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/128024
Yamaha's newest entry to the V Star line: Is It a classic? SPECIFICATIONS YAMAHA V STAR 1100 CLASSIC Displacement.. . 1063cc Engine type .. . Air-cooled V-twin Bore x stroke 95 x 75mm Compression ratio 8.3:1 Carburetion (2) 37mm Mikunis Ignition. . . . . .. Digital Tel Transmission. . . . . .. 5-speed Starting systam . . . . .. . Electric Fuel capacity. . 4.5 gal. Wheelbase 64.8 in. Seat height 27.9 in. Ground clearance 5.7 in. Front tire 130/90-18 Rear tire 170/80-15 Front-wh_1 travel 5.5 in. Rear-wheel travel 4.5 in. Front brake. dual hydraulic 298mm disc Rear brake hydraulic 282mm disc . . Shaft Final drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . Claimed dry weight 599 Ibs. List price $8099 (onyxl/ $8199 (maroon/ivory) mile loop east through Escondido, Julian, Ramona and EI Cajon. I chose the V Star 1100 Classic, and the relaxing pace and scenic roads that make up cruiser rides provided me the ideal setting to contemplate the paradoxes posed by my steed. NEWOLOS (NOT OLO NEWS) Yamaha has aimed this model near the bottom end of the market, and it is indeed quite a value when compared to the five-digit prices of Harley-Davidson's big-bore cruisers. The Yamie goes for $8099 or $8199, depending on which color you like, and you get quite a bit for your money. For example, the floorboards are not only a rarity on a bike at this price point, they're rare on a Japanese cruiser. On the ride, I found them comfortable most of the time. but disconcerting when dragging them around turns. Granted, this is no sport bike, but then again, I'm not exactly Max Biagg!. As for the heel-toe shift lever that accompanies the platforms, my dirt-bike background prevented me from consistently remembering to use anything but the front portion; an owner of the bike would soon appreciate the pedal's inclusion. Of course what cruiser owners really appreciate is a bike's looks, and frankly, I think the Classic looks more Harley than Harley - especially with the cool two-tone paint job (easily worth the extra C-note). The big, chrome air-filter can mounted on the right side is partly responsible, as is the big, chrome headlight mounted on the front end (the pair of big, chrome twin pipes mounted on the right side don't hurt either, though Yamaha tells me that exhaust systems are the number-one accessory it sells to its cruiser owners). Combine all this with a throaty rumble and a Harleyesque V Star tank badge, and you're sure to fool more than a few people into thinking you're riding an American motorcycle ~~ (The only Yamaha logo is an inconspicuous emblem on each side of the faux oil tank.) Comfort is also a priority for cruiser shoppers, or at least it should be, and the Classic's new pull-back handlebar helps in this department. Though I'll never get used to haVing my legs so far out in front of me, I felt relatively at-home and crampless on the bike, even when splitting lanes up Interstate 5 at ride's end. Speaking of comfort, it's interesting to note that I preferred riding the bike sans the YPAD accessory windscreen that I tried out during the ride's morning portion. Not only does it add a nerdy appearance to your cool otherwise ride, but the thing's top edge was consistently right in the center of my line of vision (I'm a bit tall), and when I ducked down, all I could see was sun glare and a reflection of the tank-mounted instrumentation. Besides, I'd rather have the wind distributed over the entire front of my body than focused directly at the top of my helmet, where it buffeted my head around like those scary guys in the movie Jacob's Ladder. As for performance, the 1100 offers pretty much what you'd hope for from a cruiser - a torquey engine, decent brakes, acceptable shifting and a wide turning radius. To put it another way, all are at least on par with cruisers wearing price tags of a much more daunting nature. I know Yamaha probably hates me for continually comparing the V Star 1100 Classic to you-know-who, but in the real world, that's what everyone does with any non-H.D. cruiser. Besides, it's obvious that Yamaha is doing some pretty close Harley analysis of its own, as this bike fills a minute niche in the American manufacturer's seemingly ail-encompassing cruiser vanguard. How so? The 1100 is an effective low-cost, bigbore, modern cruiser with retro styling. In other words, it's new. Classic? Only time will tell. CN The V Star 1100 Classic is comfortable and steady through swooping turns, though it doesn't take much of an angle to get floorboard/asphalt contact.