The Yamaha Royal Star was introduced in 1996 as the first model of Yamaha’s Star motorcycle line. It combined a liquid-cooled V4 engine from the Venture Royale with classic cruiser styling and shaft drive.
Yamaha Royal Star at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Class | Cruiser motorcycle |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Engine | 1,294 cc liquid-cooled V4 |
| Valves | four per cylinder, overhead camshafts |
| Gearbox | five-speed overdrive, shared oil with the engine |
| Final drive | shaft in the left side of the swingarm |
| Rear suspension | horizontally mounted mono-shock |
| Clutch | wet plate, hydraulically actuated |
| Brakes | two front discs, one rear disc, four-piston calipers |
| Seat height | 720 mm on Tour Classic and Tour Deluxe |
| Wet weight | 377 kg on Tour Classic and Tour Deluxe |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Yamaha Royal Star
Yamaha introduced the Royal Star in 1996 using the basic power package of the Yamaha Venture Royale. It was the first Star Motorcycle, a line that also came to include the Royal Star Venture, the Royal Star Tour Deluxe and the V-Max, all using variations of the same engine.
The first versions were the Standard and the Tour Classic. The Standard had four mufflers but no windscreen or side bags, although both were available as accessories. The Tour Classic also had four mufflers, plus a windscreen and soft or leather-covered hard side bags. In 1997 Yamaha added the Tour Deluxe with two mufflers, a windscreen and hard side bags. On the Tour Classic and Tour Deluxe the seat height was 720 mm, the wheelbase 1,690 mm and the wet weight 377 kg; the Standard was a little lighter with a slightly lower seat.
The drive package was unusual for a cruiser. The liquid-cooled 1,294 cc V4 had four valves per cylinder, overhead camshafts and shim-over-bucket valves. The five-speed overdrive gearbox was part of the engine case and shared its oil, and the shaft drive and final drive were built into the left side of the double-sided swingarm. A mono-shock mounted horizontally under the centre rear of the frame handled suspension, the wet clutch was hydraulically actuated from the left handlebar lever, and braking used two front discs and one right-hand rear disc with four-piston calipers throughout.
Design and features
- V4 power: a 1,294 cc liquid-cooled four with overhead camshafts.
- Shaft drive: the final drive ran inside the left side of the swingarm.
- Overdrive gearbox: a five-speed unit sharing oil with the engine.
- Touring trims: Tour Classic and Tour Deluxe versions with screens and bags.
Yamaha Royal Star versions
- Royal Star Standard (1996–): four mufflers, no screen or bags as standard.
- Royal Star Tour Classic: four mufflers, windscreen and side bags.
- Royal Star Tour Deluxe (1997–): two mufflers, windscreen and hard bags.
- Royal Star Venture: later touring model using the same engine family.
The Royal Star began Yamaha’s Star cruiser line, which also includes the Road Star. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha Royal Star, English Wikipedia: introduction, versions, engine, transmission, chassis
