As some of you know, I currently ride a '05 Honda Aero 750. I've been in a quandary about whether to save up to buy a Harley Fatboy or Heritage, or buy a Road Star. Since I haven't had the opportunity to sit on a Road Star, I was concerned about the seat height (I'm only 5'5". I've been assured by some here that it would be fine, but you never know until you see for yourself. Well, today I got my chance to stop by the Yamaha dealer (the nearest one is 40 miles away). The salesman was very friendly, and told me to sit on any bike I wanted, and if I had any questions, just come and ask. I sat on a '07 Road Star and fell in love (lust??) right away. I couldn't quite sit flat-footed on it, but it's really close. It didn't really feel any heavier than my Honda (which feels slightly top-heavy). They had 3 - 2007's for just $9999.00. I've seen them on eBay for as low as $7700.00, but I live in California, so registration is always an issue, even on brand new bikes (stupid state!). Anyway, I figure that a bike for under $10K is a great deal, and after my test-sit, I think I've found my future ride! Unfortunately, current circumstance don't allow me to jump on this deal, but if I can make a few things happen, I might be able to swing it. Either way, by this time next year, I'll be looking again, only VERY seriously!!! That huge price difference between a Star and a Harley just got bigger!!!!

If you do get a Roadie there is a 93.42% chance that you will want to get a new seat. If you get a new seat you can get one that is not only more comfortable but it will also sit you lower. So flat footing it won't be an issue anymore. Now any aftermarket seat that lowers you will also move you forward a little but at your height that shouldn't be a problem. Shop around for a bike. It would be worth going a couple hundred miles if you can save a couple grand.

Hey Rev Rock... like Musky said, shop around. A friend of mine just got his first Roadstar. He shopped and found 3 leftover 07's. $10,500 ...9800... and 9200. Basically all the same. He ended up getting the 9200 dollar one out the door for $8500 AFTER they added bags and windshield. Gotta find a dealer who wants to move the bikes. I've got one local dealer here that wont work with anybody...I've seen the same bikes on the floor since I started going in there 2 years ago....(No, not your place hopps)

Hey Musky, where did you get that 93.42% number from?

He carried the 5.

ill tell ya i am 5'5 and i love the roadie...i didnt love how high i was off the ground so i bought a saddlemen solo seat that i love, and yesterday i did the flip and grind...if you change just the seat it will likely be enough to drop you down, i did the flip for the looks....i know the looney seat musky has drops you nicely too
good luck with the star

Try LA Yamaha in Marina Del Rey(OTD Motorsports)
Bought my 06 there 10,500 Out the door

Rev_Rock, if you look at left-overs next year, you'll find '08s that are fuel injected instead of carburated That was the only change for '08 other than color to my knowledge. This is a good thing as the R* can be a bear to keep started especially when it gets cold outside and should provide better throttle response when the engine hasn't quite warmed up.

I've noticed though that the R* comes with less chrome on the engine than it used to, or is it just me?

You want more chrome you have to buy the Midnight version or the new S model.

Thanks for all the tips. Like slyguy said, it had crossed my mind that if I wait until next year, I might find a deal on an '08 and get the fuel injection, to boot! One thing that's odd is how seats make the riding position different. I've read here that people who have put Mustangs on their bikes actually have a more forward position. I put one on my Honda and it moved me back. In fact the position was so different that I got rid of the seat. I liked the way it felt on my butt, but just couldn't reach anything as easily. I finally just modified the stocker and have been happy with that.

Something else I thought of is that if I can somehow free up the cash around December or January, I might really find a good deal then. There will be snow on the ground her in Tehachapi and the foggy season will be starting in Bakersfield (where the dealer is at), so there could be more discounts involved.

As Curt mentioned, the Midnight models have more chrome on them, specifically the front end. Does anyone know why that is? I sort of like the red bikes, but I like chrome too. My current bike is black, so it wouldn't bother me to have that again to get more chrome. In addition to the 3 bikes that the dealer had for $9999.00, they did have 2 Midnight models too. I didn't look at the prices for them, because one was modified a little, and on a display 'stage', and the other was being looked at by someone else. I know that they are usually slightly more expensive, and I assume that's because of the chrome.

Lots to think about!!