the fact that the center of gravity of the new machine is shifted downward. But whatever the explanation, the car never seemed sluggish or awkward. You feel it when you park, when you maneuver the car from turn to turn, or even when you simply support it in the parking lot.

Second. On the road, the motorcycle does what the driver wants. Unlike other heavy bikes that make you feel as if you're in the saddle as if the machine is taking you wherever it wants to go, or the mass of the bike feels like a trailer that disrupts the response of the front wheel, the Roadliner is surprisingly compliant by cruiser class standards. While a machine of this weight might not be exactly described as a "highly maneuverable" motorcycle, it does respond clearly to rider inputs within its specifications.

Of course, the footpegs can start to scratch the asphalt even at a fairly modest angle of inclination of the motorcycle to the road (fortunately, the footpegs fold down), but what is impressive is that when cornering you can easily change the trajectory of the turn. And if you correctly distribute your weight in the saddle on a winding road, then you can take turns while braking, just like on a motorcycle of another class.

And third. A motor with a single crankpin is capable of achieving two mutually exclusive things: it has a unique, strong character, and it does not kill its driver with vibrations. Power is plentiful from idle, not surprising for a cruiser of this size (and thanks to the EXUP valve), and torque builds without spikes or dips.

However, the motor does not develop speed as quickly as one might expect. If you keep the throttle open, the bike will simply accelerate and the engine will rev up - this will last much longer compared to other bikes where the revs will already reach a ceiling and the rider will need to upshift.

The new motorcycle will be sold in three configurations. The base model will cost $13,880; the blacked-out Midnight and Roadliner S with more chrome parts will be more expensive. It will also be possible to purchase a Stratoliner touring car, also in three configuration options - with side cases made in the general style of the car, as well as with a removable windshield with a lock.

SPECIFICATIONS Model: Star Roadliner Manufacturer: Yamaha (Star Motorcycles) Engine: 48-degree V-twin, air-cooled Capacity: 1854 cc cm Bore and stroke: 100 x 118 mm Compression: 9.5:1 Carburetion: Electronic fuel injection Transmission: Five-speed Wheelbase: 67.5 inches (171.45 cm) Front tire: 130/70-18 Rear tire: 190/60-17 Seat height: 28.9 inches (73.4 cm) Dry weight (manufacturer's data): 705 lbs (319.4 kg) Gas capacity: 4.5 gallons (17 liters)

Suggested retail prices for the US market:

$13,580 - Roadliner 13,880 - Roadliner Midnight 14,980 - Roadliner S 15,180 - Stratoliner 15,480 - Stratoliner Midnight 16,580 - Stratoliner S.

Author: Grant Parsons Translation (authorized): IMC, St. Petersburg, Ltd. Photos: Riles & Nelson.

Source: https://www.motorland.ru/

What do the owners say?

For those who are used to regular cruisers, this bike seems strange. However, according to reviews from people who have driven both cruisers and touring motorcycles, this option resembles a successful combination of these classes. The model is distinguished by the practicality of a tourist, but does not lose the excellent dynamic performance characteristic of its class.

The car is pleasant to drive, but there are no fundamental differences from other representatives of the 1900 series. This is a heavy cruiser, which, naturally, will not provide the same dynamics on the track as road motorcycles. When looking at the photo, it may seem that this car is incredibly clumsy. However, one video is enough to be convinced of the heavy grace with which the equipment moves. This is the grace of a whale.

It is convenient to travel on such a vehicle, because it is equipped with everything you need. Many people are especially pleased with the high windshield with good visibility and inexpensive maintenance. According to the description of the owners, it is not difficult to get spare parts, and they cost little

So, if you want to buy a reliable and comfortable bike for traveling, and also like cruisers, you should pay attention to this machine

In conclusion, it is worth noting that this is a bright and original bike. The Yamaha XV 1900 Stratoliner is one of those cruisers that will not soon be forgotten. And even if they forget this particular model, the trends that were laid down by the 1900 series in principle are unlikely to leave the world of the motorcycle industry.

Appearance

The Yamaha XV 1900 Roadliner is distinguished by the fact that its headlight is not chrome-plated, but is painted in the same glossy black color as the frame. The same applies to the internal parts of the bike. Therefore, they are much less visible than those of the same Midnight Star. There is nothing critical here.

After all, this is a cruiser, not a retro classic, so either option will be acceptable. Perhaps if this were an old era bike it would be inappropriate. But we are talking about a modern cruiser.

Apart from the fact that the bike has significantly less chrome elements than the Midnight Star, there are no other differences in the design. The motorcycle looks impressive due to its large dimensions. It's not the largest car in the class, but it's certainly one of them.

Comfort

There is no doubt that this modification is the most comfortable motorcycle in the series. You can store quite a lot of things in containers. The main thing is not to carry gasoline either there or anywhere else on the motorcycle, since in the event of an accident it will ignite. The only competent way to refuel while traveling is at a gas station, and nothing else.

The windshield, of course, protects from the wind, but both the driver and the passenger need glasses. Dust can get in from the side and around the glass. Perhaps among all the cruisers, this one is best suited for riding with a passenger. The back protects the person from behind, and the containers act as a kind of rear insurance for the legs.

Main modifications of the Yamaha XV 1900:

Yamaha XV1900A Midnight Star (Roadliner in the USA) is the standard version of the motorcycle.

Yamaha Stratoliner - a touring version with a windshield, side panniers and a passenger backrest. There is also a version

Stratoliner Deluxe with front fairing like the HD Electra Glide.

Yamaha Raider is a custom version of the motorcycle (similar to Yamaha Stryker and Honda VT1300 Fury).

Yamaha Raider S - completely similar to Raider + chrome package.

Yamaha Raider Bullet Cowl - completely similar to Raider + windshield and original coloring.