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[GregKhougaz]

From the LA Times: Yamaha unwraps super cruiser Venture motorcycle

Yamaha Motor Corp. has jumped into the Harley-Davidson-dominated touring market with a new machine it says will “redefine the luxury touring motorcycle market.”

The new Star Venture, revealed here for the first time, is an 1850cc air-cooled touring bike designed to carry the long-distance rider and passenger in maximum comfort.

Deep on rider protection and on-board storage capacity, the Star Venture is also equipped with a panoply of technological appurtenances.

Among them are a unique “Sure Park” system that Yamaha says will simplify forward- and reverse-gear maneuvering into and out of parking spaces, and a variety of riding “modes” that will adjust throttle response, traction control and other elements to maximize riding safety and pleasure. 

Yamaha has already played in the touring-bike segment, long controlled by Harley-Davidson but recently challenged by Indian Motorcycle.

The Japanese giant currently sells the FJR1300 “supersport touring” bike, priced from $17,000, and the V Star 1300 Deluxe, a “casual full dress” bagger, priced from $14,299.

But the Venture is the company’s attempt to penetrate the full-fairing, full-price, big bike segment.

With its 113-inch engine, full fairing, standard cruise control, on-board entertainment system, grip warmers and massive top bag and hard-sided saddle bags, this is Yamaha’s answer to Harley’s Road Glide Ultra or Ultra Limited, or Indian’s Roadmaster.

At $24,999 for base models, it’s a couple of grand cheaper than the huge touring bikes made by its North American rivals.

To be delivered to dealers starting in August, in granite gray and raspberry metallic, the Venture comes standard with a class-leading 6.6-gallon fuel tank.

Storage on the bike, between side bags, top case and fairing cubbies, totals 37.3 gallons.

The rider seat and backrest are heated, and adjustable, as are the passenger seat and backrest. Passenger floorboards are adjustable for height, too.

A 7-inch infotainment screen anchors the Venture's dashboard. The rider can toggle through menu items using touch screen, handlebar controls or voice command.

The twin-engine Venture’s exhaust system, the company says, was developed in conjunction with Yamaha's music division, to ensure “a throaty V-twin exhaust note.”

Yamaha is not the only new player in the bagger market. BMW will be coming to America soon with its 2018 K 1600 B, a full-dress touring bike that will have a reported MSRP of $19,995.

Yamaha Website

[mr_magoo]

Well at least they filmed most of it in the Columbia gorge scenic area.

[J.D.]

There's blood in the water and the sharks are coming.

These companies know all too well what is going on at HD lately.

[CHH_Badkarma]

Nice lookin bike.

[Chief2505]

I like the looks of this bike and the spec's read pretty nice. Cannot wait to drive one!

But I am actually very surprised that they went V-Twin air cooled. I expected it to be the 4 cylinder water cooled that the Vmax has used for years.

[RayG]

Would have been something if they were able to use the V-Max monster motor? 

[J.D.]

Along those lines, now that Harley is into water cooling, why didn't they go all-in with a VRod motor-based touring bike?

[mark]

Why would they air cool it?  If venturing towards this style bike, I'd probably opt for the new BMW.

[Phantom309]

Why would they air cool it?  If venturing towards this style bike, I'd probably opt for the new BMW.

My thoughts exactly, but I hate bikes with slipper clutches which this new Venture also has. I rode a K1600 GTL back in '13 and hated it for that reason alone .... other that that, excellent bike. The way I see it is, if you can't properly downshift without skidding the rear tire than you have no business on a bike period ... or controlling anything on wheels with a manual gearbox. I guess manufacturers are just making everything dummy-proof nowadays, but it ruins things for those that actually know what they're doing.

I like the styling and options of it, but really disappointed with the engine ... we have enough air-cooled V-Twins motoring down the road already. I too was looking forward to the newer V-Max engine with cams ground to move this half a ton beast down the road. All this time I thought they were going to bring something different to the game to set them apart from HD and Polaris, but guess not ... real bummer. 

 

[bad00serg]

Curious as to why you would "hate" a slipper clutch?  Generally, if you know how to ride and are just cruising, you never even know that the machine has a slipper clutch.  We run them on our race ATVs for a totally different purpose and have seen no real drawbacks, only advantages.

[Fullsac Performance]

It does look pretty nice and very similar to our favorite. A good personal friend of mine and Harley owner, has a full day of seat time on one of these.
He was very impressed.

http://newatlas.com/2017-yamaha-star-venture/49953/?li_source=LI&li_medium=default-widget#gallery

Steve@fullsac.com

[SIKBIRD]

Fairing looks like the grill of a '68 Firebird. I like the looks of it but not enough to abandon HD...possibly a second bike though

[Phantom309]

Curious as to why you would "hate" a slipper clutch?  Generally, if you know how to ride and are just cruising, you never even know that the machine has a slipper clutch.  We run them on our race ATVs for a totally different purpose and have seen no real drawbacks, only advantages.

Yes they have their purpose for racing and allow you to keep traction with sloppy downshifts, but I personally have no use for them. I highly doubt that anyone buying these half-ton luxury touring bikes are going to race around a track all day.  I also find them just another unnecessary wear item ... in the long haul, extra wear on clutch discs and in time I bet the ramps can possibly wear or develop nicks which hamper it's function.

As to why I hate them ... The only bike I ever experienced a slipper clutch was on a 2013 K1600GTL and it's traits completely ruined the feel of an otherwise excellent bike. Around town keeping pace with slower traffic where you constantly are on/off the throttle ever so slightly, you are treated with an audible clack, clunk whatever you want to call it every single time you load/unload the drivetrain, no matter how smooth or gentle you were with the throttle. I found it very irritating and could never put up with it on such a nice bike so I passed on it. If that bike had a standard clutch I would probably still own it today and someone else would have got my Ultra.

I'm sure older people with less hand strength also love the lighter pull of the assist part of it, but at this time I have no use for that either ... maybe someday, but not now. You are right, under normal cruising you may not even know it's there unless it gives you that sloppy, clunky feel that the GTL did that I rode and again ... I could not put up with it. I want my putts through small towns as smooth as my highway jaunts so ... If I can physically feel it, it's a no go for me.     

[Ironhorse]

It looks like a cross between a GoldWing and a RoadGlide Ultra. I like it and hope to ride one soon.

[Phantom309]

I am definitely going to try one out too, I'm curious as to whether or not their slipper clutch feels any better than BMW's ... or if it ruins the ride like it did for the GTL I rode years ago.