Yamaha Road Star - Leader of the pack

Cruisers built in Japan are often functionally better than the American-made bikes they try to emulate, but in terms of style, heritage and "feel", they often fall short. So Yamaha’s Road Star might be the most American-ish metric cruiser yet. It’s a big V-twin that not only works right, but looks right and feels right, too.

And we do mean big V-twin. At 98 cubic inches - 1602ccs - the Road Star ranks as the biggest V-twin on the market. Yamaha has been working on this mill for several years, making no apologies about their desire to capture the very best qualities of the made-in-Milwaukee powerplant. They even designed the engine to use pushrods to work the valves, and the meaty tubes on the side of the cylinders certainly add to the authenticity. Speaking of valves, you’ll count four of them per cylinder along with two spark plugs. Yamaha has given the Road Star a very modern engine right down to the ceramic-composite-lined cylinder bores. Visually, it is a work of art.

Thrumming along at 70 or 80 mph, the engine gives the rider lots of those low-frequency vibrations that remind you of the power below without wearing you down. The power is smooth and easy to use, with stumble-free shifting and good clutch action. The Road Star manages 99 foot-pounds of torque (yes, you read it right, 99) at just 2250 rpm. On the road just put it in fifth gear and leave it there. Oh, you might need a single downshift to pass a truck on a four percent grade, but otherwise it’s better just to let all that torque do its work.

Surprisingly, the Road Star doesn’t use a counterbalancer to quell the vibration of the big vee. At any speed above idle the Star is very smooth, even though it shakes like crazy while idling at stoplights. Dual disc brakes up front and a single in the rear are, perhaps, the best brakes on any cruiser made today, with excellent power and control.

Riding at highway speed is more pleasurable on the Road Star than many other cruisers, thanks to a more sensible riding position. Even without a windshield you can get some serious seat time without the fatigue that comes from holding yourself into the wind. We’re not exactly sure what the formula is, but Yamaha definitely got it right. This is not to say that a shield isn’t a desirable option; touring types should definitely opt for the plexi.

Another surprise is the Road Star’s ability to carve up twisting roads. Though not a sport bike, the Star’s performance is superior to most bikes of its ilk. The engine is said to be the shortest V-Twin made (even thought it’s the biggest), keeping the center of gravity extremely low. Figure in the seat height - just 27 inches from the asphalt - and you’ve got a machine that’s maneuverable both on the back roads and through the parking lots. Once off its sidestand it certainly doesn’t seem like 740 pounds.

But it is aesthetic appeal, not mechanical prowess that sells cruisers. Yamaha has really done their homework and created a cruiser that possess lots of things that make a rider’s heart sing. The Road Star’s hardtail-look frame and belt drive give it a low, clean look. The combination of chrome and paint is just right and everything is well proportioned. The 5.3-gallon tank blends perfectly with the wide, two-piece seat, full fenders and floorboards. Tank-mounted instruments keep it sleek, and include an LCD odometer/tripmeter and a clock.

Yamaha promises a catalog full of bolt-on goodies to let the owner easily customize his Road Star, but accessories are really not necessary. This bike will turn plenty of heads right out of the crate.

Let any group of riders take the Road Star for a spin and we expect fully half of them will say the Road Star is the best cruiser they’ve ever ridden. The other half will rank it among the best, and not a single one will dislike it. It is comfortable, fun to ride, easy to customize and a treat for the eyes. The Road Star is indeed the Leader Of The Pack. J