Photo: Yamaha
Yamaha updates its XVS1300 cruiser with a new livery that is supposed to draw in more custom bike enthusiasts. In fact, the very name of the bike says it all, as Iwata baptized the 2016 model year XVS1300 Custom.
The bike was not upgraded on the technical side, so those who own older versions of the XVS1300 have few reasons to change them. Still, people who are into the market for a middleweight cruiser might find that the blackened livery is a neat complement to the machine's overall looks.
We sort of hoped to see Yamaha rolling out more traditional color options, but it just wasn't meant to be. If sparkly hard candy or glitter graphics are your game, the 2016 Yamaha XVS1300 Custom might not tick the right box.
Such a dark presence could have looked even better without the shiny chrome accents on the mirrors, headlight casing, end caps and engine covers, if you ask us.
Likewise, for an even higher dose of bespoke looks, some pipe wrapping could have been a good fitment, as well. The slant stacked silencers are not our thing and we dare say they have a rather negative impact. Still, maybe this is only us...
On the tech side, the 2016 Yamaha XVS1300 Custom brings the 73 hp-capable liquid-cooled 1304cc v-twin, a transmission that only has 5 speeds, and plenty of torque for a confident ride. At 3000 rpm, the XVS1300 Custom delivers 103 Nm (76 lb-ft) and his should make riding this machine a fun job.
The 293 kg (647 lb) weight when fueled and ready to roll should also not be too much of a problem, even though adding a passenger and some luggage could make the 2016 Yamaha XVS1300 Custom feel a bit sluggish at times.
We spotted the XVS1300 Custom in Germany for €10,995 (equivalent $12,325) and this places it in a segment with alot of bikes to choose from.
We sort of hoped to see Yamaha rolling out more traditional color options, but it just wasn't meant to be. If sparkly hard candy or glitter graphics are your game, the 2016 Yamaha XVS1300 Custom might not tick the right box.
A dark middleweight cruiser with aftermarket-look parts
On the other hand, if sober, somehow menacing looks are your thing, then this XVS is definitely the right one for you. Long and low, the chassis provides a fairly low seat height that makes this bike suitable for shorter rider, as well. The raked-out fork is nicely complemented by aftermarket-look wheels and pull-back bars.Such a dark presence could have looked even better without the shiny chrome accents on the mirrors, headlight casing, end caps and engine covers, if you ask us.
Likewise, for an even higher dose of bespoke looks, some pipe wrapping could have been a good fitment, as well. The slant stacked silencers are not our thing and we dare say they have a rather negative impact. Still, maybe this is only us...
On the tech side, the 2016 Yamaha XVS1300 Custom brings the 73 hp-capable liquid-cooled 1304cc v-twin, a transmission that only has 5 speeds, and plenty of torque for a confident ride. At 3000 rpm, the XVS1300 Custom delivers 103 Nm (76 lb-ft) and his should make riding this machine a fun job.
The 293 kg (647 lb) weight when fueled and ready to roll should also not be too much of a problem, even though adding a passenger and some luggage could make the 2016 Yamaha XVS1300 Custom feel a bit sluggish at times.
We spotted the XVS1300 Custom in Germany for €10,995 (equivalent $12,325) and this places it in a segment with alot of bikes to choose from.
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