Where is Yamaha's Classic Cruisers?

[Fordiesel69]

Got bored today and looked to see if Kawaski is still selling their Vulcan 900 and vaquero 1700 and yes they are. Albeit higher prices.....

Went to yamaha and all croch rockets. Where are their classic cruisers? They did have some big 1900 liquid cooled cruiser and now I cant find it.

 

[DriveHard]

They are dwindling...
https://yamahamotorsports.com/models/bolt-r-spec

 

[BigCahuna]

My guess is they stop making bikes they can't sell, in the numbers they need to to make it profitable. And some bikes just sell better in certain parts of the country, than other parts. I bought a Kawasaki Voyager a few years back, and it was rare for me to see another one on the road. They are priced cheaper than any of Harley's touring bikes, and you'll know why once you buy one.,,

 

[Fordiesel69]

Can you eleborate as to why? Id be curious as I do not own own. I bought a vulcan 900 only to make it into my own bobber. Not really attracted to the brand from a loyalty standpoint.

 

[troop]

Can you eleborate as to why? Id be curious as I do not own own. I bought a vulcan 900 only to make it into my own bobber. Not really attracted to the brand from a loyalty standpoint.

The frame geometry is terrible. Low speed handling is awful. Although the 1700cc motor is bullet proof, fit/finish on this bike is bad. They haven't changed it in many years.

 

[DuckRyder]

Didn’t they rebrand them to Star?

 

[donnyj08]

V-star bikes have always been terrible handling bikes. The 1100 was especially terrible. The frame geometry was never good. Forget about trying to ride a Vstar 1100 in the rain/wet…it’s flat dangerous compared to almost any other motorcycle.

The reliability is top notch, but the handling is wretched.

 

[Fordiesel69]

How about the stratoliner xv1900?

 

[alarmguy]

This started over a decade ago. Japanese pulling out of the heavy weight cruisers as motorcycles decline in favor in the USA. More so heavy and expensive cruisers vs. cheap (Bic lighter) throwaways purchased by young people. Kind of like jet skis of the boating world which now, jet skis are stupid expensive too. SIZZLE Sells for maximum corporate profits and how this stuff becomes throw away products once the owners get bored.

Long distance cruising is a tough sell in this air conditioned pop tart world. USA Victory which was supposed to be the Harley killer like the heavy Japanese bikes before them out of business around 2012 replaced by USA Indian name that has been resurrected many times before. Some of the Japanese heavy cruisers still in the market dont even come out with a new model every year.
Darn heavy cruiser bikes have become so expensive and I guess the companies cant survive on lower priced heavy cruisers. Most of Yami's offerings even back then were stripped down versions of Harley copies try to grab market share from Harley.

 

[02SE]

This started over a decade ago. Japanese pulling out of the heavy weight cruisers as motorcycles decline in favor in the USA. More so heavy and expensive cruisers vs. cheap (Bic lighter) throwaways purchased by young people. Kind of like jet skis of the boating world which now, jet skis are stupid expensive too. SIZZLE Sells for maximum corporate profits and how this stuff becomes throw away products once the owners get bored.

Long distance cruising is a tough sell in this air conditioned pop tart world. USA Victory which was supposed to be the Harley killer like the heavy Japanese bikes before them out of business around 2012 replaced by USA Indian name that has been resurrected many times before. Some of the Japanese heavy cruisers still in the market dont even come out with a new model every year.
Darn heavy cruiser bikes have become so expensive and I guess the companies cant survive on lower priced heavy cruisers. Most of Yami's offerings even back then were stripped down versions of Harley copies try to grab market share from Harley.

I've heard of Harley owners getting rid of their bikes in droves just recently, due to some decisions of Harley executives. Apparently it was a big issue at Sturgis. I wasn't at Sturgis, but that's what I was told by some attendees I know.

 

[alarmguy]

I've heard of Harley owners getting rid of their bikes in droves just recently, due to some decisions of Harley executives. Apparently it was a big issue at Sturgis. I wasn't at Sturgis, but that's what I was told by some attendees I know.

That's ok with me, maybe prices will come down, nope I doubt it. I also doubt the "droves" part very much. What will they buy? Things like that dont last long and being I haven't heard anything about it in one of ths most popular motorcycle destinations here in the Carolinas ... I would question the "talk" not saying the people you know were lying.
But comes back to if you want to ride, what would they buy? Answer not much else. Indian maybe and Goldwing. Indian owned by Polaris an American multi national conglomerate that shut down its last motorcycle product, Victory for the cash to buy an aftermarket automobile supplier, also makes ATVs, Boats, snowmobiles, government vehicles.
Honda abandoned heavy weight cruisers except for the Goldwing, great bike, I like the basic one, mostly different crowd and most all the same product, meaning Wing.

 

[KrisZ]

In my opinion they tried to emulate Harley-Davidson too much. Had they stayed true to their core strengths, like liquid cooled engines, good suspension etc. and throw in some originality instead of copying the classic cruiser look, like the Goldwing, and they would probably be more successful. The only thing they had going for was reliability, that's about it.

 

[alarmguy]

In my opinion they tried to emulate Harley-Davidson too much. Had they stayed true to their core strengths, like liquid cooled engines, good suspension etc. and throw in some originality instead of copying the classic cruiser look, like the Goldwing, and they would probably be more successful. The only thing they had going for was reliability, that's about it.

Or ... even if trying to copy Harley, they kept the price low which I guess they needed to do in order to sell them. We actually at one time were VERY interested in the Stratoliner Deluxe with the fairing and even if taking into account going the Goldwing route I questioned the wisdom of leaving out so many features even in trying to copy Harley, I cant help wonder if they would have done the same if trying to copy Goldwing.

Here is what I mean. I mean we really liked the bike, sat on it during an international motorcycle show well over a decade ago in Charlotte.
So the bike was of course in this instance to go after the Harley Cruiser crowd and it was a nice bike HOWEVER, my wife and I could not understand the wisdom of having the Stratoliner Deluxe complete with fairing, now get this, the fairing itself had nothing in it!
It was just like an after market add on. No radio, no gauges, nothing just a finished shell and nothing in it, working on my memory I think is pretty accurate because we wanted as least some options in there and there were none. I couldnt help but feel they were delivering a product that CLEARLY was to imitate a Harley but almost laughable the way they did it. Instead of packing in some useful stuff in that fairing they cheapened the bike and made the standard Stratolina at least appear respectful with no fairing. That could compete with the Road King.

I see Kawasaki still makes the Vulcan 1700 Voyager That bike (again going back 10 or more years) did have a lot of options. Really likes it and as you know sometimes you could pick these things up for a song and a dance new from a dealer once they sit around for a year.
Anyway, if I remember correctly it still had a cassette deck. But we REALLY liked the bike, the reviews on power and heat weren't flattering but I think the biggest problem Im 5'11" consider myself fairly strong but (again back then) that bike scared me. It just seemed so heavy on the showroom floor. I would be curious to see what the new ones look like, I cant believe that they still make them. To be fair, at the time I was comparing the bike to a Vstar 1300 maybe at one time even the Suzuki c50 both much lighter

 

[KrisZ]

Or ... even if trying to copy Harley, they kept the price low which I guess they needed to do in order to sell them. We actually at one time were VERY interested in the Stratoliner Deluxe with the fairing and even if taking into account going the Goldwing route I questioned the wisdom of leaving out so many features even in trying to copy Harley, I cant help wonder if they would have done the same if trying to copy Goldwing.

Here is what I mean. I mean we really liked the bike, sat on it during an international motorcycle show well over a decade ago in Charlotte.
So the bike was of course in this instance to go after the Harley Cruiser crowd and it was a nice bike HOWEVER, my wife and I could not understand the wisdom of having the Stratoliner Deluxe complete with fairing, now get this, the fairing itself had nothing in it!
It was just like an after market add on. No radio, no gauges, nothing just a finished shell and nothing in it, working on my memory I think is pretty accurate because we wanted as least some options in there and there were none. I couldnt help but feel they were delivering a product that CLEARLY was to imitate a Harley but almost laughable the way they did it. Instead of packing in some useful stuff in that fairing they cheapened the bike and made the standard Stratolina at least appear respectful with no fairing. That could compete with the Road King.

I see Kawasaki still makes the Vulcan 1700 Voyager That bike (again going back 10 or more years) did have a lot of options. Really likes it and as you know sometimes you could pick these things up for a song and a dance new from a dealer once they sit around for a year.
Anyway, if I remember correctly it still had a cassette deck. But we REALLY liked the bike, the reviews on power and heat weren't flattering but I think the biggest problem Im 5'11" consider myself fairly strong but (again back then) that bike scared me. It just seemed so heavy on the showroom floor. I would be curious to see what the new ones look like, I cant believe that they still make them. To be fair, at the time I was comparing the bike to a Vstar 1300 maybe at one time even the Suzuki c50 both much lighter

Yeah, it's like they tried, but really didn't. Sort of like putting their B or even C team on the task. If you want to compete with a dominant force in the market, you better bring your best game, not some half-baked attempt.

But they did have some good attempts IMO
1. Was the Honda Valkyrie Interstate, which I had. They came out in 98-99 I think. Had full fairing, radio, CB radio, intercom and a very nice and powerful flat six engine. Looked pretty good too. That, I think was a pretty good contender, but it was also competing against Honda's own Goldwing, so they axed it. These are very sought after today.

2. Yamaha Royal Star Venture. Pretty much similar to the Valkyrie with a powerful V4 engine from their V-Max model. Very capable and comfortable long distance cruiser. I almost bought this one. Unfortunately Yamaha never kept it up to date, so sales stagnated and they killed it.

The funny thing about the Japanese manufacturers and the cruiser market, they act the same as the Big 3 before the 2008 crash. Lots of half-baked attempts and even if they had something good and competitive going, they let it stagnate and go out of date.

 

[DriveHard]

The funny thing about the Japanese manufacturers and the cruiser market, they act the same as the Big 3 before the 2008 crash. Lots of half-baked attempts and even if they had something good and competitive going, they let it stagnate and go out of date.

Agree here...I loved my Yamaha Roadstar warrior when I had it...only cruiser I would consider owning because it actually handled decent. Yamaha just let it die...no updates or anything.

 

[DuckRyder]

Any reasonably diligent search of the tube of you should turn up what the Sturgis Controversy is about.

I don't know that a bunch are selling their bikes, but the ones replacing them might be looking at Indian or other instead. We cant really discuss it here.

Ive owned Hondas, Kawasakis and a yamaha and i had more trouble with them in a shorter period than my Harley. Pull a Harley, BMW, Triumph or Ducati and to a lesser extent Indian up against a Japanese Cruiser and look at the paint, Chrome and switch gear, its easy to see the difference.

I think the deck was stacked agains the Japanese cruisers from the start, they can basically only compete on price. I think they mostly rather sell ATVs and SxS than motorcycles in the us now anyway.

 

[alarmguy]

Yeah, it's like they tried, but really didn't. Sort of like putting their B or even C team on the task. If you want to compete with a dominant force in the market, you better bring your best game, not some half-baked attempt.

But they did have some good attempts IMO
1. Was the Honda Valkyrie Interstate, which I had. They came out in 98-99 I think. Had full fairing, radio, CB radio, intercom and a very nice and powerful flat six engine. Looked pretty good too. That, I think was a pretty good contender, but it was also competing against Honda's own Goldwing, so they axed it. These are very sought after today.

2. Yamaha Royal Star Venture. Pretty much similar to the Valkyrie with a powerful V4 engine from their V-Max model. Very capable and comfortable long distance cruiser. I almost bought this one. Unfortunately Yamaha never kept it up to date, so sales stagnated and they killed it.

The funny thing about the Japanese manufacturers and the cruiser market, they act the same as the Big 3 before the 2008 crash. Lots of half-baked attempts and even if they had something good and competitive going, they let it stagnate and go out of date.

Yeah, I used to be in the Yamaha forums. I heard about that Royal Star before, well liked. I didnt know as much about the Valkyrie except occasional positive comments. There was another Honda well liked, gosh I used to know the guy and I forgot the model, it was like a Honda Road King competitor right before Honda started cutting their bike lineup and coming out with that chopper. I REALLY liked going to a nice Honda Bike Dealer near where we lived. Actually was interested at the time with the new Stripped down Goldwing
I could have got it at a great price, they had a couple, the one thing at the time that really bothered me and salesman acknowledged was the paint on them, new bikes in the showroom with swirl marks in them.

Come to think of it, I like A LOT of bikes!! Lucky I am not super wealthy with a large garage. Love them all. I can get A.D.D. with stuff and always want something new but doubt in my lifetime now retired I will go for another new bike. The 14 RK still looks brand new, unique factory paint gets compliments still to this day. I have kept it pristine. Believe it or not I wanted to try a sensibly priced sport tourer before I leave this earth but my wife who LOVES riding with me is afraid of them (or maybe me on it will her on the back *LOL*) petite she feels to high off the ground. My first choice would be maybe a Kawi Concours 14 still what the media calls (lack of better words) basic sport tourer but tried and true technology. The other would be FJR (but if I remember correctly it has a small gas tank) Call me crazy but I love the thought of the Concours and I think there is an optional truck for travel.

The RK with 30+k miles on it has done a number of trips to the mountains and the ocean. Now in the new home on the ocean it will be more local riding I THINK. One thing for sure, I love the bike, it has N-E-V-E-R needed a repair, only maintenance, tires, brakes. I NEVER expected that from a Harley after all the bashing I would read about and NO it doesnt leak a drop of OIL or even have a wet spot*LOL* AS you can see, I am not a proponent about anything but the truth and could care less what someone rides including other bikers I know.

I like the Concours and wife is good if I get it but she wont get on it. *LOL*
oops there is one concern, I wonder if the riding angle will bother my back. I used to have some issues with my back but for some reason I do not know I never do anymore.

 

[02SE]

Yeah, I used to be in the Yamaha forums. I heard about that Royal Star before, well liked. I didnt know as much about the Valkyrie except occasional positive comments. There was another Honda well liked, gosh I used to know the guy and I forgot the model, it was like a Honda Road King competitor right before Honda started cutting their bike lineup and coming out with that chopper. I REALLY liked going to a nice Honda Bike Dealer near where we lived. Actually was interested at the time with the new Stripped down Goldwing
I could have got it at a great price, they had a couple, the one thing at the time that really bothered me and salesman acknowledged was the paint on them, new bikes in the showroom with swirl marks in them.

Come to think of it, I like A LOT of bikes!! Lucky I am not super wealthy with a large garage. Love them all. I can get A.D.D. with stuff and always want something new but doubt in my lifetime now retired I will go for another new bike. The 14 RK still looks brand new, unique factory paint gets compliments still to this day. I have kept it pristine. Believe it or not I wanted to try a sensibly priced sport tourer before I leave this earth but my wife who LOVES riding with me is afraid of them (or maybe me on it will her on the back *LOL*) petite she feels to high off the ground. My first choice would be maybe a Kawi Concours 14 still what the media calls (lack of better words) basic sport tourer but tried and true technology. The other would be FJR (but if I remember correctly it has a small gas tank) Call me crazy but I love the thought of the Concours and I think there is an optional truck for travel.

The RK with 30+k miles on it has done a number of trips to the mountains and the ocean. Now in the new home on the ocean it will be more local riding I THINK. One thing for sure, I love the bike, it has N-E-V-E-R needed a repair, only maintenance, tires, brakes. I NEVER expected that from a Harley after all the bashing I would read about and NO it doesnt leak a drop of OIL or even have a wet spot*LOL* AS you can see, I am not a proponent about anything but the truth and could care less what someone rides including other bikers I know.

I like the Concours and wife is good if I get it but she wont get on it. *LOL*
oops there is one concern, I wonder if the riding angle will bother my back. I used to have some issues with my back but for some reason I do not know I never do anymore.
View attachment 237857

The FJR has a 6.6 gallon gas tank (larger than most bikes), a 6-speed transmission with a tall 6th gear, which you have stated you wanted many times, and cruise control.

The Concours has a 5.8 gallon gas tank, and it's glaring omission (IMO) is the lack of cruise control.

 

[alarmguy]

The FJR has a 6.6 gallon gas tank (larger than most bikes), a 6-speed transmission with a tall 6th gear, which you have stated you wanted many times, and cruise control.

The Concours has a 5.8 gallon gas tank, and it's glaring omission (IMO) is the lack of cruise control.

I can’t remember what bike it was then. I thought for sure one of those two, but I guess not obviously.!
Maybe the Goldwing old models with just the five speed needed more frequent fuel stops, but probably not. I guess something else.

Oh boy, still no cruise control? That would be a deal killer. Kind of funny my wife would make fun of me because before the road king I never ever wanted cruise control and now that I have it, I would never ever give it up.

 

[alarmguy]

I've heard of Harley owners getting rid of their bikes in droves just recently, due to some decisions of Harley executives. Apparently it was a big issue at Sturgis. I wasn't at Sturgis, but that's what I was told by some attendees I know.

Hey, at someone else's suggestion in here I did a search. I knew nothing about the backlash but there was no smoking gun like the Budweiser commercial. It was that a DEI program was instituted at Harley and people were upset about groups and legislation they were supporting. Guess what? Polaris (Indian) and everyone else has a program too. But dont expect many Harley riders to look that up either

Dumb move, yeah I guess. Any simple search on the internet shows multiple corporations doing the same thing, the biggest lately was Lowes Home Improvement store.

With that said all these companies are now reversing themselves, including Lowes and Harley Davidson.
Harley announced they ended the program due to backlash, same as Lowes (just using Lowes name as it was the latest example)
It will all be forgotten now, after all what else will a Harley rider buy? You either want to ride or not. Every company has or had these programs in affect. Harley ended theirs.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ity-initiatives-maligned-by-anti-dei-activist