Yamaha XVS400 Drag Star review: A beginner-friendly cruiser that won me over
I had been looking for a comfortable cruiser for weekend rides and occasional touring. Since I'm not a particularly big rider, the Drag Star 400 seemed like a good fit. I kept checking listings, hoping to find one with a few accessories already installed.
Then a friend handed me the keys to his Drag Star and said, "Take it for a ride."
Two days later, I owned one.
First impressions
The Yamaha XVS400 Drag Star may not be the most powerful cruiser in its class, but that's never been its purpose.
What immediately stood out was how comfortable and confidence-inspiring the bike felt. The low seat height, long wheelbase, and low center of gravity make it incredibly easy to handle, even if you're new to cruiser motorcycles.
Mine came with a few simple modifications:
Straight exhaust pipes
Straight handlebars
Nothing extreme, just enough to give the bike a bit more personality.
Engine and performance 
The Drag Star 400 is powered by a 399cc air-cooled V-twin engine producing around 32 horsepower. Power is delivered through a shaft drive, which is one of the biggest advantages of this motorcycle.
On paper, 32 horsepower doesn't sound impressive, and many riders call the Drag Star one of the least powerful 400cc cruisers ever built.
Honestly, they're probably right.
But after spending time with the bike, I realized that horsepower numbers don't tell the whole story.
Around town, the engine has enough power for relaxed riding. Sure, there are moments when you'd like a bit more torque for quick overtakes without downshifting, but that's not what this motorcycle is designed for.
The Drag Star isn't meant to be fast.
It's built for cruising.
Comfort and handling
This is where the bike really shines.
The long wheelbase gives the motorcycle excellent stability, while the low center of gravity makes slow-speed riding surprisingly easy. Parking lot maneuvers and U-turns never felt intimidating.
The stock riding position is extremely comfortable, almost like sitting in an armchair.
My motorcycle had aftermarket straight handlebars, so I had to reach forward slightly more than I would have liked. Even so, it remained comfortable enough for longer rides.
Maintenance costs
One thing I quickly appreciated about the Drag Star was how inexpensive it is to maintain.
After buying the bike, I replaced all the fluids and basic service items, and the total cost was surprisingly affordable.
I also decided to replace the old, worn-out Dunlop tires with a set of Shinko 777 tires.
That upgrade completely changed the motorcycle.
The new tires offered noticeably better grip and made the front wheel look cleaner and more modern. I also added a small swingarm bag and later installed a passenger backrest, which made longer rides much more comfortable.
Beyond that, I didn't feel the need to add anything else.
Reliability
Reliability is one of the strongest reasons people continue to recommend the Yamaha XVS400 Drag Star.
The shaft drive means there's no chain to clean, lubricate, or adjust, reducing maintenance considerably.
The air-cooled engine is also incredibly dependable. Despite lacking liquid cooling, it's surprisingly difficult to overheat, even during slow city riding on warm days.
For riders who simply want a motorcycle that starts every time and asks for very little in return, the Drag Star is hard to beat.
Is the Yamaha XVS400 Drag Star worth buying?
Absolutely.
If you're expecting thrilling acceleration or sport bike performance, this isn't the motorcycle for you.
But if you're looking for a dependable, comfortable, easy-to-ride cruiser with classic styling and low ownership costs, the Yamaha XVS400 Drag Star remains an excellent choice—even years after it first appeared.
It's especially well suited for beginners, smaller riders, or anyone who simply enjoys relaxed cruising rather than chasing speed.
Sometimes the best motorcycles aren't the fastest ones.
They're the ones that make every ride enjoyable.