2007 Yamaha Royal Star Midnight Tour Deluxe Cruiser reviews

Actually, the year is not over and Winter riding is never out of the question. My wife looks forward to the next ride at every opportunity. I like riding for two reasons: the preparation and the journey to and from. Just finished replacing brake pads, fluids, air filters, oil filter, spark plugs, and greasing moving parts on 36,000 miles. I did this before and get the same results. It's just like riding a new, broken-in bike. Since my 20,000 mile review I've installed front fender trim and little chrome doo-dads. Been to Missouri and all in between, and San Antonio, Texas this year. At this point I have half of the 5-year warranty left. Only warranty claim was for a faulty fuel pump. Hopefully that is all that is faulty until the year 2020. Next year I'll put some Baron pipes and see if the sound is to my liking. By then, at the rate of local legislation, I'm hoping my pipes will be legal. Show less

My RSMTD recently had its 600 mile servicing. Afterward, she seemed slightly peppier at high speed, perhaps due to syncing of the four carbs. Had the heel/toe shifter replaced with the Yami billet single-arm. Much better for me, considering that that's what I'm used to. Installed a rear-seat luggage rack myself -- 'went together nicely -- also a chrome choke lever cover (10 second install), and a leather tool pouch, which I affixed to the crossbeam between the forks, just underneath the main headlight. By the way, the pouch is made in China, though it does appear to be of good quality. Best of all, I had a Bakup fully-adjustable driver's backrest installed, and this further improved what was already a very comfortable 'bike. The kink I had previously felt between my shoulder blades after a half-hour of steady riding has been eliminated. I no longer experience any discernible fatigue at all; it's really wonderful. Gas mileage hovers around 40mpg on 87 octane, but I concede that gas mileage would significantly improve if I could bring myself to keep highway speed down to 65mph or lower. Maintaining 75-80 is so effortless and confidence-inspiring that I feel I'm practically loitering at posted limits. As I had previously posted, my clutch has been engaging somewhat further into the let-out than it did when I first purchased the bike. I had the clutch bled; no difference. It's really OK, it's just that there was definitely a change in the let-out after the first few hundred miles. Since the weather turned quite hot and humid, I've taken to wearing a half-helmet that enables me to hear the high-pitched chirping between 55-65 mph in OD to which many RSTD owners have complained. No biggie to me, and you must consider that the only reason I even notice the chirping is because the exhaust is virtually silent at practically any highway-cruise speed. Only when the engine is heavily loaded -- like when ascending a grade at 45mph in OD and then rolling on power -- can I detect anything approaching an exhaust 'BLAAAAATTTTT'. I actually like it that way, except when I was riding with a coupla loud bikes last weekend. When we'd stop at an intersection and then pull away, I couldn't hear my own engine at all. It's vibration-free as well, so I really couldn't even 'feel' my way along in feathering the throttle and clutch. I ended up having to watch my Baron mini-tach (mounted on the brake reservoir) just to keep from either stalling or over-revving / riding the clutch. The only performance issue I have is that I have to remember to rev 'er up to 2500rpm in first gear if I'm ascending a hill. If I shift into second gear at 2000rpm or less, she kinda bogs down and accelerates VERY slowly until the rpms come back up to 2000. At or beyond 2500rpm, it's as though somebody threw The Great Magic Switch, because she very suddenly comes on terrifyingly fast for an 855 lbs. behemoth. I'm going to opt for the Bub 4-into-2 headers, and pop (3) 3/4-inch holes in each of the two air cans, to give me a little more pleasing exhaust note, better 'feedback' in noiser riding environments, and to let that V-Max motor breathe a little better. I'm more and more impressed with the speedo. 'SO easy to read, plus, the reserve-tank odometer is a very helpful riding aid, as is the easy-to-actuate clock. In my humble opinion, the opportunities for use of the cruise control have turned out to be far fewer than I would've liked, but I really look forward to highway rides with little or no traffic so that I can engage it, and then relax just a little bit more, without worry that I might inadvertently pile into the rear of some unsuspecting 4-wheeled econobox. Having that little doo-dad on-board makes me feel very snobbish as I wave to people I pass -- with my right hand. No luck yet in finding someone who might be able to cut the windscreen down a couple inches. Yeah, I'm getting used to it, but it IS an impediment to anticipating hazards. Overall, I'm very pleased with having chosen to purchase a new RSMTD. I'll update my review after I have the Bub headers installed and have the air cans ventilated. 'Regards to all, DC Show less

I'll start with the things I didn't like because there are so few. The transmission whine and the lack of a clock. Ok, the first is not too bad as for the second, I can always get a clock. People worry about the weight of this bike - don't. The 150s stick to the road and the thing is very, very stable. On my ride (traffic, town, country, highway) I never left 4th gear and the thing is going at 60mph before you realize it. I never one had a problem with balance, low speed turns or ever feeling like the bike was overweight. The engine in the thing is a thing of beauty. It's not a ripper like a race bike but crank the gas and you'll get there. Aside from some low RPM rumbling there is almost no vibration, even at the handlebars (which are dampened). The side bags could have a more substantial hinge retainer (I was afraid they would break falling open) but have plenty of room for a couple of 3/4 helmets, hats, towel, pavement puck, drinks, phone, wallet, small lunch and paperwork - and that is in just one bag. The controls are very accessible, watch out for the speedo as it's in mph and kph - I kept mistaking kph for mph because it's much clearer and closer to the needle. While I've heard some people don't like the speedo it's fine with me and I don't like looking down at my gas tank to see how fast I'm going. The saddle sucks but that is to be expected. I'll replace it with an ultimate but for now it will be fine. I'll add new grips, highway pegs, iridium plugs, clock, EZ pass holder and a place to mount a gps but this bike needs very little out of the gate. I had a V-Star 1100 (worked) and was considering a Roadliner/Starliner - do yourself a favor, get the Royal Star. Show less

WENT TO THE DEALER TO GET A PART FOR A FRIENDS BIKE. TOOK THE BIKE OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND WANTED TO TAKE IT HOME WITH ME. ENDED UP BUYING IT A FEW MONTHS LATER.. GREAT BIKE Show less

I've had this bike since April, it's a great long haul bike. I get 45mpg on open road, but average really drops in slower traffic (steady 30-40 mph), I then get 30mpg. It's also not the most nimble bike on the road but it does move when it has to. Friends call it a 2 wheeled car and that's coming from Roadking and Ultra Classic riders. I think they are just jealous because my bike doesn't leak. Overall, it's a great big comfortable ride that gets a lot of looks. Show less

Had this bike for 3 months. Upgraded from 600 cc Honda Shadow. Absolutely love the cruise control. Bought an Aerostich roadcrafter suit. The hards bags are sooo roomy that I can take my lunch and several office supplies with me. I have been commuting as long as it is not a downpour. My only complaint is the floor board vibration. It is more noticable at higher RPMs (gear change) and on the fifth. The first dealer said it is just normal. Other riders said that this bike should be silky smooth and recommended a carb sync check. I am talking to another dealer. Hopefully this issue will resolve. Show less