1996 YAMAHA ROYAL STAR

With the introduction of its new Royal Star line, Yamaha has thrown its hat into the fray of the "American born" retro-style, heavy-duty thunder-cruiser class, joining the likes of the Honda Ace, Suzuki 1400 Intruder, and redesigned-for-'96 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500.

Yamaha claims the Royal Star's long, low and wide styling was conceived and developed by full-sized American riders(?). We're not sure what they're implying with that statement, but it'll be these "full-sized" riders (along with their full-sized beer bellies?) who will most appreciate the 'Star's roomy accommodations. With the wheelbase of a stretch limo (66.7 inches) the Royal Star has the extra leg space many taller riders pine for.

Style and comfort were the Number One priorities when Yamaha engineers designed the 'Star. Style is oh-so-important in the ultra-cruiser class - that "American Classic" H-D look that all the manufacturers are trying so desperately to imitate. For good reason too, style sells bikes. The Royal Star has plenty of that "classic" style too. Large floorboards, heel-toe shifter, fat tires, deeply drawn steel fenders, a large plush saddle and oversized fuel tank accentuate the look, while staggered exhaust pipes exude style as well as a deep rumble. Yamaha even added bolt-on finned castings to give that air-cooled look to the water-cooled V-4; in the open cruiser class, you gotta have it.