New bike from Yamaha

[creole]

Ya know........Every time I see one of the posts talking about a New Bike from Yamaha I get excited and anxious for something I know probably isn't going to happen. I like to be different in the things I have, and found some of the differences in the RSV to set it apart from the pack even for its "design age". I've got no problems with the design of the HD, or Kawasaki, but really like that the RSV looks pretty much like a v-twin, but is not, doesn't sound quite like a twin, yet has a good sound that's unique to only it. It's comfortable and we like it even though it's 13 years old. The rest of our group ride new harley's and we like them too. I'm kind of partial to water cooled but that's just me. I agree with what's said above, that Yamaha has lost interest in our "niche" and is after the young sport bike or cruiser crowd. We looked at bike stuff and bikes last weekend in prep for a couple of long trips this summer. I like the new 14 HD ultra classic and even found a 13 holdover Voyager that was beautiful. All I know at this point is if we are going to buy a new bike, we are finally in the stage of our lives that we can buy a NEW off the SHOW ROOM FLOOR bike and pick the COLOR and OPTIONS of our choice. This is a new thing for me and I am very excited about it because I've never had that luxury before. I suppose it will NOT BE YAMAHA. It makes me sad because I really like my 99 RSV but when it comes time to buy, and it very nearly was on Saturday, they have nothing to offer me.

 

Creole

[CaptainJoe]

I had a new 1977 RD 400

 

It was a carborated two cylinder, 2 cycle and definitely didn't get 60 mph... maybe 40 if you were cruising...

 

Known for their acceleration, would wheelie easily in third gear.

 

Mine was the same color as this "Red", except mine had light grey in between wheel spokes :

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnpTMFZyMkg]yamaha rd 400 - YouTube[/ame]

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Yamaha+rd400+1977&rlz=1C1AVNA_enUS569US569&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&imgil=2wnK6LpIV5b9PM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcQyd2OHvAeKlslRV8hWR6-F6YjZp6Ogz0QDhJv8xRZF7x5kWHwNLw%253B2240%253B1680%253BQg7_FYF3xbz40M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.daranok.com%25252Fthe-old-legend-yamaha-rd400-photos%25252Fstandard-1977-yamaha-rd400-in-marietta-photo%25252F&source=iu&usg=__gSJ6tldy5JzJu5qZpKG6SSWxuaY%3D&sa=X&ei=y_seU7P2Dqb-0gH0yIGQCw&ved=0CCkQ9QEwAA#facrc=_&imgdii=2wnK6LpIV5b9PM%3A%3BBNTWpFeBz1JLoM%3B2wnK6LpIV5b9PM%3A&imgrc=2wnK6LpIV5b9PM%253A%3BQg7_FYF3xbz40M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.daranok.com%252Fimages%252F2013%252F11%252Fyamaha-standard-1977-yamaha-rd400-in-marietta-photo-the-old-legend-yamaha-rd400-photos.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.daranok.com%252Fthe-old-legend-yamaha-rd400-photos%252Fstandard-1977-yamaha-rd400-in-marietta-photo%252F%3B2240%3B1680

 

That sound brings back good memmoies.

 

EPA took out all two cycle streets in US back in 1979...

 

P.S.

It would seem that most all Yamaha's don't like the throttle twisted while the chokes on, even back then... LOL

 

So... now they made it a neutered four cycle, beginner bike? "with what I expect is a compression release"? The shame of it all...

 

Looks like they have been around since 1978, Ouuuuuuuch!

Edited March 11, 2014 by CaptainJoe

[BigLenny]

Ya know........Every time I see one of the posts talking about a New Bike from Yamaha I get excited and anxious for something I know probably isn't going to happen. I like to be different in the things I have, and found some of the differences in the RSV to set it apart from the pack even for its "design age". I've got no problems with the design of the HD, or Kawasaki, but really like that the RSV looks pretty much like a v-twin, but is not, doesn't sound quite like a twin, yet has a good sound that's unique to only it. It's comfortable and we like it even though it's 13 years old. The rest of our group ride new harley's and we like them too. I'm kind of partial to water cooled but that's just me. I agree with what's said above, that Yamaha has lost interest in our "niche" and is after the young sport bike or cruiser crowd. We looked at bike stuff and bikes last weekend in prep for a couple of long trips this summer. I like the new 14 HD ultra classic and even found a 13 holdover Voyager that was beautiful. All I know at this point is if we are going to buy a new bike, we are finally in the stage of our lives that we can buy a NEW off the SHOW ROOM FLOOR bike and pick the COLOR and OPTIONS of our choice. This is a new thing for me and I am very excited about it because I've never had that luxury before. I suppose it will NOT BE YAMAHA. It makes me sad because I really like my 99 RSV but when it comes time to buy, and it very nearly was on Saturday, they have nothing to offer me.

 

Creole

 

Creole,

 

I get exactly what you're saying. I'm sure Suzuki Cavalcade riders had these very same conversations whenever they were abandoned so Suzuki could go after the younger, faster market.

 

Anyway, In reference to your looking for a new bike, I test rode the new water cooled Harley Ultra Glide back in September, and man, that was a sweet ride! I would have to work on my brain to get past the shaking at idle, but once you hit the throttle, it turns into a smooth as glass bike. The Voyager is intriguing to me because it is water cooled also, but I found it vibrated at speed, and I wasn't impressed with how flimsy the saddlebag and trunk lids were. The winshield was flimsy too, but Kawi is usually known for long term quality. And you can buy a Voyager way cheaper than any other new full dresser on the market. I think the Victory Cross Country Tour is a beautiful bike because it isn't the same ole traditional old timey look of the Harley. I get very bored with traditional stuff. However, I'm still kinda iffy about it being aircooled. I really am partial to water cooled, and shaft drive. I think I could be coaxed into getting a belt drive bike, but, at this point, I don't think I could spend good money on a non-watercooled bike. I just really believe water cooled gives the motor a better chance of lasting longer. If Victory were to surprise us and water cool the CCT, money would probably be flying outta my pocket.

 

Of course the Goldwing is out there. Yaaawwwnnn. The bike is probably the gold standard, and it's been the same for sooooo long, and soooo freaking good for soooo long, that it's, well, unispiring.

 

A bike that is very intriguing to me is the BMW K1600GTL. But, and this a big but for me; Where do I get that sucker worked on??? Where I live we do not have a BMW dealer and i am not interested in hoofing it 3+hrs away to the nearest one.

 

Good luck in your search.

[creole]

Biglenny,

I too was intrigued by the watercooled HD 2014 and looked at them this weekend. I was disappointed that HD has removed the front chubby hole storage to put the radiator fans in. One thing I miss on the Yamaha is the fact there is no driver storage except the cassette hole I made last year. The Kawasaki Voyager had storage but like you the plastic seemed flimsy to us also but I know they make good stuff. My last bike was a Vulcan 88 and I liked it but like you said, their v twin doesn't really seem to have a smooth spot. Like you there are limited bike shops in our area except the Kawasaki dealer in town, who is good about working on my Yamaha but doesn't sell motorcycles anymore. Go figure. The trips we take, with a HD store on every corner makes me want to lean that way. Guess I'll have to eat a piglet crow and make the new bike a Harley with belt drive. I know I would be happy with it. After all we have had two Kawasaki's two Hondas and a Yamaha and I've liked them all. Its just a matter of finding what fills the current need for travel and getting the wind in your face!

 

Creole

[cowpuc]

Biglenny,

I too was intrigued by the watercooled HD 2014 and looked at them this weekend. I was disappointed that HD has removed the front chubby hole storage to put the radiator fans in. One thing I miss on the Yamaha is the fact there is no driver storage except the cassette hole I made last year. The Kawasaki Voyager had storage but like you the plastic seemed flimsy to us also but I know they make good stuff. My last bike was a Vulcan 88 and I liked it but like you said, their v twin doesn't really seem to have a smooth spot. Like you there are limited bike shops in our area except the Kawasaki dealer in town, who is good about working on my Yamaha but doesn't sell motorcycles anymore. Go figure. The trips we take, with a HD store on every corner makes me want to lean that way. Guess I'll have to eat a piglet crow and make the new bike a Harley with belt drive. I know I would be happy with it. After all we have had two Kawasaki's two Hondas and a Yamaha and I've liked them all. Its just a matter of finding what fills the current need for travel and getting the wind in your face!

 

Creole

 

Creole,

Something to keep in mind about the HD belt drive system (not including the Sportster) - replacing the rear drive belt on an HD is not a simple matter.. I have helped with a couple of them and it is next to impossible on the highway.. Reason why is if you look at where the belt feeds into the back of the primary you will notice that it goes behind the clutch internal of the primary itself. It is a primary dismantle job, not for the faint of heart for sure!!

I am not familiar with all the metrics but I do know that a lot of them have the front sprocket accessible under a small cover.. I am almost sure that the new Indians are this way too.. I know that the new breed of belts are very smooth and, unless you pick up a stone in the belt, very reliable, but brother - theres a lot of depris out there to pickup..

Not trying to talk down Harley or build up any other make here,, I personally LOVE em all and would ride ANY of the new bikes GLADLY.

Just something to think about..

Puc

[JohnT]

Very retro!!! Looks like they found a warehouse of old 60's stock and they reinvented it...

Found them, fuel injected them, and onto the showroom floor.

[RandyR]

For a thousand bucks more the new Harley Street 500 and Street 750 look like a lot more motorcycle for the money. They should be hitting the dealers any day now, and I will go take a look.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I like it. Did anyone else notice the ODO had 19 miles on it and the trip had 119?

 

In a showroom or public setting people will fiddle with the trip reset knob.

 

Yeah, I like it...especially the kickstart.

 

Cool.

 

 

[cowpuc]

In a showroom or public setting people will fiddle with the trip reset knob.

 

Yeah, I like it...especially the kickstart.

 

Cool.

 

 

 

Down right refreshing aint it Brian!!

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Down right refreshing aint it Brian!!

 

Yep. I use the kickstart on my Ural about 50% of the time. I always start it when its cold with the kickstart. If I'm anywhere around other bikers, I also use the kickstart.

 

If I'm in a hurry, or on a pretty good angle, (causing the bike to roll when in neutral) then I use the button.

 

For years, in my 20's, I rode a Yamaha XT250 dual sport that was kickstart only, with an automatic compression release for easy starting.

 

I like it, but then again...I'm not gonna expect to kickstart a touring bike or 1800 cc cruiser!