The Japanese brand Yamaxa made its first attempt to conquer the American motorcycle markets back in 1981. The Virago model was very popular, but in the mid-90s its star began to decline. Trying to improve the situation, Japanese engineers are releasing a new bike to the American markets. The cruiser concession remained unchanged, but apart from it, the model had nothing remarkable, and the 650 cm3 was, in principle, unable to compete with Harleys. This is how the first version appeared, called Drag Star.
In 1999, taking into account all the errors and shortcomings, the Japanese released a new version - Yamaha XVS1100 Drag Star.
Power point
The classic air-cooled engine with two valves per cylinder is a simple design without any frills or frills.
Starting with the first Virago, versions for Americans are equipped with a 2-cylinder 4-stroke V-engine
- camber angle - 750;
- working volume - 1061 cm3 ;
- power - 62 hp ;
- maximum torque - 85.0 Nm ;
- number of valves - 4 (2 per cylinder) ;
- cooling - air ;
- fuel supply - carburetor ;
- ignition - electronic ;
- start - electric starter, kick starter leg present.
Users noted that when used correctly, the engine does not cause any problems, developing good traction at any speed.
Transmission and clutch
A 5-speed gearbox was installed on the motorcycle.
The principle is standard, the gears are switched on one after another, without the possibility of skipping (sequential scheme). It does not cause any problems, although some users note a rather free and long travel of the clutch pedal, which takes some getting used to. The drive is cardan.
Torque from the engine to the rear wheel is transmitted using a driveshaft.
The clutch is standard for Yamaxa models - 2 discs, oil bath.
Brakes
The motorcycle has disc brakes. A 2-disc version is used at the front, a single-disc at the rear.
Front brakes with two discs.
Single disc rear brakes.
- Disc diameters are 298 mm for the front, 282 mm for the rear.
- The support in both cases is 2-piston . With the development of the model, the front brakes changed, but only slightly. The aluminum alloy was replaced with steel.
In the latest versions, the disc diameter has become 300 mm. These same brakes were inherited by the more powerful (1300) model.
Review of the Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star (V-Star) motorcycle
It's coming! And what’s surprising is that it’s not even lame... The device is for a person of average or shorter height. You can’t merge with him without stretching your legs. It will be like a stool under your ass, all by itself... That’s all. Based on the distances covered, there were no complaints about the accompanying Dredges.
I recently bought a dragstar 1100 and, having driven more than 2 thousand, I can say that I am quite satisfied. In city-highway mode it consumes about 6 liters. From reserve to reserve about 13 liters of gasoline - 220 km.
It only gives you a kick in the ass when you push it in first, and not always. At speed in general the box works great. Regarding the injection of the Kava, I would think about it - it’s easier to deal with the carburetor yourself on the road if something gets clogged or the like. Again, having watched the torture of someone familiar with the Vulcan 750, I would not recommend taking it. The engines are too tricky (I don’t know how new they are, but on the 750, removing the carb takes half an hour).
The lack of water cooling is more a plus than a minus. No matter how much I crawled through the traffic jam, I did not get overheating, but flying stones did not threaten to break through the radiator. The other day we were making our way through the forest for a barbecue: one boiled, the other simply overheated, but I didn’t care
I’ve been driving Drage for the second year, the mileage is more than 15 thousand km, I’m happy. The handling is simply magical, the average consumption (highway/city) was 5.5 liters, after installing the dynojet it became approximately 6.3. I changed the piston rings and clutch (which had run out and was finally killed by annealing). I installed a different steering wheel, a little higher. Never overheated. I drive through traffic jams all the time.
There is ONE air filter!!!!! Costs 1400 rubles. Oil fits 3 liters. and there is practically no consumption. For 5t.km. this season I added 200 grams. I use synthetic Motul 7100 20W50, it is recommended for large air-cooled engines.
I am a very happy owner of Dragstar. This season I have driven almost 6000 km (bought at the end of June). I don’t know how it compares to the Shadow in terms of acceleration, but I’m sure that in terms of handling the drag is an order of magnitude better than other choppers. At least among serial ones there is no such low center of gravity. Despite my inability to drive, I maneuver both at high and near-zero speeds as if on rails. In traffic jams I very rarely touch the asphalt with my foot, even when I’m almost standing.
Sednya took Draga 1100 Classic. I managed to grab a little. One of the downsides is that the ground clearance is currently low (it’s annoying for people who are recumbent) - the previous owner said that the rear shock absorber needs to be moved. But overall I’m happy, it handles perfectly well.
opened the first season on the Drag 1100 custom.
I like the device itself, but while we were driving to Kubinka, my right hand went nuts from the vibration!
Then your fingers couldn’t feel the brake lever,
and when you hug the tank with your legs, you feel a decent vibration.
The only negative so far that I noticed. In terms of traffic jams everything is great. I don't stress at all
I drove a drag 1100 from 1999 for several hours, absolute comfort in everything except the footpegs, the platform would be great... there are no vibrations at all, I walked 120 without a helmet for about thirty minutes without a windshield, it was great, absolute comfort... it was super, the long gears were very pleasing, ... one thing I don't like... the Yamaha gearbox, well, you can live with that
Dredge 1100 is an excellent, balanced bike. The motor is as simple as a brick and just as reliable. What a good brick! From 0 to 100 mph it takes about five seconds, how much faster? Tea, not a sport... The ride is comfortable, there are no annoying vibrations up to 150 kmh, but beyond 150 km it’s boring to drive - the Dredge stops steering at this speed and turns into a flying iron. Her comfortable cruise speed is 130 km/h. Consumption at this speed is 6 liters per hundred, the tank is 17 liters, and I personally consider the range of 250+ km to be more than sufficient. The second number is also normal - not a chair, of course, but not a slap, as on some other models. It’s a blast to drive with glass like that... My direct flows are vines&hines, the sound is rich and bassy. My personal conclusion is that a liter dredge may not be very annoying. for a very long time, or even always .. it’s another matter if there’s a problem in the ass and phallometry is progressing, then soon you’ll want something closer to two liters
Driving characteristics, fuel consumption
The cruising speed is 130 km/h, and it is at this speed that the bike behaves ideally.
Different publications provide different data on consumption and acceleration qualities.
- Maximum speed 180–185 km/h .
- Acceleration to 100 km in 4.8 - 5 seconds .
- In the suburban cycle the consumption is 5 liters , in the city - 6.5 liters .
Technical and operational characteristics of the motorcycle
In the Yamaha Drag Star 1100 model, the technical specifications are as follows:
- Length – 240 cm.
- Width – 89.5 cm.
- Height – 110 cm.
- Ground clearance - 145 millimeters.
- Total weight – 262 kilograms.
- Engine power – 62 horsepower. Engine displacement is 1063 cm³.
- The starting system is starter.
- Transmission – mechanical.
- The fuel tank holds 17 liters of gasoline.
- The maximum speed is 180 km/h.
Dimensions and weight
The modifications received slightly different external data, so Custom will be listed separately. But you can also notice that the Silverado has a larger width (saddlebags) and height - the windshield.
Custom
- Length - 2405 mm ;
- Width - 895 mm ;
- Height - 1095 mm ;
- Wheelbase - 1640 mm ;
- Seat height - 690 mm ;
- The weight of the motorcycle is 275 kg .
Classic and other modifications
- Length - 2460 mm ;
- Width - 945 mm ;
- Height - 1095 mm ;
- Wheelbase - 1645 mm ;
- Seat height - 710 mm ;
- The weight of the motorcycle is 285 kg .
Appearance of the Yamaha Drag Star 1100 model
The Yamaha Drag Star 1100 model has quite unique technical characteristics. Since this motorcycle is created in the American style, it is all hung with chrome elements. The forks are pushed forward, but not too far forward, like the original American models. The fuel tank is designed in the shape of a drop, and the instrument panel is located on it. The steering wheel is raised high, which creates additional comfort and convenience when driving. Huge chrome mufflers sparkle in the sun. It is impossible to look at them without sunglasses because you have to squint. The unusual exterior is completed by deep, voluminous fenders and two seats with a traditional low seating position for the driver.
The motorcycle is produced in the following versions:
- Classic - there is nothing special about it. Regular budget model. What distinguishes it from the other two versions is its external hardware.
- Custom - This model is equipped with a passenger backrest and a windshield.
- Silverado - This also has a passenger backrest and windshield, but unlike its siblings, this model comes with side saddlebags.
Flaws
According to users, the model has no shortcomings. My wish is to reduce the stroke length of the gearbox pedal. Otherwise, there are no complaints about the box. “..not always clear, but reliable! No questions".
Overall, the motorcycle is reliable and solid, not the most expensive in its class.
The width of the tires is also considered a disadvantage . If the front ones changed from version to version, the rear one was constant, 170 mm. For roads where there may be nails, twigs, glass and other debris that could pierce the camera, the driver had to carry two spare tires, front and rear.
If in automotive realities this is not so critical, then in a motorcycle it created additional problems.
and dignity
We can say that this bike is average in everything, which is why motorcycle enthusiasts like it.
The undoubted advantages due to which the model is still in demand include:
- high reliability of the power plant;
- excellent level of comfort for a bike;
- soft suspension that absorbs all road irregularities well.
Life is such that after 3 seasons of owning LitroDraga, you have to say goodbye to it. I want to talk about my ownership experience. Probably the post will be useful for beginners and those who increase their cubic capacity. Post without pictures, just thoughts. I purchased a draga in the spring of 2014 from one of the sellers of Japanese motorcycles. The seller was pleased with the work, the motorcycle was in good condition and motorcycle life began. Over 3 seasons, about 15-18 thousand km were driven. (but this is not exact, I don’t remember the mileage with which the bike came). Most trips are no further than 400 km, one trip to Baikal (1500 km) and small trips lasting one day. Yes, not a lot, but time and finances didn’t allow me to skate more. For 3 seasons, the bike was equipped with a windshield, two suitcases on the sides and a backrest for the second number. In this form he left me.
Now the actual pros and cons of the motorcycle.
Pros: 1. Anyone who says that a liter is too much for a beginner, go to hell! I have never regretted taking this volume. At first it was scary to unscrew the handle, so I was in no hurry and acted carefully. Then I got used to the topic and started driving normally, in fact, everything is the same as with any vehicle. A liter is enough for one person, and when there are already two of you on the bike, and the things for the next festival are no less than a tent, sleeping bags, warm clothes, food, and so on, then there’s already enough power to spare. For those who like to say that in this class of motorcycles, power is not the main thing, let me explain: I never race anywhere, but I prefer to have a reserve of horsepower for quick overtaking. You can rattle along at 110 km/h even if you have an itch, but overtaking will turn into extreme sports. 2. In the entire history of operation, only one malfunction was detected on the bike. Actually, after painting, the master did not install the bracket for fastening the wiring braid under the rear fender and it (the braid) gradually rubbed against the rear wheel and the light went out. Yes, I was quite nervous then; I had to get home in the dark. Well, the passing car understood what was happening and trailed behind me the whole way, illuminating the road with its headlights. Respect to this comrade! I came home, found it, and fixed it. Otherwise, no complaints. I thought it would be a good idea to adjust the valves, but the adjustment was the same as at the factory, so I just made an inspection and put the bike back together. 3. Kradan! Oh yes, I’m still a lazy person and when I imagine that I would need to change the chain and sprockets, and also take care of the chain, it becomes bad. The cardan is wonderful, the transmission is replaced according to regulations and everything is great.
I can also add that, of course, the motorcycle has a rather serious appearance, you won’t go unnoticed on it)))
Now about the cons:
1. Landing. My height is 170, weight is 70 kg. I don't feel comfortable driving for a long time. The landing is such that you want to either move your legs a little back or move them forward. I constantly slid towards the tank, my tailbone was numb. On a trip to Baikal, I got used to this after a couple of days, but my bottom doesn’t really like a one-day trip. They say that all this disgrace can be cured by installing a tuned Mustang-type saddle. I wanted to give the stock saddle to a master for reupholstery, but I didn’t have time. By the way, arcs with restegs can also help. 2. Service. I can’t say that the service is too inconvenient, I’m probably just being picky. Now, if everything is ok with the air filter, then there is some problem with the oil filter. To replace it, you have to remove the exhaust pipe O_O and the two covers on this same filter generally mislead me, was it really impossible to make one piece of hardware? Well, the spark plugs, you can’t get them without a special spark plug wrench, and I constantly struggled with the wrench, getting into the threads. I don’t know, maybe my hands are not strong enough, but it is what it is. 3. It was on my motor that the forward flow was installed. Direct flow is a personal matter for everyone. But here you need to understand that if you ride long distances, then you will have to listen to the loud exhaust constantly. After a long day it made me a little nervous, there was a buzzing in my ears.
As a result, I believe that LitroDraga is an almost ideal vehicle for a new motorcyclist. The consumption is not high, it does not require much investment, there is enough power for two. After riding for 3 seasons, I realized that I wanted a big bike with a bunch of panniers and music. And in order not to make an electric train out of a dredge, I decided to buy this very electric train.
Chukchi is not a writer.
