V Star Classic

2008 Yamaha V Star Classic Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 2008 Yamaha V Star Classic custom - cruiser motorcycle, Yamaha pairs a 1063 cc (64.9 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 62 HP (45.3 kW) at 6,760 rpm while maximum torque reaches 85 Nm (62.7 lb-ft) at 2,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 58.3 HP per liter and a 4,260 rpm working window between peak torque (2,500 rpm) and peak power (6,760 rpm), the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the V Star Classic measures 288 kg (635 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.22 HP/kg (4.65 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 709 mm (27.9 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops, combined with a 1,626 mm (64 in) wheelbase engineered for planted straight-line stability. The 17-liter (4.5 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints.

Within MotoLibrary's Yamaha archive, this model family spans 8 indexed model years from 2006 to 2013, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.