AI Damage1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and tires. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 60% of all complaints
- 2 Tires 40% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (60% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (40% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 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.
I have had a problem with the ignition switch on my 1997 royal star tour deluxe. It would occasionally not make contact so the engine would start. Giggling the key would usually resolve the problem.
Even jiggling the keys while bike is stalled, but still moving can bring the motorcycle back to life. The high possibility for danger occurs when the problem happens while on the highway, as it did with me. The engine stalled, and the bumpy road made the keys jiggle, which began a series of straying and stalling.
About 30 mile north of beatty nv, I felt a "bump" and heard the thump and clank of something bouncing off the inside of the rear fender. I pulled over to inspect and could not locate any problems. I resumed my trip and experienced the same sound about 5 miles later.
Fault ignition switch has an intermittent connection. This causes the motorcycle to loss power suddenly without warning.
Rear tire has pin holes on the sidewall. Dealer has been contacted.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, tires. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (20%), stalls while driving (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
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.