2018 Yamaha Star Eluder Bagger Revealed
As we predicted, Yamaha revealed a new touring model based on its new Star Venture called the “Star Eluder.” Essentially a Star Venture without the trunk and a smaller windscreen, the Star Eluder also lacks some of the Venture’s more luxury features, bringing it in at a lower price point at $22,499, with a GT Option package bumping the price to $23,999 (the Star Venture starts at $24,999 with a Transcontinental Option package adding another $2,000 to the sticker).
2018 Yamaha Star Venture Review
The 2018 Yamaha Eluder shares much in common with the Star Venture, including the same air-cooled 1854cc V-Twin engine and six-speed transmission. A ride-by-wire throttle control system offers two modes, touring and sport, delivering power via belt to the rear wheel. Traction control comes standard, as does cruise control which is to be expected on a touring model.
The chassis is also the same, with a main steel frame paired with an aluminum diecast subframe. Up front, a 46mm telescopic fork offers 5.1 inches of travel while a remote preload-adjustable rear shock with 4.3 inches of travel is used at the rear. Dual front calipers grasp 298mm discs while a single 320mm disc is equipped on the rear wheel. ABS is standard, as is Yamaha’s Unified Brake System which dynamically balances front and rear brake pressure for a linear feel.
The Star Eluder comes with a 7-inch LCD infotainment system that is controlled by a touch screen, handlebar controls or voice commands over a connected Bluetooth device. The Eluder also boasts a radio package that can also stream music via Pandora from a smart phone. What it lacks, however, is the Star Venture’s rear speakers. Other standard features include a smart key system, USB ports and a 12V outlet. The GT Option package adds GPS navigation, satellite radio, CB radio and a security alarm.
Beyond losing the trunk and passenger backrest, the Eluder also lacks some of the Star Venture’s other luxuries including: the reverse-drive Sure-Park system, grip heaters, electronically-adjustable windscreen, tire pressure monitor and fog lights. The Star Eluder does have a weight advantage, with Yamaha claiming a wet weight of relatively svelte 875 pounds (877 pounds with the GT Option) compared to 957 pounds for the Star Venture.
“We are very excited to introduce the Star Eluder as we further expand our transcontinental touring motorcycle line-up,” says Mike Doughty, general manager of Yamaha’s motorcycle group. “With its aggressive styling and infotainment technology unlike any other motorcycle in its class, it will truly empower riders to elude conformity while experiencing the thrill of the road.”
The 2018 Yamaha Star Eluder will be offered in three color options: Impact Blue, Raven and Liquid Silver.
Specifications | 2018 Yamaha Star Eluder | 2018 Yamaha Star Venture |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,999 – Impact Blue – GT Option Package – Availability TBD $22,499 – Impact Blue – Availability TBD $23,999 – Raven – GT Option Package – Availability TBD $22,499 – Raven – Availability TBD $23,999 – Liquid Silver – GT Option Package – Availability TBD $22,499 – Liquid Silver – Availability TBD | $26,999 – Granite Gray – Transcontinental Option Package – Available from December 2017 $24,999 – Granite Gray – Available from December 2017 $26,999 – Raspberry Metallic – Transcontinental Option Package – Available from December 2017 $24,999 – Raspberry Metallic – Available from December 2017 |
| Engine Type | 113-cubic-inch (1854cc) air-cooled OHV V-twin; 8 valves | 113-cubic-inch (1854cc) air-cooled OHV V-twin; 8 valves |
| Bore x Stroke | 100.0mm x 118.0mm | 100.0mm x 118.0mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Fuel Delivery | Yamaha Fuel Injection with YCC-T and D-Mode | Yamaha Fuel Injection with YCC-T and D-Mode |
| Ignition | TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition | TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition |
| Transmission | 6-speed; multiplate assist and slipper wet clutch | 6-speed; multiplate assist and slipper wet clutch |
| Final Drive | Belt | Belt |
| Front Suspension | 46mm telescopic fork; 5.1-in travel | 46mm telescopic fork; 5.1-in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Single shock with remote preload adjustment; 4.3-in travel | Single shock with remote preload adjustment; 4.3-in travel |
| Front Brakes | Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm; Unified Brake System and ABS | Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm; Unified Brake System and ABS |
| Rear Brakes | Hydraulic disc, 320mm; Unified Brake System and ABS | Hydraulic disc, 320mm; Unified Brake System and ABS |
| Front Tires | 130/70R18 Bridgestone Exedra | 130/70R18 Bridgestone Exedra |
| Rear Tires | 200/55R16 Bridgestone Exedra | 200/55R16 Bridgestone Exedra |
| L x W x H | 98.0 in x 38.4 in x 55.5 – 50.2 in | 106.3 in x 39.9 in x 55.5 – 59.1 in |
| Seat Height | 27.4 in | 27.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 67.6 in | 67.6 in |
| Rake (Caster Angle) | 31.0° | 31.0° |
| Trail | 5.7 in | 5.7 in |
| Maximum Ground Clearance | 5.5 in | 5.5 in |
| Fuel Capacity | 6.6 gal | 6.6 gal |
| Fuel Economy | 34.0 mpg | 34.0 mpg |
| Wet Weight | Star Eluder / Star Eluder GT 875 lb / 877 lb | Star Venture / Star Venture Transcontinental 957 lb / 963 lb |
| Warranty | 5 Year Warranty Coverage* (*1 year limited factory warranty + 4 years Yamaha Extended Service = 5 years coverage.) | 5 Year Warranty Coverage* (*1 year limited factory warranty + 4 years Yamaha Extended Service = 5 years coverage.) |
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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In other words, it's for eluding the police. I get it. It's like VIctory when it came up with the 8-Ball. The problem was that no one wanted to be an 8-Ball. It's not cool. No one wants to elude the police either. It's stupid and sure death.
Actually, what I'd prefer is a version of this model in more of the tradition of a standard, or even a Road King.
But a standard with just a wind shield and not all the bags and highway bars and not the rock music or satellite radio or CB radio and not the GPS or other electronics. I don't listen to radio on a motorcycle. I have ear plugs in my ears and the wind blows all the bass away any way. And besides, since I'm riding a motorcycle I have other, more important, things to concentrate on than a radio dial or TV screen. If I want music, I can blue tooth or cable my cell phone Pandora to ear buds in my ears under my Mack's Wax Ear Plugs.
And Then I don't have to pay thousands of dollars extra for electronics that don't make motorcycling more enjoyable anyway. An analogue compass would be nice. One of those balls that float and roll and tell you what direction you're going. Other than that, I too busy looking at the road to watch television on a motorcycle and to try to conform my actions to Siri's voice rather than to the highway signs..
OMG close to 1,000 lbs 2-cylinder and air cooled for 25K, they must have taken a page out of the HD !!!!! BMW for this price no brainer.