Eye of the Beholder
The Yamahas won the beauty contest, though each of the four garnered at least one tester's heart. Although we don't usually get too excited about black bikes, the Silverado's black-with-white-pinstripes treatment had a nostalgic flavor that suits this style of motorcycle perfectly and also works well with the wide whitewalls. We wish the left side of the engine was a bit more finished though.
Finish and detailing is the Tour Classic's forte. It has more polish and billet than the others and looks the richest, due in part to its red-over-red paint scheme. It has the prettiest saddlebags and windshield of the four as well.
The subdued jade color of the Road King Classic gives it a more stately appearance that is diluted by some of the rougher pieces -- like fasteners. However, Harley stylists have a gift for badges and logos, such as those on the saddle, which serve to subtly distinguish the Road Kings.
Although it has fewer of those touches, the deep purple paint of the Convertible turned some heads its way. Its styling is the least remarkable of the four black-baggers, and it garnered the fewest compliments. Some even took an active dislike to its appearance.
Heading Home
After we'd put 1000 miles on each of the bikes and headed for home, we had formed some pretty clear conclusions about the bikes. First of all, the names "Classic," "Road" and "Star" are vastly overworked in this group. (Marketing types take note: "Road Classic" is still available.) Secondly, those using the Road name were the most pleasing to ride.
Weighing the preferences of seven riders and our passenger, the Harley Road King Classic emerged as the solid favorite. It was the pick of four riders, and most of the rest of the riders and the passenger ranked it second in this foursome. The new engine and brakes play a role in this, but so do the enduring style and pleasing function of the Road King. With the best power, ergonomics that suited most riders well, greatly improved braking performance, the biggest and most convenient leather bags, and useful features such as spotlights, fuel injection and that quick-detach windshield, it's an easy bike to like and helps justify its somewhat-stiff price, which will be at least $1500 more than any of the others. (Dealer extortion fees extra.)
On the other hand, the least expensive motorcycle in the group, Yamaha's Road Star Silverado, was a close second place. Two riders ranked it above all others. You get great comfort, sharp handling, strong braking, good power, nice luggage and a distinctive appearance with a first-class finish for $4000 or so less than the H-D Road King.
Yamaha's Royal Star Tour Classic is the prettiest bike here and, significantly, was actually ridden the most because staffers kept taking it for weekend trips with passengers, who were happier on it than any of the others. If you ride alone, its power and ground-clearance limitations might put you off, but if you usually ride with a passenger, its second-row seating comfort will be a strong attraction. One tester picked it as her favorite. It is pretty, if slightly expensive, has good brakes and an enviable five-year warranty.
Although one rider picked it as her second choice, most ranked the Harley Dyna Convertible as a solid last place. Relatively cramped, uncomfortable for passengers and not outstanding in any major area, it doesn't even live up to its name very well, because the windshield isn't particularly easy to remove. The Convertible only fetches its relatively high price because of perceived H-D cachet and a good engine. We expect better brakes on the 2000 model, however.
All of these modern black-baggers are a far cry from the bikes that they summon to the mind's eye. Any one of these machines is much more powerful, comfortable, reliable and convenient than a similar looking bike that someone might have set out to ride through the United States half a century ago. But if you point one in the right direction, you'll discover some grand adventures still remain along America's highways.
IN BRIEF
Harley Road King Classic
Highs: Powerful, smooth, responsive engine; Best of leather luggage; new brakes are a significant improvement; quick-detach windshield.
Lows: Finish and detailing don't justify price; no tool kit.
First Change: Add tool kit.
Harley Dyna Convertible
Highs: Great power, tachometer included, good cornering clearance, saddlebags easily removed.
Lows: Uncomfortable for passenger; tall windshield obscures view of road; uncomfortable handlebar bend; no tool kit; must lean bike to the right to deploy sidestand.
First Changes: Cut down windshield and sidestand; add tool kit.
Yamaha Road Star Silverado
Highs: Strong low-rpm torque; smooth without counterbalancer or rubber mounts; great ergonomics and comfort; classic style with excellent detailing; affordable.
Lows: Low rev limit, limited cornering clearance.
First Changes: Cut down windshield to safe height; clean up left side of engine.
Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic
Highs: Terrific passenger comfort; good rider comfort; shaft drive and tubeless tires; elegantly finished; 5-year warranty with roadside service.
Lows: Unimpressive power and response, limited cornering clearance.
First Change: Dig up a little power.
RIDING POSITIONS
Cherney: Leather has always been an irresistible element in the motorcycle dialect, with its undeniable visual appeal, texture and twisted associations. Throw a leather saddlebag on your steed and you've added the freedom to hit the open road along with a place to stash your monogrammed boxers -- and still ooze toughness.
Atop the bagger pantheon, there can only be one king. Long of wheelbase, broad of seat and capacious of bag, the Road King is clearly the best-equipped, best-looking and most comfortable bike in the pack. Its bags are the best of the lot, with miles of storage room and user-friendliness. From there, it's a slow drop to the bottom. The Silverado, a gussied up Road Star, is a pleasant distraction with its leisurely cadence and snappy retro styling. Harley-Davidson's Dyna Convertible isn't going to win many comfort or style points, but at least it has some power and cornering clearance. The Royal Star Tour Classic projects an overall feeling of malaise, of being less than the sum of its parts. I like these bikes as a class but it seems most are just flaccid touring versions of the originals...except for the King. Long live the King.
Dyna Convertible: 2.5 stars
Road King Classic: 4.0 stars
Road Star Silverado: 3.0 stars
Royal Star Tour Classic: 2.5 stars
Elvidge: I'm as big a fan of saddlebags as the next guy, but I have to admit that if I'm going to have my luggage actually bolted onto my motorcycle I want it to look like a choice and not a compromise. I understand the visual attitude derived from leather bags. But I don't believe it's a look that can't be mostly duplicated with more versatile (and less costly) strap-on bags, or improved upon with hard, painted bags. So -- I would either buy my favorite of these machines in a more raw form and add a windshield and bags of my choice, or I'd binge on the hard-bag version.
With that said, my favorite of these four bikes would be the Tour Classic for its beauty and comfort, with the Road King a very close second. But again, I'd spend the extra money on the hard-bag editions of these bikes. The Silverado does more for me in its original Road Star state, and the Convertible does nothing at all -- except make me appreciate the other three bikes more.
Dyna Convertible: 2.0 stars
Road King Classic: 3.5 stars
Road Star Silverado: 3.5 stars
Royal Star Tour Classic: 4.0 stars
Hoffman: I approached this gathering of leather baggers as an interview for a relationship. The Road Star Silverado won my heart. It looks sexy. (I wouldn't even mind cleaning those whitewalls.) The seating position is just lovely, the engine purrs, and I am indebted to Yamaha's plastic surgeons for taking that forever-ugly gas-tank seam and rolling it under 90 degrees. I was uneasy dragging floorboards and running up against the annoying rev-limiter in the low gears, but those failings wouldn't prompt a divorce.
My least favorite of the bunch is the Royal Star, but I see that Yamaha has learned from its mistakes.
Yamaha Road Star Silverad...
Yamaha Road Star Silverado
The Dyna Convertible is second on my list. It does everything well, but it's just too ugly. Seems like H-D took all its old outdated components and made the FXDS; except, of course, the engine -- it performed nicely. The Road King didn't make much of an impression either way, though I didn't like the way it turned. And Harley still rules on sound. I'd go out with the Convertible if no one was looking, but I would be proud to take that Road Star home to meet the parents.
Dyna Convertible: 2.5 stars
Road King Classic: 3.0 stars
Road Star Silverado: 4.0 stars
Royal Star Tour Classic: 2.0 stars
Rhonda Hoffman
Hoffman is a motorcycle painter and customizer who says she is still going on blind dates.
Chalmers: It's the Road King by a nose, or should I say a massive chrome headlamp. The bike looks great and can maintain a respectable pace on a variety of roads, though I'm not fond of its hinging effect in sweeping high-speed corners. The bags' size, look and easy one-hand operation made them my favorite.
There is a lot to like about the Tour Classic. It handles better than the Road King and exudes quality workmanship. The windscreen and seating position are the best of the bunch. For my six-foot frame the handlebar is comfortably positioned -- unlike the Road King's handlebar placement which requires an uncomfortable reach. Low ground clearance on both Yamahas means you become familiar with the sound of scraping metal. I wanted more punch from four cylinders, but the rev-limiter on both Yamahas kept my wrist in check.
Yamaha Road Star Silverad...
Yamaha Road Star Silverado
The Silverado engine looks powerful. It's big and beautiful, but what you see isn't always what you get. The Silverado's performance doesn't overshadow the other bikes, but this bagger's look is so impressive it would be my choice for a trip to the local hangout.
Dyna Convertible: 2.5 stars
Road King Classic: 4.0 stars
Road Star Silverado: 3.5 stars
Royal Star Tour Classic: 4.0 stars
Verlin Chalmers
Chalmers has been riding for decades. He has already accumulated 35,000 miles on his '97 Valkyrie.
Friedman: If money were no object, my first choice would have to be the Road King Classic. It has the best bags, the most power, the response and convenience of fuel injection and that nice easy-on/easy-off windshield. I'd want to buy a tool kit, change the saddle and have Race-Tech run through the suspension, but the brakes do the job now.
Of course, money is an object, so I'd actually buy the Road Star Silverado. This would not only save me thousands of dollars on the initial purchase, but I wouldn't have to spend money on the seat or suspension. I'd have to learn to live with the limited cornering clearance but I could cut down the too-tall windshield myself. And -- believe it or not, Harley -- the tool kit is actually included for this easy-to-swallow price. Imagine that.
If an adult passenger figured prominently in my plans, I'd consider the Royal Star. But I'd probably still opt for the Road Star and modify it to suit my passenger.
Yamaha Royal Star Tour Cl...
Yamaha Royal Star Tour Classic
Dyna Convertible: 2.5 stars
Road King Classic: 4.0 stars
Road Star Silverado: 4.0 stars
Royal Star Tour Classic: 3.0 stars
Art Friedman
Email Friedman at Art.Friedman@sorc.com.