Unveiled at US Dealer Meeting The new 2006 North American market model "Road Liner" The New Flagship of the Star Series Yamaha Cruisers

On June 12, 2005, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC) has unveiled and displayed the new 2006 North American market model "Road Liner" at the national US Dealer Meeting held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This new "Road Liner" will go on sale in the U.S. as a 2006 model.

The Road Liner mounts a newly designed air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHV, V-twin 1,854cc engine on a new-design aluminum double-cradle frame as a whole new type of cruiser machine. The large-displacement air-cooled V-twin engine features a specially designed balancer, EXUP, a pin-point oil-cooling system for the head and other latest technical features that help provide outstanding acceleration, a strong sense of engine pulse, drivability and environmental performance. Also, the body design adopts a "Neo Streamline" concept characterized by aerodynamic beauty expressing smooth speed and powerful forward thrust.

Yamaha "Road Liner"

August 2005

8,000 units (series total, N. America, annual for 2006)

Beginning with the introduction of the liquid-cooled V-4 cruiser "Royal Star" in 1996, Yamaha developed and marketed the "V Star," "Road Star" and "Road Star Warrior," and in doing began a new trend in the American cruiser market. These models won a popular following for their outstanding performance, the pulse sensation, comfort, quality and styling, and thus attracted new customers to the category.
Furthermore, the establishment of nationwide Star series user clubs across America has helped foster a sharp growth in the number of Star series owners with a high degree of brand loyalty. In the meantime, there have also been calls from the market for cruisers with a higher level of artistic and emotional appeal as well as greater reliability.

Based on this market background, the new "Road Liner" has been developed as a new flagship of the Yamaha cruisers, throwing out past preconceptions in order to become a new "Apex of the Star Cruisers" that adds a new level of excitement and regal styling. With this aim, the development team made the fullest possible use of the know-how gained from its Star series development while also adding the latest new technologies throughout.
The styling design took as its basic concept the "streamlined" styling popular in the 1930s and 40s while adding new elements to create a "Neo Streamline" look characterized by an expression of smooth speed and powerful forward thrust. At the same time the detail designs of the exterior components pursue a "jewelry look" that transcends anything seen in a production model until now.

Engine

1) Completely new-design 1,854cc (113 cubic inch) air-cooled OHV V-twin engine
A completely new-design air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHV, 48-degree V-twin 1,854cc (113 cubic inch) engine with 4 valves and 2 plugs per cylinder is adopted. At 100 x 118 mm, both the bore and stroke are larger than the 97 x 113mm of the Road Star Warrior, while the compression ratio is 9.5 : 1. This combines with other specs like the optimized flywheel mass to give the engine a feeling of direct power and plenty of deep torque.
Maximum power output comes at 4,250 rpm and maximum torque at 2,500 rpm to achieve the kind of pulse feeling riders want from a big displacement V-twin plus excellent running feeling. This ensures outstanding comfort and enjoyment in the 55~75 mph speed range that is the popular cruising in the U.S. today. These settings are designed to keep the running rpm at about 3,300 rpm while cruising in top gear at 75 mph in order to ensure an enjoyable engine pulse sensation.

2) Combustion chamber designed for optimum combustion efficiency
In order to achieve outstanding combustion efficiency, the positioning of the valves has been optimized along with the cam profile and a new piston shape adopted. The piston adopts an upper surface with two indentures to accommodate the two-spark-per-cylinder spec to create good flame propagation with the image of two separate explosions per cylinder. The result is faster combustion that contributes to stronger torque characteristics. Also, the skirt portion of the new (forged) piston is a short type at 53.6 mm that makes the piston itself 30g lighter than that of the Road Star Warrior.

3) Balancer adopted for lower vibration plus pleasing sense of pulse, and new 3-axis layout and crankcase design
In order to achieve both lower vibration and an enjoyable sense of pulse, a new balancer adopted. On this balancer design the necessary balancer weight was divided between two compact-design units on either side of the crankshaft. The left-hand weight is on the same axis as the crankshaft, while right unit is positioned close to the crankshaft in a unique Yamaha design. This enabled a compact crankcase design while still minimizing the couple of force moment.
To accommodate the larger displacement and ensure good reliability, the relationship of the crank, main and drive shafts and their respective gears has been rearranged with 5mm more space between the crank and main shafts. Meanwhile the distance between the crank and drive shafts is the same as on the Road Star Warrior. This made it possible to keep the crankcase about the same size as that of the Road Star Warrior despite the increased displacement.

4) New-design air cleaner box adopted
In order to obtain the high level of intake efficiency needed for the larger displacement engine while also making efficient use of the space available, a compact 3.5-liter air cleaner box has been adopted. A highly efficient design with two separate front and rear intake ducts and the air filter concentrated in one spot is achieved. This enables an excellent pulse effect that boosts intake efficiency while also making efficient use of space.

5) Fuel injection adopted
In order to obtain outstanding drivability and environment-friendly performance, a downdraft type twin bore fuel injection system has been adopted. To accommodate the larger displacement, the intake throat diameter is increased to 30.5 mm (29 mm on Road Star Warrior) for optimum performance. As with the Road Star Warrior, the throttle body is mounted in a cross format to fit efficiently into the cylinder V bank.

6) Pinpoint oil cooling system adopted
In order to ensure stable performance, a pin-point oil cooling system that circulates engine oil to points on cylinder head for cooling effect has been adopted. At the same time, the first oil cooler ever on a Yamaha cruiser model has also been added.
To ensure greater efficiency in oil circulation, a wall has been inserted between the crankcase and the transmission and each side given a separate oil pump with 3-blade rotors in a structure provides efficient circulation function. What’s more, the added effect of a piston cooling further increases the outstanding cooling performance.

7) Impressive 2-into-1 muffler and compact design EXUP
The EXUP device is adopted for the first time on a Yamaha cruiser model.
The EXUP valve is mounted to function on a vertical axis at the point where the impressive 2-into-1 exhaust pipes merge in a very compact design. This system contributes to boosted torque in the low- to mid-speed range and outstanding torque characteristics in the 2,500 ~ 3,500 rpm range.

8) First 3-Way catalytic converter with O₂ sensor (λ sensor) on a Yamaha cruiser model
For the first ever on a Yamaha cruiser model, an O₂ sensor-fitted 3-Way catalytic converter is mounted in first expansion chamber. In combination with the fuel injection system, this provides environment-friendly performance that clears the EPA 2006 standards.

9) Other engine-related specifications
Use of the latest casting technology has made it possible to eliminate most of the vertical ribs in the cylinder fin area to accentuate the clean exterior look that an air-cooled engine can provide. Seven head and 13 body fins run around the cylinders set with a gap of 10mm, and each of the fins is NC processed. This creates a "wave" effect of shining highlights as the angle of sunlight hitting the fins changes, which contributes to the "jewelry" image.
Furthermore, the chrome-plated push-rod cover is given a slight taper to accentuate the powerful image of the V-twin engine. In addition, the aluminum parts like the head cover and clutch cover have been buffed manually to accentuate the quality mechanical look of the exterior.


Chassis

1) New-design aluminum die-cast frame
A newly designed all aluminum die-cast double-cradle type frame has been adopted. Employing Yamaha’s exclusive aluminum die cast technology has made it possible to vary the thickness of the aluminum in the different parts of the frame to achieve optimum strength and rigidity balance. The critical head pipe assembly where special strength and rigidity are necessary has been given a box-type construction for good rigidity balance. The engine is mounted to the frame by means of four rigid mounts at the head in a system that contributes to excellent body balance and lets the rider enjoy the feeling of the V-twin engine even more directly.
Meanwhile, the rear arm is made by the Yamaha-exclusive CF aluminum die casting technology.

2) Optimized dimensions including 50-50 front-rear weight distribution
Along with the new-design frame and optimized center of gravity, dimensions including caster and trail, as well as the drive belt size and strength-rigidity balance have all been optimized to achieve a natural handling feeling. In particular, the front-rear weight distribution has been set on par with a sports bike at a roughly 50 : 50 ratio.

3) Excellent front and rear suspension performance
An upright front fork with 46mm diameter inner tubes is adopted. While providing both excellent cushioning and natural handling characteristics and plenty of handlebar turn angle, this design combines with the shape of the fuel tank to give a sturdy, big-boned impression to the bike’s overall appearance. The rear suspension features a horizontally positioned shock absorber that contributes to improved concentration of mass and lower center of gravity.

4) Outstanding front and rear brake performance
The brakes are twin 298mm diameter disc brakes. The caliper is a monoblock type that increases system rigidity. The systems are characterized by a good feeling of directness and good operating touch.

5) First flangeless fuel tank on a Yamaha cruiser model
The fuel tank is a teardrop type with a sense of attitude that fits in with the streamlined design theme of this model. Also it is the first flangeless type fuel tank without visible welding seams ever adopted on a Yamaha cruiser model.

6) 12-spoke wheels giving an impression of an extra thick wire spoke type wheel
The newly developed lightweight cast wheels have a 12-spoke design. The spoke portion boasts a design that gives the impression of traditional extra thick wire spokes while also including fresh new design elements. Also the rear wheel damper adopts iron rubber with its excellent damping characteristics, which contributes to a great feeling of directness.

7) Stand clock type speedometer and electronic features
The meters mounted on the fuel tank have a large-sized speedometer in the image of a quality stand clock positioned in the center, with the tachometer positioned to the lower left and the fuel gauge to the lower right. This speedometer features digits with a sense of depth and a fluorescent blue needle for a fresh, high-quality look. At night it gives an entirely different look from daytime with the digits highlighted in blue against the soft white background.

8) Detail design touches for a streamlined image
Detail design features that contribute to the overall streamlined look of the machine include (1) a teardrop fuel tank designed with a strong image of flowing wind, (2) a smoothly rounded headlight shape and handlebar holder assembly that seem to flow with the wind (3) a front fender that thrusts far out to the front, (4) footboards shaped with a smooth, flowing image, (5) white lens flashers that accentuate the streamlined look and (6) a flowing rear fender that accentuates the feeling of speed, etc.