Yamaha Star Venture "Goldwing"?

[someone548]

I came across this while surfing today.

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/trans ... al-touring

Tomorrow, Yamaha is slated to unveil a bike they put into a category of "Transcontinental touring." The last video mentions a variety of Goldwing-like potential features. Heated grips and seats. Reverse. Bluetooth. Should be interesting to see what they've come up with. Worryingly, we still haven't seen anything of a new Goldwing yet. I'd hate to think that Honda might lose out on potential customers due to delay in replacing a model which is now 16 years old.

[someone548]

Here is a supposed picture I found.

[Fiberthree]

Looks like Yamaha is going after the Victory market with the latest incarnation of their Venture.

[Rednaxs60]

The Goldwing, even with Honda's reluctance to modernize, is still in a class by itself. A 2016 touring survey rated the Goldwing as the top touring model, followed closely by the BMW 1600. A motorcycle magazine did a side by side comparison of the Goldwing and BMW 1600 (comparing apples and oranges) and both have pros and cons.

I agree that Honda has to step up and modernize the Goldwing simply because that is what the masses want. It is not about us older generation, it is getting the younger generation enthused so as to keep the legacy/mystique alive. HD does it and so does BMW.

With the resurgence/prevalence of 1000/1200 size adventure and sport touring bikes, maybe a new 1200 Goldwing without all the plastic to take on the competition. Honda packed a lot into the '85 LTD and '86 SE-i, imagine what can be done now.

There is a lot more potential in the 1800 that can be optimized for the years ahead. Only time will tell.

Cheers

[detdrbuzzard]

the last thing I want is an imitation Harley, heck I don't even want a real Harley. today I saw an 1800 wing with the trunk removed ( not an f6b ) I like it a lot and the seat looks higher than the seat on the f6b too and if I get one and remove the trunk i'll still have reverse

[newday777]

MBL Enterprises used to make the kit to remove the trunk on the 01-10 wing prior to the launch of the F6B but has stopped production.

If you have a 2012-2017 wing, you can fit the F6B parts on to a wing to remove the trunk. I think Russellville Honda offered a few they modified that way.

the last thing I want is an imitation Harley, heck I don't even want a real Harley. today I saw an 1800 wing with the trunk removed ( not an f6b ) I like it a lot and the seat looks higher than the seat on the f6b too and if I get one and remove the trunk i'll still have reverse

[Rednaxs60]

the last thing I want is an imitation Harley, heck I don't even want a real Harley. today I saw an 1800 wing with the trunk removed ( not an f6b ) I like it a lot and the seat looks higher than the seat on the f6b too and if I get one and remove the trunk i'll still have reverse

Agree; however, it's all about keeping the Goldwing as a viable option to all these newer models coming out. HD is still being considered by many as the cool way to ride. HD is also moving however slowly towards a more reliable touring bike while keeping its design. The new ergonomics of the HD and the amenities are outpacing the Goldwing. Similarly the BMW, Indian and several other manufacturers are addressing these issues quite well. Maybe repatriating the manufacturing back to the US/Canada and have a built in North America slogan would go a long way. I enjoy mentioning to my friends on HDs that my '85 and '08 GW were made in the US, especially the '85.

Go to a motorcycle show and see where the masses are congregating, more people are looking at the HDs, indians, sportsbikes, adventure touring and such, not a huge gathering circling the Goldwings. These are shiny but not a lot of change. The other touring makes/models seem to be innovative and catch the eye of the passerby.

Good platform or not, it would be a shame after all this time to see the GW put out to pasture. The only constant we have is that nothing lasts forever.

Cheers

[FM-USA]

Seen their video and overall it looks like a HD. A passing glance at the motors top end looks like a Panhead.

Aerodynamics for bikes pretty much dictate the Victory look.

The original Venture V4 came & went and evolved into a sport touring bike with classic HD looks. This latest design is a fair update but not going to sway me away from the "Silky Smooth & Powerful" GL1500.

So now we come full circle with HD looking to build a V4 once again. The REALLY SAD thing is, they're 1/3 century behind...as usual. Could you imagine if HD released that (Porsche designed) Nova Project? That alone would have put a big dent on GoldWing sales AND expand HD's market. YA, I wanted one.

[newday777]

Could you imagine if HD released that (Porsche designed) Nova Project? I wanted one.

What was that? I guess I missed it.
Got Pictures or link?

[FM-USA]

Could you imagine if HD released that (Porsche designed) Nova Project? I wanted one.

What was that? I guess I missed it.
Got Pictures or link?

Here's a new Page I've not seen. Looks like it's comprehensive.
ultimatemotorcycling.com/2016/09/19/harley-davidsons-project-nova-look-might

I didn't save the URL for this photo, it's supposed to be HD's next attempt at a V-4.
Unknown why the cam chains are at opposite ends. Torque balance?

But we know HD has been around a VERY VERY long time,...

[someone548]

Dual alternators, front and rear heated seats and heated driver and passenger back rest, heated passenger grips, adjustable rear back rest, forward and reverse park assist, side wind wings, dual zone audio and volume, 6.6 gallon gas tank

Pretty nice features it sounds like.

[someone548]

I kinda like it.

[minimac]

Another v-twin...no thanks.

[newday777]

https://m.facebook.com/home.php

I went to school and worked with Bob Starr(Yamaha Media) He just posted this

[golden highway]

I like the looks if it and being Yamaha I bet it's quality. I like the seating position

[WingAdmin]

First review I've seen of it:

http://ridermagazine.com/2017/06/05/201 ... ok-review/

Lots of technology, but *yawn* yet another air-cooled V-twin. This article talks about the "great rumble" and feeling the "power pulses."

No thanks, that's really not what I want for a long-distance tourer. I don't want to be deaf with ringing ears at the end of my 800-mile day from the "great rumble" with nerve damage and tingling fingers from the "power pulses."

I like the features, for the most part, but the styling just looks to me like a watered-down Victory. It hasn't really ignited a spark in me.

For 2018 Yamaha will jump back into the luxury-touring arena with the new fully featured Star Venture, a mix of modern and traditional styles with the 1,854cc air-cooled Roadliner V-twin redesigned with six speeds, dual counterbalancers and 122 lb-ft of torque.

The 2018 Yamaha Star Venture will be available in two colors. This one is Granite Gray.

The 2018 Yamaha Star Venture TC (Trans-Continental package) lets ’em know you’re coming with a bank of four bright headlights, running lights/turn signals in the mirrors and a pair of fog lights, all of which are LED and barely make a dent in the 750-watt twin alternator output.

The 2018 Yamaha Star Venture’s electrically adjustable windscreen offers one-touch full up or down and incremental settings. Traditional analog instruments (with large numbers, hooray!) are nicely blended with the contemporary full-color, 7-inch LCD touchscreen.

The 2018 Yamaha Star Venture’s top-loading luggage has more than 140 liters of capacity and central locking. Extensive exhaust note tuning resulted in mufflers that are slightly different internally to create a pleasing rumble.

The 2018 Yamaha Star Venture’s redesigned, Roadliner-based 48-degree V-twin has new cylinders and heads, and new damper systems built into the primary and cam drives to prevent chatter at low rpm.

The 2018 Yamaha Star Venture will be available in two colors. This one is Raspberry Metallic.

The 2018 Star Venture blends modern styling with the classic look and feel of an air-cooled V-twin. Fully equipped, it offers just about every conceivable touring amenity you could ask for.

   Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!

[MiWinger51]

The styling is ok, but I wouldn't ride a V-Twin across the parking lot. If i feel the need to be beat to a frazzle, I'll just take a ride on any of a hundred Michigan roads.
Al

[Big Blue UK]

Another v-twin...no thanks.

It looks nice, but as you say a V Twin, bleedin ell.

[Big Blue UK]

Another v-twin...no thanks.

It looks nice, but as you say a V Twin, bleedin ell, and by the looks of the ride height and handlebar position, it looks as though it was designed for 11 year olds

[billbob]

Nice looking bike,looks like a Victory and Voyager mix to me.I will stay with my gl1800.

[FM-USA]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could order this bike in either the air cooled V-Twin or the water cooled V-4.
If it were, would this be a first by any motorcycle mfg?

[offcenter]

I like the four headlights. I believe that most bikes have piss poor lighting for night riding.
But I can't even imagine riding that thing on 95 degree summer day. The heat coming off that
huge air cooled engine would roast me alive in no time.
I'll stick to my Goldwing. It ducts the heat around me, not on me.

[harvey01]

I like the four headlights. I believe that most bikes have piss poor lighting for night riding.
But I can't even imagine riding that thing on 95 degree summer day. The heat coming off that
huge air cooled engine would roast me alive in no time.
I'll stick to my Goldwing. It ducts the heat around me, not on me.

Maybe the heat is the reason Yamaha expects it to be available in September and not June!?

[Rednaxs60]

One of the interesting aspects of this bike is that it is a fresh look for Yamaha and its a touring bike. It has the amenities that a lot of people may like especially those in the HD crowd that would like to switch to a similar bike that does not require the attention an HD requires.

The dash is comprehensive and gives the rider a lot of options. The adjustable windscreen, I would expect integral GPS.

The lack of a water cooled engine in today's riding environment and with a big twin is not a forward thinking move. Even HD is going in that direction.

Other than the lines do hearken to the Victory - probably a good move considering there are a lot of people out there that like the Victory, and it is being retired.

It's a fresh look and entry into a growing market. Honda may want to take a good look.

Just a few more thoughts.

Cheers

[FM-USA]

WAY back sometime in the late 90's I mentioned in a HD forum that HD should have different models for different customers. YUP, I was instantly bombarded with HD's alphabet soup of models.

My point was customers have only one choice, a V-Twin air cooled motor. Then the 'Evolution' and 'V Rod' posts showed. I reinnerated, it's still the same motor, V Twin, air cooled, blah-blah-blah. This is where the Asian market has such a stronghold, many models in various sizes and configurations for a wider age group. SO NOW, HD is working on a water cooled V4...AGAIN...3+ decades later.

So why ALL this in this Yamaha Star Venture thread? It's a V-Twin, air cooled blah-blah... BUT, it does look sharp.
To those who don't want an air cooled V-Twin motor, would you be more inclined to buy it if it had their V-4 water cooled motor?