YAMAHA XV Series/Models Timeline, Specifications and Pictures

2017

With its torque-rich V-twin engine, sports riding position and timeless good looks, the bold XV950 Racer brings together low rider style with cafe racer attitude to create a new kind of gutsy and light handling bike that defies convention. Because rules were made to be broken.

2017 - Present

Now Yamaha is opening the door to the world of customisation to every rider with the new XV950R, a bobber that encapsulates the character and personality of those original back street creations in a new neo retro Japanese look with a sharp edge.

2013 - 2014

Sold in the US under the model name Star Bolt, the 2013 Yamaha XV950 is the base model on which the Bolt R-Spec was built. Proudly displaying the same classic lines but with a completely updated, modern design, this bike is the very expression of the present-day sporty bobber, a machine which is as rewarding to ride as it is good-looking and dependable. Powered by Yamaha's long time-pr...

2013 - 2014

Drawing its cues form the past but clearly already in the future, the 2013 Yamaha XV950R is a “bobberized” machine with minimal bling and max attitude. Known in the US as the Bolt R-Spec, this bike is anything but a traditional beast. Powered by a brawny yet easy to master v-twin under the liter-class mark, the 2013 Yamaha XV950R comes with upgraded intake and a beefy exhaust which add to the mi...

2012 - 2013

The 2012 XVS950A Midnight Star is a nifty entry-lever cruiser Yamaha has in store for Europe, packing the more affordable price of smaller bikes with the traditional impeccable craftsmanship the brand has been offering for so many years now. A scaled-down version of the bigger bikes in the family, the XVS950A retains the bobber attire and the lines which have made so many riders fall in love wi...

2012 - 2013

If the 1854cc Midnight Star is a bit overkill for you, or if you're on a tighter budget, but would still throw a leg over some awesome Yamaha cruiser machinery, maybe you should be looking into the 2013 XVS1300A Midnight Star. Boasting the same might looks and commanding neo-streamline cruiser design, the smaller Midnight Star packs in a smaller v-twin power plant in a more maneuverable and...

2012 - 2013

The 2012 Yamaha XV1900A Midnight Star Casual Full Dress is the perfect treat for those who loved the might of the basic Midnight Star but are also looking for even more glorious looks and touring functionality. Bringing this already amazing cruiser into the bagger/ tourer realm, Yamaha adds a pair of generous hard case saddles and a massive fork-mounted full cowl. The radical streamlined loo...

2012 - 2013

Dramatic looks and a mighty engine, all packed in a shiny black menacing livery with blazing chromed accents, the 2012 Yamaha XV1900A Midnight Star is a classic cruising machine which delivers outstanding performance and was engineered to really go the distance. The bike screams power and attitude and actually feels more compact than your off-the-mill cruiser, especially with the fat pull-back b...

2009 - 2014

The DragStar, also known as V-Star in North America, is a big motorcycle built by the Japanese company in two versions: the XV1100 and the XV1100A. The DragStar began as the XVS650 in 1998, and grew in 1999 to include the XVS1100 Custom. The 1100 used a reworked version of the venerable Virago 75-degree, air-cooled v-twin which had been in use since the early 1980s. The Star version offered bett...

2008 - 2009

The 2009 MY Stratoliner Midnight carries on all the acclaimed features and character the base versions of the model boast, such as the massive torque and usable power of the 1854cc v-twin and premium cruising comfort backed by impeccable craftsmanship. The extra allure comes from the details of the Midnight trim, with matte black paint adorning most of the metal parts. Sober, elegant and mena...

2008 - 2009

With easily-detachable windscreen and passenger backrest, the 2009 MY Stratoliner S can change hides in seconds. A big touring machine might be less handy in the busy city, but shedding off the non-essential accessories makes it more nimble and suitable for daily rides. Plan a longer trip with a passenger? Load these add-ons in instants and ready your luggage. The Stratoliner S has 1854cc of ...

2008 - 2009

If size matters when it comes to bikes, then the Stratoliner should be one of the first ones on your list. This might cruiser is powered by an 1854cc air-cooled pushrod engine, loaded into a modern frame with classic looks and neo-streamline design cues which hark back to the machines of yore. The aluminium chassis is however all modern, just like the twin-bore injection system, high-spec bra...

2008 - 2012

This is Yamaha’s aggressive new drag-style XV 1900 Raider custom cruiser, which will only be available in the USA. The 1854 cc air-cooled v-twin motorcycle engine powering the Yamaha Raider is from the Yamaha Midnight Star, but only the engine is carried across the chassis and bodywork is all new and unique to the Raider motorcycle. An aluminium cradle frame and swingarm is used, and a rear mono...

2007 - 2008

It was simply inconceivable that a premium cruiser such as the Stratoliner was left without a Midnight version, so here's the 2008 MY machine, all dressed in a sober black livery, with both glossy and matte accents beautifully contrasting with the rich chromed out parts. As if a big,and finished to perfection down to minute details bike was not enough, Yamaha ups the ante with the 2008 MY o...

2007 - 2008

The 2008 MY Stratoliner S epitomizes the awesome character of Yamaha's big-bore cruisers. A bike with a massive 1854cc air-cooled v-twin engine and plenty of real estate for two, this machine brings classic and modern cues together into a surprising mix. Leather clad hard cases, a tall windscreen, a generous passenger backrest, rider floorboards and plenty of chrome in all the right places ...

2007 - 2008

The S version of the 2008 MY XV1900 Custom Raider brings in a dash of sparkle obver the black livery of the base model. If some extra chrome and colors with your pro street-looks custom cruiser sounds good, then you'll love this machine. With an 1854cc displacement, low-end torque and passing power are never going to let you down, no matter what roads you'll be riding on, and exhilarat...

2007 - 2008

The 2008 MY XV1900 Custom Raider is a glorious way to tell the world that custom, pro-street looks can come right out of the box, and the head turning factor is lot bigger to be gin with. A true custom-looks machine, the 2008 MY XV1900 Custom Raider packs awesome old-school chopper design cues mixed with a more modern approach to radical roadsters. Compact yet massive, this machine comes wit...

2006 - 2007

Small, terribly easy to ride, economical and above all - looking just like any of its bigger siblings, the 2006 Yamaha XV250 Virago is the perfect beginner bike for riders who want to check out what cruiser/chopper riding is all about. Lightweight and with decent room for two-up riding, the Virago 250 is also affordable and comes with minimal maintenance costs. Accessories can turn this quart...

2006 - 2007

With the S in its model name standing for "shiny", the 2006 Stratoliner S is a surprising presence wherever it may show up. Yamaha made liberal use of chrome for this bike, and there are only a few places which haven't been covered in a luxurious coat of shiny metal. On the tech side, this bike is all-Statoliner down to every last nut and bolt, so you know that performance will be...

2006 - 2007

Just like all the cool Yamaha cruisers, the 2006 Stratoliner has received a Midnight version. All-black, sober and almost menacing, the 2006 Stratoliner Midnight retains all the features of the base model, but brings forth a glossy black livery, with a black paint job for the engine, polished fins and other matching shiny accents to go with those. The 1854cc v-twin is the same good old beast,...

2006 - 2007

There is something stellar about the Stratoliner, as it boasts power and low-end torque on tap, while sporting a massive head-turning factor. Classic to the bone, with plenty of chromed-out accents and equipped to ride past the state line right out of the box, the 2006 Stratoliner comes with a generous, detachable windscreen, rider floorboards, a passenger backrest and leather-clad hard saddle...

2006 - Present

The classic air-cooled Twin delivery provides just what the cruiser-oriented newb is looking for, albeit in a smaller package. The diminutive size of the Yamaha cruiser is both its strength and weakness as a machine, with the Virago boasting an inviting 27-inch seat height to encourage smaller-statured men or women who would be ill-matched to ridiculous size of some of the larger cruisers availa...

2006 - Present

The 2006 Yamaha XV 1900 has a huge V-twin is the honkingly massive amount of torque available. A peak of 115 hp come in at a barely-above tickover 2500 rpm. This makes the Yamaha XV 1900 exceptionally fast off the line with no rider effort. Big V-twins are never silky smooth but the XV1900 is better than most. It’s a high tech engine, not simply a bored out antique.

2005 - 2006

One of the finest entry-point bikes around, the Virago 250 is a great way for a new rider to get used to what motorcycles are really about, Small, light and low, this bike will make even shorter riders feel reassured and hop aboard it in full confidence. The bike packs 249ccs of air-cooled v-twin grunt, with plenty of nerve for two-up riding and this expands the versatility and useability of ...

2005 - 2006

If you liked the 2005 Stratoliner, then you'll love its Midnight version. It retains all the cool technological solutions making it a cruiser to die for, while adding in the sober, elegant glossy black livery with contrasting chrome accents to make a bold styling statement. With a heap of new engine parts for this model year, the Stratoliner family is better than ever, packing punch to l...

2005 - 2006

The S version of the 2005 Stratoliner gets chromed switchgear, front brake and clutch master cylinders, a detachable windscreen and passenger backrest, allowing riders to change the attire of the machine in only minutes, for short rides and longer hauls, as well. The saddlebags of the 2005 Stratoliner S are covered in leather and are lockable, too. Despie being a rather big cruiser, the Star ...

2005 - 2006

Classic by looks and utterly futuristic "under the hood", the 2005 Stratoliner is Yamaha's premium Star cruiser. Big, powerful and ariding like a dream, this bike is the expression of retro styling reinterpreted into shapes with a modern touch. The 1853cc air-cooled v-twin got an EFI system fro crisp and precise acceleration with improved mileage, while the cylinders received Yama...

2004 - 2005

If there is anything looking better than the 2004 Road Star Silverado, then it could only be the Midnight version of this awesome machine. Packing together all the features and tech heritage of the Road Star, the Silverado's rich chrome details and studded leather accents, this beats adds in the sober, jaw-dropping glossy black trim of the Midnight machines. The result is a bike with loo...

2004 - 2005

Great as an economical commuter and even greater as a first bike for a new rider, thew 2004 Virago 250 is all Yamaha cruiser technology in a smaller package. Packing plenty of punch for two-up rides in the city and even for longer hauls, the air-cooled v-twin engine is light and requires minimal maintenance. The dual stacked exhausts provide a throaty sound which resembles that of bigger bikes, ...

2003 - 2004

Perfect as an entry-point cruiser for new riders and equally suitable as an economical urban commuter for those who are not too fond of scooters, the 2003 Virago 250 brings out the best of both worlds. The bike offers excellent comfort for a machine of its size, with a lightweight build and low, reassuring seat, while the 249cc air-cooled v-twin provides a great punch which makes two-up riding a...

2003 - 2004

The 2003 Road Star Midnight Silverado is a thundering display of brawn and style, packing the acclaimed punch of the beefy 1670cc v-twin engine together with the massive head-turning factor of a bike designed to steal the show. Add in solid touring features such as a large and adjustable windscreen, leather saddlebags, studded seats and backrest, optional whitewalls, plush and road-worthy suspen...

2003 - Present

Yamaha XVS 650 has a a low, comfy seat, big bike looks, ease of use and nice styling on its side. With the 40 hp, SOHC, air-cooled V-twin doof-doofing quietly beneath you you’re only ever going to be in for an unhurried ride on the Yamaha XVS 650 DragStar. Which is fine, since there’s more to life than tearing about.

2002 - 2003

The 2002 Yamaha Virago 250 is a great choice for a first bike, but it can also become the commuter of choice for people with a budget-oriented mind who still want to share the joy of riding a small chopper. Low and reassuring for skinnier or shorter riders, the 2002 Virago 250 packs plenty of punch for two-up rides and you shouldn't be afraid taking it for a couple of hundred miles trip. ...

2002 - 2005

This Warrior version has a industry standard for V-twin excellence features 1670 cc displacement, pumping out incredible, asphalt ripping low rpm torque and acceleration. The engine of XV 1700 is a air cooled,, long stroke, OHV, 48 degree cylinders with pushrod valve actuation keeps engine height down and ensure more uniform heat dissipation due to absence of a chain case.

2001 - 2006

The Yamaha XVS 250 DragStar's handling is quite a surprise: far better than you’d expect. Suspension, brakes and gearbox are all good and, overall, the Yamaha XVS 250 DragStar's riding package is stable, easy going and relaxed.

2001 - Present

The Drag Star 125 is a traditional bike with a traditional four-stroke, air-cooled, V-twin 124cc engine.

2000 - 2002

The Custom model has bobbed rear fender, 110 front tire, exposed forks, and many other customizations while the Classic model had longer, bigger fenders, a longer and bigger floorboard, fork covers, and a 130mm wide front tire.

2000 - Present

The DragStar, also known as V-Star in North America, is a big motorcycle built by the Japanese company in two versions: the XV1100 and the XV1100A.

1999 - 2000

The smallest of the Yamaha cruisers, the XV250 Virago is the perfect bike for a new rider who wants to get a taste of what the two-wheeled world is about. For both boys and girls, the 1999 iteration of this mini-cruiser is most likely going to become a best friend: its low seat provides excellent ground contact at low speed or when stopped, while the bike ergonomics are comfortable and reassurin...

1999 - 2000

The 1999 Yamaha XV535 Virago is the perfect cruiser one could ride to hone in his or her skills prior to making a move to the big-bore machines. Light, compact and reassuring, the 535cc Virago is a bike which ladies seem to enjoy quite a lot, for its low saddle, comfy ergonomics and easy maneuverability. This bike is perfect for swift city slicing, but adding a luggage system and a windscreen...

1999 - 2003

The Yamaha XV 1600 Wild Star is a cruiser motorcycle. The 1999- 2003 models were the same 1602 cc naturally aspirated engines.

1997 - 2001

The Yamaha DragStar XVS 400 in available in the Standard and Classic versions, it´s Identical to the XVS 650 but with a smaller engine capacity. Primarily designed for the Japanese home market the XVS 400 has become a popular import into the United Kingdom and USA due to its excellent reputation and low running costs.

1997 - 2001

The 1997 Yamaha XV 125 Virago V-twin is one of the best made little motorbikes you can choose. Reliable motor, solid chassis, nice low seat and wide bars give a feeling of confident control on the machine.

1996 - 2000

The first version of this machine was introduced in 1981. The Virago even had a Softail-style suspension back then, though it was actually just Yamaha's clunky mono-cross single-shock tail, which later bowed out for a more fashionable twin-shock setup.

1996 - 2001

This is Yamaha’s aggressive new drag-style XV1900 Raider custom cruiser, which will only be available in the USA. The 1854 cc air-cooled v-twin motorcycle engine powering the Yamaha Raider is from the Yamaha Midnight Star - but only the engine is carried across - the chassis and bodywork is all-new and unique to the Raider motorcycle. An aluminium cradle frame and swingarm is used, and a rear mo...

1989 - 2005

The XV250 Virago is a great beginners' bike, especially for those to whom cruisers appeal the most. Providing enough punch to be fun and thrilling, this bike is the perfect platform to help new riders learn more about riding, being non-intimidating while at the same time fast enough for highway use. The bike can effortlessly carry two small saddlebags and adding a small windscreen and th...

1988 - 1998

The XV 535 DX Virago it was the first of their cruiser motorcycles and it certainly lasted well. The Yamaha XV DX 535 is basic, trusted, easy to ride and with unchallenging but enjoyable performance. The XV 535 DX Virago has a clear, analogue speedo but no fuel light or rev counter. However, the reserve switch is on the bars, which is a bonus. Good mirrors but they do vibrate at high revs.

1986 - 1995

The Virago XV 1100 is a huge cruiser with 1063 cc engine displacement, whose roots can be traced back in 1982, when the first Virago member, XV 750, was born. One year later, the 920 appeared but after two years the machine increased its engine up to 1000 cc. In 1986 the same engine grew up again and the XV 1100 was born.

1983 - 1986

The Yamaha Virago 500 was manufactured from 1983 until 1986, when it was indeed changed to the Virago 535. At this point the monoshock assembly was abandoned in favour of traditional shocks mounted on either side.

1982 - 1992

In use the engine isn’t at all like a V twin, rather more a successful mix of many engine types, feeling as grunty as a single and yet as smooth as an inline four. Only the narrowness of the engine gives the game away, a feature that, where it not for the wide bars, would enable you to sip unnoticed through the busiest of traffic jams.

1981 - 1982

In 1980 Yamaha was bound and determined to outdo Honda in sales—sort of a mano a mano engagement at both the corporate and dealership levels. And one way to do it, Yamaha figured, was to come out with a lot more models. Like a V-twin.