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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.

[scottt]

What do you folks think of the new 2018 Yamaha Venture? Google to check out details. Lotta features for the buck. It's my understanding that Yamaha builds great motors.

[Ironhorse]

What do you folks think of the new 2018 Yamaha Venture? Google to check out details. Lotta features for the buck. It's my understanding that Yamaha builds great motors.

I like it, and yes Yamaha makes a damn dependable bike. It's a solid option for someone who wants a comfortable, dependable and well designed touring bike, and is NOT tied to a specific brand, model and package.

I'm sure it will have it's quirks, but nothing like compensators, lifters, bearings, gaskets, crank run out, scissoring cranks, water pumps, clutch failures, stators, voltage regulators, tire cupping, and other stuff many have experienced with regularity.

Can't wait to ride one.

[scottt]

Coming from a close to 30 year Harley owner, including 12 new HD's.

I really like this new Yamaha and like that it's powered by a V-TWIN. To me, Yamaha did it right.

Develop a totally new bike rather than upgrading one major component at a time. My loyalty was to Harley, now it's to myself.

I bought the marketing line from Harley in 07 and 14. Both claimed to be major upgrades. The Rushmore's were the greatest upgrade in Harley's history. 4 years later the M8 is introduced with a whole new cooling system. The value of 14 through 16 model drop like a rock. I suspect the same thing will happen when a new frame is introduced. Could go on and on.

The new Yamaha is the total package. Even looks good. I predict it will be a winner.

[iski]

Interesting. Rode Yamaha in the 70s and 80s.  Good bikes.  This one looks better than most of the HD wannabes, for me better than Indian.  Yamaha price point is good, wonder what they will discount these to? 

[9 1/2 Beers]

 Broke my dirt bike cherry on 1972 yamaha 80 endure, later 125,250,360...

 I have to admit, this catches my eye, tho i have to be honest, i will most likely not buy one.

 Marty

[Fullsac Performance]

Broke my dirt bike cherry on 1972 yamaha 80 endure, later 125,250,360...

 I have to admit, this catches my eye, tho i have to be honest, i will most likely not buy one.

 Marty

Clank clank clank clank. Whats that? Oh its Marty! 

Come on, that Yamaha looks pretty good.

Steve

[msquad]

Gonna have to go look at these.  May get rid of my 110 ticking time bomb to get something reliable.

[guppytrash]

Pretty nice looking effort by Yamaha, but I have to agree with others, why oh why would they use an air cooled motor?
I know there are still hold outs, but for me air cooled motors timed out when fuel injection entered the scene. 
Seems as out of date as a rigid frame chopper and bell bottomed jeans.  I know, I know, I liked those things too! 
But that was when I was a kid living in an old farm house with no air conditioning.
I like air conditioning...wait... was I talking about?  Damn I'm getting old!

[RonandJanet]

This does look nice but I would also like to learn more about the new BMW.  It is their six cylinder water cooled engine with 160 HP and reverse.  I do like the look and feel of the HD much more but they are very expensive.  I do worry about all the issues around lifters etc. I haven't had any issues yet but I feel like I have to go and replace items because they will fail early. That is frustrating.   

[Toofast_28]

My thought is you either want a bike, so you get something like this, or you want a Harley.  We all know if we were shopping for the best bang for our buck we wouldn't be looking at the HD dealerships.

[RonandJanet]

That is very true!  I was riding yesterday and just love the ride and sound the HDs provide.  I also like the look which is one reason I never liked the Victory.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Very interesting.  Lots of lighting on the fixed fairing, both of which are a plus.  I will want to see one in person.  Wonder if the tour pack can be removed?

[DOCGSS]

Personally I don't get it! I am sure it is a wonderful motorcycle. Yamaha makes very good products. However, these bikes just get more automotive all the time. If this is what you want Honda has the ultimate evolution in The Gold Wing. Amazing engine, great protection, smooth, reliable, almost flawless. But int he end it is a Hondabago. It has no soul. It is like riding a sewing machine. It is a Camry, just no fun.

The very reason I ride a bike is the way it makes me feel. I love the vibration of my 14 RK CVO. I love the raw feeling and yes the Harley personality that makes it fun. I love the way I see the ENTIRE engine, not just small glimpses of the motor shrouded in body work, why nit just get a ST1300.

Of course each to his own. But for me I want to know I am on a motorcycle not sitting in a living room recliner. I will stick to my HD, Triumph Bobber, and yes even my Vespa 300 GTS, all fun, all look like they are what they are, and all have their own personality.

[Fullsac Performance]

Pretty nice looking effort by Yamaha, but I have to agree with others, why oh why would they use an air cooled motor?
I know there are still hold outs, but for me air cooled motors timed out when fuel injection entered the scene. 
Seems as out of date as a rigid frame chopper and bell bottomed jeans.  I know, I know, I liked those things too! 
But that was when I was a kid living in an old farm house with no air conditioning.
I like air conditioning...wait... was I talking about?  Damn I'm getting old!

I bought the very first 2014 Water cooled Limited I could get my hands on. Oh Boy! The only thing it did better than the air cooled Harley was sit in traffic with out burning up. I sold it with 1200 miles on it. I now have a 2017 air cooled M8 and have no plans of owning another water cooled one unless something changes and the water cooled ones get miraculously better. For me it was just more complexity and weight. Different story for a stop and go city rider. Air cooled Yamaha wouldn't concern me.

Steve@fullsac.com

[Phreakyz]

Personally I don't get it! I am sure it is a wonderful motorcycle. Yamaha makes very good products. However, these bikes just get more automotive all the time. If this is what you want Honda has the ultimate evolution in The Gold Wing. Amazing engine, great protection, smooth, reliable, almost flawless. But int he end it is a Hondabago. It has no soul. It is like riding a sewing machine. It is a Camry, just no fun.

The very reason I ride a bike is the way it makes me feel. I love the vibration of my 14 RK CVO. I love the raw feeling and yes the Harley personality that makes it fun. I love the way I see the ENTIRE engine, not just small glimpses of the motor shrouded in body work, why nit just get a ST1300.

Of course each to his own. But for me I want to know I am on a motorcycle not sitting in a living room recliner. I will stick to my HD, Triumph Bobber, and yes even my Vespa 300 GTS, all fun, all look like they are what they are, and all have their own personality.

Could not have said it better!

[RGlideKid]

I agree, why air cooled?  How many choices of aftermarket pipes would you think owners will have for this bike even after one year in production?  2-3 maybe? 
Maybe they are introducing it air-cooled to see how the biking public reacts to it and to work out any "first year" kinks, and then they have plans to go to some version of water cooling afterward? 
I wonder if all the chrome pieces are plastic?  That would be too cheesy for me.  Still, it's a 113ci, looks like it has some sort of rammed air config in the lowers, no stock passenger armrests, a visible handlebar clamp (yuck!), maybe a little too much chrome on the rear lights, and FOUR headlights PLUS running lights (YES!!).
Still, I see competition as a very good thing.  BTW, the Indian dealer in Rogers AR told me everyone thinks the leather bags with no locks was a huge mistake for Indian and feels they will correct it next year.  I have to admit, I looked closely at the Indians back in May '16 and then again this June.  They seemed much nicer this year, and they offer much more power options on them now.

[scottt]

What makes the new Yamaha special are the functional standard features. I would take big functional features over cosmetic anytime.

Features like the new frame and suspension that provide a smoother ride with better handling. The 113 inch motor with Yamaha durability. The adjustable windshield. Heated seats with heated backrest, heated grips. Adjustable handlebars. The electric reverse. High output electrical system, on and on.....plus five years of warranty coverage. In the past metric bikes lacked a style I could live with. In my opinion Yamaha did it this time.

Don't get me wrong, still like Harleys. Have been riding them for close to 30 years. Guess I know to much about there down sides. This Yamaha is real competition in my opinion.

[guppytrash]

I bought the very first 2014 Water cooled Limited I could get my hands on. Oh Boy! The only thing it did better than the air cooled Harley was sit in traffic with out burning up. I sold it with 1200 miles on it. I now have a 2017 air cooled M8 and have no plans of owning another water cooled one unless something changes and the water cooled ones get miraculously better. For me it was just more complexity and weight. Different story for a stop and go city rider. Air cooled Yamaha wouldn't concern me.

Steve@fullsac.com

Not burning up is kind of a huge thing!
Ultimately we all end up in traffic at some point.

[moscooter]

 
"The electric reverse. "

  That is an attention getter right there.  Have not read the write-ups and details about this new sled,  but I would imagine the overall weight has to be up there in Harleys range at 850 plus, plus.

My SE Ultra was close to 900 pounds without me even on it.  In my opinion,  way too much weight with a high center of gravity (Tour pack, amp booster, etc.) to be reasonably managable in parking lots or situations where you may need to (back up that pig).  A "reverse" gear of some kind should indeed be "standard equipment" on a bike as heavy as some of them are now.

[RGlideKid]

This video on the Yammy was interesting...

[Fullsac Performance]

Not burning up is kind of a huge thing!
Ultimately we all end up in traffic at some point.

With out a doubt, an air cooled motor with no air is always bad. I wonder what the reviews will say? The Harleys got ripped on by the "all" motorcycle magazines for excessive heat. It will interesting to see how comfy this air cooled twin is on a hot day compared to the HD.

Steve@fullsac.com

[ultrarider123]

"The electric reverse. "

  That is an attention getter right there.  Have not read the write-ups and details about this new sled,  but I would imagine the overall weight has to be up there in Harleys range at 850 plus, plus.

My SE Ultra was close to 900 pounds without me even on it.  In my opinion,  way too much weight with a high center of gravity (Tour pack, amp booster, etc.) to be reasonably managable in parking lots or situations where you may need to (back up that pig).  A "reverse" gear of some kind should indeed be "standard equipment" on a bike as heavy as some of them are now.

According to the video Harry posted above, the Yammy weighs in at 957 lbs. so the electric reverse and park assist will definitely come in handy.

Those are some fairly large wind wings on both sides of the faring.  I'll have to see it in person but per the pictures/video they look huge....

[RayK]

Yamaha states that the cylinders are ceramic coated to dicipate heat eliminating the need for a complex liquid cooling system.

[moscooter]

 

" park assist "....................

[ultrarider123]

" park assist "....................

Yea, I know...Yammahatchies description, not mine.  I'm guessing since you can use the electric motor in slow reverse as well as slow forwards, this can "assist" you with "parking" the 957 pounds...

[Fullsac Performance]

Yea, I know...Yammahatchies description, not mine.  I'm guessing since you can use the electric motor in slow reverse as well as slow forwards, this can "assist" you with "parking" the 957 pounds...

Nice feature that Goldwings have had for ever. I watched a 2017 Harley Trike back up with a push button recently. He might have gone forward too? This would be very beneficial to Harley's two wheeler to the same owner for the same reasons he's on a Trike. If Harley wants to fend off the up and comers, simple features like this, an electric windshield, ect would help keep them in the game.

Steve@fullsac.com

[Toofast_28]

Nice feature that Goldwings have had for ever. I watched a 2017 Harley Trike back up with a push button recently. He might have gone forward too? This would be very beneficial to Harley's two wheeler to the same owner for the same reasons he's on a Trike. If Harley wants to fend off the up and comers, simple features like this, an electric windshield, ect would help keep them in the game.

Steve@fullsac.com

Electric windshield?  Like rolls up and down? Or heads up display? Or something completely different?

[Fullsac Performance]

Electric windshield?  Like rolls up and down? Or heads up display? Or something completely different?

Adjustable windshield via electric motor. The Yamaha has it. My R12 Beemer had one too. Amazing difference in buffeting.

Steve@fullsac.com