YAMAHA Road Star Midnight (2003-2004) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2003, Yamaha launched the Road Star Midnight Star, a blacked-out version of the standard machine, with a black-finished engine, chromed cooling fins, and studded rider and passenger seats that created a unique appearance among Road Star machines.

The bike was fitted from the factory with classic-looking features, including a round headlight with a chromed housing, a teardrop-style tank with an integrated cluster, deeply valanced steel fenders covering the wire-spoke wheels, and a wide, pulled-back handlebar.

Underneath its fuel tank, the maker mounted a 1,602cc four-stroke V-twin air-cooled engine fed by a carburetor, delivering an output power of 63 hp at 4,000 rpm and 134 Nm (99 lb-ft) torque with a maximum peak at 2,250 rpm.

The engine power was handled by a five-speed manual transmission, sending it to the rear wheel through a final belt drive and pushing the machine to 176 kph (109 mph). From top speed to zero, the bike was stopped by two 298 mm discs and two-piston calipers on the front and a 320 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper on the rear.

The Road Star family of cruiser machines was manufactured until 2014, when the maker dropped the Road Star line from their range. Also, it underwent several modifications over its production time, including the 2004 displacement increase and design changes and the 2008 upgrade that introduced a new fuel injection system.

The 2003 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Star was sold as new in 2003 at an MSRP of $11,799. After 20 years, the bike was for sale at an average retail price of $3,405.