History of the Yamaha Venture and Royal Star

” The Yamaha Royal Star Venture is a luxury touring motorcycle built by the Yamaha Motor Company. It is a premier touring motorcycle manufactured in two forms by Yamaha from 1983 to 1993 and from 1999 to 2013.

In 1983 Yamaha created a V4 power package that began the Yamaha Venture motorcycle series. The first in the series was the Venture Royale produced from 1983 to 1993. Yamaha discontinued the design until 1996 when it resurrected the Venture power package and produced a cruiser-style motorcycle called the Royal Star that was produced until 2001. In 1999 Yamaha again brought out a large full touring motorcycle known as the Royal Star Venture, again using a variation of the Venture power package. In 2005 it introduced the Royal Star Tour Deluxe, which is the Royal Star Venture without the fairing, radios or trunk.

In 1985 Yamaha introduced the V-Max. The first generation V-Max power package was a modified version of the one used in the Venture Royale. The Royale model is the Venture with additional accessories and weight.

The re-vamped, new look, Second Generation model was introduced in 1999 and was manufactured, largely unchanged, through the 2013 year model. Though Yamaha revived the Venture name that it used on the 1983 to 1993 Venture Royale models, the Royal Star Venture shares little with its predecessor except for the time-proven, liquid-cooled V4 engine and shaft drive power package. It departs from the earlier sport touring styling in favor of a classically-styled touring look.”

On June 5th, 2017, Yamaha unveiled the Third Generation model named the Star Venture. Yamaha described this new model as a "top‑of‑the‑line" transcontinental tourer combining emotional V‑Twin performance with cutting‑edge comfort and technology. It is the first Yamaha Venture that does not embrace the water cooled V4 and shaft drive. The 113 cubic inch air cooled V-Twin with belt drive was met with mixed reviews from Venture enthusiasts.