YAMAHA XV1900 MIDNIGHT STAR

HEAVY METAL THUNDER

You know what you're going to get with a bike like the Yamaha Midnight Star. It's a big, laid back cruiser that relies upon technology that hasn't changed much since John Wayne was extolling the benefits of calcium in your diet, right? Wrong.
Underneath the styling that Yamaha dubs "retro futuristic timeless" there's some pretty advanced stuff. For the technically-minded amongst you, there's a four-valve, twin-plug head, EXUP exhaust valves, an aluminium cradle frame, and hefty four-pot callipers on the brakes. This is no replica of a museum piece. Think of it as something that Neo from the Matrix would ride and you're probably nearer the target market.
* What Does It Cost?
Obviously it'll depend on your standpoint whether you feel the £9,999 that Yamaha asks for this bike represents good value. It is buying you one of the largest bike engines in series production, a whole lot of chrome and some serious presence but does the Midnight Star represent anything other than an expensive shiny bauble? You'd be surprised. The Yamaha is a whole lot more useable than you'd expect given its styling and the modern engineering under the heavily-stylised detailing lends it a good deal of relevance. The insurance quote of NU14 reflects the fact that these bikes don't tend to be bought by lunatics looking to stuff them into a ditch at the first opportunity.
* How Does It Handle?
With wheels in different post codes and an all-up weight of 320kg, how do you think the Midnight Star is going to handle? Leisurely is perhaps the best description of its cornering ability although that 100bhp engine (about twice as powerful as its closest Harley Softail rival) gives the XV1900 plenty of point and squirt ability on the straights, that long wheelbase keeping the front wheel nicely in check.
The brakes are good, although the suspension can be flummoxed by poor road surfaces. The 1,854cc lump has gobs of torque and is smooth to boot, offering velvety acceleration seemingly regardless of what gear you have selected. Wind protection is, as you'd expect. Pretty poor and taller riders will start to really feel it above 80mph. Somewhat more surprising is the fuel economy of this motor. Even when ridden enthusiastically, this bike can return around 45mpg. The best part about the Midnight Star is just to relax, take it easy and soak up the view, the tank-mounted speedo looking quite magnificent when gently illuminated at night.
* Verdict
Although there remains something faintly ridiculous about the cruiser genre as a whole, as long as you don't take biking too seriously, there's a lot to like about the Yamaha XV1900 Midnight Star. Your £10k is buying a whole lot of presence, a heap of design detailing and no small amount of fun. If you've long retired the knee sliders this could be the sort of thing that gets you excited about riding again.

FACTS AT A GLANCE
BIKE: Yamaha XV1900 Midnight Star
PRICE: £9,999
ENGINE: 1854cc 8v air-cooled, V-twin, four-stroke
WEIGHT: 329kg
INSURANCE GROUP: 17
POWER: 100bhp
TANK SIZE: 17 litres
February 4th 2008