The New Yamaha Star Eluder

[SPGrenier]

I have been reading about this bike for at least a month. We were contemplating a full tourer and I find that the riding position on the Gold Wing pushes me too far forward for my liking.

The Yamaha Star Venture definitely caught my eye. At first glance, I came to the same initial opinion that it was air cooled and belt driven. I have friends that have put many long distance rides on the Victory Cross Countries and Visions without issues.

Other comments that I have read are that this bike is under horse powered. Yamaha hasn't put any horse power ratings out that I can see. 1854 cc and a bike that weighs in at around 950 lbs.

Demo events are far and few. There is one in Massachusetts and a Victoria CC friend and I have an appointment to take the Venture out for a ride. We'll see how it runs.

It was interesting to see Yamaha strip down the Star Venture Transcontinental and turn it into a bagger they're calling the Venture Eluder. Hmmmmmmm! Sound familiar? The Eluder has a few more bells and whistles over the F6B but comes with a pretty big price tag in comparison. For me, I'd likely stay with my F6B over the Eluder. However, if I were to pull the trigger on a tourer, the Star Venture Transcontinental would be in the running at this point. We'll see how the demo goes tomorrow 9/9.

In all honesty, my biggest concern at this moment would be if Yamaha was paying attention to rider concerns and introduced a water cooled/shaft driven version in the next model year. The initial roll out of the Venture was to originally take place this month but has been postponed to mid December.

[crossbowme]

I have two friends that own and operate Yamaha dealerships. Both expressed dismay when they found out it was air cooled and belt driven. We'll just have to wait and see how it sells.

[opas ride]

I have two friends that own and operate Yamaha dealerships. Both expressed dismay when they found out it was air cooled and belt driven. We'll just have to wait and see how it sells.

I don't see the issue with some negative comments about the Yamaha...Harley and Indian both make air cooled V-twins with belt drive and they sell extremely well in the market place..Yamaha has been making big V-twin engines, some of the best out there, for years with no issues....I had two Victory's with big V-twins, mostly air cooled, with belt drives and had no problems at all....JMHO

[crossbowme]

There concern was not that they're V Twin. They are concerned that for all practical purposes the Yamaha is truly air cooled while most, if not all, of the others are a combination of air/liquid cool of some type. As I'm sure you know, air cooled engines expand and contract more than liquid cooled engines and (supposedly) are less reliable. I know someone will chime up that they know of an air cooled V Twin with 500,000 miles on it but that was their concern.

[willtill]

There concern was not that they're V Twin. They are concerned that for all practical purposes the Yamaha is truly air cooled while most, if not all, of the others are a combination of air/liquid cool of some type. As I'm sure you know, air cooled engines expand and contract more than liquid cooled engines and (supposedly) are less reliable. I know someone will chime up that they know of an air cooled V Twin with 500,000 miles on it but that was their concern.

Probably referring to oil/air cooled? My Dr650 is like that.... it's practically impossible for it to overheat. In the wintertime I have to block off the front of the radiating oil cooler so it can reach operating temperature. Suzuki made the DR650 almost too efficient in shedding heat.

[broncsrule21]

I have been reading about this bike for at least a month. We were contemplating a full tourer and I find that the riding position on the Gold Wing pushes me too far forward for my liking.

The Yamaha Star Venture definitely caught my eye. At first glance, I came to the same initial opinion that it was air cooled and belt driven. I have friends that have put many long distance rides on the Victory Cross Countries and Visions without issues.

Other comments that I have read are that this bike is under horse powered. Yamaha hasn't put any horse power ratings out that I can see. 1854 cc and a bike that weighs in at around 950 lbs.

Demo events are far and few. There is one in Massachusetts and a Victoria CC friend and I have an appointment to take the Venture out for a ride. We'll see how it runs.

It was interesting to see Yamaha strip down the Star Venture Transcontinental and turn it into a bagger they're calling the Venture Eluder. Hmmmmmmm! Sound familiar? The Eluder has a few more bells and whistles over the F6B but comes with a pretty big price tag in comparison. For me, I'd likely stay with my F6B over the Eluder. However, if I were to pull the trigger on a tourer, the Star Venture Transcontinental would be in the running at this point. We'll see how the demo goes tomorrow 9/9.

In all honesty, my biggest concern at this moment would be if Yamaha was paying attention to rider concerns and introduced a water cooled/shaft driven version in the next model year. The initial roll out of the Venture was to originally take place this month but has been postponed to mid December.

Just curious... What qualities are you looking for in a "full tourer" that your B doesn't/can't provide? Again, just curious because there are a lot of people that add a giant windshield and a trunk solution then put many, many miles.

[VStarRider]

Just curious... What qualities are you looking for in a "full tourer" that your B doesn't/can't provide? Again, just curious because there are a lot of people that add a giant windshield and a trunk solution then put many, many miles.

This was not a question for me, but I will answer it. Mainly, ABS and cruise. Cruise can be added, but not anti-lock brakes.

That will be the one thing that possibly sends the F6B down the road, but I can't see letting go of the flat-6...so I will probably get the new Wing in a couple of years.

[thumper 549]

If ya want an old style caveman V twin, why not to buy a Harley?
At least not will hold its value .....LOL WHOooooops
Never mind.
In all seriousness, it looks just like any old Harley I have ever owned.
Or just like my Road King.
Whats the point? (Of another V Twin?)

[F6B1911]

If ya want an old style caveman V twin, why not to buy a Harley?.........Whats the point? (Of another V Twin?)

That's exactly what I thought, "What's the point?"
Wonder if they thought about using the V-Max power plant before going with the V-Twin??
A V-4 tweaked for a "Trancontinental" role seems like a no brainer.
Time will tell, but I'm hesitant to think they will take much from the H-D market.

[VStarRider]

That's exactly what I thought, "What's the point?"
Wonder if they thought about using the V-Max power plant before going with the V-Twin??
A V-4 tweaked for a "Trancontinental" role seems like a no brainer.
Time will tell, but I'm hesitant to think they will take much from the H-D market.

Yamaha said that their market research indicated an air-cooled Vtwin was a must for the cruiser-touring market. They also said that the Vtwin allowed them to sit the engine lower in the chassis than a V4.