2008 Yamaha Warrior Review

Introduction

What are you looking for in a ride? Classic cruising or sport bike excitement? Get both in one motorcycle – the Warrior. It combines the best of both riding experiences in one bike. If you are feeling conflicted over whether you want the laid-back comfort of a cruiser or the exhilarating performance of a sport bike, just give it a try.

The Warrior took the cruiser’s low-end muscle and combined it with the handling and maneuverability of a sport bike. In fact, the suspension is derived from Yamaha’s championship-bred YZF-R1, and the engine wrapped in high-tech aluminum chassis. Whether you call the Warrior a power cruiser or a sport bike, you’re going to want to call it your own.

History

1999 Yamaha Road Star

In 1999 Yamaha introduced the Road Star, a cruiser featuring a 98-cubic-inch (1602cc), air-cooled, pushrod, 48-degree V-twin, low 28” seat height and 66.3” wheelbase. This model was the first Yamaha motorcycle to feature a belt drive and it was also the model which leaded to the creation of the Road Star Warrior three years later.

In 2002 Yamaha attacks the muscle twin class with 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. What truly defined the Warrior was the aluminum frame in collaboration with the sportbike suspension and brakes.

Competition

2008 Suzuki Boulevard M109R2

If you are trying to find Warrior’s closest competitor I say don’t bother looking any further than the Suzuki Boulevard M109R2. In a world of cookie-cutter cruisers, the Boulevard M109R carves out a niche with its own radical cruiser styling. For 2008, Suzuki is taking unrivaled possession of that niche with the Boulevard M109R2. It’s a variation of the original that features a striking and uniquely designed headlight only matched by stunning performance. Its 1783cc, Suzuki fuel-injected V-twin engine provides massive torque from idle to redline, allowing you to enjoy an incredible blast of acceleration in every gear. This Boulevard, like the Warrior, balances that heart-pounding performance with crisp handling, thanks to a technically advanced chassis, suspension and world-class brakes.

Another close competitor for the Yamaha Warrior comes from the legendary motorcycle manufacturer, Harley-Davidson. The American builder offers the V-Rod as the first street-legal Harley to feature a liquid-cooled powerplant, now a tire-smoking celebration of 105 years of Harley-Davidson.

2008 Harley-Davidson V-Rod 105th Anniversary Version

Even without the optional Anniversary get up, it’s a shining example of where all the tradition can take a Harley. That sleek sheet metal up top is actually an airbox housing velocity stacks. Up front there’s a new drag-strip-inspired laced wheel. At the center is a beefy 123hp, 1250cc liquid-cooled, Revolution engine and new slipper clutch. Big 240mm rear tire; optional ABS brakes have been seamlessly engineered in. Sleek and clean, the V-Rod lets the adrenaline take over your bloodstream.

Even though riders could see the Honda VTX1800F as a competitor for the Warrior, I would say that these two can’t be compared because Yamaha designed its power cruiser starting with a clean sheet of paper, while Honda simply chopped up the fenders and gave it a dragbike look. The same think happened with the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000.

Exterior

2008 Star Warrior

The 2008 Yamaha Warrior needs a single look taken at it to understand that this won’t be your ordinary cruising experience. And it is true, the bike looks true to its riding capabilities which are simply amazing.

The Warrior considers classic looks to be out of fashion so it features modern design which reflects sporty abilities best. The only thing on this bike which reminds you that this is a cruiser is the general arrangement of the fork, handlebars, fuel tank, seat, and footpegs.

That mighty V-twin underneath the sleek-looking gas tank looks like a true horsepower and torque provider and no misinterpretations are going to be made by the untrained eye. The exhaust looks more like the ones found on early R1’s, so you know what to expect.

Its wheels are lightweight, Supersport-inspired and feature five spokes for a cool appearance.

This bike couldn’t have gone without the industry-leading fit and finish featuring lustrous paint and extensive chrome accents which complete the overall look and make it look absolutely stunning.

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