2009 Yamaha XV1700 Road Star Silverado S

Top-Spec US-Market Model | 1,670cc Fuel-Injected V-Twin | 14,886 Miles | £7,995

There are Yamaha Road Stars, there are Road Star Silverados, and then there is the Road Star Silverado S.

This was the fully dressed, flagship touring version of Yamaha’s magnificent big-bore American cruiser and, for anyone looking for the ultimate factory specification, this really is the Road Star to have.

The exceptional example we have available here is a 2009 Yamaha XV1700 Road Star Silverado S, finished in beautiful Light Metallic Grey/Silver and displaying just 14,886 miles from new.

It is in superb condition throughout, with beautifully preserved paintwork, extensive chrome, colour-coded factory hard luggage and an impressive collection of carefully chosen accessories that enhance the motorcycle without spoiling the original character.

Most importantly, the Silverado S was never officially offered in the UK, making genuine examples considerably rarer here than many of Yamaha’s better-known European-market cruisers. Contemporary specifications list the model as unavailable in the UK, while the American version carried Yamaha’s full touring and premium chrome package.

At £7,995, this represents an opportunity to own one of the finest versions of one of Yamaha’s most impressive traditional V-twin cruisers.

The History of the Yamaha Road Star

The Road Star story began in 1999 when Yamaha decided to build a serious heavyweight cruiser specifically with the enormous North American cruiser market in mind.

The original XV1600 Road Star was a significant motorcycle for Yamaha. Its newly developed 1,602cc air-cooled V-twin was, at the time of its introduction, the largest-displacement engine fitted to a mass-production motorcycle, and Yamaha designed it deliberately around the character people expected from a traditional American big twin: a long stroke, huge low-speed torque, visible cooling fins, pushrod valve gear and substantial mechanical presence.

The Silverado touring version was introduced alongside the original Road Star, adding the equipment required for serious long-distance riding.

As the Road Star evolved, capacity increased to 1,670cc — approximately 102 cubic inches — and by the time this 2009 motorcycle was produced Yamaha had added electronic fuel injection, creating what is arguably the most usable generation of the traditional Road Star.

The result was a motorcycle that retained the appearance and mechanical character of an old-school big twin but combined it with Yamaha engineering, fuel injection, hydraulic valve lifters, modern brakes and a clean, low-maintenance belt final drive.

A Proper 102-Cubic-Inch V-Twin

At the centre of the bike is the enormous 1,670cc air-cooled 48-degree V-twin.

This isn’t an engine designed to be chased towards a red line. Everything about it is centred around relaxed, muscular torque.

The long 97mm bore and 113mm stroke, pushrod-operated four-valve cylinder heads, substantial flywheel and low engine speeds give the Road Star exactly the type of lazy, powerful delivery that suits a heavyweight cruiser.

The 2009 specification combined that traditional architecture with electronic fuel injection and a five-speed transmission with an overdrive top gear. Final drive is through a clean and exceptionally low-maintenance belt. Contemporary Yamaha specifications quoted approximately 100 lb-ft of torque at only 2,500rpm, illustrating exactly where this engine’s strength lies.

Open the throttle and there is no need for frantic gear changing. The bike simply digs into its enormous reserves of torque and pulls.

It is exactly how a large-capacity cruiser should feel.

Why the Silverado S Is So Special

The Silverado S sat at the premium end of the Road Star family.

The regular Road Star provided the engine and chassis. The Silverado turned it into a tourer. The Silverado S then added the luxury equipment and extensive brightwork that makes this particular model stand apart.

The 2009 S specification included colour-matched locking hard panniers rather than conventional soft luggage, factory passing lamps, additional chrome to the forks, handlebar controls, front brake master cylinder and levers, cast aluminium wheels and passenger floorboards. The hard panniers themselves offered approximately 35 litres of storage per side.

Combined with the large touring windscreen, passenger accommodation and huge V-twin engine, it created an extremely capable long-distance cruiser while still retaining that classic low-slung American appearance.

This Particular Motorcycle

What immediately strikes you about this particular Road Star is just how complete it looks.

Finished in its elegant factory-style silver, the colour works exceptionally well with the enormous amount of chrome fitted to the Silverado S. Unlike darker colours which can disguise some of the detailing, the silver allows the tank, deep valanced mudguards, hard panniers and polished brightwork to stand out individually.

The photographs show exceptionally well-preserved chrome across the engine covers, air cleaner housing, exhausts, forks, handlebars and controls, while the colour-matched luggage and bodywork present extremely well.

With only 14,886 miles, it has also seen comparatively little use for a motorcycle designed specifically for long-distance cruising.

Beautifully Equipped

This bike goes considerably beyond the already generous Silverado S factory specification.

The photographs and specification show:

• 1,670cc / 102ci fuel-injected air-cooled V-twin
• Five-speed transmission with overdrive fifth
• Low-maintenance belt final drive
• Factory colour-matched locking hard panniers
• Factory touring windscreen
• Factory auxiliary/passing lamps
• Extensive Silverado S chrome package
• Nine-spoke cast alloy wheels
• Twin front disc brakes
• Large rider floorboards
• Passenger floorboards
• Heel-and-toe gear selector
• Mustang touring seat
• Mustang rider backrest
• Substantial passenger backrest
• Chrome rear luggage rack
• Chrome front mudguard/fender rail
• Chrome pannier protection rails
• Chrome engine/highway bars
• Adjustable highway pegs
• Chrome and rubber custom-style handlebar grips
• Accessory analogue handlebar clock
• Accessory analogue thermometer
• Leather windscreen/handlebar storage pouch
• LED underglow lighting operated by a separate switch
• Twin chrome shotgun-style exhausts
• Traditional tank-mounted speedometer and digital odometer
• Beautiful three-dimensional Road Star tank emblems
• Deeply valanced front and rear mudguards

It is a particularly well-thought-out specification. The additions aren’t there simply for appearance; the Mustang seat, rider backrest, highway pegs, luggage rack, hard panniers and windscreen make this an extremely practical motorcycle for serious mileage.

Mustang Touring Seat & Rider Backrest

One of the most worthwhile additions is the Mustang seat, clearly identified by the Mustang branding visible in the photographs.

Mustang seats have long been popular among American cruiser riders because they are designed specifically with extended-distance comfort in mind.

This one incorporates a substantial rider backrest, giving far greater lower-back support on longer journeys. Combined with the Road Star’s wide floorboards, highway pegs and relaxed handlebar position, it creates an excellent long-distance riding position.

Behind the rider is a large passenger seating area, substantial passenger backrest and an extremely useful chrome luggage rack.

For someone planning touring holidays or weekends away with a passenger, this is already equipped exactly as you would want it.

Proper Hard Luggage

The hard panniers are another significant advantage of the Silverado S.

Unlike leather throw-over bags, these are substantial, purpose-designed colour-matched hard cases, beautifully integrated into the lines of the rear mudguard.

They are lockable, spacious and extremely useful for touring.

This particular bike goes another step further with the addition of chrome pannier protection rails, wrapping around the cases and adding both protection and even more of that classic American touring-bike appearance.

There is also a chrome rack behind the passenger backrest, giving additional luggage capacity for a touring bag.

Some Lovely Period Accessories

There are a few smaller details in the photographs which I particularly like and which would be easy to overlook.

Mounted around the handlebars are separate analogue clock and thermometer gauges, both housed in chrome surrounds.

Above them is a traditional leather windscreen pouch, giving somewhere convenient to keep smaller items while retaining a period-correct American cruiser look.

There are also upgraded grips, extensive polished controls and braided-look lines that work perfectly with the Silverado S’s factory chrome treatment.

None of these additions overwhelm the motorcycle. Instead, they give it the appearance of a bike that someone has spent time and money developing into a genuinely comfortable touring cruiser.

LED Underglow Lighting

The bike has also been fitted with LED underglow lighting, operated independently from a button.

It is a subtle feature when switched off and therefore doesn’t detract from the traditional styling of the motorcycle, but when illuminated it gives the bike a completely different appearance at night.

It is a nice additional touch and very much in keeping with the sort of accessories commonly fitted to high-specification cruisers in the United States.

Chassis Designed to Look Like a Hardtail

One of the clever elements of the Road Star’s design is that Yamaha managed to retain the traditional appearance of a rigid-frame cruiser without sacrificing rear suspension.

The rear monoshock is tucked away beneath the motorcycle, leaving the rear of the frame beautifully uncluttered and giving the appearance of an old-school hardtail.

Up front are substantial 43mm forks and twin 298mm brake discs, while the rear uses a large 320mm disc. The bike runs on tubeless cast wheels rather than traditional spoked rims, another practical advantage when touring.

The long wheelbase, low approximately 28-inch seat height, broad handlebars and substantial floorboards create exactly the relaxed riding position expected from a full-sized American cruiser.

Prepared and Ready to Enjoy

This motorcycle has already been through our preparation process and has received:

A full pre-delivery inspection.

A fresh MOT carried out in September 2026.

Fresh engine oil and a new oil filter.

It is therefore prepared and ready for its next owner to simply get on and enjoy.

Condition

Condition is a major part of the appeal of this particular bike.

Looking closely through the photographs, the chrome engine covers remain beautifully reflective, the exhaust system presents extremely well, the panniers and their silver paint retain an excellent finish and the controls, switchgear and surrounding brightwork are remarkably tidy for a motorcycle now approaching twenty years old.

Even areas that can often show their age on large cruisers — around the belt drive, wheels, brakes, lower engine and luggage — present extremely well.

It has clearly been a motorcycle that somebody has taken pride in.

A Rare Bike in the UK

It is also important to appreciate that this isn’t simply another XV1700.

The 2009 Road Star Silverado S was a North American-market motorcycle and was not officially available in the UK.

That makes finding a genuine Silverado S here difficult in the first place.

Finding one with under 15,000 miles, superb cosmetic condition, its factory hard panniers and touring equipment still intact, plus a Mustang seat, rider backrest, highway pegs, luggage rack and additional chrome accessories makes this an altogether more interesting proposition.

For anyone who has been specifically looking for the ultimate traditional Yamaha cruiser, this deserves serious consideration.

2009 Yamaha XV1700 Road Star Silverado S

1,670cc fuel-injected V-twin
14,886 miles
Top-specification Silverado S
Rare US-market model – never officially sold in the UK
Light Metallic Grey/Silver
Factory colour-matched hard panniers
Factory touring windscreen & passing lamps
Mustang seat with rider backrest
Passenger backrest & luggage rack
Chrome pannier rails
Chrome front mudguard rail
Highway pegs
LED underglow lighting
Accessory clock, thermometer & windscreen pouch
Fresh oil and filter
Pre-delivery inspection completed
Fresh September 2026 MOT

£7,995

This is a superb example of the ultimate Yamaha Road Star touring model — huge 102-cubic-inch V-twin power, exceptional road presence, proper factory hard luggage, extensive chrome and the comfort needed for genuine long-distance cruising.

The Silverado S combines the traditional appearance and character of a classic American big twin with the engineering and dependability for which Yamaha has earned such a strong reputation.

Add the low mileage, excellent condition and genuinely useful touring upgrades on this particular motorcycle and you have a Road Star that would be extremely difficult to replace once sold.

A rare, beautifully equipped and extremely desirable Yamaha heavyweight cruiser, ready to ride and enjoy.

Finance options, nationwide delivery and motorcycle part exchange are available through American Cruiser UK, Salisbury, Wiltshire.