YAMAHA Royal Star Midnight Venture (2002-2003) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2002, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Yamaha Royal Star Midnight Venture, a cruising motorcycle fitted with touring-oriented accessories, classic looks, modern technology, and matching power at an MSRP of $16,900.

The bike was fitted from the factory with standard features, such as a stylish, aerodynamic front cowl with a round headlight, a tall windscreen, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a two-piece dual seat, a top case with an integrated passenger backrest, side-mounted hard panniers, a dual chromed exhaust system, seven-spoke aluminum wheels, and a black-finished engine with chromed accents.

The 2002 Yamaha Royal Star Midnight Venture had installed a 1,294cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-4 engine, fed by four Mikuni carburetors, delivering an output power of 98 hp and 121 Nm (89 lb-ft) torque at 4,750 rpm.

The power produced by the engine was transferred to a wide-ratio five-speed manual transmission with a 5th gear overdrive and a wet multi-disc clutch and sent to the rear wheel through a low-maintenance final shaft drive.

The bike was manufactured around a steel frame with an air-assisted telescopic fork on the front, offering 142 mm wheel travel, and a link-type air-assisted shock absorber on the rear, delivering 104 mm of travel.

As for the braking power, the bike's wheels were fitted with two 298 mm discs coupled to four-piston calipers on the front and a 320 mm disc tied to a single-piston caliper on the rear, delivering a comfortable riding experience and excellent handling.