NIBS

Actually cooling is done thru the fins and air exposure and is not dependent on air flow as much as you think otherwise the rear cylinder which is behind the front cylinder would seize because it is essentially shielded from the air flow...

The wind deflectors are not and never have been an obstacle to the cooling process

I've owned several water cooled bikes and they were all great. However, when I was looking for a new ride this time I had this overwhelming urge to return to the simple v-twin. There were several reasons. You can't get the big v-twin feel on a water cooled bike, this was the #1 reason, feel. The exhileration of feeling the machine under you. On water cools you hit the throttle and it goes, but all you really feel is the speed, not the machine working for you. 2nd reason would be simplicity. I always worried, even if for no reason, about the coolant. Then of course there is the looks. Air cooled looks better, less gimmicky.
Too many bike companies have taken away the feel. The VTX is the perfect example. It was one of the bikes I narrowed down to when looking to buy until I took one out for a spin, the first thing I thought after a few miles was "This feels pussy". 1800cc and no feel, no rumble, no feeling of riding a big machine.
Harley has done real well sticking with this concept, but my R* was $10k less than a Heritage Softail, and I feel a better built bike.

I agree

The V-twin sittin in my garage now... looks more like a Harley V-twin than the Harley v-twin I had in my garage for 10 years...

and it even sounds like one...good job Yamaha

PS owned a couple of Honda Shadows and I knew those fake fins were for looks and werent really doin the coolin

<br><br>Post edited by: Pop Rivet, at: 2007/03/07 18:56

Harley Harley Harley. It almost sounds like some have bought the Roadies just because it looks like a Harley, or sounds like a Harley, or whatever Harley. When I got mine Harley didn't cross my mind and had absolutley nothing to do with why I bought it. Kind of sounds like some of you wanted a Harley but didn't want to spend the money. Like the Roadie was runner up. I'm tired of the Roadie being comapred to Harleys just becuse they are both V twins. The Roadie is a damn fine bike all on it's own and it should be appreciated for that and only that. It doesn't have squat to do with any other make.

OK. I'm done.

Musky

No escaping the fact that Yamaha designed the Road Star after the Harley....

But maybe they really designed it after the Indian..

and for me I did buy the R* because it looked like a Harley ...maybe you didnt ...

and thats ok with me...

Hell I remember when Yamaha developed the Midnight Special and it was no accident it looked like a BSA or Triumph....not to mention Norton of which I owned a 750 then an 850 Commando.....it was just built better...and with that... helped
drive them right out of the market place

OK im done too <br><br>Post edited by: Pop Rivet, at: 2007/03/07 21:45

I Believe the first V twin was built in 1903. Who built it? I guess if the R* is going to be said to be a knock off of something it should be an original instead of a copycat like Harley.

Well you can't compare the R* to a Gold Wing, Musky. When I shopped bikes I compared all the v-twins. But it was just that, comparison shopping. The amazing thing is they were all relativly the same. For me it came down to ride, looks, reputation, and yes, price. Harley copied Indian, Yamaha copied Harley. It's called marketing, and it worked. If you want unique buy a Wing. Still nothing on the road to compare it to. But if discussions are going to be made about v-twins, Harley will be in it, and deservedly so. They've been doing longer than all others.
Then again there's always my old Guzzi in the garage. You want to talk about a funky old unique machine.

Hey bru

A guy I work with rides an old guzzi. Neat old bike. It has a dry clutch so you don't have to run oil with Ju-Ju-Bee ratings Pop.

Course it doesn't sound as good as a Harley. And it's Black which I'm sure they copied from HD.

Musky

Ya and I know what yer sayin bout comparisons ...

But I look at it this way....
I am Not a Harley WANNA Be ..but I am a Harley WASSA Be
I certainly had enough money to buy a Harley but I didnt have enough time to spend in the repair shop
I am really glad that somebody finally made a well built classic V-twin motorcycle because Harley has had enough time to do it...

So whenever comparisons are made I grin and think I really like my YAMAHOG

I am the typical motorcycle enthusiast Yamaha marketing was aiming at...
They won me over hook line and sinker
The Road Star is not standing in the Shadow of Harley it is standing on Top of Harley

There are enough differences to make the Road Star stand on its own in the market place and then along comes someone like you who makes the bike even
better and personal with all the after market goodies

Hell guys are even slappin Harley fairings and stuff on the Roadie...geez
not to mention Harley look-a-like Doolies


After all ..A lot of copy cats have challenged Henry Ford's design over the years

Ok now Im done...this lack of ridin ... is affecting me too<br><br>Post edited by: Pop Rivet, at: 2007/03/08 06:24

Musky wrote:
I Believe the first V twin was built in 1903. Who built it? I guess if the R* is going to be said to be a knock off of something it should be an original instead of a copycat like Harley.
I think it was Indian, or was it something japanese? Did I win &quot;Lee press-on nails&quot;?