new Yamaha Transcontinental Touring

[broncsrule21]

Wont poach many sales from the Goldwing crowd. Clearly aimed at the V-twin segment. Too ME, it will be a quality bike, most of Yamaha's stuff is. The only V-twin I see myself on is the Ducati X-Diavel (Dreaming). The only way I would consider changing from the F6B is if Honda comes out with a faster, more powerful bagger....Very unlikely, I am happy with what I have.

[VStarRider]

This new Yamaha bike is intriguing.

I love the looks - and it has all of the features that I wish my F6B had. This just made our bikes even more outdated.

This bike is clearly aimed at two machines ... the Indian Roadmaster and the Ultra Classic (or whatever HD calls their cruiser with the trunk) ... the looks and features are in direct competition ... plus the traction control, electric low speed reverse and forward feature.

If this bike handles and rides well, Yamaha may have hit one out of the park with this one.

I love the infotainment system - very up to date with great features.

There may be a high profit margin on this machine after the R & D for the infotainment system is paid off...the engine, ABS, cruise, traction control and electronic throttle were already in the parts bin. An air-cooled twin is a fairly inexpensive engine to manufacture.

[taxfree4]

This new Yamaha bike is intriguing.

I love the looks - and it has all of the features that I wish my F6B had. This just made our bikes even more outdated.

This bike is clearly aimed at two machines ... the Indian Roadmaster and the Ultra Classic (or whatever HD calls their cruiser with the trunk) ... the looks and features are in direct competition ... plus the traction control, electric low speed reverse and forward feature.

If this bike handles and rides well, Yamaha may have hit one out of the park with this one.

I love the infotainment system - very up to date with great features.

There may be a high profit margin on this machine after the R & D for the infotainment system is paid off...the engine, ABS, cruise, traction control and electronic throttle were already in the parts bin. An air-cooled twin is a fairly inexpensive engine to manufacture.

I don't see how an air cooled, 100 year old V-Twin technology can make a flat six liquid cooled engine seem outdated, especially with the ability of the vast aftermarket options. Does the Yamaha have the single swing arm for changing a tire or fixing a flat on the side of the road? And as far as ease of maintenance i.e. changing spark plugs, oil, oil filter. I don't see how the Yamaha excels in any of these areas,what's outdated on the "B".

[VStarRider]

I don't see how an air cooled, 100 year old V-Twin technology can make a flat six liquid cooled engine seem outdated, especially with the ability of the vast aftermarket options. Does the Yamaha have the single swing arm for changing a tire or fixing a flat on the side of the road? And as far as ease of maintenance i.e. changing spark plugs, oil, oil filter. I don't see how the Yamaha excels in any of these areas,what's outdated on the "B".

No Bluetooth
No push button start
No remote release bags/trunk
No ABS (US)
No Cruise (2013, 14...I'm bitter)
No Trip Computer
No Satellite Radio
No Traction Control

I'll argue that the engine is equivalent to my Honda's in terms of tech...not in cooling, but in multi-valve heads, electronic throttle control. The twin makes more torque, too.

Yamaha making what appears to be a great bike (TBD on the road) does not mean all the things we love about the F6B are no longer valid.

[Fingerz]

Without knowing much about the bike, I like the looks of it if nothing else.

[taxfree4]

No Bluetooth
No push button start
No remote release bags/trunk
No ABS (US)
No Cruise (2013, 14...I'm bitter)
No Trip Computer
No Satellite Radio
No Traction Control

I'll argue that the engine is equivalent to my Honda's in terms of tech...not in cooling, but in multi-valve heads, electronic throttle control. The twin makes more torque, too.

Yamaha making what appears to be a great bike (TBD on the road) does not mean all the things we love about the F6B are no longer valid.

You're talking about bells and whistles, sure, they have the Goldwing for that but you can still get most of that outside of the ABS in the aftermarket. Cooling is major especially when you are beginning a new brand in 2017 and expecting to get longevity out of it. Eventually, I cannot see how any manufacturer is going avoid liquid cooling if they're going to survive but that's just my opinion.

[VStarRider]

You're talking about bells and whistles, sure, they have the Goldwing for that but you can still get most of that outside of the ABS in the aftermarket. Cooling is major especially when you are beginning a new brand in 2017 and expecting to get longevity out of it. Eventually, I cannot see how any manufacturer is going avoid liquid cooling if they're going to survive but that's just my opinion.

Yamaha has air-cooling figured out. I owned two of them (1100s). Those are 100,000 mile engines, though my expectations are higher than that. Strangely enough, the 1300 Deluxe, an entry level cruiser-tourer, costs half as much and has liquid cooling.

My opinion too. Apparently, their market research shows air cooling as a factor in purchasing is enough of a factor in this consumer group to make the decision to go with it. Makes no sense to me, embracing retro mechanical tech with no advantage over water cooled counterparts. It is like a group of new car buyers demanding carburetors instead of fuel injection.

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

I'd have one in a minute if I were looking for another touring bike. C'mon Honda. This Yamaha beauty shows just how antiquated the Goldwing platform has become.
MO..
Jim

[Jimmytee]

No Bluetooth
No push button start
No remote release bags/trunk
No ABS (US)
No Cruise (2013, 14...I'm bitter)
No Trip Computer
No Satellite Radio
No Traction Control

I'll argue that the engine is equivalent to my Honda's in terms of tech...not in cooling, but in multi-valve heads, electronic throttle control. The twin makes more torque, too.

Yamaha making what appears to be a great bike (TBD on the road) does not mean all the things we love about the F6B are no longer valid.

The thing there is, you are comparing what is supposedly the new Flagship touring model from Yamaha to an F6B with your list of features that are not on your F6B.

You are comparing apples to oranges. Pretty much everything on your list would be there if you were comparing to the Loaded Gold Wing which is Honda's Touring flagship.

Granted, the new Yamaha there sports arguably updated electronics, but you are still trying to compare a 2018 Flagship model to a 13-14 F6B that was never intended to be Honda's flagship touring model, but a lighter dressed down Gold Wing.

[VStarRider]

The thing there is, you are comparing what is supposedly the new Flagship touring model from Yamaha to an F6B with your list of features that are not on your F6B.

You are comparing apples to oranges. Pretty much everything on your list would be there if you were comparing to the Loaded Gold Wing which is Honda's Touring flagship.

Granted, the new Yamaha there sports arguably updated electronics, but you are still trying to compare a 2018 Flagship model to a 13-14 F6B that was never intended to be Honda's flagship touring model, but a lighter dressed down Gold Wing.

I accept that the comparison is not a direct one, but the Indian Chieftain (starting as a 2014 model) is a F6B competitor and has all those things listed above, minus traction control.

Loaded Gold Wing is missing Bluetooth, traction control, push button start...and is priced thousands higher than this new Yamaha...but, it is an outdated machine. Still a great machine, but long in the tooth.

Beyond the above...

Some folks are awfully sensitive about their motorcycles, a manufactured product for profit made by the thousands in a factory...can't say anything critical about them. Any product has strengths and weaknesses, both are part of the honest conversation on forums like this, in my opinion.