Star remains a strong player on the highways with the Royal Star Venture S model, their ultimate tourer that carries on as a 2010 model year without changes, but which clearly stands out thanks to its consecrated features such as the V-four motor and five-star accommodations. The standard Royal Star Venture is stuck in 2009.
Introduction
2010 Star Royal Star Venture S
Previously called Yamaha, now Star, the bike is pretty much based on a recipe that proved successful despite the fact that that at a certain time during its evolution, the Royal Star Venture S was basically decimated by a certain Honda touring motorcycle that we all recognize as the leader and top innovator of the class, the Honda Goldwing.
Star spotted the gap between touring motorcycles powered by enormously big V-Twin engines and the six-cylinder Goldwing and offers the V-four-powered Venture S with benefits in between those of a regular touring motorcycle and the ultimate one. It is all about the consecrated 79-cubic-inch, liquid-cooled, 70-degree V-four; DOHC, four valves per cylinder engine which, to be quite honest, we were expecting to get fuel injection this year, but didn’t. Still, fed through four 32mm Mikuni CV carburetors, it develops 97 hp at 6,000 rpm and 89 ft lb of torque at 4,750 rpm. So this is kind of a Honda Magna of tourers and it sounds damn good.
The way that all that power and torque are being transmitted makes it so unique and the wide-ratio, five-speed transmission with 5th-gear brings a major contribution to the riding experience. The shaft is the key to a long and cheap servicing life of the final drive and, of course, the 2010 Royal Star Venture S has it.
2010 Star Royal Star Venture S
Weighing 869 lbs and not being bothered in showing its weight, this Star features highly-resistant frame as well as air-adjustable suspension that would deal with all that mass. Also, the brakes feature hydraulic discs (two 298mm front and a single 320mm rear).
Star gave it that Harley-Davidson-like front end with the big windscreen and all, but there’s plenty much more to it. With comfortable bucket-type rider and passenger seats (this last gets a backrest as well), long rides are the thing to wish for and with a 15-gallon trunk and 9.3-gallons sidebags, there sure is plenty of storage space to exploit. Furthermore, like on any veritable touring motorcycle, cruise control is of the essence so that riders can enjoy the fourspeaker sound system/CB radio/intercom compatible sound system during those long rides, most likely across the States.
V-Twin-powered touring motorcycles are plenty and do a very good job in being one better than the other, but neither can match the performance, comfort and luxury of the V-four-powered Royal Star Venture S. Yet, the Honda Goldwing is superior to our Star, but that again is in a class of its own.
Exterior
2010 Star Royal Star Venture S
If there’s something through which the 2010 Star Royal Star Venture S (and all of the previous model years) distinguishes, that’s got to be style. Star went for the bold somehow old-school design and really made this Japanese bike look American. This thing is massive from all angles and yet looks compact and built around the rider’s touring needs in complete comfort.
Up front, that 150mm wide tire wrapped around the 16-inch wheel is supported by the chromed forks of which you’ll be seeing very few due to the presence of the fairing surrounding the large, powerful 12V 60/55-watt remote-adjustable halogen headlight as well as supporting the high mounted windscreen. Behind that sits the vintage-style console and instrument panel.
That fuel tank will eat 6 gallons of gas and underneath it is the beautifully crafted powerplant to which it delivers. Seen from the rear view mirror, this thing is pretty scary as it is not only tall, but very wide also. Yet, the rider seat is positioned only 29.5 inches from the ground and, as supposed, offers sofa-like accommodations.
The rear end looks almost as good as the front with the trunk and sidecases. Underneath those stand the chromed exhaust pipes and in between, that rear tire is also 150mm wide.
Contributing to the amazing fit and finish are not only the deep valanced fenders, but also the flawless paint with extensive chrome and brushed stainless steel accents. Raven is the color for the 2010 model.
The MSRP for the 2010 Royal Star Venture S starts at $19,690, but you can always get the standard Royal Star Venture for $18,190 or $18,690 depending on the preferred color scheme. These numbers also position the Stars in between the Goldwing and the rest of the Japanese V-twin offering.
Conclusion
With the 2010 Royal Star Venture S, Star Motorcycles show how a specific model can start interest not only by featuring a host of radical upgrades, but simply by offering a special something and changing the color scheme while retaining the bulletproof motor and the unbeatable chassis.
This fully loaded luxury touring machine comes with everything serious riders need, including a fourspeaker sound system/CB radio/intercom compatible sound system and a powerful and smooth V-four engine.
Engine:
79 cubic-inch liquid-cooled, V-four tuned to put out class-leading power — 97hp @ 6000 rpm and maximum torque at 89 ft.-lb. @ 4750 rpm — for incomparable touring performance.
Four heated 32mm Mikuni carburetors with TPS deliver seamless throttle response and greater power across the entire rev range.
Compact design, dual-intake system enhances performance without sacrificing fuel tank capacity.
Large-capacity radiator ensures superior engine cooling for maximum efficiency.
Wide-ratio, five-speed transmission with 5th-gear overdrive geared for both highway passing power and lower-rev cruising speeds.
Low-maintenance hydralic clutch actuation and strong, low-maintenance shaft drive for touring convenience.
Smooth, low-maintenance shaft drive.
Four-into-two exhaust system puts out a throaty exhaust note and creates a long, low profile that’s easily customizable.
Chassis/Suspension:
High-integrity, single-backbone frame with solid engine mounting and 29-degree caster angle delivers quick, responsive steering and excellent handling.
Class-leading long wheelbase (67.1-inches) provides exceptional roomy ergonomics for great rider control and comfort.
Air-adjustable telescopic front fork designed with 29-degree caster angle and 5.5 inches of travel smoothes out the bumps and adjusts for varying load capacities.
Air-adjustable link-type rear suspension features a vertically mounted single shock with 4.1 inches of travel for outstanding long-distance ride quality.
Large-diameter front and rear disc brakes with sintered pads provide strong, linear stopping power.
ABS and heated grips are OK, but NAV is a no-no. Zumo is always better than any pre-installed GPS. Bluetooth and Sirius Sat are OK to be optional. CB is still using by MANY bikers. Yamaha price beats Honda’s still.
What Star and the reviewers seem to over look is for this to be a modern tourer it should have, ABS, Nav, bluetooth,heated grips and Sirrius Sat radio. They need to drop the CB(oh how 70’s and cassette player). Come on, no one uses CB or cassettes anymore. They claim this to be their flagship, well get serious and upgrade it with the above plus fuel injection and 6 speed and electric windshield. Talk about resting on their laurals.
Posted on
03.28.2010 @ 22:09