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Talk me out of a Road Star!

17K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  derailed75 
#1 ·
Ok, I LOVE my 1300 Tourer but its now been a few years and I start getting A.D.D. with bikes. I really thought the tourer would be the end of ever looking for a new bike, yes, my wife laughs at that statement.

Over the last year I have looked at Road Kings, Vic Cross Roads and Nomad 1700, for one reason, 6th gear. Im not really looking for a bike but kind of know in the next year or so I will break down and get one.

I also considered the Strat S but no sixth and small fuel tank, even though I love the bike at the price I can buy one of the above, more so the Nomad.

Ok, so then, out of the blue, COMPLETELY off the radar, a bike I never knew existed and have NO KNOWLEDGE of at all shows up on my computer.

A Yamaha Road Star Silverado S.
Hmmm ... SO I REALLY dig into this, start reading reviews etc and shocked how great all the reviews are.
So other then a 6th gear (which I really would like but ...) what am I missing here?
Are there any cons to this Road Star Silverado?
Im really liking what I see and read ...

Does anyone know what RPM you are turning at an indicated 80 to 85 MPH?
Also does anyone know how much the speedo error is?

ANY input from Road Star owners would be welcome, Im thinking a late model 2011 to 2013.
 
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#2 ·
The Road Star really doesn't need a 6th gear. No tach on mine so I can't give any rpm's but it will cruise at 75 in 4th. I wouldn't do that for any length of time but it doesn't seem to be revving that high. The FI models have a 4.7 gallon gas tank. I wish it was a little bigger but unless you are riding in an area where the gas stations are really far apart, it is not a big deal. Speedo error on mine is a pretty consistent 5mph high at all speeds, verified by gps.
 
#4 ·
My 02 is a hoot... But the tank is a little bigger 5.2 gallons I think. Compared to my 1100 I don't need to put it in 5th until I am above 65 70ish no joke. My 1100 is in 5th at 50. The power is simply amazing as well.

I just got 223 miles out of the last tank of gas on mine as well so it will keep on keeping on. I think the best I ever got out of the 1100 was 140ish.

Like you I looked at the cross country, harleys, nomads as well but the used market was still well REALLY freakin expensive I am a cash only type guy for bikes and I typically buy used whenever I can. Furthermore I got mine at a still 2002 with 18k on it for 2800 into my driveway done at a dealership so I don't get ripped at the tax office on the value I actually paid as well.

So far I have purchased harley saddlebags lets face it they hold 10 times more stuff than yamahies bags do and I am waiting on the brackets to show up. Other than that an exhaust which sounds remarkable to say the least and my wife loves it so much more.

Other than that I regret not having FI but I know how to play with carbs so its a trade off.
 
#5 ·
Speedo error is typical of bikes - about 5%. No tach but you can do 80 all day and not feel it. (Even on an older, carb'd 1600). You will lug if you put it in 5th below 55mph. Love mine - all it's missing is cruise control which would be nice.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the comments, been working so much but hoping to get to a deal and check some out on Sat. Weather permitting we will take our current bike.

I wish my 1300 tourer speedo was off only 5%, the 1300s are off 9%.
Hey, if I can cruise at a GPS of 75/max 80 GPS for hours and not feel the engine getting buzzy or I am pushing it outside its normal RPM range that would be great.
 
#8 ·
I know you are a long way out but I know for a fact my local yamaha pro dealer as a 2012 on the showroom floor with a fairing, and bags already for 10999 might go lower as well. Brand spanking new just chilling there. I always look at it but I am to far invested into to many other projects to drop 10k on another.

Deals on new ones are everywhere for previous year models still new.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for all your input! Yes, there are deals out there and it's killing me, kind of, got that itch for a new bike, my common sense says to wait but ... Well, who knows, I do think now or next year, the Road Star sounds like the one. I'm going to try to get to some dealers with the wife this weekend just to browse, would love to take my 1300 but starting to look like Saturday is going to be stormy, it might be safer not having the bike with me!
 
#10 ·
I found my 05 1700cc Silverado on CL about a year ago. It had 5500 miles on it. We finally settled on $5400. I've put 7500 miles on it so far. Just finished a 1300 mile camping trip to eastern TN pulling a trailer. What a joy to ride. I added a set of highway pegs and a Break-A-Way throttle lock and it easily cruises at 75. As others have said you don't really need a 6th gear on this bike. I've pushed 4th gear to higher RPM's when passing on the highway. Shifting to 5th at 80 mph doesn't seem to stain the engine at all. I think you need to find one to test ride.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the reply, but to late! *L*
Took my much loved 1300 tourer to the Smoky Mountains in August, first the Tail in NC and then onto Gatlinburg TN.

Bike ran flawless but while we were up there we strolled into a 20,000 sq ft Harley dealer in Maryville TN to just look around, then, on the very last day of our vacation, in the POURING rain, we drove to Pigeon Forge Harley in TN, left behind my much loved 1300 tourer and rode home, once again, in the pouring rain for the first 1.5 hours on a new 14 Road King, talk about A.D.D. ... I just lost my mind, it just happened and didnt hurt that my wife loved it so much either.

The Road King will be it for a VERY long time. Im up to 2,000 miles now, enjoying it immensely.
Im not getting any younger and wanted to experience this whole Harley thing, I always admired the fit finish and hardware on the HK but never could justify spending the money, I dont know what happened but I did it. *L*
It has by far blown away my expectations, awesome ride, now I can only hope its as reliable as my 1300. The "sick" feeling of spending the money has left me, I really can see value in it now, if your one to appreciate hardware etc. Lets just hope for some trouble free miles.
 
#13 ·
A Real Steal

In July of this year I traded in my 2004 1100 custom with over 49,000 miles on it for a 2006 Midnite Road Star with 3,095 miles(yes, 3 thousand) & hard bags & fairing with a Phillips stereo plus Ultimate seats & walked out the door after paying just $2828.00. The tires still had the nubs on them. I bought this from a Harley dealer in PA. This is the most comfortable bike I've ever had or ridden & I almost didn't buy it because it doesn't have fuel injection. This was the last year for carbs, but since I can work on it if something goes wrong,:p I thought I better not pass this deal up.
 
#14 ·
In July of this year I traded in my 2004 1100 custom with over 49,000 miles on it for a 2006 Midnite Road Star with 3,095 miles(yes, 3 thousand) & hard bags & fairing with a Phillips stereo plus Ultimate seats & walked out the door after paying just $2828.00. The tires still had the nubs on them. I bought this from a Harley dealer in PA. This is the most comfortable bike I've ever had or ridden & I almost didn't buy it because it doesn't have fuel injection. This was the last year for carbs, but since I can work on it if something goes wrong,:p I thought I better not pass this deal up.

Actually 07' is the last year of the carbed R* but either way you got a great bike.
 
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