Topic: Riding a Yamaha 1600

[kpier883]

A friend who hasn't ridden in a lot of years inherited a 2001 or 2002 Yamaha Road Star 1600 cruiser.  It has a Harley-like 1600 V twin engine that is carbureted and has very loud pipes.  He flew me down to ride it back last Friday.  A couple of my friends met me in Houston.  We left out of Houston and went North into Arkansas and detoured into Oklahoma before returning to Arkansas then heading home to Birmingham on Sunday.  All in all, maybe 1200 miles in 2 and a fourth days.  Here are some impressions in case someone is considering this bike. 

Brakes - horrible, but probably from sitting up.  Rear brake hardly worked.  Front would not grab much until you squeezed hard, then they would grab and the front end would dive and the brakes would be on too much and you would have to let off and start over.....  I slid the front tire on at least four occasions due to the unpredictable behavior.  Learned to gear down and start slowing early.  I was thankful that it didn't rain...

Engine - The 1600 had plenty of grunt and would pull from down low really cleanly considering that it is carbureted.  A couple of friends rode over and met me in Houston on 96 inch Harleys and we rode together the rest of the way.  All three bikes had similar engine characteristics.  Top speed seemed to be around 100, and it pulled good anywhere from 60 to 90 in high gear.  Although this is kind of slow on top for such a large motor, you also have to consider that it was heavily loaded and pushing a pretty big wind shield.

Aftermarket exhaust of unknown type - Loud.  Ear plugs needed for any distance riding.  Sure to anger any neighbors...

Ride - Pretty good suspension.  Handled well in the Ozarks except for the problem with braking which meant you definitely had to prepare for the turn prior to arriving.

Drive - Belt driven; nice and quiet.

Seat - Mustang.  Not bad, but not good enough to spend a lot of money on it.

Luggage Capacity - good.  This is probably what I find lacking on my 750 for long trips.  I need to work on this on my Honda...

Handlebars/grips - Surprisingly comfortable - the first large grips I have ridden with.  No hand numbing even after lots of miles

Gas mileage - Low 30s.  Not horrible, but not great either.

Places to visit in Arkansas/Oklahoma - Queen Wilhelmina State Park.  There is a 50 mile road over the mountain tops through this park.  A fantastic ride.  Also anywhere in the Ozarks seemed to be good.  Once I get a print of the route from the gps, I will try to post it with some notes about the places that were good for riding. 

Compared to the Honda - Seat comfort about equal; handlebar position - different but neither has an advantage overall.  Engine - more low down power on the Yamaha, more top end on the Honda.  Each piston on the Yam is larger than all the piston displacement on the Honda.  Final drive - definitely liked the belt better.  Lights - Yamaha wins.  Handling - Honda wins.  Brakes - Honda wins, but I can't help believe that if the Yamaha brakes were right, it would win. 

Touring - I'd take the Yam for the luggage and convenience. 

Commuting - Definitely the Honda

Value for dollar - Honda

[hopterfixer]

Thanks for that.  I always wonder what it feels like to ride some of these other bikes. 

[andy750]

Good post!

Having rode through the Ozarks and Queen Wilhelmina State Park on Honda CB750 (going west in 1992 - CB750K6, going east in 2004 - CB750K4) Id say you need to try riding it on a 750. Some great roads there especially that 50 mile loop over the mountains. The turns are challenging enough when riding an older bike and no traffic when I did it both times meant you could really test the limits of the bike (and yourself!).

As for luggage capacity how much do you need!? Saddlebags (40 litre), tank bag (20 litres) and a tent/sleeping bad strapped to the back and a small back pack (20-30 litres). If riding solo this more than plenty. If 2-up I can see you need to be economical - Ill update you on that after my week touring with the g/f on the 750 

cheers
Andy

[cpoulton]

I actually have a 1999 Road Star 1600 (in addition to my k4 750).  I can tell you there is definitely something wrong with the brakes on the bike you rode.  Dual front discs are smooth and predictable.  Rear is the same.  Plenty of stopping power for the 750 lbs of weight it carries around.  I got back into biking in the early 90s when I picked up a 1982 Yamaha xj700.  A water cooled inline 4.  For me, the bike was underpowered until you got above 70 or so then it woke up.  For around town stop and go type driving it wasn't relaxing.  Once I rode a V-Twin the low end torque one me over.  That and the extra cargo space met my needs.  I've always had a thing for the 750 so last summer I bought a 1974 cb750 and have been lurking on the forum here soaking up all the great info.  I'm convinced that a guy really needs to have at least 3 or 4 bikes.  ...different styles for different types of riding.  I've hung on to my Road Star because the aftermarket support is great and it's a fun bike when my wife and I want to head up to the Blue Ridge parkway for a nice leisurely ride.  I'm looking forward to getting the cb750 running well so I can run it through the twisties though. 

Cheers,

Chris

1999 Yamaha Road Star 1600
1974 Honda cb750 k4

[kpier883]

I actually have a 1999 Road Star 1600 (in addition to my k4 750).  I can tell you there is definitely something wrong with the brakes on the bike you rode.  Dual front discs are smooth and predictable.  Rear is the same.  Plenty of stopping power for the 750 lbs of weight it carries around.  .....

Cheers,

Chris

1999 Yamaha Road Star 1600
1974 Honda cb750 k4

Chris,

I picked up the Yammy 1600 last week from the shop after having the brakes worked on and the front brakes are now very nice.  Controlled and powerful without nearly the front end dive that was taking place when they were grabbing.  The rear one apparently got no attention at the dealership, as it still was inadequate.

The rear will hold the bike still on a steep incline though, and for me that is one of the main uses for the rear, so that I don't have to modulate the front brake and the throttle when getting a start.  That was my last ride, as I delivered it from the shop to the new owner's house.  All in all a real nice adventure, for not much cash.

[kpier883]

...  I'm convinced that a guy really needs to have at least 3 or 4 bikes.  ...different styles for different types of riding.

Cheers,

Chris

1999 Yamaha Road Star 1600
1974 Honda cb750 k4

I think you are right.  I am still hanging onto my KZ1000 LTD and hoping to get it back on the road some day.  Even though it is similar in a lot of ways to the CB750 (at least compared to a 1600 v twin), it does have enough extra length to provide more room for carrying things.  I may look for some kind of luggage to add once i get it back on the road.  It also has more torque and a little more speed.

I keep eying the KZ1000 police bikes and would like to some day buy a nice one out West somewhere and ride it back in a meandering sort of route...

Kirk