Had the transmission recall done at 43k miles on my 2003 roadstar 1600 and the dealer went through the valve train for free, (lucky me)it knocked loader after the work but got used to it. Always ran mobil 1 20-50 in it. I will admit I wasn't religious about oil changes but always changed before 7500 miles recommended by the manual. Last week at 57k lost power going down the I 75 250 miles from home. Anyway got it back home found a lifter worn threw and it sister lifter doesn't look much better. looks like it could use a new cam. I am very dissappointed with the engine I expected to get 100k from the engine. I got a 125k from my old ventura with the vmax carbs and it would scream compared to the roadstar. Back to the road star I would guess the engine itself doesn't have a lot of life left. I doubt the metal shaving have been doing it any good. Called the dealer they imeadiately went into the song and dance about maintenance. It appears the 5 year unlimited milage warranty is good unless you actually ride it and rack up some miles. My impression is if your bike has a problem after the first coat of wax is off your on your own unless you kept it completely stock (which I had until a month ago when I eliminiated the fuel pump) have a lawyer and your personal mechanic to verify its maintenance history or had the same dealer to do all maintenence in detail which have cost $5000 by now anyway. Of course the dealership wanted me to bring it in they would look at it and see if it was a manufacturers defect. Which I interpreted to mean for $2000+ I would get my bike back. I haven't been impresed with the big V twin anyway it has always been slow and has spent many hours at or near full throttle to accelerate or make good time on the interstate. My impression now it is a garage bike better suited to putting around the neighborhood a few days a year rather than a primary means of transportation. My question what is typical life of these engines? anyone got a 100k on one?

the dealer went through the valve train for free, (lucky me)it knocked loader after the work but got used to it.
If what they did made things worse you should take it back and make them fix it. Not get used to it.

I will admit I wasn't religious about oil changes but always changed before 7500 miles recommended by the manual.
Unless the 1600's are different than the 1700's the manual recommends 4000 mile changes.

I haven't been impresed with the big V twin anyway it has always been slow
and has spent many hours at or near full throttle to accelerate or make good time on the interstate.
I wouldn't call the Roadie slow but it's a cruiser. Not a sport bike. Any motor that spends most of it's time near full throttle is going to get tired faster. If you're pegging the throttle all the time it's putting extra strain on the motor. Same as every motor.

My impression now it is a garage bike better suited to putting around the neighborhood a few days a year rather than a primary means of transportation.
Well, I wouldn't say that but not everyone is going to like the bike. The Roadie isn't perfect and has it's issues just like every bike. Maybe you got the wrong bike for your needs and riding style.

My question what is typical life of these
engines? anyone got a 100k on one?
I expect to get an easy 100 grand on mine if I keep it that long. There are people with over 150 grand with no rebuilds.

I can understand you being pissed. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with the Roadie. Most of us are happy with ours. Take a deep breath and decide what you need to do to now. Get it fixed and keep it. Sell it as is or get it fixed and sell it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

In terms of a V-twin air cooled aka Harley

57000 is good

But ya got me thinkin...


I am an older 58

With all my long distance riding days behind me...too many other things to do
cottage work etc

My R* will probably rack up about 2000 miles per year...so..in about 30 years

the R* may die

BUT maybe ME first

If yer doin a lot of long distance riding the Royal Stars are there


The Life of the R* whatever it is ...is a very satisfying experience..so dont miss it

I wonder if they put the lifters back in the same spots they came out of.

n5ifi wrote:
I wonder if they put the lifters back in the same spots they came out of.

Bingo!

Lifter and cam failure usually happen much sooner but it's still possible. Immediate failure happens if they did not use the proper cam lube or did not use the proper break-in process.

Doc

For what it's worth, I just saw this one on ebay ..... $700.00 for 1600 engine. I hope everything works out for ya!

[/url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-Yamaha-Road-Star-Roadstar-1600-Engine-MotorChrome_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQihZ001QQitemZ110144876838QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW <br><br>Post edited by: NJADATD, at: 2007/07/01 19:59

Thank You all for your replies and it does appear 57,000 miles of hard riding isn't too bad for a big V twin. I am over being mad. I have to many good memories on the first 43000 trouble free miles. At 43000 drive belt broke, had trans recall done. The dealer tooks like three weeks and left out two bolts on the frame and the front motor mounting bolt (yeah the long one) Then it was hard starting dealer blamed new tightness on them going through the top end. I changed the oil after couple thousand miles. The oil the dealer used looked and smelled like 90 wt gear oil. It started easier back on Mobil one, but still hard started particully when hot. replaced the Battery to no avail dealer finally said the compression let off was sticking I needed to rock the bike backward then forward before starting. Of course the starter went out two weeks later. The dealer was semi correct the compression let off tab was bent out to much. It had to be from the trans upgrade. Then the lifter wore through. of course that was over a course of 14k miles but on the calendar it was less than a year so it seems like one thing after another. Oh left out the fact that the start solenoid went bad (surprise) and the fuel pump would not run consistently so It would lose power then at other times it would work. It always pumped at intial start up which caused me to waste a bunch of time and effort chasing the problem. Left out one more thing muffle side rear wheel bearing went luckily the brake rotor kept it in decent aligment while I stopped.

Anyway thanks for the feedback I intend to keep my bike it looks good it will be my cool looking putt around town on the weekends bike. Also the roadstar is the easiest bike to ride and balance I have ever owned. My wife can ride it. Besides the first owner dying on the bike at just 312 miles is always a good story to share. It out lasted him by 57,000 miles. Anyway I brough and old goldwing to commute and make long trips on. The last one I owned was more than a match for me too bad the goldwings are so ugly and clumsy. I will not look cool but I should make round trips.

One last thing I hope I can find a motor like the one you saw on ebay, but I need a few weeks to recover from my goldwing purchase.

Your lucky, I just put new cams and lifters in mine at 4000 miles. I replaced them myself and even had a Yamaha mechanic look at it and he couldn't give me and explanation as of why. Im happy with my bike. I guess I just had a lemon camshaft?

Man, I better stop riding my bike so much. At this rate, I'll hit 57,000 before the bike's paid off! In an ideal world, I hope to get 100K-plus out of her, but I also know that means plenty of service along the way.

Crap, I have put 8100 on in 15 mo's and the riding season is just starting. Most of my miles are highway at 75 to 85 mph. Dont need anything to lock up on highway. I was told these 1700 would last 100,000 with proper care. Good luck on rebuilt or whatever you do. What year of goldwing. Bob