AI DamageYamaha XVS11: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Yamaha XVS11 across 7 model years: 35 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 86% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 3% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 30 complaints (86% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 1 complaints (3% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (3% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 35 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 | 30 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
2006 yahama v-star 1100, while downshifting you hear a whining noise on the middle shaft gear, the speedometer also stopped working, took it to the dealership and they said it was a very common problem on this model bike, they need to take the entire engine apart and replace the bolt that broke off the middle shaft…
My partner drove a v star 1100 2004. She had complained of the back tire locking up, but upon service, nothing was found. She had had a problem with metal flecks in the oil.
While driving various speeds, the vehicle vibrated violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the nut sheared off of the mid shaft and the shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 yamaha xvs11vr motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding at approximately 65 mph, there was an abnormal noise that came from the rear of the motorcycle and the engine. The motorcycle was driven to the dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 yamaha xvs11. While driving approximately 30 to 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a loose nut in the mid-drive. The failure recurred numerous times.
I began accelerating on to the highway when I noticed a rattling whining noise coming from the middle of the motorcycle once as I approached an exist to inspect the motorcycle my rear wheel locked up .
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.