2008 Yamaha Road Star Review

Introduction

At the heart of this machine is a massive, air-cooled 1670cc V-twin that pumps out an awesome amount of piston pounding torque. But “The Roadie” is more than just muscle. Legendary Star styling and attention to detail make it a rolling piece of art that you’ll be proud to ride. For 2008, Yamaha has added Fuel Injection to the already impressive list of features so this package couldn’t have been better.

History

1999 Yamaha Road Star

In 1999 Yamaha introduced the Road Star. An 1602cc (98 cubic inch), air-cooled, pushrod, 48-degree V-twin was the starting point and 28 inches seat height and 66.3 inches wheelbase were one-off features. But what made this bike a true Yamaha icon was the fact that it was the first motorcycle in its line with belt drive.

With the Road Star, Yamaha started the long road towards the Star line of cruisers. The brilliant idea was to combine American character and attitude with technological advancements and quality control standards that only this Japanese manufacturer could imply.

In 2002 Yamaha proved it can offer diversity at the highest levels with the introduction of its brand new power cruiser, the Road Star Warrior. An extension of the base motorcycle, this monster went for the air-cooled, pushrod, Road Star-derived engine displacing 1670cc. The amazing engine was tuned for more power and featured the most unique exhaust in its class.

The 2004 Road Star model suffered the benefic effect of the Warrior version. Yamaha bored out the world’s largest production air-cooled pushrod V-twin 2mm which meant that 1602cc became 1670cc, just like on the Warrior.

Yamaha had also made the Road Star more comfortable and eliminated vibration from the floorboards, seat and handlebars. Together with the crisp engine, this was one sweet ride and a big step forward towards the 2008 fuel-injected motor.

Competition

2008 Suzuki Boulevard C109R

Suzuki also offers a true classic cruiser which is ready to fight against the Road Star. The Suzuki Boulevard C109R combines classic cruiser styling with renowned Suzuki V-twin power in such a striking way that it became the closest competitor for the Road Star.

The key to C109R’s performance is its 109-cubic-inch engine with Suzuki fuel injection, the same basic powerplant used by the awesome M109R, which traces its technological heritage to Suzuki’s championship winning GSX-R sport bikes. One ride on the C109R and you’ll notice that it boosts its own power characteristics, with more torque down low for extraordinarily acceleration. The C109R establishes its own identity with its styling. It has pullback handlebars, floorboards that let you kick your feet out a relaxed riding position and its own slash-cut mufflers.

Following the path forged by the original Vulcan 1500 cruiser’s design, the Vulcan 1600 Classic continues to provide riders and experience that’s hard to forget. Its good looks materialize in the form of a low, sleek chassis matched with equally impressive V-twin power are without a doubt a big part of this successful motorcycle.

At the center of this exciting bike is a 95-cubic-inch V-twin engine generating plenty of low-end torque and supplying the Vulcan 1600 Classic with more than enough power for just about anything its rider chooses to do. Extra power is nice for playtime, but when a plan calls for extended seat time, the single-pin crankshaft and a gear-driven counterbalancer work together to provide a comforting rhythm without those harsh vibrations.

2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600

Exterior

2008 Yamaha Road Star

The element with which the Road Star beats its competitors and makes a rider buy with its heart, not with the brains, is styling. The bike that had much to do with the introduction of “Star Motorcycles” is clean looking and prefers a lower seating position.

Classic elements are all over this Yamaha, starting with its fenders, fuel tank featuring ultra-thin, tank-mounted speedometer introducing us to a stylish design and providing easy to read odometer, dual tripmeters, clock and fuel gauge as well as low fuel, high beam, turn signal neutral and engine diagnostic indicator lights, and ending up with the legendary V-twin arrangement with plenty of chrome all over it.

The 16-inch cast wheels individualize it in the crowd so all the rider has to do is to keep it out of the garage. No problem with that!

Colors available for this model year are unique and provide excellent fit and finish for this Star. Galaxy Blue/Sapphire Blue Scallops and Pearl White are both excellent finishing touches and prove to be the most appropriate for this classic cruiser. Good bye Black!

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