Yamaha's Royal Venture

YAMAHA'S ROYAL VENTURE

MORE INFORMATION has come to the surface about Yamaha’s big-news bike for 1996, the 1300cc Royal Star cruiser.

Apparently concerned about rumors that the bike would be another Harley-clone, Yamaha’s PR department hastily issued a press release saying, “The Royal Star...is designed to have its own character and personality...to provide a uniquely American riding experience in the classic cruiser style with ultimate function.” Also included in the press kit were a couple of murky photos of the bike, which we’ve used to come up with the accurate illustration shown here. The Star is portrayed in its “stripped,” standard guise. As shown in Roundup last month, a dresser version, done-up with ’50s-style windshield and saddlebags, will also be available.

What else is known about the new Yama-cruiser? Since Yamaha is saying little else about the bike until its midSeptember press launch, we’ll have to do a little speculating.

First, this will be a big motorcycle with a rangy wheelbase, maybe 65 or 66 inches. Expect it to scale-in somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 pounds-at least.

The I300cc, liquid-cooled, V-Four motor, decked out with dummy cylinder fins that give it a certain Indian Flathead feel, will apparently be closer to Venture Royale touring trim than rompin’, stompin’ V-Max spec. Expect it to churn out 90 horsepower, then, with buckets of torque. Shaft-drive and a five-speed gearbox will be standard-issue.

When the Royal Star hits the showrooms, probably in late 1995, expect an extensive line of aftermarket accessories to be available.

Yamaha may not like being compared to that certain firm in Milwaukee, but it’s pretty clear there have been some lessons leamed-namely, provide a big ol’ retro-sty led, Vee-motored motorcycle and a catalog of bolt-on parts, then stand back and let the customer customize.

It’s a recipe for success that Yamaha officials are betting will work for them, too. Just don’t mention the H-word.

David Edwards