I bought this bike last summer(2006) for touring and as a daily driver. I seriously considered a BMW R100, a kawi KLR650 or Concourse, a Suzuki VStrom, Honda Hurricane and VRF800, and a few others before admitting what I really wanted (besides a $30,000 Kiwi Indian bobber with a leafspring front end or a Crocker...) was a Yammi Road Star. The first time I saw one, waiting at a stop light late at night in the summer of 2000, I didn't know what it was, even if it were foreign or domestic, but it was love at first sight. I saw the pushrod tubes and was trying to figure out what they were, guessing they couldn't really be for pushrods. It was a stripped down all white special edition millenium model (I later learned) with just a solo seat, so you could really see the lines. Right then I thought it was one of the most beautiful bikes I had ever seen, kinda like the lovechild of a '39 Chief and an early '50's Hydra-glide. When I got home I searched the internet, found out it was a new Yamaha 1600cc(!), and studied the reviews. As you all know the reviews were raves. This became my new (someday) must-have bike, but back then it was way out of my price range. For the next six years I rode my old beat-up R60/2, a Suzuki SV650 (which I didn't really like), and a Kawi W650, which was a blast and an excellent all-arounder, but I gradually realised what I really needed was a big tourer. After weighing the pros and cons of all the competition I decided, finally that "Yes, it is time. I must have my Road Star." I found this one at an affordable price because it had a few scratches and dings, a little rust, over 13,000 thousand miles, worn tires and a motivated seller. I didn't need a bike in mint condition or encrusted with bling because I planned on using it for basic transportation almost year-round and chaining it up at night behind my apartment building with a cover. Having now put on an additional ten thousand miles in about a year I can tell you I'm really lovin' it and am very happy with it. It's a great bike. Very easy to ride, handles great, all day comfort, low maintenance and it's torque-a-rific. Mine came with National Hardbags, factory passing lights, factory engine guards, and the tall stock passenger back rest. The guy I bought it from also had his dealer install the standard medium sized Silverado windshield when he bought it new. I swapped the plexiglass last fall for the optional extra tall, extra wide windshield, along with a set of "Buck's" windshield lowers for added wind protection. I added a "FireHouse Customs" brand backrest which I highly recommend if you like lower back support. I also highly recommend a throttle rocker, a few cents worth of molded plastic that all but eliminates the "Grip of Death". I don't leave home without it. Last of all came the Mustang seat. Since I like a quiet bike I'm stickin' with stock pipes. I brought it in to the local dealer for a general tuneup, new tires and a brake job late last fall just in time for the new tranny recall so I got that out of the way while it was in the shop. From the top of East Rock Park, New Haven, Connecticut. You can see the harbor...

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