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/128219
Highway 1. To make sure that we enjoyed our ride to the fullest, a small group of us immediately veered off of the designated course and headed for some twisty two-lanes that were a bit tighter than the route Yamaha had picked. We just wanted to make sure that those new brakes, wheels and tires were every bit the improvement that Yamaha claimed they were while at the same time testing out the improved acceleration that an additional 68ccs provides. After dragging the floorboard around the freeway onramp, which was the very first corner I encountered, I knew it was going to be a fun day. There is something about dragging metal parts on the asphalt that is really entertaining, especially when you know that the person behind you is getting showered with tarmac shrapnel in your wake. After getting accustomed to the bike's handling and getting comfortable with the amount of lean angle that was possible without dragging something that might pry the rear tire off the ground, I was able to concentrate on the capabilities of the Road Star. other new changes. They worked wonderfully when I was trying to get the bike slowed down from illegal speeds (sorry, that is what happens when a bunch of sportbike guys end up on a cruiser introduction), and so they obviously worked excellently around town and at normal cruising speeds. The new front calipers and rotors offer outstanding feel and power normally reserved for lighter, more performance-oriented machines, but why should the cruising rider have to deal with crappy brakes in the first place? Thanks, Yamaha. I spent the day on the "standard" Road Star, sans bags and windshield. I found the riding position to be very comfortable as was the redesigned seat, which I could have sat on nonstop all day. The headlight breaks up the wind just enough to keep the pressure above midchest and up, which kept me from getting fatigued. The placement of the floorboards is perfectly suited to my near-six-foot frame, although I still don't know what the hell you're supposed to do with that huge, car-like rear brake pedal. I only used it to back the bike into a few corners for fun. The interesting thing about riding a bike like the Road Star is that it doesn't ask for too many compromises of the rider. What I mean is that One thing that comes to mind right away is the fact that the bike does a very admirable job in the handling department. The poor Road Star spent the day impersonating a Rl, with brief stints of actual cruising thrown in between. The fact that the bike was able to deal with the punishment that was dealt out is a testament to how well conceived the bike really is'. The bike is a lot more versatile than I would have ever dreamed. The Road Star's new brakes impressed me more than any of the 68 JUNE 18, 2003' cue I .. neVIl's You should see the size of Yamaha's Star Accessories catalog - no, I mean you should really get a hold of one. Ifs no wonder that the average Yamaha cruiser customer spends an average of $ll 00 post sale on accessories - there is just so much to choose from. There are over 40 new accessories available for the 2004 Road Star line, and 95 percent of the 250 current accessories for previous model years still fit, so there is plenty to choose from. Here is a brief list of accessories that are aVl!5Iilable. oHard bags are available for the first time in addition to the multitudes of leather and synthetic bags already offered. oThere are more seats available that you can shake a stick at. olf it is chromed billet aluminum you're after, you can have it all from mirrors, to signals, to floorboards, to hand grips, to almost anything that bolts onto the bike. oThe Sl!lme goes for windscreens - there are short ones, tall ones, and chrome ones. However it doesn't stop with the bike, as there are plenty of accessories for the rider and passengers from the Star Apparel section. Lel!lther, textile jackets, shirts, hats, and even buttless chaps. If it is performl!lnce that you seek, look no further than the Speedstar line, where you cao find a pile of parts to make your ride breathe better. Pipes, cl!lrbs, and complete lOts will have your Road Star running like a champ. See Cycle News issue Il8 and Peter Jones' story on the Road Star hop-up lOts available for both the Road Star and the Road Star Warrior. The Stl!lge IV Road Star Kit allowed the bike to improve from a 14.361 to a l2.402 quarter-mile time, not bad for a "rea'" cruiser.