Speaking of Max's, the V-Max, which debuted in 1979 and still running strong into the next century, had a lock on Yamaha "attitude," but here was a different perception of grit and glamour, a bipolar bike bred for both the drag strip and red carpet, a motorcycle that echoed Yamaha's go-get'em stance in the industry. The Road Warrior is obviously more than image. Case in point, its well earned status as the AMA Hot Rod Cruiser Class Champion four years running (due in great part due to Nigel Patrick of Patrick Engineering).

Compared to the 2005 model there are no major surprises or changes to the powertrain for 2006. The bike is still long (65.6 inch wheelbase; 93.9. inch total length), low ( 28.1-inch seat height). For red light launches to straightening out the twisties, the Road Warrior calls upon a fuel-injected 102 cubic inch (1670cc), OHV 48 degree V-twin powerplant. Besides brute strength, the Road Warrior also handles closer to sport bike parameters. And while it's got one tire in the cruiser world and one in the sportbike realm, it still retains its civility and is easily managed by both veteran and newer rider as well.

My test ride fortunately stretched over a few days while attending the 2005 STAR Days event in St. Joseph, MO, a couple thousand Yamaha aka Star fans gathering for some fun, food and games plus a bike show and some charity benefiting as well. With temperatures topping 100 degrees and 90% humidity for four days running, the environment added its own level of testing. It was hot enough to fry eggs off the chrome pieces, but the bike never so much as sweated despite the heat.

Reaching over the relatively wide expanse of the four gallon gas tank with its retro-ish instrumentation and gripping the wide bars puts you in a Rocket Man state of mind. Ergonomically, if you're middle zone or tall in the saddle, the forward controls are just what your bike tailor ordered. In addition the low seat height allows shorter riders to plant their feet on the ground as well.

Engine response…flexible, under-stressed, plenty of adrenaline rush torque, smoothly meshing 5-speed close-ratio tranny. The significant change for 2006 was the upgrade to radial-mount four-piston calipers for the dual 298mm front disc brakes matched to the '05 282mm rear disc brake with single-piston caliper, all of which is traceable to Yamaha's R1. The bike stops when and where you want it to, but nothing that sneaks up on you.

Now to the "music" end of the scale. Exhaust note…you could hear the heart of an air-cooled V-twin pumping away through stainless steel headers and a 2-into-1 factory unit. and there's plenty of ground clearance for "spirited" cornering.

A quick look at the evolution of the Warrior's engine design helps further one's appreciation for its capabilities. In designing phase for the first of the Warriors the Yamaha engineers had taken the Road Star XV 1600 and pumped up 40% more performance via several changes including an increased bore and stroke (97 x 113mm) and cylinder head changes. Other design features include two spark plugs per cylinder, large cylinder head cooling fins, ceramic composite bore plating and a one-piece head cover (for rigidity around the rocker arm). Another major factor, and one you could feel at the twist grip, was a decision to add twin-bore fuel injection (FI) with throttle position sensor (TPS). The Warrior also dropped more than 85 lb. from the Road Star 1600's bodyweight (down to 606 lbs.) all of which adds up to a much healthier power to weight ratio. The slimming down program benefited in great part to the use of a double cradle aluminum frame and R1-ish swingarm, a "sportbike" thing again. (We can also see this frame design logic imparted into Yamaha's new flagship cruiser the Roadliner.) Add upside down aka inverted beefy Kayaba 41mm forks (with 5.3 inches of travel) and you see where the handling characteristics of the Road Warrior lean toward the twisties as well. Along with those new radial brakes for 2006 went braided stainless brake and clutch lines for a better feel as well. In addition the 2006 features 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels replacing the 3-spokers on the '05. To complement that 5-spoke look, Yamaha also came up with a new design for the real belt pulley.

As far as the seat of the pants feel of the bike, since Yamaha chose to bolt the engine to the frame sans rubber mounting, the V-twin pulse is transmitted, a visceral sensation though not of the unpleasant vibration frequency kind. While the Road Warrior seems solo in appearance despite it two-section seat, the rear passenger accommodations seem adequate if not sofa comfy like a full blown cruiser. Remember, we're talking "sporty" over "cruiser" here. The Warrior runs a belt drive system that uses a narrow-design belt that helps reduce unsprung weight and adds to the rear suspension performance itself enhanced by a link-type, preload and rebound adjustable, single rear shock. More weight savings are found in the cast-aluminum 5-spoke wheels, and the bike hunkers down even lower thanks to low-profile, competition-spec 120/70-ZR18 front and a big and beefy 200/50-ZR17 rear radial.

As for instrumentation, you get a digital headlight-mounted tachometer, odometer and dual tripmeters with a triple clamp- mounted analog speedometer. As far as overall fit and finish, the Warrior literally shines.. Price tag ranges from $12,400-12,700 depending on color (new for 2006 Candy Red; Cobalt Blue w/Star Silver Flames; plus the all black Midnight). If you're looking for the appeal of a performance bike, a cruiser, and a "custom" (Yamaha offers a wide range of accessories and engine hop-ups) all rolled into one package, the Road Warrior lives to those expectations.

So for 2006, the Road Star Warrior gets better brakes, new color options, the 5-spoke wheels, stainless lines, and a new rear belt pulley… basically icing on the 2005, and all the tastier.

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