Review and technical specifications of Yamaha Royal Star 1300

- motorcycle model, Yamaha brand,

The Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star cruiser model was first introduced in 1996 and was intended for sales in Japan, Europe and the USA. The main feature of the motorcycle was the use of a V-shaped 4-cylinder engine, migrated from the touring version of the Venture Royale. Thanks to this engine layout, the vibration level was low (compared to a 2-cylinder layout), the motorcycle received a unique exhaust sound, and, importantly, it was possible to obtain impressive power and torque for this class - 75 hp. and almost 112 Nm. At the same time, the engine remained heavily derated, reaching maximum performance starting from 3500 rpm.

Appearance

This piece looks elegant, thanks to the designers' sense of style. Yamaha XVZ 1300 Royal Star has a significant number of chrome elements. These are two separate pipes, a sophisticated headlight and almost all visible parts of the filling.

The fenders are gracefully curved, just like mid-twentieth century cars. They cover the tires well. Alloy wheels. This representative of the pleasure class externally corresponds to the trends of its era. Like a car from the nineties, it has typical shapes for the class and does not yet feel the trends that emerged at the beginning of the new century.

Brief history of the model

1996 - start of production and sales of Yamaha Royal Star 1300. Model: Yamaha Royal Star, Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic (Japan, Europe, North America). Factory designation:

4NK1, 4NK2, 4NK3, 4WY1 – Royal Star (Europe)

4NL1, 4NL2, 4NL3 – Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe)

4WY1 – Royal Star (Japan)

4WY2 – Royal Star Tour Classic (Japan)

XVZ13AH, XVZ13AHC – Royal Star (USA)

XVZ13ATH, XVZ13ATHC – Royal Star Tour Classic (USA)

1997 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha Royal Star, Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic (Japan, Europe, North America). Factory designation:

4NK6, 4WY3, 4YP1 – Royal Star (Europe)

4NL6, 4WY4 – Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe)

4WY3 – Royal Star (Japan)

4WY4 – Royal Star Tour Classic (Japan)

XVZ13AJ, XVZ13AJC – Royal Star (USA)

XVZ13ATJ, XVZ13ATJC – Royal Star Tour Classic (USA)

1998 is the last year of sales on the Japanese market. Model: Yamaha Royal Star, Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic (Japan, Europe, North America). Factory designation:

4NK9, 4YP2 – Royal Star (Europe)

5EJ3– Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe)

4WY5 – Royal Star (Japan)

4WY6 – Royal Star Tour Classic (Japan)

XVZ13AK, XVZ13AKC – Royal Star (USA)

XVZ13ATK, XVZ13ATKC – Royal Star Tour Classic (USA)

1999 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha Royal Star, Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe, North America). Factory designation:

4NKC, 4YP3 – Royal Star (Europe)

5EJ7 – Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe)

XVZ13AL, XVZ13ALC – Royal Star (USA)

XVZ13ATL, XVZ13ATLC – Royal Star Tour Classic (USA)

2000 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha Royal Star, Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe, North America). Factory designation:

4NKF, 4YP4 – Royal Star (Europe)

5EJC – Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe)

XVZ1300AM, XVZ1300AMC, XVZ13AM, XVZ13AMC – Royal Star (USA)

XVZ1300ATM, XVZ13ATM, XVZ13ATMC – Royal Star Tour Classic (USA)

2001 is the last year of sales of the model. This year, only the regular Royal Star version is available. Model: Yamaha Royal Star, Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic (Europe, North America). Factory designation:

4NKJ (Europe)

XVZ1300AN, XVZ1300ANC (USA)

Comfort

The car is comfortable for the driver, but not for the passenger. The seat for the latter is small and does not have a backrest. That's why you shouldn't use this bike for two-person trips. Especially considering the technical capabilities of this model, including acceleration to 100.

If we talk about driving comfort in the driver’s seat, then everything is in order. The car feels good and is easy to drive. Of course, after road motorcycles it will be unusual to do this. But objectively the chassis here is good. The mirrors are large, and the position of the handlebars gives good control over the bike.

Advantages of the model

1. Solid appearance and impressive size.
2. Reliability and durability of all parts.
3. Easy engine maintenance. The motor has good potential, so if used correctly, the only thing that needs to be done periodically is adjusting the valves.
4. Good acceleration dynamics.
5. The comfortable leather seat allows you to enjoy a comfortable ride together.
6. Good ergonomics.
7. Roomy panniers allow you to travel on a motorcycle.
8. Plenty of options for tuning.
9. Informative dashboard with digital speedometer.
10. Good light optics.

Dimensions and weight

This is a long and tall car. However, the height of the saddle here is insignificant. This is how a cruiser should ideally be. The dimensions are significantly larger than most of their classmates, not to mention a cross-country motorcycle or a sportbike. However, visually the bike does not seem that big due to its classic features and white fuel tank.

Dimensions:

• tank – 18 l.
• ground clearance - 148 mm;
• curb weight – 330 kg;
• height – 1160 mm;
• width – 910 mm;
• length – 2480 mm;
• seat height – 715 mm.

The tank capacity is average for a cruiser. Given the fuel consumption, it lasts a long time, but you shouldn't drive too far from gas stations. The curb weight is significant, and therefore, if the fuel runs out, it will not be easy to drive the motorcycle by hand, especially if we are talking about tens of kilometers.

Motorcycle Yamaha Royal Star 1300 - full review, photos and videos

First of all, it should be said that the Yamaha Royal Star 1300 motorcycle will be an excellent option for those bikers who love long journeys.
This two-wheeled “iron” friend has an impressive appearance that hides a powerful “heart”. Of course, we are talking about the famous “four”, which is capable of providing a perfectly smooth torque even at high speed. If we talk about the history of this model, it is quite interesting considering that the first Yamaha Royal Star 1300 motorcycle appeared back in the 80s of the last century.

This period in itself is unique, because right at this time, many well-known companies that produce motorcycles began to compete with each other, which in turn made it possible to make the “bikes” of that time more powerful.

Characteristics of the motor installed on the Yamaha Royal Star 1300 model

In fact, the V4 engine is quite rare on “bikes” of such a class as the Yamaha Royal Star 1300. Perhaps the Honda Manga motorcycle could boast of a similar power unit, but this is rather an exception to the rule.

As mentioned above, this engine has excellent torque, thanks to which the motorcycle has an excellent ride quality, and can also accelerate to the last gear in just a few tens of seconds.

It must be said that Yamaha designers had to create the engine for the Yamaha Royal Star 1300 model almost from scratch. However, as it turned out, they came up with an excellent power unit, which is the basis for many modern engines.

Advantages and disadvantages of transmission

Of course, the transmission has no particular drawbacks, however, after a long mileage it becomes quite difficult to change gears. However, this problem can be easily solved by replacing the collier shaft. The fact that after purchasing a new Yamaha Royal Star 1300 motorcycle, carefully monitor the operation of the clutch deserves special attention. The fact is that this mechanism requires careful handling, otherwise it will simply fail ahead of schedule.

Features of the frame and body kit

The Yamaha Royal Star 1300 motorcycle has a durable, but at the same time simple frame design, since the power circuit includes the motor itself. Special attention should be paid to the rear subframe, as cracks may form on it if the part suffers from constant overloads. For obvious reasons, when a vehicle falls, parts such as the steering wheel, tank, brakes or pipes may also be damaged.

Universal suspension and brakes

At first glance, the suspensions installed on the Yamaha Royal Star 1300 motorcycle are not a model of comfort, this is especially noticeable in cases where the motorcycle is used as a simple means of transportation and there is no need to transport passengers.

However, these same pendants can boast of high reliability. For example, there have been cases when such suspensions have withstood a mileage of up to 40 thousand kilometers. As for the brakes, they probably will not please you with stable operation. In practice, it sometimes happens that when braking on wet asphalt, the wheel goes into skid, and this in turn can create an emergency situation on the road. However, to save yourself from trouble, you just need to choose the right pads.

A few words about comfort and modifications

First of all, it is necessary to note the ergonomics of the Yamaha Royal Star 1300 model, which is at an acceptable level, and if you install glass, you can also please yourself with additional wind protection. However, all comfort disappears irrevocably if you need to move on a sandy road, which is usually uneven. The whole point is that the motorcycle corners quite poorly, but since I want to talk more about the good, it should be noted that this model holds its trajectory perfectly and does not wobble at high speed.

If we talk about motorcycle modifications, then first of all we need to remember models such as Tour Deluxe and Venture. The first of them boasts installed glass and a removable passenger seat, while the second is distinguished by its original hood.

Expert opinion

Valery Evdokimov, who is an experienced driver, purchased his Yamaha Royal Star 1300 motorcycle back in 2000. By the way, our expert had the opportunity to ride the “iron horse” almost all year round, since he lives in the wonderful city of Sevastopol. During this time, the experienced driver visited countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Moldova.

First of all, our expert was pleasantly surprised by the engine, which even at high speed works like a clock, without making any unnecessary noise. Valery Evdokimov notes that he accelerated his motorcycle to maximum speed many times, but never heard any extraneous sounds while driving.

In general, when servicing the Yamaha Royal Star 1300 model, as a rule, no problems arise, and those difficulties that sometimes occur can be dealt with independently. The only drawback of the motorcycle, perhaps, can be considered the brakes, which are too weak for such an engine size. However, this minor minus does not in any way affect the overall impression of the motorcycle, and many drivers even regret that this model is no longer produced.

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Specifications

The brakes are good. There is no relic in the form of a drum, discs are installed. The suspension travel is small, but this is normal for a cruiser. The bike, by modern standards, is no longer new, but maintenance will not be particularly expensive given the quality of this motorcycle’s internals, as well as the chassis.

Even used copies are considered reliable by many. Some people, however, don’t like the fact that it has a cardan drive rather than a belt drive. This adds noise to an already not very quiet car. Others, on the contrary, like this circumstance. So this can hardly be considered a disadvantage.

Main modifications of the Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star:

Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star - regular version.

Yamaha XVZ1300AT Royal Star Tour Classic - touring version with a different saddle, windshield, panniers and backrest for the passenger.

It is important to note that there are other versions of the Yamaha XVZ1300 model. These include the Yamaha XVZ1300LT Royal Star Tour Deluxe and the Yamaha XVZ1300TF Royal Star Venture. Despite the fact that these models position themselves in the same line with the XVZ1300A, these modifications still have a number of key differences that do not allow them to be combined into one review. Therefore, they will be described in a separate article.

In 1998, the Yamaha XVZ1300A Royal Star model finally left the Japanese market, but continued production for Europe and the USA. 2001 was the last year of the model’s existence on the market, after which it finally left the assembly line. The successor to the XVZ1300A was the new Yamaha XV1600 Road Star/Wild Star, which appeared in 1999. However, the XVZ1300 model continued to be produced until 2013 inclusive in the form of the XVZ1300TF Royal Star Venture luxury tourer.

What do the owners say?

The model causes a mixed reaction among cruiser connoisseurs. For example, many people don’t like the fact that spare parts are not so easy to get, and this makes it difficult to operate an already quite old bike. However, some consider the car to be reliable enough not to consider this a serious problem.

According to reviews from those who have used the model in different weather and climatic conditions, the bike copes with strong winds. However, he also has a limit. They note that this cruiser is not as stable as many representatives of the tourist class. Despite the large dimensions. This is understandable, because the stability of the tourer is largely achieved due to evenly spaced luggage containers and greater width.

If you want to buy a car for traveling, especially for two people, this vehicle is not recommended. According to the description of those who have tried it, the model for these purposes is inconvenient and even dangerous. Just like many other cruisers. If you really like the class and want to combine it with long trips, it is better to pay attention to the touring versions of this class.

IMPORTANT!!! A cruiser is, first and foremost, a motorcycle for pleasure, and therefore it is difficult to call such an acquisition practical. One of the reviews says that the car is perfect for short walks along country roads. If you have a summer house that is intended only for recreation, and it can be reached along a good road, then this bike will be an excellent solution.

The XVZ 1300 Royal Star will delight you with its smooth dynamics and beautiful design. However, those who don't like the class as a whole won't like this bike. After all, the model is a typical cruiser with all the ensuing pros and cons.

Disadvantages of the model

1. The high windshield limits visibility, so it will have to be replaced with a lower one.
2. The braking system is weak for a 400-kilogram “monster” with good acceleration dynamics and a fairly high maximum speed.
3. Handling on winding roads is challenging, as is driving around town. The motorcycle is not suitable for daily commuting to work in constant traffic jams. His element is the track.
4. The suspension is quite stiff, the ground clearance is small. This reduces driving comfort on bad roads.
5. Difficulties with maneuvers and controllability at low speeds.
6. The clutch creates some problems in city driving; despite the hydraulics, it is quite difficult to squeeze out.

Yamaha Royal Star really makes you feel like the king of the road. Excellent acceleration dynamics and a powerful four-cylinder engine allow it to create worthy competition for many cruisers. Japanese reliability and durability can be seen in the smallest details of the motorcycle. With proper and constant maintenance, breakdowns are extremely rare. Large, roomy trunks are designed to ensure that everything you need is at hand on tourist trips. A capacious tank creates a power reserve of up to 350 km on the highway. The Yamaha Royal Star Ventura is very heavy. At low speeds, maneuverability and controllability are significantly reduced, so it is absolutely not suitable for beginners.

The dimensions of the Yamaha Venture Royale are as follows:

• height – 1565 mm;
• width – 900 mm;
• length – 2705 mm;
• wheelbase – 1705 mm;
• saddle height – 750 mm;
• ground clearance – 150 mm;
• curb weight – 394 kg;
• Tank capacity – 22 l.

The mass is huge, but due to it there is good traction and stability. The tank capacity is sufficient for long trips in places where gas stations are rare. It is important to take into account that you cannot carry a canister with you, because if the car falls on one, a fire may occur (applies to all bikes).

History of changes

Over the entire production period, the bike has not undergone significant changes. This is due to the fact that touring motorcycles, in principle, rarely undergo changes, except when updating international standards, for example, environmental ones. But this did not happen with this model, since the release period was relatively short.

If you look at the photos and videos where this bike appears, it becomes clear that there is nothing to add or take away. The machine embodies the ideal of a comfortable touring motorcycle. So, perhaps, the designers and management were right when they decided not to make changes to the model.

Video

Video review of the Yamaha XVZ 1300 Venture Royale motorcycle: