Yamaha 1300 V-4

[admin]

I recently purchased an 06 Royal Star Tour Deluxxe which has the V-4 motor. Seems great so far with plenty of power and torque but I have seen a couple of bike mag staffers say they didnt care for it but did not explain. I would like to hear peoples thoughts, good or bad so I can learn more about this motor
Posted by: bspear on Dec 20, 06 7:01:39 pm

[admin]

I can't remember any bad press on the Royal Stars. The only bad ratings I have seen are on the FJR1300AE. The Deluxe would be the Royal Star I would buy because of price and all the elecronic doo-dads that come on the Venture. Several of the guys I work with have both models. They swear by them and pick on me because I ride a "little" Road Star Midnight. The only downside to the Royal Stars would be their gas mileage or maybe the fact they seem to have excessive tire wear. Other than that I think you bought a great ride for touring. Just my opinion. Pike
Posted by: pikepass on Dec 20, 06 9:07:08 pm

[admin]

Yamaha's V4 is a little anemic as compared to other V4's and touring bikes I have ridden. The engine also makes so much mechanical noise that the sound system on the bike I was riding was essentially useless. Good thing I don't like music when I'm riding!

It's not a bad motor, but it does pale a bit by comparison to other offerings.
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Dec 20, 06 10:59:12 pm

[admin]

Thanks for replying. I have already noticed the poorer mileage with just 600 miles on it. But compared to filling my chevy pickup, its peanuts. I did see that it has 10:1 compression so better go with premium fuel. My dealer didnt tell me that
Posted by: bspear on Dec 21, 06 12:38:11 pm

[Forget-Me-Not]

I drive a 96 Royal. It's one sweet bike. You need to make that baby REV to get power. 5th gear is an overdrive. The v4 is a bulletproof engine. Good luck and many happy miles are ahead of you....

[johnh]

I think shooter bob is referring to the earlier royal stars as being anemic. the 2005 and newer is rated a 98 hp and pulls very well all the way to redline. It doesn't pull like a big v twin on 5th gear roll ons, but if you kick her down one or two she'll get you where you're going in a hurry.

[dave38x]

I've got to throw my two cents in on this. I ride an 05 RSTD and absolutely love it. Sure gas mileage at around 40 MPGs isn't great for a bike but certainly better than my pick-up. My two minor gripes are the heat on my feet in the summer and the lack of aftermarket goodies. My fix for the heat was to put some highway pegs on to get my feet out from behind the lowers. The only remedy for the aftermarket support, or lack there of is to get creative and either make my own stuff or to adapt things made for other models. I have found out that parts made for the Road Star and V-Star 1100 sometimes bolt right up and the manufacturer doesn't list it to fit the RSTD. That V-4 is a sweet smooth engine and rock solid reliable. V-Max parts do work on this engine as they are based on the same cases. Twist the go-grip and you will be rewarded with a nice surge, this motor doesn't like low RPMs like a V-twin.I hope all who own one are as happy as I am. Ride safe.

[Carolina Drifter]

I can't understand why they don't EFI the Royal Star.

[thebighop]

I have a 99 Venture...enjoy 43-45 mpg most of the time...as long as I keep it around 55-70 mph. Once I step up around 80 it drops fast into the mid to high 30's.
I have often wondered why they haven't gone with the EFI myself, and recall being told by one dealer, as to why, but can't rember his answer off hand...But I will ask again , and post it here...
As to power...
My 900 pound road boat walks away from most big v-twins on a 70mph roll on. I say most because obviously Buell or Ducatti will wipe my hynie at any speed.
I have pushed my Venture a few times just to see where she'll go, and have topped out 120+ mph.
Keep the carbs balanced on the Royal Star...( I can show you a real inexpensive and easy to use gauge you can make, or you can buy nice ones for around $120) , and have the valves adjusted as called for...(I have only done this twice in 80K miles with this Venture, but did so every 20K on my 85 Venture, but found that it isn't really needed as often as called for in the owners manual ) and you'll maintain good power and mgp....

Rear tire wear on the Venture is a problem, but I use Metzlers and they seem to hold up real well...Avon's too, but the problem lies in the trunk and rear passenger weight being a little too rearward....
Ride one up and remove the trunk and replace it with a nice Yamaha backrest and luggage rack and you'll get a good 50% more mileage out of your rear...

[MeanGene]

Yamaha V4 is tough enough! Every one I have seen "just keeps running". 4 cylinders have a natural balance about them. 360 degree rotation divides evenly by 4 for 90 degrees. Of course 720 degrees for a complete cycle of 4stroke engine, firing a cylinder every 180 degrees rotation.(Twin every 360 degrees rotation) The power pulse overlap is much smoother than a V-twin. The counter balance can be buit in the crankshaft easier, smooth like a car engine. The four cylinder engine is probably the ultimate power/pound-bike/car motor/fuel economy. Ride the H.D. 1000 miles, then ride the Venture, betcha I know which one you will say is the smoothest ride.

[quietguy]

Yamaha V4 is tough enough! Every one I have seen "just keeps running". 4 cylinders have a natural balance about them. 360 degree rotation divides evenly by 4 for 90 degrees. Of course 720 degrees for a complete cycle of 4stroke engine, firing a cylinder every 180 degrees rotation.(Twin every 360 degrees rotation) The power pulse overlap is much smoother than a V-twin. The counter balance can be buit in the crankshaft easier, smooth like a car engine. The four cylinder engine is probably the ultimate power/pound-bike/car motor/fuel economy. Ride the H.D. 1000 miles, then ride the Venture, betcha I know which one you will say is the smoothest ride.

Good writeup... gives us a different perspective in which to view this engine/bike..thank you.

[thebighop]

Yamaha V4 is tough enough! Every one I have seen "just keeps running". 4 cylinders have a natural balance about them. 360 degree rotation divides evenly by 4 for 90 degrees. Of course 720 degrees for a complete cycle of 4stroke engine, firing a cylinder every 180 degrees rotation.(Twin every 360 degrees rotation) The power pulse overlap is much smoother than a V-twin. The counter balance can be buit in the crankshaft easier, smooth like a car engine. The four cylinder engine is probably the ultimate power/pound-bike/car motor/fuel economy. Ride the H.D. 1000 miles, then ride the Venture, betcha I know which one you will say is the smoothest ride.

Well said...
With very few exceptions, the 1300 V-4 Royal Star engine is one of the finest, smoothest running motors I have ever had the pleasure of straddling.
It could use a bit better gas mileage...but what the hey, my Dodge Dakota 4x4 only gets 12-14 mpg, so 40+mpg is like dying and going to Heaven...
On the 1000 mile ride challenge...
I have owned 7 HD's, 5 of which were dressers....I will stick with my Venture.
HD handles slightly better in a fast, tight curve, or twisties, but for overall comfort....I can ride the Venture tank to tank...which is 200+ miles without a break....I never did that on any of my HD's.
Of course they were all pre-1983, which is when I took up the Venture banner, so it is possible that HD might have added little more comfort now, compared to then...But I am still not willing to trade rides to find out.