2008 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe Review

Introduction

Like the look of a cross-continental tourer just as much as a stripped down boulevard cruiser? Than the Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe is the machine for you. With its quick-detachable windshield and backrest, this Royal Star can change modes from cross-town neat-streeter to luxury transcontinental cruiser in minutes, easily and without tools.

Take a ride on the Royal Star Tour Deluxe and you will find out that it doesn’t have just the ability of converting itself, but its rider too.

History

1996 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe

In the late ’80 and early ’90 it seemed that no matter what Yamaha would have changed, added, or improved at its Venture model, the Honda Gold Wing would still be a bigger success and we all know that Yamaha doesn’t like second places. So it did what any other smart manufacturer would have done, despite it had and awesome package: it stopped producing the Yamaha Venture in 1993 and fast orientated its design towards touring implying classic looks.

The marketing strategy was carefully planed and before it introduced the second generation of Ventures that would increase the Royal Star lineup in 1999, it needed to test the public with a new motorcycle featuring the mighty V4 engine (which was now more than popular after being fitted on the V-max).

What better way to do that than with the brand new 1996 Royal Star Tour Deluxe. This bike threatened to send contenders scattering and with its combination of nostalgic styling and great power coming from the liquid-cooled, DOHC V4 engine featuring 4 valves per cylinder, it did.

In 2005 Yamaha presented the new Royal Star Tour Deluxe, and it now offered the best of both touring and cruising world. It was all combined in what they call a “Cruiser Touring” machine that dominated, and still does, one of the fastest growing segments in the market today.

Competition

2008 Harley-Davidson Road King

It is obvious that this bike gives a hard time to its competitors by featuring the now famous V4 engine with sporty abilities.

In order to find the closest competitors I will also use the recipe that they did. I will search for bigger bore and stroke to compare with this 1300cc. What better maker than Harley-Davidson when it comes to big V-twin engines?

From the big-skirted fender and detachable windshield to the classic hard touring bags, the Road King is pure undiluted majesty on roads full of four-wheeled sardine cans.

This is the look that made a touring Harley the king of the road. Porterhouse-sized headlamp, giant chrome nacelle, and a new 6-gallon gas tank with restyled console. And immediately below, the big, black and chrome Twin Cam 96 engine and six-speed transmission. Added comfort in the new seat and handlebar position, a new cruise control option and new Brembo brakes with optional ABS. Every on-ramp’s a welcome mat.

Exterior

2008 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe

If you are into massive cruisers or/and touring machines, there is no better alternative than the Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe. Weighing almost 800 pounds and featuring everything that a tourer can offer and more, this Yamaha looks very impressive and able to take you from coast to coast.

Its most important ability concerning design is the fact that it can be stripped down and enjoy awesome street cruisability or left just the way it is and be accommodated in plush conditions, perfect for long-distance touring.

In case you go for the first option, the quick-detachable windshield and backrest will make your bike look more suitable for cross-town cruising. It is just a matter of preferences if you ask me.

Either way, the excellent fit and finish includes flawless paint with extensive chrome and brushed stainless steel accents as well as deep, valanced steel fenders which give it a retro look and really stand out in and out of town, with or without the touring features.

Wherever you go, a headlight is a strict necessity so nobody would want to remove the powerful 12V 60/55-watt halogen headlight in stylish chrome shell with custom bezel which also cuts a stylish profile.

A tourer won’t be complete without its sidebags which in this case are hard-shelled and match the bike’s color. They are also very spacious (9.3-gallon storage with interior storage pouch) and feature one-touch openers.

2008 brings two new interesting two-tone colors with the purpose of making the bike’s look stand out even more. First, there’s the Galaxy Blue/Raven and then there’s the Charcoal Silver/Liquid Silver.

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