For the American market, Yamaha has announced the
2018 Yamaha Star Venture tourer, which brings the uber-tourer game up a notch,
surpassing the bar set by the benchmark in this segment, the Honda Gold Wing.
Priced at US$ 24,999 for the base model, and US$ 26,999 for the “TC” – traction control – version, the Yamaha Star Venture is a strange
mix of traditional and high-tech.
Carrying a 1,854 cc air-cooled OHV V-twin 4-valve
engine derived from the Yamaha XV1900 cruiser, the mill is fed by
fuel-injection and features ride-by-wire, which allows for traction control and
ride modes as well as electronically controlled cruise control. Yamaha omits
any mention of a power figure, but torque is rated at a stump-pulling 171 Nm at
2,500 rpm.
Power gets to the ground via a six-speed gearbox
driving a shaft, and all-up weight for the base model Star Venture is claimed
to be 434 kg, while the TC model weighs in at 437 kg. Air for the twin-spark
engine is taken from a central intake on the front fairing, which also features
an electrically adjustable windscreen.
The high-tech part of the Star Venture is contained
in its infotainment system, displayed on a seven-inch colour touchscreen. This
allows for the rider to control many of the systems on the bike, including the
audio and navigation systems, vehicle information display, heater and electric
screen, as well as the communication systems for telephone, radiotelephone,
passenger communication and receiving messages.
New for Yamaha is the Star Venture’s “Sure-Park”,
which uses an electric motor to drive the bike both forward and back at 1 km/h,
easing parking manoeuvres. Seat height for Yamaha’s touring machine is set at
695 mm, making it easy for the rider to swing a leg over.
The Star Venture features electrically heated seats, and locking for the trunk
and panniers is electronic. ABS is standard on the Star Venture, and the
handlebar levers are adjustable for reach, with heated grips.
