Yamaha Royal Star Venture
Encyclopedia
Touring motorcycle
A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although any motorcycle can be used to tour with, manufacturers have brought specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders...
built by the Yamaha Motor Company
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
. It was introduced in 1999 and was manufactured, largely unchanged, through the 2010 model year. Though Yamaha revived the Venture name which they used on the 1983 to 1993 Venture Royale
Yamaha Venture Royale
The Yamaha Venture Royale is a premier touring motorcycle manufactured in two forms by Yamaha from 1983 to 1993.-History:The V4 engine from the Mk1 Venture was modified for performance and was used as the engine in the Yamaha V-Max. Many of these changes were incorporated into the Mk2 version of...
models, the Royal Star Venture shares little with its predecessor except for the time-proven liquid-cooled V4 engine
V4 engine
A V4 engine is a V form engine with four cylinders and three main bearings.-Automobile use:Lancia produced several narrow-angle V4 engines from the 1920s through 1960s for cars like the Lambda, Augusta, Artena, Aprilia, Ardea, Appia, and Fulvia....
and shaft drive power package. It departs from the earlier sport touring styling in favor of a classically styled touring look.
Appearance
There are two basic models: standard and S. The standard model has brushed front forks while the S model has chrome front forks. The two models also have different color paint. Each year the standard model color has changed. During some model years the S model has retained the same color, though always different from the standard model. This is most noted in the "Midnight" version of the S model which featured Raven (black with silver metallic) paint.The 1999-2000 had different style seats than the 2001 to current year models. The older seats were more firm than the newer "Pillow" top style seats. The older style flat panel seats were used on the Midnight models with the addition of chrome studs along the sides. The seats on the Midnight model were changed to the unstudded pillow top design for the last half of the 2006 model year. 2006 was the last year for the Midnight version of the S model.
Millennium Edition
In 2000 Yamaha produced the Millennium Edition Royal Star Venture. This year model was Pearl White/Ivory two tone with tan seats. Only 1,500 of these were produced and a serial numbered placard is located on the rear of the trunk.Mechanical
The Royal Star Venture is a large motorcycle. Rider seat height is 28.5 inches (72.4 cm). It weighs 807 lb (366 kg) dry, which yields a weight of 869 lb (394.2 kg) with oil, coolant, and a full fuel tank. The Royal Star Venture has a 67.1 inches (170.4 cm) wheelbase. Among the standard features are a full AM/FM/tape stereo system with integrated CB, and electronic cruise control. The shock absorbers are air adjustable for preload to help compensate for different load sizes. It has a large trunk and side bags. The seats are either traditional flat panel, or pillow top depending on the model and year.The drive package on the Royal Star Venture includes a liquid-cooled 1298 cc (referred to as 1,300 cc) V4 engine
V4 engine
A V4 engine is a V form engine with four cylinders and three main bearings.-Automobile use:Lancia produced several narrow-angle V4 engines from the 1920s through 1960s for cars like the Lambda, Augusta, Artena, Aprilia, Ardea, Appia, and Fulvia....
. It has four valves per cylinder, overhead camshafts, and shim over bucket valves. The five speed overdrive transmission is part of the engine case and both the engine and transmission share oil. The drive shaft and final drive assembly are built into the left side of the double sided swingarm
Swingarm
A swingarm, or "swinging arm" is the main component of the rear suspension of most modern motorcycles and ATVs...
. Swing arm motion is damped by a monoshock mounted in the center of the frame. The clutch is of the wet plate design and is hydraulically activated by the left hand lever.
The front brakes are two-piston design, while the single rear caliper houses four pistons. Both front brakes are activated by the right hand lever. The rear brake is activated by the foot pedal on the right.
A few minor changes have been made for the 2001 and newer years. The trunk bottom of the 1999 model had a tendency to crack, and the antennas would come loose and fall off. Both issues were fixed as warranty claims. Shock absorber design was changed slightly in 2005 to incorporate an elevated vent tube to prevent oil loss in the event of a tip-over.