For the first part of my ride on the new Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe, I had the windshield and backrest installed. I liked the protection offered by the windshield, but found it a tad awkward at times. I am just under six foot and sitting straight up induced some buffeting at speed. If I crouched it was ok, but this made for some distortion when negotiating the bends. It wasn’t critical, but I would have liked it either higher or lower. With the windshield removed, the breeze hit me smack in the chest and the view forward was a lot cleaner. The bike also exhibited a different feel in this “cruiser” mode, and this was no surprise as it most certainly what Yamaha had intended for this bike.

Ample luggage can be stowed with the large, nine-gallon side bags that are able to take 20 pounds of gear in each side. These are lockable with the ignition key when you want to leave the bike parked for a time. Add in a tank bag, and the accessory rear fender rack and bag, and you should be all set for a short tour. Round the world adventurers might want more, but the bike will certainly hold more than enough equipment for most regular tour duties.

Making all day riding a breeze, Yamaha have spent a lot of time developing the passenger seat and backrest to compliment the super comfortable rider’s perch. With a total gas capacity of only 20 litres, Iron Butt mileage is not going to be happening between fill ups, so rider and passenger should remain the best of friends. Helping with any Interstate work you might do, is a superb automotive style cruise control. Operating in a similar fashion to your family car, even I got it quickly figured out, and had a fun setting it on 110kph, sliding on to the back seat, and passing some of my fellow journos looking like I had lost my rider. This was on a closed course with professional riders of course; so don’t try this at home kids.

Monitoring your mileage, and keeping you on the right side of the law, the Tour Deluxe uses one of the most unique speedometer housings on two wheels. Looking more like the dash from an older American car, it gives your speed in mph as well as kph. I liked the look, but would have preferred the option of turning one or the other, as I felt it was a little redundant to see both while riding. This sits in a beautiful chrome housing that nicely complements the large headlight with its own sea of highly polished chrome. I have no idea how this works at night as our ride finished before dark, but I have yet to test a Yamaha with poor headlights, so doubt there is anything to worry about here.

With our day ending early due to monsoon style rains, it was a little disappointing to turn the bike back in early. I had found it to be extremely comfortable, a lot more manageable than I first thought, and a blast to ride. Making me slow down and relax, while allowing me to take in the peaceful Virginia countryside, the new Yamaha Tour Star Deluxe was the perfect tonic for a speed-crazed journalist in need of some quality ride time. Now all I have to do is talk one out of Yamaha for a few days, deposit the kids at Grandma’s, and take the missus for a long ride.

NB: Yamaha Australia have indicated that this new model will be making its way to Australia in the near future.