One of 13 Touring bikes offered by Yamaha in 2008. Yamaha describes this as a 2 for 1 bike. FInd out what Dave and our guest tester Terry Shortt thought. For everything motorcycle, visit www.motorcycleexperience.ca
As usual, Motorcycle Experience has done a nice job with producing a drama-free review devoid of obnoxious music and with meaningful commentary. I recently bought a 2006 Tour Deluxe from the original owner. The bike had precisely 2,500 miles when I got my hands on it; 2 months later, the mileage has more than doubled. As a former Road Star owner (2012 Silverado), I feel like the Royal Star is a better bike -- even if it does have carburetors. The power seems more usable than the Road Star and the motor never seems to lack power. It's not terribly fast but the motor makes lovely noises and sounds like a hot-rod when I want to move out quickly. Cruising is effortless and quiet and the motor is content to go up most hills at 5th gear. There isn't any one thing that stands out as great about the bike, it's just that it seems so honest, so well thought-out and works so well. I love riding the thing and so far have averaged 45 mpg. I've owned a number of bikes including a C14 Concours, a 2015 FJR, a Vstrom 650 and 1000 and a Versys 650. This older Royal Star is my unconditional favorite. The mechanics at the local Yamaha shop state they don't know why Yamaha stopped making them. It's just a great bike.
So here we are about two years after I bought my Royal Star. I've since bought and sold two more motorcycles including a 2006 Concours and a 2010 Concours but still own the Royal Star. I notice these bikes tend to be bought and held onto by older guys who take good care of their equipment; the local Star Chapter has several Royal Stars and the few bikes I see out on the road tend to be immaculate and ridden by guys in their 40s through 60s. I've added an LED headlight and an LED brake light bar for added conspicuity since I do a lot of riding when it's dark. Both items added style and, more important, safety and confidence to my riding. I'm at about 15,500 miles and have averaged just over 43mpg since I took ownership. It's no Concours speed-wise but just a fun, honest, sturdy bike. I recently changed the rear tire (for the third time) and swapped out brake pads but other than preventive maintenance like fluid changes and lubricating levers and the kickstand, that's been it. There's no one thing I can say is all that great about this bike. In fact, objectively, there's no reason why I like it so much. All the parts together, however, make it a great package.
I have both bikes, the Yamaha Royal Star and a BMW K1200LT and I like them both. Each has its pros and cons. I use the Yamaha more around town and short rides (it will definitely do long distance as well) and the beamer for long distance and sport riding.
Update: I love this bike! I've ridden one full season with it and been on several day trips and overnight trips with it. It rides very well and is comfortable all day long. I switched the stock factory pipes for a set of aftermarket Sharkroad megaphones and the bike sounds badass now. I love this bike!
If you get the venture of those yrs, they up the power by 20 horses,I think they are the perfect tourer for lazy motor and old Vmax plus 100 power, just don't understand the new one, dropped the liquid cooling and two cylinders for air cooled Vtwin, so you have to up the cc for less power cos of the heat???? There must be a reason but I honestly cannot find it, plus the insurance has gone up for less power???
Too bad the idiots stopped making the best bike they had 4 years ago and still no sign of a new version coming back. So now you basically have 2 choices for a new comfy cruiser/bagger ... Harley or Indian.
