Yamaha V-twin question

[cowpuc]

and so, laying in my bed trying to get some sleep and I begin to count all the different Yamaha V-twins they make/made,, it didnt work... Instead of falling to sleep it brought about some questions about them that maybe some of you know the answers to..

Lets see, we have the 1900 Strat motor, the 1700 Roadie, 1600, 1300, 1100, 950, 800 (new bolt?), 750, 700, 650, 500 and 250...

Out of all those V-Twins is there any of them that you guys personally know of that are truely "worthy" motors (like our V-4,s) capable of 200,000 miles on original build?

Back to bed..

Puc

[DragonRider]

My V Star 1300 was an awesome bike, good ride, great motor, plenty of power and very smooth. Only put 30,000 miles on it and never had a lick of problem with it. Sort of sorry that I sold it, but if I ever wanted to buy another cruiser v twin it would be the V Star 1300 Deluxe. Very nice looking bike and well equiped.

 

 

and so, laying in my bed trying to get some sleep and I begin to count all the different Yamaha V-twins they make/made,, it didnt work... Instead of falling to sleep it brought about some questions about them that maybe some of you know the answers to..

Lets see, we have the 1900 Strat motor, the 1700 Roadie, 1600, 1300, 1100, 950, 800 (new bolt?), 750, 700, 650, 500 and 250...

Out of all those V-Twins is there any of them that you guys personally know of that are truely "worthy" motors (like our V-4,s) capable of 200,000 miles on original build?

Back to bed..

Puc

[Mike G in SC]

I had a Road Star 1600 for three years (and 50k miles). Sold it.

Then got the RSTD (still have it at 96k miles).

Picked up a deal on a Strat 1900. Had it a year, rode it 10k miles, never cared for it.

Picked up a RSV (now got 65k miles), got rid of the Strat . Still ride the RSTD as my commute.

 

It's the V4!

 

At my dealer the other day, talking to the owner, he said his inside info was the next Yamaha Star tourer will be a 1900. I didn't bother to ask more.

 

If it ain't a V4,,, I might look at a 6 cylinder when I look again.

[MiCarl]

Our V-4s are essentially a pair of V-twins that share a transmission. The V-twins are pretty durable too.

 

Most of what has come from Japan since around 1980 or so is pretty solid stuff.

[BratmanXj]

The 1600 & 1700 cc Roadstar & Warrior motors are stout motors and have seen some pretty decent built engines with stock internals. I know a few RSWarriors pushing 100,000 miles on a sport-cruiser that they ride hard. Their biggest downfall is the belt drive jack shaft has a tendency to strip.

[ACE50]

Our V-4s are essentially a pair of V-twins that share a transmission.

That's like saying: all motorcycles are the same, an engine and 2 wheels!!!!

[CaptainJoe]

and so, laying in my bed trying to get some sleep and I begin to count all the different Yamaha V-twins they make/made,, it didnt work... Instead of falling to sleep it brought about some questions about them that maybe some of you know the answers to..

Lets see, we have the 1900 Strat motor, the 1700 Roadie, 1600, 1300, 1100, 950, 800 (new bolt?), 750, 700, 650, 500 and 250...

Out of all those V-Twins is there any of them that you guys personally know of that are truely "worthy" motors (like our V-4,s) capable of 200,000 miles on original build?

Back to bed..

Puc

 

200,000 Not likely unless it's water cooled.

100,000 mi. possible if you change the oil regularly and drive it with some sense...

[Peder_y2k]

Forgot the Yamaha xv535 for your list. Liquid cooled mc engines are like small car engines. Maintain them and they last and last. Ignore them and they dissapoint you. Air cooled not so long.

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[BratmanXj]

Forgot the Yamaha xv535 for your list

A lot of the engines listed share the same architecture while having different bore and stroke:

 

The 650 is a bored out 535

As the 1900 & 1700 is to the 1600

[Jimbob66]

I had a Road Star 1600 for three years (and 50k miles).

It's the V4!

 

At my dealer the other day, talking to the owner, he said his inside info was the next Yamaha Star tourer will be a 1900. I didn't bother to ask more.

 

If it ain't a V4,,, I might look at a 6 cylinder when I look again.

 

Agreed

 

In my opinion, Vtwins by design will not last as long as a V4, Inline 4 or flat 6 do.

 

The rotating assembly (Piston weiight, Con rod etc) is far heavier on a vtwin than a V4. This places higher stress on bearings, rings and cylinder walls. Its simple inertia physics.

 

Also, the compression pulses are much more even on a V4 (or flat 6) than a Vtwin.

 

Liquid cooled and air cooled are a whole different ball game though.

[cowpuc]

Thanks you guys,, gotta LOVE this place for the many many years of motorcycling expertise!! And, more importantly - a willingness to share the thoughts..

 

Puc

[Oldodge]

I had a Yamaha 550 Vision. V-twin water cooled. Cool little bike.

[cowpuc]

I had a Yamaha 550 Vision. V-twin water cooled. Cool little bike.

 

Yea Oldy, I have seen a few of those thru the years,, I always thought they really did appear to be "half" of a Venture motor.... I wonder if they had "half" the horsepower - putting them in the 45/50 horse range,, hmmm....

[Oldodge]

I believe the Vision was rated about 65 HP, but my memory ain't what it used to be, at least that is what my wife says. I don't remember ever having a better memory.....hmmmm.