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| V Star 1100 Silverado |
By Robert Shearon
I got to do my first road test of a Yamaha this month.
William McKnight of Searcy Pre-Owned set me up with a Yamaha V
Star 1100 Silverado.
I’ve been wanting to ride an 1100cc touring cruiser. I’ve been on
about every other class, including 750, 800, 900, 1300 and 2000. I’
ve been wondering how an 1100 would work. It seemed like it would
be a good balance of power, weight and handling. But, the proof is
in the riding.
The Yamaha is kind of an oddball in the cruiser camp, as it is both
carbureted and air cooled. It started immediately on full choke and
within a few moments I was able to disengage the choke and putt off.
A lot of my preconceived notions about the 1100cc class proved to
be correct.
First, the bad stuff. The mirrors need to be farther out. They were
usable, but just. Some longer stalks would take care of that. Then,
there’s the windshield, which once again (this is the third time it’s
happened) created a funnel for the air, aiming it squarely at my neck
and chest. Luckily, it was a semi-warm day (55-60 degrees) and this
wasn’t a bad problem. It probably feels great when the weather is
really hot.
And last, and worst, is the seat. At first the seat was comfortable
and I was happy for a little over an hour. But when the seat went
bad, it went bad fast. The last few miles of my test run were very
uncomfortable, and there was precious little wiggle room thanks to
the seat’s dished shape.
I did some research among the V Star owners groups, and
found that the seat was disliked almost universally, but also that
aftermarket seats provide a complete remedy. If I had one of these
bikes, I’d make that change my first priority.
The seating position was OK. I didn’t get cramped, but I would have
liked my feet an inch or so lower or forward. The cockpit felt like it
was made for someone just a bit shorter than me.
Of course, if my feet had been lower, it would have lost some of it’s
corner clearance, of which there was an abundance, especially for a
cruiser. I didn’t drag anything on this outing.
Now for the good stuff.
The absolute best thing about this bike was the engine. The air-
cooled mill pumped out a surprising amount of torque. It was
capable of strong acceleration. Up around Pangburn, Ark., is a little
set of twisties. The engine took these with ease. Instead of rowing
through the gears to stay in the powerband, I just left it in fifth gear,
except for a couple of times when I downshifted to bleed off some
speed. I have to say, I liked that a lot. Horsepower is around 53 and
maximum torque is about 57 pounds at 2500 rpm (although without
a tachometer, you won’t be knowing when that’s happening). It’s
delivered to the rear wheel via a shaft.
Passing maneuvers were no problem. However, I must confess I
downshifted twice to pass each time and was rewarded with lots of
speed. The bike hit 70 in third gear with no problem at all.
I was also impressed with the bike’s steering. The steering was quick
for a cruiser. It took a deliberate, but not a heavy, hand during the
funner portions of the ride to get the bike to change directions. The
bike’s low-speed manners were also good, cornering easily from a
stop.
The triple-disc brakes were great. I must confess, I rarely use the
rear brakes on a cruiser because I don’t like the way the pedal is
mounted. I only used the rear brakes a couple of times on the V
Star. The front brakes were just awesome, thanks to the dual
298mm discs.
There wasn’t a lot of vibration - unless you really showered down
on the gas. Then there was some. Otherwise, there was a pleasant,
low-frequency pulse. It was a pleasant bike to ride.
I’d like to say a bit about the suspension. Problem is, it wasn’t until I
was through with the test and on the way home that it hit me - I didn’t
have a single suspension issue during the entire ride. What this
means, of course, is that the bike was set up just right for a 250-lb.
man. No jolts, no bottoming of the single rear (and hidden) shock,
front stayed planted at all speeds and lean angles. Nicely done,
Yamaha, I must say.
The saddlebags were on the smallish side for my taste. I tend to
pack heavy and the handsome bags didn’t look like they would hold
nearly all the stuff I like to carry with me on a trip. However, the test
bike had an optional luggage rack, which looked like it could take up
the slack!
The floorboards were big enough for my dogs. The heel/toe shifter
worked great (although I still have to force myself to use a heel
shifter). Clutch pull was light to moderate.
Fuel economy, according to the various owners groups, is between
44 and 50 mpg.
Except as noted, I liked the bike a lot, and liked it more as the day
wore on (except for the seat, which I disliked more as the day wore
on). For a cruiser, it’s on the light side, weighing in dry at just over
600 lbs.
Could I see one of these in the Shearon carport?
I think so. Of the bikes I’ve tested, the three that I’ve really liked
have been the Kawasaki 900, the Honda VTX 1300 and the V Star.
This has nothing to do with the merits of the other bikes I’ve tested. It’
s just in terms of fitment, utility, and economy, these three have it all.
For me, that is. Keep in mind I’m 51, 5-feet 10-inches tall,
overweight, and bald. I’m winsome, though.
The MSRP is $9,799 to $9,999 depending on color choice.
Mcknight said the test unit, which is a 2006 model and turned over
1,000 miles during my test, sells for $7.788.
Here’s the specs, courtesy the Yamaha Web site:
Engine: 65-cubic-inch (1063cc) air-cooled 75° V-twin; SOHC, 2
valves/cylinder
Bore x Stroke 95 x 75mm
Compression Ratio 8.3:1
Carburetion (2) 37mm Mikuni w/throttle position sensor
Ignition TCI
Transmission 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive Shaft
Chassis
Frame Steel; hidden shock
Suspension/Front Telescopic fork; 5.5-in travel
Suspension/Rear Single shock; adjustable preload, 4.5-in travel
Brakes/Front Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm
Brakes/Rear Hydraulic disc, 282mm
Tires/Front 130/90-16
Tires/Rear 170/80-15
Wheels Laced
Dimensions
Length 97.0 in
Width N/A
Height N/A
Seat Height 27.9 in
Wheelbase 64.8 in
Ground Clearance 5.5 in
Dry Weight 639 lb
Fuel Capacity 4.5 gal
Warranty 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)
I got to do my first road test of a Yamaha this month.
William McKnight of Searcy Pre-Owned set me up with a Yamaha V
Star 1100 Silverado.
I’ve been wanting to ride an 1100cc touring cruiser. I’ve been on
about every other class, including 750, 800, 900, 1300 and 2000. I’
ve been wondering how an 1100 would work. It seemed like it would
be a good balance of power, weight and handling. But, the proof is
in the riding.
The Yamaha is kind of an oddball in the cruiser camp, as it is both
carbureted and air cooled. It started immediately on full choke and
within a few moments I was able to disengage the choke and putt off.
A lot of my preconceived notions about the 1100cc class proved to
be correct.
First, the bad stuff. The mirrors need to be farther out. They were
usable, but just. Some longer stalks would take care of that. Then,
there’s the windshield, which once again (this is the third time it’s
happened) created a funnel for the air, aiming it squarely at my neck
and chest. Luckily, it was a semi-warm day (55-60 degrees) and this
wasn’t a bad problem. It probably feels great when the weather is
really hot.
And last, and worst, is the seat. At first the seat was comfortable
and I was happy for a little over an hour. But when the seat went
bad, it went bad fast. The last few miles of my test run were very
uncomfortable, and there was precious little wiggle room thanks to
the seat’s dished shape.
I did some research among the V Star owners groups, and
found that the seat was disliked almost universally, but also that
aftermarket seats provide a complete remedy. If I had one of these
bikes, I’d make that change my first priority.
The seating position was OK. I didn’t get cramped, but I would have
liked my feet an inch or so lower or forward. The cockpit felt like it
was made for someone just a bit shorter than me.
Of course, if my feet had been lower, it would have lost some of it’s
corner clearance, of which there was an abundance, especially for a
cruiser. I didn’t drag anything on this outing.
Now for the good stuff.
The absolute best thing about this bike was the engine. The air-
cooled mill pumped out a surprising amount of torque. It was
capable of strong acceleration. Up around Pangburn, Ark., is a little
set of twisties. The engine took these with ease. Instead of rowing
through the gears to stay in the powerband, I just left it in fifth gear,
except for a couple of times when I downshifted to bleed off some
speed. I have to say, I liked that a lot. Horsepower is around 53 and
maximum torque is about 57 pounds at 2500 rpm (although without
a tachometer, you won’t be knowing when that’s happening). It’s
delivered to the rear wheel via a shaft.
Passing maneuvers were no problem. However, I must confess I
downshifted twice to pass each time and was rewarded with lots of
speed. The bike hit 70 in third gear with no problem at all.
I was also impressed with the bike’s steering. The steering was quick
for a cruiser. It took a deliberate, but not a heavy, hand during the
funner portions of the ride to get the bike to change directions. The
bike’s low-speed manners were also good, cornering easily from a
stop.
The triple-disc brakes were great. I must confess, I rarely use the
rear brakes on a cruiser because I don’t like the way the pedal is
mounted. I only used the rear brakes a couple of times on the V
Star. The front brakes were just awesome, thanks to the dual
298mm discs.
There wasn’t a lot of vibration - unless you really showered down
on the gas. Then there was some. Otherwise, there was a pleasant,
low-frequency pulse. It was a pleasant bike to ride.
I’d like to say a bit about the suspension. Problem is, it wasn’t until I
was through with the test and on the way home that it hit me - I didn’t
have a single suspension issue during the entire ride. What this
means, of course, is that the bike was set up just right for a 250-lb.
man. No jolts, no bottoming of the single rear (and hidden) shock,
front stayed planted at all speeds and lean angles. Nicely done,
Yamaha, I must say.
The saddlebags were on the smallish side for my taste. I tend to
pack heavy and the handsome bags didn’t look like they would hold
nearly all the stuff I like to carry with me on a trip. However, the test
bike had an optional luggage rack, which looked like it could take up
the slack!
The floorboards were big enough for my dogs. The heel/toe shifter
worked great (although I still have to force myself to use a heel
shifter). Clutch pull was light to moderate.
Fuel economy, according to the various owners groups, is between
44 and 50 mpg.
Except as noted, I liked the bike a lot, and liked it more as the day
wore on (except for the seat, which I disliked more as the day wore
on). For a cruiser, it’s on the light side, weighing in dry at just over
600 lbs.
Could I see one of these in the Shearon carport?
I think so. Of the bikes I’ve tested, the three that I’ve really liked
have been the Kawasaki 900, the Honda VTX 1300 and the V Star.
This has nothing to do with the merits of the other bikes I’ve tested. It’
s just in terms of fitment, utility, and economy, these three have it all.
For me, that is. Keep in mind I’m 51, 5-feet 10-inches tall,
overweight, and bald. I’m winsome, though.
The MSRP is $9,799 to $9,999 depending on color choice.
Mcknight said the test unit, which is a 2006 model and turned over
1,000 miles during my test, sells for $7.788.
Here’s the specs, courtesy the Yamaha Web site:
Engine: 65-cubic-inch (1063cc) air-cooled 75° V-twin; SOHC, 2
valves/cylinder
Bore x Stroke 95 x 75mm
Compression Ratio 8.3:1
Carburetion (2) 37mm Mikuni w/throttle position sensor
Ignition TCI
Transmission 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive Shaft
Chassis
Frame Steel; hidden shock
Suspension/Front Telescopic fork; 5.5-in travel
Suspension/Rear Single shock; adjustable preload, 4.5-in travel
Brakes/Front Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm
Brakes/Rear Hydraulic disc, 282mm
Tires/Front 130/90-16
Tires/Rear 170/80-15
Wheels Laced
Dimensions
Length 97.0 in
Width N/A
Height N/A
Seat Height 27.9 in
Wheelbase 64.8 in
Ground Clearance 5.5 in
Dry Weight 639 lb
Fuel Capacity 4.5 gal
Warranty 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)