Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127749
1996 Yamaha Royal Star everywhere. If the quality of the chrome and paint survives the switch to produc~ tion, that will be very valuable indeed. It definitely has its own presence. Then there is the five-year, unlimited mileage warranty - an industry first, Yamaha is proud to note - and the Road Star Owner Identification Card. On the card is a number to call for 24-hour roadside assistance. And in the case of mechanical mishap, there is a $100 tripinterruption benefit for the inconvenience. Yamaha is encouraging its dealers to participate in marketing the Royal Star and its accessories with elaborate displays designed to show off the machine and set it apart from the other models on the showroom floor. So what's the bottom line for all this? A retail price of $13,499 for the Royal Star, $15,399 for the Tour Classic. Adding to the Tour Classic's price are the reinforced oxhide saddlebags, various pieces of chrome trim including engine guards, a different seat with a backrest for the passenger, and a very effective, adjustable windscreen and fork-mounted wind-deflectors. Production is slated to begin in November, with subsequent release to dealers talcing place in late December. Will the Royal Star make its own epoch and change motorcycling forever? Only time will tell. Did they need to awe us with the epic scale of the Grand Canyon and beauty of Sedona? Eh, why not - but I don't think it was necessary. The new Yamaha Royal Star: Cool, in its own right. . (N (Above left) The single gauge Is the speedometer. All other Intonnatlon Is relayed through Indicator lights. Fuel C8pec1ty from the big tsnk Is 4.8 gallons - good enough for 180 miles or so. (Above right) That big fender Is steel, and the passenger seat la eaally removable. (Right) Grinding the floorboards la easy, but really, why are you going that fast? (Below) Notice the amall matsl loop that Is part of the steering head. That's where you secure the ateerlng with an accessory lock. (Left) The V-Iou; engine Is considerably retuned from Its past Iterations. Fins bolt on lor easy customizing. While Cycle News believes the foregoing test reliable, it is the opinion of the reviewers only and should not be relied upon in determining the performance or safety of the vehicle(s). The reader should make his or her own investigation. Ust Price Engine Type $13.4991$15.399 Uquid-cooled. 4-stroke. DOHC. V-lour Displacement Bore x stroke Compression ratio Claimed horsepower Carburetion Ignition ....., ..... .~ .g ..... u o 28 front, on the other hand, takes a bit of a pull for hard stops. With a suitably healthy squeeze on the beefy lever they work fine, but not as well as the rear. The lone gauge is the tank-mounted speedometer. In the off-white face you'll find turn-indicator, neutral, engine-tem~ perature, high-beam and low-fuel lights. The easy-to-read digital odometer / tripmeter is also located on the face, as is the Self-Diagnosis indicator. Self-Diagnosis Indicator? Being based upon images of the past does not preclude innovation. To wit: The indicator flashes in several different modes when something is amiss mechanically, each mode designating the potential area of difficulty. The key to the flashing code is contained in one of the owner's manuals, of which there are two. One is your 1295cc 79 x 66mm 10.0:1 74 @ 4750 rpm (4) 28mm CV Digital T.C.!. Starting system Constant mesh. electric Transmission speeds 5 Final drive .shaft Fuel capacity 4.8 gal. Wheelbase ._.•............................• _66.710. seat height .28.3 in. Ground clearance .........................•..5.7 in. Fuel pump......................•..•.....•...... EIectrIc SuspenaIon Front ..... Rear 43mm telescopic fork, 5.5 in. travel S1ng1e shock, link-type, 3.8 In. travel Front_ Dua/11.71n. ciscs, four-piston Rear SIngIe 12.610. dIac:, four-piston hydraulic caliper hydraulic calipers standard piece of literature, the other a video cassette. Yamaha is banking their future on this machine and is looking to protect that future in a number of ways. They're lookiI}g for lasting value. and perceived value. Japanese cruisers of the past are noted for the ability to h?ld their value. Harley-Davidsons, in contrast, often sell for more used than they did new. To close this gap, the Royal Star and Tour Classic are made of metal. Yes. of course there is plastic to-be found. but the major component~like fenders and sidecovers are made of steel. Many of th.e fasteners are stainless steel. Chrome is TIres Front Rear Dry weight 15OJ8().16 7tH 150J90.15m1c 74H 672 Ibs.n25 Ills. CoIcn Royal SIIIr.•••Onyx; P8Irl 'MlIIeIRoyaI Blue ; !vol yNilld Cherry Tow CIBsBlc......8apphn BUWPe.1 'M1IIB; S8ndlIIDneIOnyx