Don't get me wrong, I do love my C14, but lately I have been missing cruising about on a big air cooled V Twin motorcycle.  Having owned five Big Twin Harleys, I decided not to spend that kind of money for a toy again.   Nothing Victory or Indian has got my attention either.  Looked around and found a 2013 Yamaha Road Star S 1700, with only 1900 miles, and great price.  Upon riding it, found it felt much like a MoCo product, but at 1/3 to1/2 the cost.  Weather and work has limited my riding time, but so far, I like the ride feel better than any Softail or Touring model I've ridden.  More HP and Torque too. 

Anyone else owned a big Yamaha/Star cruiser?   What did you think???


Just a stock picture, but mine looks the same. 

Bike #6 now?

Nah, only five.   

It's cool to have the choice when the mood strikes. Gotta love it!

Rode both today.  So different.  On the RSS, no feeling of needing to go faster or pass anyone.  On the C14, well you all understand the feeling when riding one.  Raises the heart rate, forsure. 

Ordered a windshield for the RSS, Just too old to push back against the wind blast at hiway speeds.   tp

Good for you Tomp, a little of what you fancy does you good..ride and enjoy     

Anyone else owned a big Yamaha/Star cruiser?   What did you think???

Never owned (or ridden) one, but a riding buddy has the Stratoliner Deluxe, and can easily keep up on most "spirited" rides.  It gets a lot of miles on it annually, and he wouldn't trade it for anything.

Jamie

I used to be one of those "If it's not a Harley, it's not a true V Twin cruiser." No longer.   Early metric cruisers were crappy copies, but the large Star line has proven to be as good, and in some ways, better than the American brand all claim is being copied. 
FWIW, I've had a Street Glide, a Road Glide, and even an Ultra Classic, for touring, and the C14, to me, is a better mount for the job.  I'd place the RSS right behind it, and ahead of  those Harleys...  tomp   dd50

Dont own one but a friend in Knoxville has one. Doesnt fit me well as I find both hand and foot controls a reach.
You can feel those big pistons movi g but the pulses seem subdued. Slow turni g engine, the rev limiter kicks in with lots more steam available. This is the same engine used in another model, a hot rod bike. This engine is really detuned.
Bike handles well, easy to grind pegs and more. At low speeds steering is heavy due to the huge tire.
All things said its not a bad bike just not my cup of tea.
My friend loves his and has racked up a ton of miles on it.

Cholla,

For a BIG, Long wheelbase motorcycle, it actually handles quite well at parking lot speeds, up to highway speeds.  Put a windshield on it a bit ago, today, but won't get out for a ride until tomorrow.  You are correct in that it is RPM limited way too soon, around 4450 RPM.  It was designed to be short shifted and ridden in 4th in town or 5th on the highway. 

Very different than the C14, but after almost 50 riding years, and bikes from 50cc to almost 2000, I've learned to enjoy being on almost any size 2 wheeler.  A great weekend to all.  tp