Yamaha V Star 1300 (XVS1300A, 2007-2017) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha V Star 1300, also known as the Yamaha XVS1300A. It’s similar to the Yamaha Stryker, which shares the same engine platform.

The Yamaha V Star 1300 / XVS1300A was made between 2007 and 2017. It didn’t change fundamentally in this time, but Yamaha did make some styling updates, including releasing a “Deluxe” and a Tourer”.

The V Star 1300 motorcycles all have a 1304 cc liquid-cooled SOHC 4-valve-per-cylinder fuel-injected 60 degree V-twin power plant. Like most big V-twins, it is tuned for torque (a lot of it … 111 Nm or 82 ft-lb) quite low, at 4000 rpm. It puts power down through a five-speed transmission and a low-maintenance belt drive.

The Yamaha V Star 1300 was released in the following variants:

  • Classic — The original V Star 1300. Naked, with no fairings, no bags, etc.
  • Tourer — Same as the classic but with a standard windscreen, saddlebags, and backrest for the passenger
  • Deluxe (2013+) — A big bat-wing fairing, integrated dash and audio system, including a removable waterproof Garmin GPS, and colour-matched hard bags (bigger than those on the tourer)

You can see some of the images of these variants below.

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Service Intervals for the V Star 1300

The V Star 1300 has 4000 mile / 6000 km / 6-month service intervals in the US, or 10000 km / 6000 mi / 12-month service intervals in Europe or Australia/New Zealand. (See here about US vs European / APAC Yamaha service intervals.)

At every service, you change the oil and do a bunch of checks.

Being a Yamaha means that you do have to a valve service on the V Star. The manual species this at every 4 services — every 16000 miles or 25000 km. However as time goes on, they become less and less required.

The V Star 1300 is, unusually for a cruiser, liquid-cooled. So while that means the bike is likely to last longer, it also means that you have to make sure the coolant is replaced by something of the factory spec.

Finally, the final drive of the V Star 1300 is a belt, so make sure you check its condition and check and adjust the tension.

What you need to service your Yamaha V Star 1300 / XVS1300A

If you’re servicing your V Star 1300, you are in luck — it’s a fairly low-maintenance motorcycle, with a fully exposed engine and a belt drive.

But you do need to do some basic maintenance, including changing the fluids, and keeping the belt tension.

ProductPart for Yamaha V-Star 1300 XVS1300
OilThe manual suggests Yamalube 10W-40, or any other oil that has API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA.
Oil filterOEM Yamaha part is 5GH-1344061-00, or you can use a Hiflofiltro HF204RC, which you can remove without a special wrench. Tighten to 17Nm (12 ft-lb).
Spark plugsUse NGK spark plugs with code LMAR7A-9 for the V-Star 1300.
Air filterStandard Yamaha part number is 1D7-14461-00-00. You can also use the K&N part YA-1307 which is more available.
CoolantThe 1300 engine is liquid cooled. Use a high quality ethylene glycol-based coolant. Don’t use water.
Brake FluidYou can use any DOT 4 brake fluid (the one we recommend is a high-grade synthetic one from Castrol)
Cable lubricantProtect all cable life is a popular and affordable cable lube.
LubeUse Valvoline full synthetic lithium soap-based grease to lube external pivot points, bearings, etc.
Belt tensionerUse a belt tension tool to measure the belt tension (and know if you have to make adjustments)
Consumables for Yamaha V-Star 1300

Yamaha V Star 1300 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha V Star 1300.

It’s the same information as from the manual, but presented in a much easier-to-read format.

In the original manual, Yamaha broke maintenance into two sections: periodic maintenance for emission control systems, and general maintenance and lubrication. These are combined and re-ordered in a more intuitive way for everyday maintenance.

Notes on the maintenance schedule

  • The maintenance intervals for the V Star 1300 in the US are different to the V Star 1300’s service intervals in Europe. In the US it’s 4000 miles / 6000 km or 6 months, and in Europe it’s 10000 km / 6000 miles or 12 months, with other various changes in details. See here for more info in US vs Europe maintenance intervals for Yamaha motorcycles.
  • Yamaha originally recommended many items (other than oil changes and greasing) to be done by mechanics.
  • The break-in service is omitted (as this bike is no longer sold new).

Yamaha V Star 1300 — US Maintenance Schedule

The below maintenance schedule for the V Star 1300 is from US manual. Maintenance intervals are 4000 mile / 6000 km or 6 months, with 16000 mi valve service intervals.

mi x 100048121620
km x 1000713192531
Months612182430Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10w-40)
Replace oil filter (HF204RC)
Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean. Replace (R) spark plugs (LMAR7A-9)RR
Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold. Adjust if necessary.
Adjust fuel injection synchronization.
Replace air filter (K&N YA-1307)
Service more often if riding in dusty/rainy conditions.
24000 mi / 37000 km.
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage. Check for correct routing and clamping.
Replace brake hoses4 years
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of calipers/master cylinders2 years
Check wheel runout and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack swingarm bearings with lithium soap-based grease.
Check drive belt condition and tension (belt tension tool). Replace if damaged. Adjust if necessary.2500 mi / 4000 km
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease16000 mi / 25000 km
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Correct if necessary.
Brake lever — Apply silicone grease lightly.
Brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal — Apply lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Sidestand pivot — Check operation. Apply lithium-soap-based grease lightly.
Sidestand switch — Check operation and replace if necessary.
Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Rear suspension pivots — apply lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check cooling hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Change coolant (Ethylene glycol pre-mix)2 years
Check front and rear brake switch operation.
Lubricate control and meter cables. (Protect All Cable Life).
Check throttle grip operation. Check throttle grip free play. Adjust if necessary. Lubricate throttle cable and grip housing.
Check lights, signals, and switches operation. Adjust headlight beam.
Check fuel line for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Check exhaust for leakage. Tighten if necessary. Replace gasket(s) if necessary.
Check evap emission control (if fitted) system for damage. Replace if necessary.
Yamaha V Star 1300 — US maintenance schedule

Yamaha V Star 1300 Europe maintenance schedule

Below is the Europe maintenance schedule for the Yamaha XVS1300A.

It’s the same maintenance schedule as above but with different service intervals. Basic maintenance is every 10000 km / 6000 mi or 12 months.

km x 100010203040
mi x 10006121824Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10w-40)
Replace oil filter (HF204RC)
Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean. Replace spark plugs (R) (LMAR7A-9)RR
Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold. Adjust if necessary.20000 km / 12000 mi
Adjust fuel injection synchronization.
Replace air filter (K&N YA-1307)Do not clean with compressed air. Replace more often if riding in dusty/rainy conditions.
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage. Check for correct routing and clamping.
Replace brake hoses4 years
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of calipers/master cylinders2 years
Check wheel runout and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack swingarm bearings with lithium soap-based grease.50000 km (30000 mi)
Check drive belt condition and tension (belt tension tool). Replace if damaged. Adjust if necessary.4000 km / 2500 mi
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness.
Moderately repack steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Correct if necessary.
Brake lever — Apply silicone grease lightly.
Brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal — Apply lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Sidestand pivot — Check operation. Apply lithium-soap-based grease lightly.
Sidestand switch — Check operation and replace if necessary.
Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Rear suspension relay arm / connecting arm pivots — apply lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check cooling hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Change coolant (Ethylene glycol pre-mix)3 years
Check front and rear brake switch operation.
Lubricate control and meter cables. (Protect All Cable Life).
Check throttle grip operation. Check throttle grip free play. Adjust if necessary. Lubricate throttle cable and grip housing.
Check lights, signals, and switches operation. Adjust headlight beam.
Check fuel line for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Check exhaust for leakage. Tighten if necessary. Replace gasket(s) if necessary.
Yamaha V Star 1300 — Europe/APAC/Canada maintenance schedule

About the Yamaha V Star 1300

Yamaha V Star 1300 Deluxe RHS in front of buildings

The V Star 1300 range is Yamaha’s “middleweight” motorcycle range. Yamaha has been making cruiser motorcycles for years, and they have their own loyal following.

The V Star 1300 motorcycles have a 1304 cc liquid-cooled SOHC 4-valve-per-cylinder fuel-injected 60 degree V-twin power plant.

It’s the same engine that is used in the Yamaha Stryker. Its narrow design ensures the engine is more compact, for mass centralisation. It’s a short stroke engine so it revs quite well, with the 4-valve design meaning it performs well at all RPMs. Though with peak torque coming on at 4000 rpm, you don’t have to rev it up high.

Unlike American-style modern cruisers — and indeed unlike a lot of Yamaha’s range (e.g. its contemporary the Yamaha Bolt) — the Yamaha V Star 1300 motorcycles are-liquid cooled. This is anathema for many cruiser owners, who insist on riding “air-cooled V-twins”. Yamaha addresses this by having a very clean-looking liquid cooling setup. Water and oil lines are routed internally, and the radiator is tucked between the frame’s downtubes.

So it’s not quite as naked as air cooling, but there are some benefits to liquid cooling… like longer valve service intervals and only rarely needing to change any of the clearances.

The closed loop Mikuni dual bore 40mm throttle body gives the Yamaha V Star 1300 great responsiveness. And as a hat-tip to modifiers, the oxygen sensor is before the mufflers, so anyone wanting hotter mufflers (everyone!) won’t get worse engine performance or efficiency.

The slightly more oversquare motor compared to the Yamaha V Star 1100, coupled with the four valve head, means that the V Star 1300 revs slightly higher and has more meat in the top-end. The engine still has a mild 9.5:1 compression ratio, but that’s still more aggressive than the 8.3:1 of the 1100.

Riding the V Star 1300 is easy. It may feel a little clumsy in the parking lot, but its low center of gravity and decent ground clearance mean that keeping things interesting through winding roads is a pleasure.

The only place you might feel a little let down with the V Star 1300 is in the brakes. There are dual 298mm discs, but only squeezed by two-piston front calipers… if you ride somewhat aggressively, you’ll be working them quite hard to bring the over 650 lb (near 300 kg) motorcycle to a stop.

Finally, the forks are non-adjustable, but you can adjust the rear suspension by preload.

As with other liquid-cooled Yamaha V-twins, valve service intervals are 16000 miles if you’re in the US, or 20000 km if you’re in a metric country (the two manuals have slightly different service schedules). This is pretty reasonable, and makes for a low-maintenance ownership experience.

Manual for the Yamaha V Star 1300

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the Yamaha V Star 1300, consulting manuals for the Tourer and Deluxe, and assessing it between years. You can see screenshots of the maintenance schedule of many years of the manual below.

You can download it from Yamaha’s website here.

Also see below the screenshot for the European XVS1300A maintenance schedule. It has slightly different service intervals, as mentioned above.

Yamaha V Star 1300 Europe maintenance schedule
V Star 1300 XVS1300A maintenance schedule — Europe

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Pete Ramos

How many miles do I ride before the next oil change