Yamaha V Star 1100 Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha V Star 1100, also known as the Yamaha XVS1100 DragStar.
The V Star 1100 was released in a few different versions, including the Classic, Custom, and Silverado, like the smaller capacity V Star 650 (with which the service intervals are quite similar). They all share the same basic air-cooled carburettor-fed 1063cc 63-degree V-twin engine, putting power down via a shaft drive.
The Yamaha V Star 1100 was released in 1998, and made up until model years 2009 or 2011 depending on the market. So this maintenance schedule is for the 1999-2011 Yamaha V Star 1100 including the Custom, Classic, and Silverado. It was effectively replaced by the V Star 1300 line.
This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!
What you need to service your Yamaha V Star 1100
Servicing your V Star 1100 is pretty simple — you have an air-cooled carburettor-fed V-twin with a shaft drive.
You need the following maintenance items.
| Product | Part for Yamaha V Star 1100 |
|---|---|
| Oil | The manual suggests Yamalube 10W-40, or any other oil that has API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA. Another good-grade oil that has thousands of five-star reviews is Motul 5100. |
| Oil filter | Use a Hiflofiltro HF204RC, which you can remove without a special wrench. Tighten to 17Nm (12 ft-lb). |
| Spark plugs | Use NGK spark plugs with code BPR7ES for the V Star 1100. |
| Air filter | Use the K&N part YA-1199 to replace the air filter. |
| Brake Fluid | You can use any DOT 4 brake fluid (the one we recommend is a high-grade synthetic one from Castrol) |
| Cable lubricant | Protect all cable life is a popular and affordable cable lube. |
| Lube | Use Valvoline full synthetic lithium soap-based grease to lube external pivot points, bearings, etc. You also need silicone grease for a couple of places. |
| Shaft drive oil | The manual calls for SAE 80 or 80W-90 hypoid gear oil. Use Mobil 1 gear oil to change your shaft drive oil periodically. |
Yamaha V Star 1100 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha V Star 1100 series of motorcycles.
Notes on the maintenance schedule
- At the end of the schedule, repeat it at the intervals shown.
- Do not clean the air filter with compressed air (as the manual suggests). Yamaha stopped doing this with later motorcycles due to risk of damaging the air filter and then the engine.
- The break-in service is omitted as these bikes are no longer in production.
The US manual for the V Star 1100 specifies 4000 mile service intervals, and the European manual specifies 6000 km service intervals.
Maintenance tasks:
- X = Perform maintenance task
- C = Change/Replace
- I = Inspect
| Mi x 1000 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 25 | 31 | |
| Months | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | Every |
| Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Replace fuel filter | C | 20000 mi / 30000 km | ||||
| * Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean. * Change periodically (C) (NGK BPR7ES) | X | C | X | C | X | |
| Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Adjust synchronization of carburetors. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check and adjust engine idle speed. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check exhaust for leakage. Tighten, or replace gaskets as necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check evap emission control system for damage. Replace if necessary | X | |||||
| Inspect air filter, and replace if necessary (YA-1199) | X | X | X | X | X | More often if riding in dust/wet. |
| Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Adjust front brake lever free play | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace pads if necessary | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers. | 2 years | |||||
| Check brake hoses for cracks or damage. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Replace brake hoses | 4 years | |||||
| Spoked wheels: Check wheel runout, spoke tightness and for damage. Tighten spokes if necessary. Non-spoked wheels: Check runout and for damage. Replace if necessary | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check swingarm pivot bearing assemblies for looseness. Moderately repack (R) with lithium soap-based grease | X | R | ||||
| Check steering bearings for looseness. Moderately repack (R) with lithium soap-based grease | X | X | X | R | X | |
| Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Tighten up/replace if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Grease brake lever pivot shaft lightly (silicone grease) | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Grease brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal pivot shafts lightly. (lithium soap-based grease) | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check sidestand pivot operation. Grease lightly. (lithium soap-based grease) | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check sidestand switch operation and replace if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Repair if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Check shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Grease rear suspension link pivots lightly. (lithium soap-based grease) | X | |||||
| Change engine oil while warm (Yamalube 10W-40). | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Replace oil filter (HF204RC) | X | X | ||||
| Inspect (I) final gear oil oil level and for oil leakage. Change (C) final gear oil every four services (Mobil 1 Gear Oil) | I | I | I | C | I | Four services |
| Check front and rear brake switch operation | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Lubricate control cables thoroughly (Protect all cable life) | X | X | X | X | X | |
| * Check throttle grip operation and free play. Adjust if necessary. * Lubricate the throttle grip housing and cable. | X | X | X | X | X | |
| * Check lights signals and switches. * Adjust headlight beam | X | X | X | X | X |
About the Yamaha V Star 1100
The Yamaha V Star 1100, also known as the Dragstar 1100 or just the XVS1100 is a motorcycle (or rather a range of motorcycles) based around a carburettor-fed, 1063 cc air-cooled 75-V-twin engine.
It is a simple design, with single overhead cams and just two valves per cylinder. Fuelling is via twin Mikuni 37mm carburettors, and the compression ratio is a very mild 8.3:1 — this is not a high-power 1100 cc sport bike!
The V Star 1100 has a deep grumble and makes torque from extremely low in the rev range, just like it sounds like it would. In fact, it reaches peak at only 2500 rpm — just like how cruiser riders like it.
The V Star 1100 has a 2-into-2 exhaust system with dual shotgun-style staggered pipes, producing outstanding V-twin music. Being an air-cooled engine, there’s also some mechanical noise from the body of the motor that competes with the exhaust note.
The carburettors have throttle position sensors, carburettor heaters, and are fed via a side-mounted air filter. The result is consistent fuel flow throughout the rev range, great throttle response, and power throughout the rev range without any sudden fall-off. There’s enough torque down low to let you start in second gear and never even notice.
The V Star 1100 motorcycles all put power to the ground via a five-speed transmission and a shaft drive — a differentiating factor vis-a-vis the Harley-Davidsons which have belt drives.
The V Star 1100 weighs 280 kg (616 lb) with a full tank.
The V Star is definitely the looker of the class of metric cruisers, even when considered against Yamaha’s own stablemate, the Yamaha Virago 1100. But the Yamaha Virago 1100 was widely acknowledged as more powerful, faster, more comfortable, and better-equipped — having both a tachometer and centre stand standard.
The Yamaha V Star 1100 came in a number of trim levels. They all shared the same engine, chassis, and drivetrain, so maintenance is the same. But here they are:
- Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom (1999+): Bobber style with short rear fender, with small headlight, aluminium spoked rims, exposed forks, 110 front tyre
- Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic (2000+): Longer fenders, floorboards, cast magnesium wheels, thicker brake and shift levers, larger 7-inch headlight, fork covers, and 130-profile front tyre
- Yamaha V-Star 1100 Silverado: Windscreen, sissy bar, and saddlebags.
Manual for the Yamaha V Star 1100
The above information was obtained from the owner’s manual for the Yamaha V Star 1100.
You can download it from Yamaha’s website here.
