Yamaha Royal Star (XVZ1300, 1998-2013) Maintenance Schedule — Including Venture, Boulevard, Tour, and others

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha Royal Star (XVZ1300), produced between 1998 and 2013, but remaining mechanically unchanged the whole time (with carburettors).

The Yamaha Royal Star range of motorcycles are all large comfortable cruisers, based on a 1298cc V-four liquid-cooled engine. It’s incredibly comfortable (as should be obvious from the pictures), with all the amenities you could expect from a luxury touring bike, including a cassette deck in earlier models that evolved all the way to a Star-branded iPod touch in the last ones.

The Yamaha Royal Star was released in a few variations

  • Royal Star Venture — a fully-loaded touring bike with hard bags and a fairing
  • Royal Star Boulevard — A stripped back cruiser with a smaller screen and no luggage
  • Royal Star Tour Classic — A tourer with soft saddlebags
  • Royal Star Venture Millennium — A cream and white styled tourer
  • Royal Star Deluxe Solitaire — A classic bobber

The longer-range Royal Star Venture tourers came with CB radios and communication systems for between the front and back seats.

Generally the maintenance is the same for all the motorcycles. The main difference is in the brakes — some models fit some brake pads, and some others (see below)

Yamaha Royal Star XVZ1300 Service Intervals

In North America, the service intervals for the Royal Star motorcycles are every 4,000 miles or 6,000 km or 6 months — whichever comes earlier.

The maintenance schedule in the European manual is slightly different. The maintenance intervals are 10,000 km (rather than 6,000 km) and every 12 months (rather than 6 months). This is common with Yamaha motorcycles — see here.

The valve service interval is a more consistent 26,600 miles or 40,000 km, with no time service interval.

The Royal Star is liquid-cooled, so you do need to replace the coolant periodically.

However, the final drive is a shaft, so aside from checking and replacing the shaft drive lubricant, it’s fairly low-maintenance.

What you need to service the Yamaha Royal Star Venture XVZ1300

So you want to service your own huge V4 behemoth do you? Congratulations! Well, set yourself up with some basic motorcycle maintenance tools, and then get some of these parts specific to your Yamaha Royal Star motorcycle.

ProductYamaha Royal Star XVZ1300 spec
OilThe manual recommends Yamalube 10W-40, or any other oil that has API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA, e.g. Motul 5100 10W-40. Tighten the drain bolts to the right torque (use a torque wrench) of 43 Nm or 32 ft-lb.
Oil filterReplace the oil filter every second time you change the oil. Standard Yamaha part is 5GH-1344061-00, or you can use a Hiflofiltro HF303RC. You don’t need a special tool to remove it (you can use a regular wrench). Tighten to 17 Nm (12 ft-lb).
Spark plugsUse NGK spark plugs with code DPR7EA-9. Make sure they’re gapped to 0.8-0.9mm with an appropriate spark plug gapping tool, and tightened to 12 lb-ft (17.5 Nm) with an appropriate torque wrench.
Air filterYou can use the K&N part YA-1399 as a drop-in replacement.
Brake padsA popular drop-in replacement for many motorcycles are EBC double-hardened brake pads, for longer life, and less fade under hard braking. Choose the right one for your model.
* Front brakes XVZ1300 Royal Star Venture, Roayl Star Boulevard, Standard, Venture, Tour Classic, and Tour Deluxe (to 01): FA123HH
* Front brakes for XVZ1300 Royal Star Venture S, Midnight Tour, Midnight Venture, Tour Deluxe 05-07: FA179HH
* Rear brakes: FA123HH (all models)

See the image below if you’re confused, from the EBC catalogue.
Yamaha Royal star xvz1300 brakes
Brake FluidUse Castrol DOT 4, a high-grade synthetic brake fluid.
Clutch fluidThe XVZ1300 has a hydraulic clutch. Use the same, Castrol DOT 4 clutch fluid.
Final gear oilThe manual says SAE 80 API “GL-4” hypoid gear oil. Lucas Oil 80W-90 meets this spec.
Consumables for Yamaha Royal Star XVZ1300

Yamaha Royal Star Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha Royal Star motorcycles.

Notes:

  • Air filter: Yamaha recommends you clean this with compressed air, even as recently as the manual for the 2013 Venture S. But in other manuals, they recommend you don’t use compressed air as you may damage it (and then the engine).
  • The maintenance schedule in the North American manual (in miles) is a little different to the European one below.
  • After the end of the maintenance schedule, follow the schedule in the same pattern every. Most things are either every one, two, or four services.

Yamaha Royal Star XVZ1300 Maintenance Schedule (North America)

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Royal Star XVZ1300 from North America. Very little changed in the maintenance schedule over the years it was produced.

mi x 100048121620
km x 1000713192531
months612182430Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10W-40)
Replace oil filter (HF303RC)
Adjust synchronization of carburettors.
Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap (0.8-0.9mm) and clean
Replace spark plugs (NGK DPR8EA-9)
Clean air filter with compressed air. Replace if necessary (YA-1399)More often if riding in dusty/wet areas
Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold26600 mi (42000 km)
Adjust throttle cable free play. Lubricate the cable and grip housing.
Check and adjust engine idle speed.
Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage, replace if necessary.
Replace coolant (ethylene glycol-based coolant)
Check front and rear brake operation, fluid level, and for leakage.
Check and replace brake pads if necessary (see above for part numbers)
Adjust brake lever free play.
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and inner parts of brake master cylinder and brake caliper pistons2 years
Replace the brake hoses4 years
Check fuel hose for crack and damage. Replace if necessary
Replace fuel filter.
Check clutch operation and for fluid leakage. Correct if necessary.
Replace clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and oil seals on the clutch control cylinders.2 years
Replace the clutch hoses.4 years
Check final drive for oil leakage.
Replace final gear oil (Lucas Oil 80W-90)16000 mi (25000 km)
Lubricate control cables (Protect all cable life)
Check wheels for runout and damage.
Check tyres for cracks and damage. Replace if necessary.
Check rear swingarm pivot bearing assembly for looseness.
Moderately repack rear swingarm bearing with lithium soap-based grease
Check shock absorber for leakage. Replace if necessary
Lubricate brake lever with silicone grease lightly
Lubricate clutch lever, brake pedal, and shift pedal with lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check sidestand pivot operation and lubricate with lithium soap-based grease.
Check sidestand switch and clean or replace if necessary.
Check front fork operation and for leakage.
Check steering bearing assembly for looseness.
Moderately repack steering bearing with lithium soap-based grease
Check wheel bearings for smooth rotation.
Check crankcase ventilation hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Check exhaust system for leakage. Retighten/replace gaskets if necessary.
Check evap control system for damage. Replace if necessary.
Yamaha Royal Star XVZ1300 Maintenance Schedule (US)

Yamaha Royal Star XVZ1300 maintenance schedule — Europe

Below is the Europe / Australia/NZ / Asian maintenance schedule for the XVZ1300.

km x 100010203040Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10W-40)Year
Replace oil filter (HF303RC)
Check choke operation.
Adjust synchronisation of carburetors.
Year
Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap (0.8-0.9mm) and clean
Replace spark plugs (NGK DPR8EA-9)
Clean air filter with compressed air.More often if riding in dusty/wet areas
Replace air filter (YA-1399)More often if riding in dusty/wet areas
Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold40000 km
Adjust throttle cable free play. Lubricate the cable and grip housing.
Check and adjust engine idle speed.
Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage, replace if necessary.
Replace coolant (ethylene glycol-based coolant)3 years
Check front and rear brake operation, fluid level, and for leakage.Year
Check and replace brake pads if necessary (see above for part #s)Year
Adjust brake lever free play.
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and inner parts of brake master cylinder and brake caliper pistons2 years
Replace the brake hoses4 years
Check fuel hose for crack and damage. Replace if necessaryYear
Check fuel filter condition
Check clutch operation and for fluid leakage. Correct if necessary.
Replace clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and oil seals on the clutch control cylinders.2 years
Replace the clutch hoses.4 years
Check final drive level and for oil leakage.
Replace final gear oil (Lucas Oil 80W-90)
Lubricate control cables (Protect all cable life)Year
Check wheels for runout and damage.
Check tyres for cracks and damage. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm operation and for excessive play
Moderately repack rear swingarm bearing with lithium soap-based grease50000 km
Check rear suspension relay arm and connecting arm pivot points
Lubricate rear suspension relay arm with lithium soap-based grease
Check shock absorber for leakage. Replace if necessary
Lubricate brake lever with silicone grease lightly
Lubricate clutch lever, brake pedal, and shift pedal with lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check sidestand pivot operation and lubricate with lithium soap-based grease.Year
Make sure all nuts, bolts, and screws are properly tightened.Year
Check sidestand switch and clean or replace if necessary.Year
Check front fork operation and for leakage.
Check steering bearing assembly for looseness.
Moderately repack steering bearing with lithium soap-based grease50000 km
Check wheel bearings for smooth rotation.
Check lights, signals, and switches, including brake microswitchesYear
Yamaha Royal Star XVZ1300 Maintenance Schedule (Europe)

About the Yamaha Royal Star

2011 Yamaha Royal Star Venture S parked LHS

The Yamaha Royal Star range of motorcycles is a range of cruisers, baggers, and tourers all based on a super-smooth 1294cc V-four liquid-cooled carburettor-fed engine.

The Yamaha Royal Star’s engine wasn’t the first V4 cruiser that Yamaha had made. Much earlier, they had made the Star Venture, whose engine was the basis for the iconic V-Max.

But the Yamaha Royal Star was the first Star motorcycle that Yamaha introduced. The Star brand is basically Yamaha’s premium touring brand, designed to compete somewhat with the Indian motorcycle range (which was in hibernation at the time, resurrected in the late 2000s).

Like many touring motorcycles of the time, Yamaha released versions of the Royal Star in cruiser, light touring (with leather saddlebags and and a windscreen), and full bagger versions.

The Yamaha Royal Star’s drivetrain was very advanced for that of a tourer. The 1294 cc V4 engine (already advanced, without adding more) has four valves per cylinder, overhead camshafts, and shim-over-bucket valves. It uses a five-speed transmission and a drive shaft.

The engine is really what makes this bike special. A V-twin is nice, but the rumble of a V4 really sounds like an old-school big-bore V8 from a muscle car.

The engine is fed by four Mikuni BDSR 32mm carburettors, and makes a peak of 121 Nm (79 ft-lb) at 4750 rpm, and peak of 98 hp. It’s enough to make the heavy bike boogie even when needing to do roll-on passes at high speeds.

Aside from the engine, the Yamaha Royal Star motorcycles have loads of creature comforts. One look at the last model to be removed from the lineup, the Royal Star Venture S, confirms this.

Royal Star Venture S riding two-up

Even just what’s visible is impressive — a tall windscreen, full luggage, a CB radio (see the antennas on the back), and comfortable seats.

But there’s plenty more, including a Star-branded iPod touch, an AM/FM stereo system, a two-way rider/passenger intercom system, self-cancelling turn signals, a 12V cigarette lighter socket, and a large 22.5 litre (6 US gallon) fuel tank to make sure you don’t have to fuel up too often.

The Royal Star is sadly no longer made — V4 tourers are now a thing of the past.

Manual for the Yamaha Royal Star

2008-2009 Yamaha Royal Star Venture Maintenance schedule screenshot from manual

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the 2013 Royal Star Venture, checking manuals from many earlier years. Where there has been a discrepancy, we’ve used the more recent manuals as they reflect more up-to-date engineering decisions from Yamaha on a motorcycle that is largely unchanged.

You can download the manuals from Yamaha’s website here.

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