The Yamaha Royal Star Venture is a luxury touring motorcycle built by the Yamaha Motor Company. 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 models, the Royal Star Venture shares little with its predecessor except for the time-proven liquid-cooled V4 engine and shaft drive power package. It departs from the earlier sport touring styling in favor of a classically styled touring look.
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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.
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.[1]
The Royal Star Venture is a large motorcycle. Rider seat height is 28.5 inches (720 mm). It weighs 807 lb (366 kg) dry, which yields a weight of 869 lb (394 kg) with oil, coolant, and a full fuel tank. The Royal Star Venture has a 67.1-inch (1,700 mm) wheelbase.[2] 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.[3]
The drive package on the Royal Star Venture includes a liquid-cooled 1,298 cc (79.2 cu in) (referred to as 1,300 cc) V4 engine. 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. 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.[4]
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.[4]
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.
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