Thinking about purchasing a motorcycle - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dannym · #1 08-30-2010, 09:06 AM

Check this out.
Found this at the motorcycle shop. It's a Yamaha 2005 Royal Star Tour Deluxe with 750 miles on it. They want $7900 for it but I think I can get them down to around $7600, maybe $7500
I'll get $2000 - $2400 for my trade in.
So I can get it for around $5900 - $5500. Financed for around $100 - $150 a month.
Here are some specs:
Engine
Type 79-cubic-inch (1294cc) liquid-cooled 70° V-four; DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder
Bore x Stroke 79 x 66mm
Compression Ratio 10.0:1
Fuel Delivery (4) 32mm Mikuni CV
Ignition TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
Transmission 5-speed, wide-ratio w/5th-gear overdrive; hydraulic clutch
Final Drive Shaft
Chassis
Suspension / Front Telescopic fork; air-assist, 5.5-in travel
Suspension / Rear Single shock; air-assist, 4.1-in travel
Brakes / Front Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm
Brakes / Rear Hydraulic disc, 320mm
Tires / Front 150/80-16
Tires / Rear 150/90-15
Wheels 7-spoke cast
Dimensions
Length 98.6 in
Width 39.8 in
Height 60.0 in
Seat Height 29.1 in
Wheelbase 67.5 in
Ground Clearance 5.9 in
Fuel Capacity 5.3 gal
Fuel Economy** 42 mpg
Wet Weight*** 844 lb

What do you think? Should I go for it?

dynalow · #2 08-30-2010, 09:23 AM

Danny,
What are you trading in?
Do you do much touring or long commuting?
Liquid cooled in FL might be a blessing. But frankly, the hotter it gets the less I ride any more.

(I don't know anything about Yamaha's.

)

layback40 · #3 08-30-2010, 09:42 AM

Its just a jap copy of a Harley !
The thing weighs a heap.
You would be better off in a convertible. When it gets too hot, put the roof up & turn the aircon on.

Angel · #4 08-30-2010, 10:08 AM

That is a heavy bike - par for the course though.

I have no aversion to "Jap" copies of harleys - they are generally all reliable machines.

I'm not a big fan of 'cruiser' bikes, I'd rock a ST1300/FJR/BMW oilhead first, BUT I do believe that you cannot go wrong with any of the metric cruisers. Unless this will be your primary means of transport, its a toy, get the styling and pay the price that you want.

Things I'd avoid-
1) Carburetors
2) Chain driven rear wheel
3) a model with no aftermarket support.

I think that you are ok with this model...other than the carbs. Make sure it starts easily, and when hot, returns to idle quickly and that idle is stable. The last thing you want is dirty carbs.
800lbs is heavy, but on par with the goldwings/K-LT's and Electra-Glides- so its heavy, but not more than any other large motorcycle.

-John

cjlipps · #5 08-30-2010, 10:30 AM

Good bike. I have several friends with similar versions and I owned a Venture Royale at one time.

Time-proven engine design. Basically the same since the early 80's Venture with some displacement changes. V-Max shares the basic engine also. Very comfortable on the road and stable once you get it rolling. Performance isn't the best but that's not it's mission.

If you own it very long you will eventually have to put in carb diaphragms and they are costly. See if the shop will throw in a carb rebuild and a major tuneup for the price. I don't know about the used bike market in FL so can't comment on price.

PaulC · #6 08-30-2010, 10:42 AM

Danny...how could a MB owner have anything less than an BMW motorcycle?

JollyRoger · #7 08-30-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel

That is a heavy bike - par for the course though.

I have no aversion to "Jap" copies of harleys - they are generally all reliable machines.

I'm not a big fan of 'cruiser' bikes, I'd rock a ST1300/FJR/BMW oilhead first, BUT I do believe that you cannot go wrong with any of the metric cruisers. Unless this will be your primary means of transport, its a toy, get the styling and pay the price that you want.

Things I'd avoid-
1) Carburetors
2) Chain driven rear wheel
3) a model with no aftermarket support.

I think that you are ok with this model...other than the carbs. Make sure it starts easily, and when hot, returns to idle quickly and that idle is stable. The last thing you want is dirty carbs.
800lbs is heavy, but on par with the goldwings/K-LT's and Electra-Glides- so its heavy, but not more than any other large motorcycle.

-John

Carbs have one big advantage- FI repairs cost a bundle if the FI craps out, carbs cost chump change to fix.

Yamaha's aluminum frame bikes cost more but they are vastly superior bikes in terms of handling.

Big issue with Jap V twins is resale value. Expect that bike to worth about 4 grand once you put some serious miles on it, it is after all now six years old.

I agree on the BMW thing, the R-class cruisers are killer bikes and there are great bargains on them now.

MTI · #8 08-30-2010, 11:31 AM

Jewish American Princesses got motorcycles? Maybe consider a WOPping big Ducati or Motoguzzi instead of a Kraut machine . . .

The Swede · #9 08-30-2010, 01:07 PM

How 'bout a JAP/Morgan 3-wheeler?

jcyuhn · #10 08-30-2010, 01:35 PM

This particular bike is actually a water cooled V4, not a V-twin. So it's really nothing like a Harley. BMW doesn't make a boxer twin that's quite so much a touring bike either. The RT is more a sport-tourer, with about equal emphasis on each personality. The biggest issue with BMW these days is generally the lack of dealerships. Getting one serviced or repaired can be very inconvenient. Some states have only one or two BMW motorrad dealers.

As for whether this is a good bike for the original poster, a good bike overall, or a good value - I have no idea. It's certainly not a good starter bike, you better have plenty of riding miles before taking on an 850lb bike.

dannym · #11 08-30-2010, 01:42 PM

I'm turning in my Sportster XL.
I was comparing it to an Electra Glide and it's pretty much the same except the Harley has a radio and a larger engine. The weight is about the same.

I was kinda wondering about the carburators, I would like fuel injection. I think the 4 cylinder would make up for the lack in engine size. Plus it has a higher compression ratio and the final drive is a shaft drive. The opportunity is here now and the price is right.

I looked on Kelly Blue Book and it said the value was $7600. That's why I said I could probably talk him down a little.

I mostly ride for pleasure which is a killer on the Sportster. I have a work truck that I drive around.
The Yamaha is built for cruising and touring. The windshield comes right off which is nice.

I think I'm going to buy it.

Danny

JollyRoger · #12 08-30-2010, 02:08 PM

If you are worried about power, I wouldn't be too worried, those 4 cyl Yammies are known as very fast bikes.

Jim H · #13 08-30-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannym

...I was comparing it to an Electra Glide and it's pretty much the same except the Harley has a radio and a larger engine. The weight is about the same.

That sounds about right.

Quote:

...I was kinda wondering about the carburetors, I would like fuel injection.

There is nothing wrong with either. I have a BMW 4-cylinder with fuel injection, a Yamaha 750 v-twin with carburetors, and a single-cylinder with two carburetors feeding one cylinder. Fuel injection versus carburetors has never been an issue for me, and I have had no problems with either.

Quote:

...I think the 4 cylinder would make up for the lack in engine size. Plus it has a higher compression ratio and the final drive is a shaft drive.

The engine will behave differently than a Harley, but you will very soon get accustomed to its likes and dislikes. It will make enough power.

'Modern' chains do not require the same level of care and feeding that 'old school' chains needed before O-ring sealing came along. Just ask any old-timer about the rituals of cleaning and oiling... Of course, shaft drive is pretty much set-and-forget.

Quote:

...I mostly ride for pleasure which is a killer on the Sportster. I have a work truck that I drive around. The Yamaha is built for cruising and touring. The windshield comes right off which is nice.

The Yamaha sounds like it will suit your style and needs fine.

Quote:

...The opportunity is here now and the price is right. ...I think I'm going to buy it.

There it is, in a nutshell.

Ride far and safely, and let us know how much fun it is!

cjlipps · #14 08-30-2010, 02:32 PM

Danny, all they're giving for your Sportster is $2000-$2400?

I'm not a fan of Harleys by any means but the market value on this bike far exceeds that number IMO. Try selling it outright and go in with cash. Likely to get a better deal. Depends on your time frame of course.

dannym · #15 08-30-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjlipps

Danny, all they're giving for your Sportster is $2000-$2400?

I'm not a fan of Harleys by any means but the market value on this bike far exceeds that number IMO. Try selling it outright and go in with cash. Likely to get a better deal. Depends on your time frame of course.

The BB value is $2400 so I don't hink I'll get much more than that. It has 35,000 I think so it will need lifters soon. I can hearing a little knocking now. The choke mount on the carburetor is broken. There is a small ding in the tank and it runs hot. Probably running rich which is an easy fix. Also needs a new rear tire.
If I get the full$2400 for a trade I'll be happy.

Danny

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