Yamaha XVS1300 Midnight Star

[dogshome]

My wife has always been reluctant to pillion on the R65. It's short, narrow and the standard style exhausts up near the pegs worry her. The proximity of the passenger and main pegs is also a problem with my size 49s and SWB... So went to have a look at a Vmax since a friend says his missus always preferred that. Better. Also quite top heavy and a bit tired as a 92. Although fully functional. Also very fast in the UJM way...MORE REVS!!!!! Red sun bandanna etc.

My man also had an XVS 'Hardley American" Yamaha. This is almost gold-wing like except without the even more massive bulk and cost for a newish one. Easy to handle, easy to get on, low exhausts one side and four floorboards. Metric spanners and an engine design that isn't archaic (and not an efficient design). Sissy bar. No faster than the R86, but very relaxing. No wobbles or fidgeting on the back hopefully now! Doesn't rumblke in the way a Harley does, but equally doesn't vibrate or cook your gonads.


Anyone got one, had one?


Pics thanks to Wikipedia. Pics of my bike to follow.

[dogshome]

Oil & air filters, plugs and oil now changed. The noise problem in revealed. Nothing in rear cylinder, undersized puny thing in front. Baffles on order 

[dogshome]

My missus (who is happy to get on board this) and my friends wife think it's very funny to make 'terminator' and 1-handed shotgun reload noises.....

[dogshome]

I read that "nobody waves" if you ride a Japanese cruiser 

That is true, unless it's another one.....

No replies on the BMW forum. I can take it. I'm a man (despite the size of my motorcycle). Doesn't bother me 

[dogshome]

"Whisper quiet" baffles in the same way that Hulk Hogan is /was   

To replace the missing and puny undersized 'mufflerette' that was in the front pipe. Yes they were straight through 

[dogshome]

Can someone tell me where the idle mixture screw is on this fuel injected bike? The baffles have made trickling speed in 1st and 2nd almost OK. But, I have the R86 set up better, even with the high gearing.

Any experiences on other FI bikes with add on fuel controllers, O2 sensor mods or other fixes here?

[Burt]

I read that "nobody waves" if you ride a Japanese cruiser 

That is true, unless it's another one.....

No replies on the BMW forum. I can take it. I'm a man (despite the size of my motorcycle). Doesn't bother me 

Okay, I'll say it because everyone else is too embarrassed to do so. 

You have broken the unwritten rule of telling everyone on a BMW site that you have a cough Japanese cough moto.  And that you like it and may even prefer it to your BMW. 

Happy now? 

[dogshome]

 

The two bikes are completely different (Duh, you don't say?). The R86 feels like a nimble little greyhound compared to the brute force and agricultural donk of the Yamaha. I thought the BMW gears were clunky, they absolutely are not compared to the whirring mass of steel inside the Yams box. Yams huge grunt at medium revs is great fun however. The window rattling exhaust (with whisper quiet inserts) is tiresome - don't drive angry remember!

The missus is happy on the Yam. Not enough room and exhausts too close when dismounting means she won't pillion on the Beemer. R86 on an old plate with skinny tyres and obviously not a modern bike is satisfying when merging, as they don't expect the quiet Zzzmmm and rapid acceleration.

Yam serious maintenece like heads off? Nightmare! Beemer easy like a lawn mower.

I like fly fishing. I also like wrecking off the South coast. The two things are similar but different. I've never gotten into pond fishing which is maybe why I haven't got a Brit bike. Who knows. Horses for courses   



I'm keeping both - currently trying to gain some garage space so the yam can come indoors. The Beemer isn't moving out 

[dogshome]

Operation Garage has advanced and the junk is exposed from the good stuff. I sold a 60cc RC trainer and a bandsaw so far.

Jobs done on the (SHMNBNMC):
* Oiled the clutch cable. Unusually seems to have got rid of the clunk into first. Not complaining as it now moves into gear NOT like a 1940s lorry.
* Dynojet PowerCommander FC with a map from a very helpful customer support has eliminated the hesitation caused by the 'manly' exhaust. Whisper quiet mufflers LOL. Quiet in the Hulk Hogan way...
* Poxy adjuster for the rear spring is proving 'difficult'. It's in an awkward place and the typical Yamah Rust-U-Like adjuster has rusted. it has been daubed with XCP and awaiting Round 2.
* Rusted out 'vanity bar' replaced with Polish stainless type (which is very good). As in Poland. 
* Rusted out chrome 'SUX6000' radiator grille replaced with much better stone protection of the standard black plastic jobular.
* 12V £25 LED driving lights (as fitted to the Beemer) about to be fitted. I have noticed cages thinking about pulling out on me, where the dual day riding lights on the R86 stop that entirely.
* Greased various parts on the various levers.

My mate (a beemer rider of many years) does not hate it per se, he won't sit on it though 

I'd like a large 2-stroke 'crosser (as well as), but the living space isn't enough 

[dogshome]

One thing the 'lesser make' bike does (unsurprisingly) is to under steer when leaned right over. Not in a scary way, but you have to get hold of it and make it have it.

The downside of rock solid straight line stability.

[dogshome]

I fitted a tasteful accessory to the old girl today (along with some morre serious maintenence tasks).

[dogshome]

Front 'springs' (actually the size and strength you find in ball point pens) removed and Ohlins rising rate put in. Somewhat soft and rusted Yamaha rear shock/spring unit replaced with Hagon unit and remote hydraulic preload adjuster.

I am pleased to say the (she who must not be named) cruiser now handles. Curves and islands (roundabouts) can be taken in the same way as a modern crotch rocket - knee out, hang off bars and throw it round. Hilarious fun. Other road users don't expect a "Harley" to do these things.

Changing direction isn't like the R65 (which is more like a racing pushbike, nimble), but has the desired grin factor.


I'm lucky to have two motorcycles. If I could afford (and keep) a Kawasaki triple and a CR500 / KX500 / Maico 2 stroke 'crosser as well..........

[dogshome]

[Possible sickness and revulsion alert!]

Another tasteful upgrade  . Yes, the fuel injection has been remapped and the snatchiness these bikes are let-down by (as well as the looks      ) is gone.