AI DamageYamaha XVS1100: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Yamaha XVS1100 across 8 model years: 45 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 64% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 2% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 2% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 2% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 29 complaints (64% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (27% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (2% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (2% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 45 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 | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
The middle drive shaft broke off and got jammed in the yoke and locked up the rear tire of my motorcycle.
2001 yamaha vstar middle drive shaft ubolt snapped. The middle gear locked causing the rear tire to lock while driving 55 mph. After inspection from mechanic discovered the u joint bolt snapped apparently many other people are reporting the same problem. Suffered only minor injury. Called yamaha and not recalls.
Consumer states that bike's floor boards folded up while riding, trapping consumer's foot. As a result, the bike crashed and consumer sustained several injuries. Mr scc
The contact stated that while riding approximately 60 MPH, there was a loud whining sound coming from the rear of the motorcycle. The contact stated that moments later the rear wheel locked up and the motorcycle became inoperable.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V067000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
While driving my motorcycle I suddenly noticed a high pitched whining noise during deceleration. I was close to home and the noise became louder. After further review, I have discovered that the mid drive shaft failed and the nut holding the u joint on had broken off. My motorcycle has 27000 miles on it.
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. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
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 2026-11-06.