AI DamageYamaha 1100 Silverado: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Yamaha 1100 Silverado across 2 model years: 18 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 89% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 16 complaints (89% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (11% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (6% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 18 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
After parked the 3 hours I heard a loud whine/howl coming from middle of bike. Dealer mechanic discovered middle drive yoke just about sheared off the shaft. Visual inspection shows about 50% or more sheared off. From the list it appears to be a trend.
Starter when trying to start would not turn over motor, but the starter would turn over. I have found that yamaha knows of this issue it has happened to anyone that owns a yamaha vstar, 650cc and 1100cc, the repair bill cost between $900.00 to $1,200 , and even after repairs bye even dealers you can have this same…
I'm experiencing a severe whining noise on deceleration especially in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears. Contacted the yamaha dealership where I purchased the motorcycle and they have never heard of the problem.
Catastrophic driveshaft failure issue with my 2005 yamaha v-star 1100 motorcycle. Specifically the retaining nut came loose and fell off the pinion gear. I pulled over just in time to avoid the nut getting jammed inside the protective driveshaft hoop which would have caused the rear wheel to lock up.
The contact was driving approximately 65 mph when a bolt fractured from the middle gear drive shaft and began rattling around inside the yoke of the u-joint as the bolt lodged inside the yoke. The vehicle was taken to an authorized yamaha dealer and they refused to repair the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 yamaha silverado motorcycle. The contact stated that a nut on the back of the drive shaft will come off and cause the rear wheel to lock up at high or low speeds. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated they were aware of the failure but they could offer no assistance.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.