• Yamaha equipped the UK version of its cruisers with a 1670 cc displacement engine.Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Japan-based Yamaha Motors has manufactured its Roadstar line of cruiser motorcycles since 2006. It currently sells these bikes as the Midnight Star in the United Kingdom, as the XV 1900 in the United States and as the Stratoliner in other countries. Yamaha designed these big-body, big-engine motorcycles for riding over long distances; and as such, these bikes generate large amounts of power at low RPMs while also providing good fuel efficiency.
  
  

Drive Train

• Yamaha equipped the UK version of its 2006 Midnight Star with a 1670 cc displacement, four cylinder, V-twin engine. This engine uses an over-head valve configuration and a 40 mm Mikuni carburetor to funnel fuel into each cylinder. The Midnight relies on the air flow, during riding, for cooling. The 2006 Midnight uses a belt-drive to transfer power to the rear wheel, and Yamaha only offered the bike in a five-speed manual transmission. The Midnight uses a digital ignition system.
  
  

Output

• According to the Motorcycle News website, the engine used in models sold in America generates 89 horsepower at 2,500 revolutions per minute and produces 115 ft.-lbs. of torque. Inside each cylinder, this configuration achieves a compression ratio of 8.3:1, and the bore and stroke are 3.8 inches by 4.4 inches. The American model can hit a top speed of 120 MPH and crosses the 1/4-mile mark in 12.8 seconds. In terms of fuel economy, the bike gets an average 41 miles per gallon.
  
  

Dimensions

• The 2006 Midnight stands 59.1 inches in height, 38.6 inches in width and 98.4 inches in length, with a seat height of 27.9 inches. The bike's wheelbase is 66.5 inches in length. At its lowest point, the aluminum chassis sits 5.7 inches above the ground. Yamaha equipped each 2006 Midnight with a 5.3-gallon fuel tank; and when empty, the bike weighs 679 lbs. The 2006 Midnight 1700 has a 130/90-16 front tire and a 150/80-16 rear tire. Both the front and rear wheels use disc brakes, with the front equipped with 11.7-inch diameter double-discs and the rear with 12.6-inch diameter single-discs.