2014–2017 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Maximum Chopper Stance, Yamaha Reliability
The XVS 1300 Custom is Yamaha's take on the American chopper, and it commits fully. A raked-out front end, a skinny 21-inch front wheel, a fat 210/40-18 rear tire and a 26.4 in (670 mm) seat give it the long, low stance this segment lives on. Nothing about the silhouette is half-hearted. Underneath sits a liquid-cooled 1304 cc 60° V-twin making 72 hp at 5,500 rpm and 76 lb-ft, sent through a 5-speed gearbox and a belt final drive. It is a lot of metal for the money, put together with real care, and a genuine way into chopper style without paying for an American badge.
The steel double-cradle frame carries its 646 lb (293 kg) with composure, and for a bike with this much rake it feels surprisingly easy to live with once it's rolling. This is a machine that ages quietly. Yamaha's mechanicals hold up well over the years, the belt asks for little attention, and 37 mpg keeps the running costs low. It suits the rider who wants the look and the ritual without a service bill that hurts. The honest caveat: lean factory fueling makes it jerky at low rpm in first and second, there is no ABS, and at parking-lot pace you always feel the weight.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 72 hp (53 kW) @ 5,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 76 lb-ft (103 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1304 cc |
| Engine | 60° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-21 |
| Rear tire | 210/40-18 |
| Seat height | 26.4 in (670 mm) |
| Wet weight | 646 lb (293 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 37 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
What follows came to me over years of paddock talk, owner chats, club nights, and the messages riders send me directly. The pattern is clear. Owners love the engine and trust the hardware, while the complaints gather around low-speed throttle manners and a stock setup some find too tame.
The V-twin earns the most consistent praise. Riders describe effortless torque from low rpm and a refined, calm character that keeps highway stints relaxed without dulling the throttle. Owners with big miles report few mechanical problems, calling out the engine, gearbox, and final drive as durable, and they rate the fit and finish well for a production cruiser. Several say the chassis stays predictable and steers precisely on twisty roads, and the padded seat and plush suspension get credit for all-day comfort, though some would rather fit a more supportive aftermarket seat.
The most common gripe is jerky response at small throttle openings in first and second gear, which owners typically sort with an O2 sensor mod or an ECU flash. Many swap the very quiet stock exhaust for a slip-on. A few say the bike feels basic next to newer cruisers, with no ABS, traction control, or ride modes.
Low-RPM jerkiness due to lean factory tuning
The engine can feel jerky at low RPMs, especially in 1st and 2nd gear, due to lean fuel mapping to meet emissions. This is not a defect but a characteristic widely reported by owners. Aftermarket solutions include an O2 sensor bypass plug or an ECU reflash.
Sticking rear brake caliper
One owner reported the rear brake caliper sticking, causing the brake to drag. The issue appeared to be a mechanical seizure, not related to the brake line or master cylinder. Very few reports exist.
Relay failure near rear wheel
One owner experienced a relay failure (mounted in front of the rear wheel) that caused an unspecified electrical issue. The relay was replaced. No other reports found.
Where this Yamaha XVS 1300 Custom 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 Custom is actually built for.
It has the raked, long-and-low look that belongs on Main Street during rally week, and it will get you there reliably. Just know the stock sound is polite and the badge on the tank is Japanese.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For an easy rhythm through small towns and historic routes, it's a relaxed, dependable partner. It's more chopper than classic roadster, so make sure the long, low stance is what you want.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Honestly, it's a stretch. It's stable at speed and reliable, but with a 4.0 gal tank, no cruise control and no factory luggage, it's a day-ride cruiser, not a coast-to-coast tourer.
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 Custom. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2013
Factory Custom, Full Stop
Competitor · 2018–2021
Blacked-Out Factory Bobber
Same Platform · 2007–2017
Big Attitude, Chopper Bones
Roughly $1,900 cheaper used than this bike at 9 yr
Similar Character · 2014
The Bobber Built To Customize
Roughly $1,800 cheaper used than this bike at 11 yr