Review of the Yamaha XV1700 motorcycle (XV1700A, Road Star, Warrior)

Appearance

The Yamaha XV 1700 Road Star looks catchy. Pleasant design in everything, from spoked or alloy wheels to the dimensions and shape of the headlight. The mirrors here are sophisticated. The pipes are chrome-plated and the front fender is elegantly curved downwards. However, like the rear.

There is no windshield, but one can be easily installed. However, if you drive a cruiser at optimal speed, this will not be necessary. Only after 130 km/h does the driver begin to blow away. However, this is also possible at lower speeds if the person is of light build.

Comfort

The motorcycle allows you to move comfortably with a passenger thanks to the backrest behind the passenger seat. Not that it's much of an insurance policy, but it's better than nothing. In terms of size and weight, the bike is well suited for two.

Convenience is also reflected in road stability. That's why many people who travel in open spaces love cruisers. The latter are stable in gusts of wind, but it is important to understand that their stability also has a limit. Especially in wet weather. It is important to note that this technique is not suitable for off-road travel. And this applies to any model in the class.

Advantages

Yamaha V MAX 1700 is a motorcycle that can be called exclusive and unique without any discounts.

• Appearance.
• Powerful motor.
• Great dynamics.
• Easy maintenance.
• Large selection of components and parts for tuning.
• Excellent, responsive brakes, but ABS could be made less sensitive.

Big, nimble, one plus without options - this is what the owners say.

Dimensions and weight

The motorcycle is one of the largest in its class. This is a huge, heavy machine designed to be driven at a leisurely pace. Compared to road bikes, this bike looks like a giant. However, this can also be said when compared with small cruisers.

The dimensions of the Yamaha XV 1700 Road Star are as follows:

• height – 1140 mm;
• width – 980 mm;
• length – 2500 mm;
• wheelbase – 1688 mm;
• seat height – 710 mm;
• ground clearance - 145 mm;
• curb weight – 334 kg;
• Tank capacity – 20 l.

Fuel consumption here is significant. So you shouldn’t move away from civilization to avoid finding yourself in a difficult situation. Driving such a motorcycle with your hands while walking will not be easy.

Specifications

The parameters of the Yamaha XV 1700 Road Star are impressive. A powerful modern engine, reliable brakes, a well-thought-out suspension... In addition, there is a belt drive installed, which makes gear shifting quiet. And in general, the transmission here is convenient.

Looking at photos and even videos, it is not easy to draw a conclusion about the capabilities of the bike on the road. But the description of its technical characteristics gives a complete idea of ​​what the motorcycle is capable of. Considering how much such equipment costs (about 300 thousand Russian rubles, used), these are very decent parameters.

Main modifications of Yamaha XV1700:

Yamaha XV1700A Road Star - regular version.

Yamaha XV1700A Road Star Silverado - touring version with windshield and side bags.

Yamaha XV1700A Road Star S - version with a chrome package (could additionally be installed on any modification of the XV1700).

Yamaha XV1700A Road Star Midnight - version with a black engine (could additionally be installed on any modification of the XV1700).

Yamaha XV1700 Warrior - drag version. It had a more powerful engine, an aluminum frame, sports brakes and suspension.

The Yamaha XV1700 series was produced until 2009, after which it was discontinued. Sales of new motorcycles were carried out until 2013.

What do the owners say?

Those who have previously ridden a sportbike or cross-country motorcycle note that it is impossible to imagine a greater contrast. A completely different perception of driving. According to their impressions, the XV 1700 Road Star looks more like a ship than a motorcycle. And even those who are already accustomed to small cruisers experience similar feelings.

In one review, a biker calls this model his favorite because it makes riding fun at low speeds. Yes, not everyone is ready to take risks and accelerate hard to get adrenaline. Some people require a leisurely leisurely ride. But road motorcycles are unlikely to please in this regard.

But cruisers are just capable of impressing a person even at low speeds. Simply due to the weight of the car, an indescribable feeling is created. And, according to many reviews, it is the Yamaha XV 1700 Road Star that is the motorcycle that most conveys this feeling.

So, if you like large cruisers, you should not pass by this model. It is difficult to say how the industry will develop further, and it is possible that the quality of bikes will decline. Therefore, perhaps this is one of the last worthy representatives of the class.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Yamaha XV 1700 Road Star is one of the most colorful representatives of the cruiser class. Yes, some will not like the fact that an injection system is installed here, and not a carburetor. On the other hand, this means that the bike will be usable for much longer. For example, if equipment with outdated standards is prohibited for use.

If my first review of Warrior was full of enthusiasm for the first season, in the second season I already began to use it for its intended purpose, riding far and for a long time, then in this one I would like to talk about “even further and even longer,” but... in 2013 it’s like someone made little voodoo dolls of me and my motorcycle and poked them generously with needles, and this review will be more of a breakdown story. Only 14 thousand were completed in about 3.5 months - not much, especially considering the plans for at least thirty. But, at the end of the season, I exchanged 40 thousand of my mileage, and the motorcycle - my 80.

Briefly and for the most impatient

1. I have already tried the motorcycle, but still it can still do much more than me. For example, I allow myself to touch the footpegs in turns only in extreme cases; apparently, his footpegs are higher than those of most cruisers . To do this consciously, you have to try very hard. 2. Dynamics, which is not enough on the highway, is essentially a matter of habit. To safely overtake long caravans on narrow roads, it is not necessary to put as large a herd as possible between your legs, just patience and a cool head are enough. 3. Yes, the motorcycle is already a veteran, and therefore requires attention and care. He'll get it. 4. Yes, the device is quite expensive to maintain. Yes, HD generation Evolution, judging by the words of seasoned HD fans, is much cheaper. But at least mine drives, brakes and steers. So I cry (and cry), but I continue to eat cactus. 5. No, I'm not thinking about buying HD. Why do I need such happiness, which already costs like gold, and to bring it to the level of Warrior, it will become platinum. 6. Yes, I would like to build the custom of my dreams, and borrow many decisions from Warrior. But this requires 700 thousand rubles and a bunch of other conditions. 7. Yes, I'm thinking about buying other motorcycles, but as a complement, not a replacement. Still, the Warrior is a fairly versatile pepelats, and it can get through the city (as much as a cruiser can get through the city - and even better), and it has a wow effect, and it will take you beyond the horizon, and with a bunch of luggage in the back.

Major renovation

The off-season did not make any noise, but after the New Year I wanted to take the device to a trusted technician with a request to see what was going on with it.
On February 12, 2013, the motorcycle was delivered for service, after which many times I wanted to go back in time and kick myself for not being able to do things on time and in advance. In short, I received the device again on June 10 (!), but there were reasons why this happened. The very first diagnosis after a visual examination, namely measuring compression, led both the master and me into superstitious chthonic horror. The compression across the cylinders differed by 1.5 times! No matter what my friend did to determine its cause WITHOUT disassembling the engine, all, even purely theoretical, reasons were checked. It didn’t help... It’s not surprising - opening the engine showed that the piston rings had died, the characteristic carbon deposits on the piston skirt below the rings are difficult to confuse with something else. Further, more - the master put forward a sensible argument: “if we have already taken out your engine and semi-disassembled it, let me completely disassemble it, get a micrometer table and make you a capital in a human way.” That's what they decided on. To make the scale of the disaster clear, and this is after only 67 thousand miles, I will quote the list of ordered spare parts: - Large parts: oil pump, rear brake caliper assembly, starter, piston rings, piston retaining rings. — Bearings: clutch pressure plate, follower shaft, blind driven shaft of the box — Gaskets: 9 soft, 6 aluminum, and 8 copper washers — Other seals: 8 valve stem seals, 1 rubber ring of the oil system (torn), 2 rings of the fuel pump ( disposable), 1 gear oil seal (disposable) - Other disposable parts: 1 nut and 1 clutch basket retaining ring, 2 retaining washers - Broken bolts: 1 right footrest bolt, 1 fuel system/afterburning system frame mounting bolt, 2 mounting bolts exhaust pipe to the rear cylinder. — Trifles: negative terminal with a chip (cracked at the end of 2012), a clamp for the gas tank, 2 plates for the brake pads, a stud for the gas tank and a closed nut for this stud. The approximate cost of the parts with delivery was approximately 70 thousand rubles. I myself am surprised where so much comes from. However, Warrior is quite an expensive device according to standard service hours, so spare parts are a logical continuation of this.

List of work performed: Engine: -Disassembly/diagnostics/assembly - completed -Measurement of parts - completed -Updating of hone - canceled (nickel-silver coating of cylinder walls is not hone during repairs) -Cleaning from sand, deposits, carbon deposits - completed -Lapping of valves - completed - Cleaning the engine support bolts from pockets and traces of corrosion - completed -Replacement of defective parts - completed -Diagnostics of engine electrics - completed Suspension: -Diagnostics of the front fork/steering - completed -Tightening the steering bearings - completed -Fork overhaul - completed (already in July) Braking system: -done Electrical and other: -Removal of unsuccessful xenon and alarm - completed -Installation of cables and other small parts - completed -Tire fitting - completed Additionally, while the device was waiting for the work to be completed, I stopped by and gave both wheel rims for editing, which our roads bend every season.

Such a long time for repairing a motorcycle was due to the fact that: 1. The master was forced not only to repair my device, but also to do the main work, for which there were also rush jobs in the off-season 2. Spare parts arrived, although not on foot (judging by the delivery times of the officials , this is approximately how they order), but through their own channels, but their waiting also made me nervous 3. From time to time I had to re-order something, because... normal diagnostics are difficult to perform both completely and quickly.

Specifically for the work, we initially agreed on 35k. Respect and respect to the man that despite the bunch of additional hemorrhoids that he took upon himself (such as forks, calipers, etc.), the amount remained unchanged. Also, other expenses not noted here (such as oil for the initial start-up, brake fluid, new battery, etc.) cost about 10-15 thousand rubles. In total, for a major overhaul of not just an engine, but one might say a motorcycle (everything that required replacement was changed) it took 120 thousand rubles. Is it a lot or a little? For me, this was a very unpleasant surprise, not so much because of the amount, but because of how much everything had to be changed after less than 70 thousand mileage. Read the reviews of Harley drivers - their engines run 150 thousand kilometers or more without capital. I think it’s all to blame for the operation of the device strictly on Russian roads. After all, since 2004, when he was imported by officials, he lived only in Russia...

Question for motor mechanics:

Have you ever encountered the fact that the installed direct flow without reflashing the brain could SO affect the operation of the engine that the piston rings were killed ahead of time?

UPD: Compared to the engine, the gearbox looked very impressive. On its gears, despite the mileage (perhaps twisted!), it was as if the flies were not... copulating. It was made with high quality, both shafts weighed like a cast-iron bridge, and having seen it “from the inside”, I resigned myself to only 5 steps - the main thing is that it is made (I hope) very reliably.

Nishtyaki

I wanted to travel a lot and far, but I still didn’t have a motorcycle, so out of grief I decided to go shopping and order those things without which (as it later turned out) it’s not clear how I had ever ridden before:
A high windshield (price with delivery is about 9- 10 t.r.) Clearview Windshield YAM-RW0M, GT Medium, 19", Light Gray Tint I ordered the size almost at random, most of all I was afraid that the top edge would be right at eye level - this is the largest stand that can be with a windshield . It turned out that everything was in order, it was even possible to take it even higher. The old small windbreak stopped cutting off the flow in the middle of the chest; with the new one, only the helmet is blown through. Another fear that the high windbreaker would not suit Warrior and would be like a cow’s saddle has also evaporated; due to its transparency, the burdock does not look gigantic. During the season, this acquisition completely justified itself and allowed me to comfortably maintain a speed of at least 10 (good weather) - 20 (bad) km/h higher than before, and also to freeze several times less at night and in the fall.

The tall windbreaker suits him just fine!

Tourmaster Cruiser3 Slant XL panniers (with delivery 7-8 tr.) I spent a long time scratching my head about what kind of panniers would look good on my motorcycle, where in principle few people would hang them, and that’s not what it’s for. The leather, especially with rivets, fell off right away; this is not some kind of pensioner’s Harley, but a completely dynamic and modern cruiser. Plastic? Booeeee! There was nothing sensible “to suit the style”, and the universal products of the racial Georgian Italian company Givi seemed suitable only for a scooter. Aluminum is made strictly for touring-enduro, and square-nested suitcases are not the theme here at all. All that was left was textiles: cheap, cheerful, and quite suitable in appearance for a “non-classical” motorcycle. They also justified themselves: - with them came the feeling of a “white man”, when in order to take something out it was enough just to get into the trunk, and not to unwind all the luggage and then put the spiders back. — The transported volume has also pleasantly increased. You can go on a two-week autonomy trip and at the same time carry some of your partner’s belongings without thinking about hotels. — Moreover, now it has become possible to take with you (or rather, carry with you and not think about it) all the necessary small things, including: a mini-tool set, a case, an anti-theft cable and lock, a rain cover... — True, the original rain covers turned out to be complete wretchedness, the only fixation on them was an elastic stretch around the perimeter, with which the cover was put on the side of the trunk. It is not surprising that one of the covers was simply lost on the highway, and it is not clear where exactly. At the end of the season, through the diligent efforts of Yulia, the wife of Sergei snakeBSD, according to our general sketches, new ones were sewn, from Oxford fabric (supposedly a common tent fabric that does not allow water to pass through), with cross ties on plastic latches. Yes, they might have tried to be pulled away from the wind; if the trunks were not fully secured, it would get flooded with rain, but they never tried to run away.

The presence of panniers + a 50L Louis trunk significantly expands the “cargo capabilities”

Arches MC Enterprise, article 1000-33, cost about 10 thousand rubles. What can you say, except that arches are a must have. Not just because they can protect both you and the motorcycle in the event of an accident (despite the fact that these particular ones are essentially disposable - for one serious fall, but apparently that’s how it was designed), but also because with them it’s much easier to lift the vehicle after falling to one side (and this still happens, for example, when you are tired and park a loaded motorcycle after a long pull). I rode with the same arches in the first and early second seasons. They have an innate jamb, the upper points of the fastenings are on the same bolts where the electrician, which is important for the moto, hangs. But it doesn’t even matter what exactly hangs on them, because... The bolts themselves are quite flimsy for the loads that the arc puts on them. Moreover, even if you don’t fall, the static tension when tightening is wow! In the second half of the season, one of the bolts turned out to be... torn in the middle, exactly where the arc was pressing on it. Conclusion: the best arcs are those that you made yourself. In the off-season, our garage is already saturated with metal sparks and welding scale every weekend, but will it be possible to make arcs as well... the big, big question.

Frames for saddlebags MC Enterprise #140-33 Saddle Bag Guard (I don’t remember the price) Small but necessary lame little things, without which you can’t hang the saddlebags. They cost, however, more than the amount of metal they contain. There is nothing to break or unfasten, so the season passed without incident, and they also served as a very convenient platform for hooking flexible guy wires when securing a couple of tons of camping belongings. IMPORTANT! When installing the frames, I had to look for bolts that were longer than those that had previously held the wing, subframe, and passenger back together. The store "World of Fasteners" on Timiryazevskaya helped me out; I think they have a selection of the bald devil there. True, the bolts are not lame, but anodized ones are also nothing and are guaranteed to eliminate the need to carry “complete” MC bolts at the price of lamented virgins.

Without roll bars, windshield and panniers (how can you drive like that? )

Besides

An integrated LED brake light, purchased back in 2012, was also installed (i.e., turn signals in the brake light housing).
The model was chosen based on recommendations from rswarrior.com, I drove about 5000 km with it. It made it possible to get rid of the plastic, facepalm, rear turn signals, which were attached to the same plastic (double facepalm) “shovel” of the license plate. By the way, the number flies away perfectly from this shovel, because a) vibrations b) this creature is plastic. The shovel also went under the knife because it was unnecessary and unattractive. The number moved to the back of the passenger, attached there with clamps. Having driven about seven thousand, it doesn’t break! The only disadvantage of such a stopper: due to the fact that the turn signals are also diode, when they are turned on, the motorcycle electrician panics (the circuit has less resistance than the calculated one) and the blinking frequency of the turn signals becomes 2 times higher than normal. I still rode the Metzeller Marathon ME880, only by this season both discs had already been corrected. Result: the rear roller traveled 14 thousand instead of the previous 10 thousand and rolled down to a slick in the center of the tread, while the motorcycle continued to ride confidently in the rain at 120-130. The front one is still alive after 14 and can go another 3-4 thousand, but I don’t want to check. Next season I’m looking forward to trying Michelin Commander, which was supposedly made mainly for Harleys, and which is not so oaky.

Maximum mileage on a tank: 232 km, M-10 during the day to Moscow in the Novgorod area (there was a maximum of half a liter left in the tank). Minimum mileage on a tank: 140 km to the light bulb, M-4, but in that section we were consistently 170-180. Maximum mileage “in one day”: 1635 km, Anapa - [distant Zamkadye] in summer. Actually, in the title photo of the post, I had not yet gotten out of the saddle. New roads covered: M-18 from Petrozavodsk to Murmansk, M-3 Moscow-Kyiv completely, Kyiv-Zhitomir first 100 km, Vinnitsa-Kherson-Feodosia-South Coast-Sevastopol-Simferopol. A significant part of the vacation was new roads, and therefore new people. And how many good friends I made last season... That they more than cover all the mechanical problems and unclimbed routes.

Breakdowns and losses

1. On summer vacation, due to oil overflow, it began to press from everywhere. Conclusion: he himself is a fool. However, I gained invaluable experience in figuring out which bolts might leak))

Not every Ural who pisses on oil!

2. At the same time, due to the dead roads of Ukraine, or maybe the phases of the moon or something else, the seatpost of the footrest indicator opened. Just some 7 hours on the side of the road in the Kherson steppe during the day, and voila, you know where it is! Truly, live forever and learn...

Applied circuitry (blue chip in the center of the frame)

3. During the autumn holidays, after almost 80 thousand, the rear axle bearing fell apart and fell apart into meat. And it was more than 100 km to go to the repair site. On my word of honor and on one wing I got there... Conclusion: you need to monitor the wheel bearings more often!

The bearing is clearly bad

4. Then strange sounds began from somewhere in front. But it doesn’t seem to be a bearing, otherwise it would have affected the handling. The reason became clear as soon as I returned to Moscow and removed the exhaust: a good, serviceable Vance&Hines burst along the weld seam of the rear cylinder pipe. Moreover, the rear exhaust mounting plate, which connects it to the frame, also burst - despite the fact that it is made of 5 mm steel! Who will tell me HOW?!?!

The top tube came apart at the weld

Broken rear exhaust mounting bracket
5. In general, extraneous/otherworldly sounds accompanied me almost the entire season. Due to the desire to ride, ride and ride again, as well as the lack of an equipped garage at that time, a bunch of bolts were lost, incl. at least 2 of the 4 bolts securing the trunk (which is why I had to remove it), as well as the license plate number, one of the two horns, and maybe something else that I don’t know about yet =( Therefore, the “rattle” was on the move maybe because of this I missed the signs of the demise of the rear bearing. Conclusion: in the off-season, apply Loctite to everything you can reach!

6. The S&S belt, which seems to be reinforced, with which it’s not scary to revive the engine, has only passed 32 thousand, but chips are already visible on it. Not fatal, but still a belt to replace. Either I’m too suspicious, or our roads are so frankly lousy, but why do Americans claim that their Harleys on their roads require belt replacement every 70-80 thousand? Or is there something wrong with the pulleys?

The belt already has kotska on it - uncritical, but unpleasant

7. Due to my carelessness and oversight, the paint on the rear fender began to rub off, because to secure the luggage I also used... a steel anti-theft cable. No, I’m not from Chelyabinsk, it’s just that the cable doesn’t take up any space on the external suspension, and gets the job done.

8. The trunk was finally cut out, because a) it was taken out - it was no good to attach it to the fender, and not to the subframe; b) anyway, the number hung on the back, and because of this, you can’t put anything on the trunk. However, after its elimination, a convenient springboard for hooking spiders disappeared, but you can adapt.

And without loading the trunk you can transport a lot of things

And yet…

At the top there is a lot written in detail about how everything is bad, the motorcycle is clearly “tired”, requires care, attention, etc.
Returning from St. Petersburg, or more precisely from Murmansk, I myself was overcome by defeatist moods, like I want a new device, an equipped garage (I already have one, though not mine personally), I’m tired of everything, well, you understand. On the other hand, what to expect from a motorcycle with 80 thousand mileage? Moreover, if his owner is a jerk, and often drags his poor Arabian horse to where heavy horses usually hang out. I myself often felt sorry for the motorcycle. I have already made some conclusions for myself, for example, I know a couple of places where I definitely won’t go on Warrior. Bad asphalt is clearly not for him, and you begin to feel it not only in your back, where all the impacts from the pits are transferred - the landing is straight, but also at the end of the season, you are shocked by the number of problems. In general, a significant part of Russian roads is contraindicated for the patient, we will write this down in the medical record and with happy obscenities we will eliminate the consequences of the “wrong lifestyle”. However, wherever I can go without damaging the motorcycle, I’ll go on it. For a long time I tried to understand what else was so cool about it that, for example, the R1200GS does not have (no, not the thick handlebars)) and not even vibrations from everywhere). Then, in the summer on the highway, it dawned on me: a view of the road! The instrument panel is set low, the steering wheel is also low, the windshield is transparent and is mounted much lower than eye level. YOU SEE THE WHOLE ROAD AS IT IS. This is probably the case with many cruisers, but damn, how nice it is.

The road and nothing but the road

And if you remember our rides with him, he never let me down! Yes, it happened, sometimes he showed “character”, for example, he didn’t turn the key in the ignition the first time, but he got where he needed to go, even if “on one wing.”

Off-season

It has never been so short for me before.
The motorcycle now stands not in a crowded garage, where it was necessary to call up with friends in advance about “whether we’ll be pushing each other again today,” but in a private house (turned into a garage/workshop), where there are only three of us in a 6*6 room : snakeBSD, unicorn, zoomba. “Here it is, the garage of my dreams! Hefty!!!" Together with Seryoga, we equip it to the best of our ability, such as buying additional tools, dragging sheet metal (for protective screens from welding, grinders), welding a workbench. The plans are as follows: - complete maintenance of the motorcycle (your cap), a bucket of Loctite is a must have - re-ordering or searching for small things like air filter mounting bolts (they are not original, it just so happened) - removing and installing a new front cylinder exhaust fixing pin - purchasing a new battery, this one was bought in a hurry - deal with the horn instead of the lost one - replace the “frog” of the rear brake light indicator (already purchased) - finally install the clutch lever bushing, otherwise it plays up and down like a bastard - deal with the front brake handle, it seems to have become more tight - replace the locks: ignition, gas tank and under the saddle, because The first two are already difficult to open, apparently from time to time. — replace the brake hoses with reinforced ones (“I want that and that’s it,” and the braiding on the rear one is starting to crack, and in general they need to be changed over time) — bringing in a zero and PowerCommander. Still, you need to adapt to the forward flow. - buy new mirrors, these are already badly beaten by life, the glass edges have begun to crack in some places. — buy/order a steering wheel — Find, buy and bring additional light. The headlight is not enough for night highways.

While he is like this...

Of what needs to be done independently, some of this has already been started: — New subframe for panniers (not frames, but a subframe) UPD: 98% complete. — Coffers, two side and central. I will do it myself, because what I want is not produced by anyone. — Exhaust, because I lost faith in mine, it’s not that durable. UPD: the reason for the pipe crack is more or less clear, I’ll probably go with it this season. — Arcs front and rear. UPD: optional, because not an essential item, and not much time. — The gas tank will be made to order, well, I don’t know how to weld aluminum =( — Wings. There is no English wheel... but there are a lot of ideas)), so it should be easy. — New windshield + wind protection for hands, fortunately a new style for the device has already been chosen — Replace the rider’s saddle, make the passenger’s saddle from scratch. — Mount for the navigator. Or buy it if I find one that suits my needs.

In short, a lot of work. What am I doing here, I need to go to the garage, the horse hasn’t been lying there yet))