Can Yamaha build a better Sportster than H-D? Let's find out. Subscribe to Cycle World RU-vid: www.youtube.com... Read more from Cycle World: www.cycleworld... Buy Cycle World Merch: teespring.com/...
It’s funny how she turns every positive of the Yamaha into a backhanded compliment ... people like her are exactly why Harley never had to up their game ... too many people who just go for ‘tradition' than good engineering
If someone is new to motorcycling, then that can be a deciding factor. If a rider has ridden a Harley, then they know the appeal of the Sportster. The single pin crank and the potato, potato, potato idling, and sound that creates. If that gets into your blood, you're a Harley guy. Also. a new rider isn't aware of the endless accessories on the market and the tremendous numbers of groups large and small that ride together, is that appeals to them. There's also that low-end torque of the Harley. That's what counts between stop lights.
The woman claims that she likes the first 3 gears of the Harley better when I just watched another video on youtube where the Bolt blew away the Harley in like 5 different drag races? They even switched bikes, so it wasn't the riders skill, the Bolt is just a faster bike. Just shows you how subjective opinions are. Some people are impressed by the Harley name, I'm impressed with the reliability of the Japanese bikes. Whats up with Yamaha calling their bikes "Star"? It's like they're embarrassed, just be Yamaha. Yamaha is a great bike. I hope they re-think this marketing strategy.
I agree completely...Star sounds cheesy, I'd much rather have the yamaha name on the tank than Star. I'm not crazy about the name bolt either. I like good old letter, number names. XV950 works for me. First thing I would do is get rid of the stickers wherever possible on this thing. That means just about all the graphics because they're just cheap stickems.
She's talking about riding the bike not racing it. Her opinion is valid. She likes the way the Harley feels better when shifting. If you care about speed the Sportster 1200 is faster than the bolt.
I just watched the same video, the Harley was a 500 mile 2001 model. the Bolt was brand new. I feel a fair comparison would have used a new sportster as well. Lots of refinement to that 883 engine in the past 15 years....
no comparison one made in japan the other assembled in america with chinese parts. yamaha has been building better bikes for many years. stop promoting harley with your bias opinions
One thing ive always been able to count on wile owning a Harley was corporate favouritism in the cruzer market , by motorcycle rags . The yuppies buying stock in HD made sure of that.
I tend to agree with you yellowbusguy. The truth of the matter is that HD is such a huge marketing machine and the biggest supporters almost blindly loyal that they could do whatever they want and no one will blink and eye I wish they would strive for bigger improvements and innovation. I like the style very much, but wouldn't mind something new and challenging, but they gotta stick with what works I guess To me, creating that 500 model is kind of sad. At least the way they seem to be touting it as the next big deal
I must disagree. The motor company, more than any other, cannot do what it wants. Its client base will definitely blink, complain that the company has lost its way, and stay away in droves. Case in point ? the V-rod. One of the best engines in motorcycling, but the Harleyistas want nothing to do with it. Another case in point ? the XR1200: great engine, excellent brakes and suspension and dismal sales... and despite all the criticism from the "experts" (who, it must be said, often have never ridden one), HD's sales figures continue to shine. For better or worse, Harley does best when it sticks close to its roots.
carolcheny It's very difficult to sell entry-level bikes at entry-level prices: they cost the same to manufacture as the more expensive models, so manufacturers take a much smaller profit, or even a loss, because they consider them as gateways to selling higher-profit models.
What irritates me most about the motor company is the steadfast refusal to move forward with design and make real improvements in the machines. They are much better than 25 years ago, but it has been done in tiny baby steps and the real difference from then and now is small. Why, for instance, are the brakes still just barely good enough? If Ducati had stuck with tradition so stubbornly, they wouldn't be the company they are today, yet they have brought design forward without loosing their identity.
Supply and demand, dude... As long as people continue to buy crappy bikes with subpar technology in large numbers why would they spend resources in R&D?
I'm a big fan of the Bolt, but I have to disagree with you about HD and tech. The Twin Cam and evo sportster engine with rubber mounts are great indications of how HD can move forward without losing their identity, as are the redesigned touring bike frames and FI systems. The TC engine is a wonderful mill and lacks the problems of earlier models including a very good FI system that's nearly seamless. Having said that, I still feel better spending money on a Star because of Yamaha's reputation for quality and value. I want to buy American, but I have to get to work every day too. So, I choose the Bolt based on Yamaha's sterling reputation for quality and how the bike is essentially better in every category that matters to a rider.
I agree with what you've written, the current offerings are very good, for a Harley. The basic engine architecture however is rooted in turn of the century tech. It has reached it's limits on what can be done to improve performance and remain somewhat reliable. Why not develop a line of more advanced engines and chassis , Buell was a great chance thrown away, and build a broader customer base. Not everyone wants to be easy rider and dress in costume.
Andy White I tend to agree that HD does usually have a reluctance to make change and really just keep up with technology, but yes they are FINALLY keeping with the times in the last decade or so. No more rusty, heavy cast iron engines, etc. And now the Street 750 and 500 models are getting ready to be put into production, which are the first new HD models in about a decade. Harley will get there in terms of tech and coming to terms with new generations of riders, it just sometimes takes them a bit longer then... well... everyone else.
Why does everyone compare their bikes to HD? Reverse Engineering is the oldest trick in the book, and even the look and profile of the Yamaha is all American. Nevertheless as much criticism and bashing the HD brand get's, it's still the "Undisputed King" of the motorcycle world. No other Motorcycle on earth commands appeal like Harley Davidson.. B.T.W: Yamaha is one of my favorite and respected brands
The Bolt is a better bike, price, preformance, brakes, suspensions and better ground clearance for greater lean angle. Cool & smooth. Classic Yamaha! Harly has got Brand, loks and bigger comunity Lame review ;(
All I'm saying is that I love my bolt and its a great bike. Harleys are great to, but the bolt is better looking and that's what's matter to me. Dont care about the name. The gap between seat and tank was one of the main reason I bought the Bolt
The fact they keep saying "Star Motorcycles" and appearing to have no clue of the Yamaha pedigree, makes me think they have little clue what they're talking about.
The video and intell is good. BUT WHY DID YOU NOT USE A HD 883 INSTEAD THE 883 LOW, INSTEAD THE THIS ONE. AGAIN ALWAYS USING THE WRONG ONE TO COMPARE!!!
She can like the Harley’s torque/power better within the first 3 gears, that’s fine. However, she is wrong to claim that it’s because the Harley has more torque and power off the line because it’s false. The Bolt is faster and more powerful hands down.
Cycle World About time you guys, along with motorcycle.com and motorcycle usa. picked a bike that's so better than any Harley and NOT show your blind loyalty to Harley-Davidson. Did HD quit paying you guys? lol
Harley's always look good! Ms. Sunglasses, however, knows nothing regarding the relatively slow off-the-line jump of a H-D 883. The Bolt is not a quickster either, but blows past an 883 in the first 100 feet and thereafter. They are street cruisers and bar-hoppers with mild manners, which can be customized some for putting around the local county.
Ok here the real news... Japanese bikes are way better refined than any other bike on the planet, their parts are cheaper and the Japanese have had many years developing better technology even against Ducati, let’s use Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha as an example.. if you want to ride for miles without any servicing issues you have to choose japan... I know it’s sad but it’s very true.. I own a bullet proof ninja zx6r Andy I’m changing soon to a bolt because I only trust Japanese technology over the rest of the world.. get a bolt if you can these machines will be the future in riding over any American or Italian crap
the bolt was dropped here about 3 years after it was released maybe 2017 Harley Dropped the sportsters evolution engine, they dropped the Dyna range and come out with an adv bike🤔 nobody would have guessed that
I think that Harley’s are cool and all but the more I research things the less I won’t one why would I pay a premium for something that is still air cooled but a digress
Evo motors aren't some magical awesome new tech but they run just as well and as long as anything else on the road so long as you don't treat them like dirt. And even if you do blow one up, they are notoriously easy to work on. And sorry, the cold hard fact is that the Big Four companies have always copied HD's in order to sell cruisers. The Bolt is really just the most obvious.
john hunter It's the best bike for me! And that's what it's about really. Find the bike you think is the best in the world. During the years I've had 2 Hondas, 1 1400cc Intruder, 7 Harleys from -47 to-07 and 2 Speedmasters. The current one is from -007 and we've done 82 000km together. And it still looks like new. Airbox off, some aftermarket exhaust and rejet the carbs. That really unlleashes those sleepy horses! Runs great and I lead the way! A headturner at every crossing and petroltank. Try one! Good luck!
HD with mediocre brakes ? I mean who needs to stop a bike anyways ? Yamaha with an unreadable speedometer ? Who needs to know how fast you're going anyways ? Both manufactures need to finish their development of these bikes because these issues are important especially the HD brakes.
People are spoiled i have had sportster and now have a star and I would take the star any day. As for not ment for canyons they both corner good and nimble. Put saddle bags on them you can get out on long hauls I have done so plenty of times. And remember that the bike does not make the biker... All in all star makes better quality and more bang for your buck that's coming from a Harley Dan boy like me. Try them both be,for you buy
I'm not going to diss on the volt,but I have a 05 883 Sportster in I've ridden like Honda rebel 500 stuff like that, it's the feel,the vibration,the chunk of the Evo motor the sound, it's just American bike, and no disrespect to Japanese bikes,but it's just me the looks,the sound,the feel,you get ridding on a Harley Davidson.
These damn californians and they're Canyons. Half the reviews are based off canyons. Come to the midwest and show me a canyon. We don't care about ground clearance.
"hipsters" marks it embarrassing and who would pay the same price for a Yamaha if they can get a Harley Iron 883? Hiding the brand name "star" doesn't really help. It's a yamaha and it should be less than a Harley.
Erebvs Dvx So sad that an "American" company uses outsourced parts while hiking the price up because of the brand. So sad that said company cannot outperform the knockoff versions of their own products.
KingInky13 outperform? you should drive both and gather some info to get respectable conclusions, i did and ended purchasing my Iron (i also i own a Yamaha btw). BTW, regarding to prices, that knockoff is more expensive than the original HD.
Erebvs Dvx 883 weight: 565lbs Bolt weight: 540lbs. 883 displacement: 883cc Bolt displacement: 942cc. 883 front suspension travel: 3.62 inch Bolt front suspension travel: 4.7 inch. 883 rear suspension travel: 1.63 inch Bolt rear suspension travel: 2.8 inch. With these specs: 883 MSRP: $8399 Bolt MSRP $7990 Sources: 883 www.motorcycle-usa.com/28207/Buyers-Guide-Specifications/2014-Harley-Davidson-Sportster---XL-883N-Iron-883.aspx (the 2015 is the same specs with different styling) Pricing on 2015 models provided by: 2016motorcycles.com/2015-harley-davidson-sportster-iron-883/ Bolt: www.starmotorcycles.com/star/models/bolt/specifications Good try, though. Keep thinking the Harley is better if you want. For the same price as the stock 883, you can get the Bolt R-spec which has even better suspension.
For $300 the 883 gets uncorked with exhaust slip-ons, high-flow air cleaner, and EFI mapping, and suddenly it smokes the Bolt. For $500 more the 883 becomes a 1200 and the Bolt becomes a permanent fixture in the Harley's rearview mirror. The Harley can be anything you want it to be, from a knee-dragging cafe racer to a low-slung hardtail with ape-hangers. It's literally a blank canvas, and the only limit to customization is your imagination. The Bolt is a nice enough bike, but it's just another over-refined attempt at the Japanese translation of Americana. Yamaha is still just speaking "Engrish."
Hawk1911 do the same identical mods on the bolt and the hardley is in the rear view mirror. give them both the same mods and the bolt leaves the hardley in the dust. give me Japanese precision over a shit design, engineers nightmare of a engine anyday.
I remember when the 883 came out. It was a peace of crap. It has improved over the years but I still wouldn't by one. It's been considered a chic bike or a beginners bike. Any self respecting young motorcycle rider would be better off with a 1200 sportster. The resale would be a lot better and it has better street creds. They wouldn't out grow it as fast either. The Yamaha bolt has absolutely no street cred. They wouldn't garner any admiration from seasoned riders now or in the future. Some people may not think that creds. are important but riding a motorcycle is all about performance and styling. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but being proud of what you are riding is about the admiration of the majority of the people. I know it sounds like biker snobishness, but lets face it, we are. Even if Yamaha built an exact copy of the Sportster it still wouldn't be a Harley. If you want to associate with most riders you need to be riding a Harley or something that has earned a place of respect. Triumph being one and yes some other Yamaha cruisers. Just for the respect. I serious doubt that the bolt will be around in the next 5 years. It's a joke.
Johnny Striple The fact that you pay only for a label is what's a joke. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but being proud of what you are riding is about the admiration of the majority of the people." No it isn't, and I feel sorry for you if you actually believe that. Being proud of what you're riding is about your own feelings of the bike. Respect is earned, it's not bought. "If you want to associate with most riders you need to be riding a Harley or something that has earned a place of respect." No. Just no. To associate with riders, you just need to ride, and if they look down at you for not having a Harley then they don't deserve an ounce of respect period. While you're out there trying to be "cool" and please everyone else and trying so hard to gain respect, I'll be out riding and having a great time, no matter what bike I'm on. _That's_ what riding is about.
