The first obvious assumption about the V Star 1300 would be that it will replace the V Star 1100. Instead, the 1300 slots into the gap between the 1100 and the Road Star, filling out the deepest model line in metric cruising. A quick comparison of the V Star 1300 and the 1100 provides a nice overview of what cruising has become since the little brother's introduction as a 1999 model.
The second obvious-and also incorrect-assumption about the V Star 1300 would be that the engine is merely a bored and/or stroked version of the 1100 mill. However, the V Star 1300 sports an all-new liquid-cooled, 60-degree, V-twin engine. The oversquare 100mm x 83mm bore and stroke yields a 1304cc displacement. This engine configuration is somewhat surprising since, as an engine becomes more oversquare, it tends to lose bottom-end torque-something most V-twin cruiser manufacturers strive for. The payoff for having a shorter stroke tends to come in the midrange and top end. Four valve heads control the fuel mixture's path through the combustion chamber. The 1300 weighs in with a 9.5:1 compression ratio compared with the 1100's 8.3:1-a hint that Star was looking for more power from the 1300. The single overhead cam controls the valves via friction-reducing roller rocker arms. The more efficient rockers also allow for higher valve lift ratios to increase power output.
Power is transferred from the engine to the transmission via a 10mm-larger-diameter clutch. To assist in managing the increased horsepower, nine fiber plates (an increase of one) are called to duty. The transmission features taller gear ratios, with fourth gear on the 1300 providing the same ratio as top gear on the 1100. A true overdrive fifth gear on the 1300 also helps to keep the vibrations at bay by helping minimize the engine speed to the tune of 450 rpm during highway riding. The Star engineers claim the tachometer (if there were one) would read only 3400 rpm at 70 mph.The gear dogs are square cut for more precise shifting. Finally, the stylish but old shaft has been replaced by a slinky carbon-fiber-reinforced, 28.6mm belt.
The V Star's ground clearance is better than you'd expect from a cruiser with floorboards. (In fact, the Star leans farther than a VTX 1300 without touching parts.) The only real performance issue with the V Star 1300 is the brakes. The two-piston, single-action calipers are decidedly old tech. They do a decent job of hauling the bike down from speed-but only if you put enough muscle into the lever. Four-piston calipers would probably remedy this quibble. Still, in a panic stop situation, the brakes do get the job done.
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