In 2008, in addition to the standard model, the maker introduced the Yamaha Road Star Midnight Warrior, a cruising motorcycle that received a unique blacked-out trim, delivering a sober and darker look.
Basically, the manufacturer took the standard model with many chromed components and painted it all black, with very few pieces escaping the dark treatment. Besides that, the Midnight version packed the same technical and performance specifications as its chromed sibling.
The 2008 Midnight model had equipped standard factory features, such as a single headlight, a wide, pulled-back handlebar, a stylish teardrop tank, a comfortable two-piece dual seat, a two-into-one exhaust system, and blacked-out five-spoke wheels with red pinstripes on the edge of the rim.
The 2008 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Warrior had the same 1,670cc four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engine as the standard model, with an Electronically controlled fuel injection system feeding the pistons, delivering 84 hp at 4,400 rpm and 99 Nm (135 lb-ft) torque at 3,750 rpm.
The bike's power was handled by a five-speed close-ration manual transmission with a wet multi-disc clutch and sent to the rear end through a low-maintenance final belt drive.
The front end was handled by a 41 mm inverted telescopic fork with 135 mm travel and two 292 mm discs with four-piston calipers. At the rear, a rebound and preload-adjustable shock and a 282 mm disc with a single-piston caliper handled the bike's suspension and stopping power.