SPECIFICATIONS
Suggested base price: $10,499
Standard colors: Black, blue/white, red/ivory
Extra cost colors: NA
Standard warranty: 12 mo., unlimited miles
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Air-cooled, 48-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: OHV, 2 intake, 2 exhaust valves; operated by pushrods, hydraulic adjusters, threaded adjustersDisplacement, bore x stroke: 1602cc, 95 x 113mm
Compression ratio: 8.3:1
Carburetion: 1, 40mm Mikuni
Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds Final drive: Belt
CHASSIS
Wheelbase: 66.3 in.
Overall length: 98.4 in.
Wet weight: 740 lb, 53% rear wheel
Wheels: Wire-spoked, 16 x 3.0 in. front, 16 x 3.5 in. rear
Front tire: 130/90-16 Dunlop D404F
Rear tire: 150/80B-16 Dunlop D404
Front brake: 2, single-action, dual-piston calipers, 11.7-in. discs
Rear brake: Double-action, two-piston caliper, 12.6-in. disc
Front suspension: 43mm stanchions, 5.5 in. travel
Rear suspension: 1 damper, 4.33 in. travel
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal
Seat height: 27.9 in.
Handlebar width: 33.0 in.
ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION
Battery: 12v, 18 AH
Forward lighting: 7.5-inch, 55/60-watt headlight, position lights
Taillight: 1 bulb
Instruments: Speedometer, fuel gauge, LCD clock and odometer/dual tripmeters; warning lights for engine monitor, fuel level, high beam, neutral and turn signals
PERFORMANCE
Fuel mileage: 38 to 49 mpg, 43.1 mpg average
Average range: 228 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top-gear: 2270
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 73.0 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.25 sec., 92.1 mph
"Pushrods, huh? Why would Yamaha do a thing like that?" But once I thumbed the starter button and got the bike on the road, and my body was resonating to the pulse of a 1600cc V-twin, Yamaha's choice seemed just about perfect. All my questions have been replaced with a contented smile.
It's certainly not another sheep in wolf's clothing -- the Road Star has a bite that's as good as its bark. If you're looking for more power and performance from a high-end Yamaha, this is where you get off. But if you're enamored by the accouterments which endow every angle of the lovely Royal Star, the Road Star might leave you cold. I'd been riding our Royal Star for several weeks when I swapped it for the Road Star. In comparison, the aesthetics seemed undercooked, and the fit-and-finish was a bit cheesy (like the logo on the tank). I missed the gleaming doo-dads and throaty exhaust on the Royal Star.
But one flick of the throttle sets things straight. The Road Star has a feel of substance that's deeper than good looks.
Jamie Elvidge
For more on gleaming doo-dads, e-mail Elvidge at: Jamie.Elvidge@primedia.com.
You knew Yamaha could do it. The Royal Star covered all the bases except for the engine. With the Road Star engine, Yamaha has belted the ball out of the park, and the rest of the bike plays in the same league.
Art Friedman
Friedman covers all the bases with email addresses at Art.Friedman@primedia.com and ArtOfTheMotorcycle@hotmail.com.