On September 21, 1999, Yamaha officially unveiled their 2000 Stars in Springfield, Missouri. The 2000 Stars had been announced the week before on the Yamaha Internet web site. Each of Yamaha's year 2000 Stars were represented; a total of nine. Yamaha made the motorcycles very accessible to the public allowing anyone to view, touch and even sit on the brand new bikes. Here are my impressions of the new models.

650 V Star Classic

The most popular Star made an early return in August due to the extremely high demand for the 1999 models. Yamaha claims the V Star was the best selling cruiser in 1999. They sold over 35,000 in 1999. The 650 Classic 2000 colors are Onyx or Cranberry Red/Bordeaux Red. There are no significant changes for 2000.

Scheduled availability date: Now

650 V Star Custom

The most affordable Star returns for 2000 in a choice of Onyx or Cranberry Red/Cherry Red. There are no observable changes for 2000.

Scheduled availability date: November 1999.

1100 V Star Classic

This is an exciting new model for 2000. With the notable exception of the Virago 1100 faithful, the V Star 1100 Classic is the Star everyone has been waiting for. The 2000 colors are Onyx as well as Sparkle Maroon/Ivory. The sparkle maroon is a very dark maroon with metal-flake. The 1100 Classic is very similar in appearance to the 650 Classic. Try to visualize the differences between the 650 Classic and 650 Custom and apply the same changes to the 1100. Rear fender chrome treatments are reminiscent of the Road Star and Royal Star. The engine has blacked-out cylinder fins similar to the 650. The 1100 Classic is finished off with driver floorboards instead of pegs. The front and rear fenders on the 1100 Classic are similar to the 650 Classic, but a careful eye will pick up some subtle differences. The 1100 fenders do not have as much of a turn-up at the back. The 1100 Classic does not have chrome side covers seen on the 1100 Custom, but it has an actual chrome tank logo (similar to the Road Star and Royal Star) instead of tank decals like its smaller V Star stable-mates.

Scheduled availability date: December 1999

1100 Custom

The speedy 1100 returns for the year 2000. Hopefully, Yamaha will make a better supply than last year, which saw many frustrated dealers explaining to potential 1100 owners that they were sold out. The 2000 colors are Onyx or Deep Purple.

Scheduled availability date: November 1999

Road Star MM Limited Edition

This model is a special edition model for the 2000 model year. It has a special retro paint scheme that includes painting the headlight nacelle (instead of the usual chrome). It is equipped somewhere between the Silverado and the Standard. It has wide whitewalls and a Silverado-style studded saddle. The Road Star tank logo has a red accent color instead of the standard blue. The MM also features a unique brass nameplate on the rear fender displaying the serial number (for instance, 0001 of 1500). There will be 1500 hundred produced internationally with 1000 allocated for the United States.

Scheduled availability date: January 2000

Road Star Standard

The world's biggest production V Twin comes back for 2000 dressed in Onyx, Crimson/Cherry Red or Deep Purple. Yamaha displayed a Deep Purple but did not have a sample of the Crimson/Cherry Red. While there were no visible changes for 2000, the Yamaha service reps indicated that there were minor mechanical updates on all Road Stars for 2000.

Scheduled availability date: November 1999

Road Star Silverado

The 2000 colors are Onyx or Oxide Red/Cranberry Red. The Onyx is not just a plain black like the other models. It is a two-tone black and silver. It looks very similar to the 1999 Green / Silver, but with black replacing the green. There is not a solid black Silverado model. There are no other observable changes for 2000.

Scheduled availability date: November 1999

Royal Star Tour Deluxe

Royal Star Tour Classic

Royal Star Boulevard

All three of the 2000 Royals come in any color you want as long as it's Onyx. Yamaha chose not to tinker with the most venerable of Stars for 2000.

Scheduled availability date: November 1999

Venture

The 2000 Venture is available in Imperial Red/Salsa Red. There are no other major changes for 2000.

Scheduled availability date: October 1999.

Venture MM Limited Edition

The 2000 MM is similar to the Road Star MM. The Star lineup's flagship is a pearl white and ivory two-tone with special mocha-colored seats. Like the Road Star MM, it has a brass nameplate denoting it's MM serial number; the plate finds its on to the Venture's trunk. Also like it's V Twin brother, there will be 1500 hundred produced internationally with 1000 allocated for the United States. It also has special name badges on the hard saddlebags.

Scheduled availability date: January 2000

The 2000 models are very exciting, especially the 1100 V Star Classic. There was some concern expressed from riders that the colors on all of the 2000 models could have been more exciting. There are several models with purple or combinations of purple. There are no blues or greens this year. The Royal Star still held on with three models, however they are only offered in black. The best news is that there are no price increases for the model year. If you are interested in collector's items, the Road Star MM is only $100 more than the Standard. I have heard that most of the larger dealers can get allotments of one or two, so you better place your order soon. Will the dealers ask more than MSRP? That is yet to be seen.

All in all, the year 2000 will be a great year to pick up that new Star you've been dreaming about. It seems as if there is going to be a huge demand for the 1100 Classic. Long the subject of rumors, the 1100 Classic made a big splash at the rally.