Yamaha Road Star XV1700 Silverado: Specs, Features, Background, Performance, & More

All riders are unique human beings and they have unique reasons for wanting to ride a motorcycle. Some ride fuel-efficient motorcycles to save money on fuel, while others prefer bikes because they are low-maintenance.

But for most riders, motorcycles are a way of connecting with nature and their inner self. The wind in the hair, the sun warming the face, aesthetically-pleasing green pastures, and the adrenaline rush in the veins inspire riders to pack their essentials and hit the scenic roads or go on a camping trip.

However, this is only possible if they own a reliable motorcycle. This article is dedicated to Yamaha's XV1700 Silverado motorcycle: the perfect tourer for all.

Read on to find all about its specifications, performance, style profile, and evolution.

The Yamaha Road Star motorcycles took the cruiser market by storm in 1999. The bikes proved to be a great success even with their 1602 cc engine. The surging demand for the bike compelled Yamaha to not only increase the displacement of their Road Star engine but also introduce a greater variety by distinct variants to their Road Star lineup.

 In 2004, the Yamaha Road Star XV1700 Silverado motorcycles were introduced. These bikes were similar to the 1999-2003 models but featured an upgraded engine with a larger displacement of 1670 cc and awesome travel amenities, such as  saddlebags, windshields, and a backrest.

 Cruiser enthusiasts owning previous Road Star models modified their bikes with  high-quality Yamaha aftermarket parts  to make their bikes travel-ready. This was a problem for riders who didn’t want to go through the trouble of modifying their bikes for tours.

Yamaha solved this problem with its Silverado, which allowed for hassle-free touring.

Then in 2008, Yamaha finally took the initiative of replacing the Silverado’s carburetor with an advanced fuel injection system to match the large displacement of the engine.

After this upgrade, no further changes were made. However, the Silverado models did evolve in terms of style until Yamaha discontinued its manufacturing in 2015.

Here is a quick overview of color and price changes from 2004 to 2015.

The XV1700 Silverado is a beautiful bike with looks that are a perfect combination of sports bike and retro-cruiser. This tourer features tall cylinders, a stylish windshield, shiny cast wheels, thick whitewall tires, wide pull-back handlebars, shaped fenders, and stylish touring accessories. The chromed headlight also adds to the charm of the bike.

The designers decorated the bike with chrome-plated handlebars, clamps, and chrome covers on different parts, including an air filter, engine, valves, and five-speed transmission. Moreover, aluminum accents are used on the front forks to augment the look of the stainless steel frame. The silvery chrome parts look striking against the high-quality paint job on the fuel tank.

Tank-Mounted Instruments 

The instruments of the XV1700 Road Star Silverado are tank-mounted. These include an advanced speedometer that features raised 3-D marks to indicate speed. An odometer, fuel gauge, clock, indicator lights, and dual trip meters are also a part of the instrument cluster.

Headlight
The headlight consists of a 12V 60/55- watt halogen bulb that offers satisfactory visibility and light visibility at night. On highways, the riders have to use high beams to illuminate a longer distance ahead of them at night.

Tail Light
The tear-drop-shaped tail light features an LED bulb and turn signal lenses for better visibility compared to the headlight.

Configuration
The Road Star Silverado engine is an unparalleled motor. With its air-cooled, four-stroke, 48-degree V-twin design and overhead valve (OHV) configuration, the engine produces great power outputs for long-distance cruising.

Valves, Camshafts, & Cylinders
The Road Star XV1700 Silverado engine features hydraulic valve lifters and twin camshafts for better performance and low maintenance. Moreover, the large cylinders have a special ceramic composite coating that prevents the engine from overheating and ensuring longer engine life.

Lubrication System
Unlike Yamaha’s other middleweight cruisers, the XV1700 Silverado engine utilizes a dry sump system for lubrication. The system ensures reliable oil supply and also helps reduce engine height and the center of gravity.

Engine Starter
The engine is able to quickly start up even in cold temperatures thanks to an electric starting system with a solenoid-activated decompressor installed.

Exhaust System
The engine owes its rhythmic deep rumble to its two-into-two exhaust system with staggered dual pipes.

Drivetrain
The Silverado engine is great but to get the most out of its performance, the bike depends on its light clutch, narrow belt drive, and five-speed gear transmission.

The V-twin power is transferred to the rear wheel via the final belt drive to ensure an uninterrupted and smooth cruising experience.

Suspension
The 43mm telescopic front fork provides 5.5 inches of wheel travel. The swingarm rear mono-shock produces 4.33 inches of wheel travel. The rear suspension gives the bike a retro hardtail look. The suspensions are functional on smooth roads but perform inadequately on uneven roads.

Chassis
The double-cradle steel frame keeps the overall size and shape of the motorcycle while being lightweight. The 32° rake angle, 5.59-inch trail, 66.5-inch long wheelbase, 28.0-inch seat height, and 5.1-inch ground clearance contribute to the stability of the bike by reducing the center of gravity. The light handlebars offer good steering and excellent maneuverability.

Strong wheels are essential for a safe motorcycle ride. The Yamaha Silverado motorcycle features stylish cast wheels with tubeless tires. The 130/90 x 16 M/C front tire and 150/80B x 16 M/C rear tire wheels give the bike an edgy look and provide excellent grip.

The Road Star Silverado boasts powerful brakes with a 298mm double front disc and a 320mm single rear disc. Both front and rear brakes have four aluminum piston calipers. Four brake pistons offer great stopping power thanks to the pistons applying more force on the pads. The configuration also ensures a stronger rear brake to support passenger or luggage weight. The brakes make the Silverado a reliable touring bike.

The Road Star Silverado is a comfortable cruiser with a relaxed seating position and exceptional riding ergonomics. The wide pull-back handlebars are rubber mounted and help reduce vibrations produced at high speeds. The full-size floorboards are quite low and scrape the ground on corners, but they offer a comfortable foot position. Most bikers don’t have much to complain about the height of floorboards. The rider and passenger seats are spacious and well-cushioned. The addition of a backrest has further improved the riding comfort.

The Road Star XV1700 Silverado is considerably fast and can attain a top speed of 105 mph on highways and open roads.

The Yamaha Road Star XV1700 Silverado motorcycle has a 101.9 cubic inch engine that produces a maximum torque of 12.7 kilogram-meters (kg/m) when connected to the drivetrain. The engine alone generates 135 Nm torque at 2500 rpm.

The Yamaha Road Star XV1700 Silverado is a touring bike with a large fuel tank that can hold up to 5.28 gal of fuel and offers an impressive mileage of 40.7 mpg.

From 2004 to 2007, all XV1700 Silverado models were carbureted. The fuel system was upgraded to the 2x Mikuni ACW40 fuel injection in 2008. The change optimized the engine performance and ensured a better fuel economy.

When connected to the efficient drivetrain, the 1670 cc engine of the XV1700 Silverado produces a peak horsepower of 61.1 hp at the rear wheel. The engine alone generates a horsepower of 84.3 hp at 4400 rpm.

The Yamaha Road Star XV1700 Silverado has a sporty look, cruiser feel, and excellent touring ability. The bike is a great tourer with its powerful torquey engine, smooth handling, reliable brakes, and comfortable riding ergonomics. Moreover, it comes with factory-installed hard saddlebags, a passenger backrest, and an adjustable windshield to make your motorcycle tours more enjoyable.

The Yamaha Road Star XV1700 Silverado is an enjoyable cruiser/tourer. The bike offers great comfort and can also carry your belongings around thanks to its factory-installed saddlebags.

Some models of the Silverado featured hard saddlebags while others came with studded soft leather saddlebags. Unfortunately, these bags are not lockable and lack the storage capacity required for five to seven-day long camping trips. The windshield is tall and provides ample wind protection but the wind may still hit taller riders.

If the features of the Road Star still do not satisfy your needs, this may call for replacing the built-in accessories with custom parts.

The saddlebags are an essential touring accessory and brands such as VikingBags offer a large selection of Yamaha-specific saddlebags and luggage racks to cater to your storage needs.

You can also replace the windshield with a suitable fairing that can better protect you from harsh wind and debris.

The bike comes with comfortable rider and passenger backrests and seats. Adding a sissy bar can increase the level of comfort for your passenger and will also provide luggage room when you are traveling alone.

Not only will these changes make touring easy for you, but they will also make your bike look stylish. For a more customized look, add crash bars and other Yamaha luggage.

These additions will not only meet your touring needs but will also improve your daily riding experience.