2007–2017 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Big Attitude, Chopper Bones
The XVS 1300 A, sold in the US as the V Star 1300, is a cruiser built the traditional way: long, low and heavy on metal. Its heart is a 1304 cc, liquid-cooled 60° V-twin that makes 82 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm and 73 hp at 5,500 rpm. Power goes through a 5-speed box and a belt final drive. Those figures won't win a spec-sheet argument, but the torque sits exactly where a cruiser lives, and the bike pulls with the conviction of bigger-inch machines. The styling is what earns its place in the class. It has a genuine chopper-style profile, a retro line that ages well and a 66.5 in (1690 mm) wheelbase that sets the stance.
On the road it rides calm and planted. The low center of gravity takes the edge off the weight, the steering is lighter than the mass suggests, and it stays settled when the speed climbs. It also ages the way a Yamaha should. It's reliable and cheap to run, there's a belt instead of a chain to fuss over, and the aftermarket gives you a huge playground. It's for riders who want classic cruiser presence without the drama. The honest caveat is that 73 hp and 668 lb (303 kg) make it a relaxed mover, not a quick one. Anyone expecting the wild side of the brand will find a friendly, smooth twin instead.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) @ 5,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 82 lb-ft (111 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 1304 cc |
| Engine | 60° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 298 mm |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 170/70-16 |
| Wheelbase | 66.5 in (1690 mm) |
| Seat height | 28.1 in (715 mm) |
| Wet weight | 668 lb (303 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (19 L) |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
My read on the V Star 1300 comes from years of listening: paddock talk, club nights, owner chats and the messages riders send me directly. The pattern is clear. Owners praise the engine, the handling, the gearbox and the looks, and a smaller group raises the same few gripes about low-speed throttle, stock comfort and dated equipment.
Riders consistently lead with the engine: lots of low-end pull and a satisfying midrange surge that make passing and highway miles effortless. Just as many say it's easy to handle for its size, around town and on winding roads. The five-speed earns praise for precise, buttery shifts and well-chosen ratios. And owners like the clean lines, deep fenders and generous chrome, a big-bike look many feel punches above its price.
The complaints come from fewer riders. Some report an on/off throttle lurch at parking-lot speeds, which owners commonly sort with an aftermarket fuel controller. The stock seat turns punishing after short rides and the low-rise bars pinch wrists, so both are frequent first upgrades. Others note how dated the kit feels next to newer bikes, with no ride modes and not even a gear position indicator.
Fuel hose leak (NHTSA recall 11V533000)
An improperly molded fuel hose on early 2007 models can cause fuel leakage at the injector connections, posing a fire risk. Yamaha recalled affected units and replaced the fuel delivery pipe free of charge.
Where this Yamaha XVS 1300 A pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the XVS 1300 A is actually built for.
If your rides end at Sturgis or Daytona, this has the long, low chopper stance to fit right in and the reliability to get you there. Expect smoothness over thunder. Your own sound comes from the aftermarket.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
The retro lines and easy rhythm suit small towns and historic routes perfectly. Just know it's a proper cruiser first, heavy and laid back, not a light, nimble modern classic.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
It's stable, reliable and cheap to run over big miles, but it comes bare: no cruise control, no luggage, no adjustable windscreen. Budget for gear before you point it at Beartooth.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Yamaha XVS 1300 A. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2007–2020
Chopper Looks, Honest Miles
Roughly $900 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr
Competitor · 2003–2009
Big Iron, Low Drama
Same Platform · 2014–2017
Maximum Chopper Stance, Yamaha Reliability
Roughly $1,900 pricier used than this bike at 9 yr