Yamaha Aims for the H-D Road Glide & Misses the Mark by a Mile
As mentioned, power is from a big, proper V-twin motor, and there are more than 125 lb-ft of torque there for you when you need it. Through Yamaha promises a proper V-twin sound, with help from their musical instrument division, they choose to fit the new motor with balance shafts and eliminate all of the vibration. Yamaha says the Eluder has “authentic cruiser soul” but it is hard to see how, dressed as it is and with no v-twin throb coming up through the floorboards.
Just like a Road Glide, power flows into a 6-speed transmission, and out to the wheel via a low maintenance belt drive. Suspension is basic but modern, and reportedly the bike has a traditional luxury car ride over any surface. You get triple disc brakes, derived from their sportbike line, with linked ABS to put the binders on both ends no matter if you grab the lever or stomp on the pedal. Yamaha also includes traction control, cruise control, and a host of bells and whistles as standard equipment.
Yamaha’s product manager, Derek Brooks, is quoted as saying the Eluder provides the best of both worlds, with “…all the function you need but also all the emotional character you want.” But nothing they have released addresses why they thought the modern spacey look of a Goldwing combined with the inherent drawbacks of an air-cooled, traditional, narrow-angle V-twin would be a hit. Years ago they had a very modern, smooth, V-four touring bike, and choose to wrap it in traditional bodywork; remember the Royal Star Tour Deluxe? In many ways, this new bike and the fully dressed Star Venture take the place of the love it or hate it Victory Vision on the market; How many of those have you seen out there lately?
Yamaha also makes a big deal about including all the latest infotainment features in the fairing mounted touchscreen, with redundant controls on the handlebars. But the way they say it you have to imagine they haven’t ridden any of the Harley-Davidson Rushmore bikes with the Boombox system.
The new Yamaha seems to do everything in a similar fashion to the Harley baggers, makes similar power and torque, and weighs about the same (over 850lbs). All it really does differently is look much more modern, but is that a good thing? Personally, if I wanted a modern looking bagger I’d be out riding a Goldwing with the silky smooth flat six, or the new BMW. Try to come up with the theoretical buyer of this big Star will elude anyone familiar with baggers and their riders, perhaps that is where the Eluder name comes in?
Japanese bike buyers used to get drawn out of the Harley dealerships by attractive pricing, a reputation for reliability, and the fact that there was often a waiting list for the really nice hogs. These days Harley dealers are dealing, and there are plenty of bikes. On top of that, the real deal Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Street Glide have MSRP $1,500 to 3,000 less than this new Yamaha Eluder.
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