Following the June announcement of several early-release 2016 Yamaha and Star Motorcycles models, including the FZ-07, FZ-09, Bolt and Bolt R-Spec, Yamaha and Star have announced nearly all of their remaining 2016 cruiser, sport and adventure touring lineup.
Read about early-release 2016 Yamaha and Star Motorcycles models
2016 Star Motorcycles
Most Star Motorcycles cruiser models return for 2016 with the same prices as 2015 but with new colors.
- Vmax: available in Galaxy Blue in November 2015 for $17,990
- Raider: available in Candy Red in December 2015 for $14,990
- Stryker: available in Galaxy Blue in November 2015 for $11,690
- Stryker Bullet Cowl: available in Matte Gray in November 2015 for $12,090
- Bolt C-Spec: available in Desert Bronze in January 2016 for $8,690
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V Star 1300 Deluxe: available in Charcoal Silver in January 2016 for $14,090
- V Star 1300 Tourer: new for 2016, the windshield and passenger backrest are now quick-release for easy removal but also lockable for security; available in Raspberry Metallic in January 2016 for $12,390
- V Star 950 Tourer: new for 2016, the windshield and passenger backrest are now quick-release for easy removal but also lockable for security; available in Raven in November 2015 for $9,790
- V Star Custom: available in Electric White in October 2015 for $6,990
- V Star 250: available in Electric White in October 2015 for $4,390
2016 Yamahas
Last year saw the release of an all-new YZF-R1 liter-class sportbike, with a new engine, chassis and light-weight design and a MotoGP-derived electronics package. The YZF-R1 returns for 2016 in three color schemes: Matte Gray and Team Yamaha Blue/Matte Silver models will retail for $16,490 and the limited-edition 60th Anniversary Yellow/Black is priced at $16,990; available in dealerships beginning in February 2016.
Also returning is the top-of-the-line YZF-R1M, with Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS), standard Y-TRAC Communication Control Unit (CCU) and carbon fiber bodywork, in a Carbon Fiber/Liquid Metal color scheme for an MSRP of $21,990; available in February 2016.
For the street-focused sportbike enthusiast, for 2016 Yamaha is introducing a third R1 model, the YZF-R1S, which replaces some of the R1’s higher-spec components like the titanium connecting rods and exhaust headers, magnesium oil pan and wheels, and softer-compound tires with lower-cost components. The result is a liter-class sportbike with a slightly higher curb weight that sacrifices virtually none of its real-world R1 performance. The 2016 YZF-R1S will be available in Matte Gray or Intensity White/Raven/Rapid Red for $14,990 in February 2016.
The middleweight YZF-R6 also returns for 2016 in three different color schemes: Matte Gray for $10,990, Team Yamaha Blue/Matte Silver for $11,190 or limited-edition 60th Anniversary Yellow/Black for $11,490; available in October 2015.
Yamaha’s entry-level/commuter sportbike, the FZ6R, returns for 2016 in Raven for $7,790, and will be in dealerships in November 2015.
In the adventure-touring category, the 2016 Super Ténéré ES with electronic suspension adjustment will be available in Raven for $16,190 in November 2015. The Super Ténéré returns for 2016 in two new colors: Raven for $15,090 or special-edition 60th Anniversary Yellow/Black for $15,590; available in November 2015.
In the sport-touring category, the FJ-09 returns for 2016 in Raven or Matte Silver for $10,490 and will be in dealerships in October 2015. No word yet on the FJR1300 or FJR1300 ES, but Yamaha said another 2016 model announcement will come later this fall.
On the retro front, the kickstart-only SR400 returns for 2016 in Onyx for $5,990 in October 2015.
How about a mid-size (400-650cc) adventure bike that’s capable of handling a few dirt roads and minor trails that someone less than 6′ tall can ride? Back in the 70’s and 80’s we did just fine with the Honda XL’s and Yamaha XT’s that had seat heights that didn’t require you to get on the bike by using the footpeg like a stirrup on a horse, It’s not a case of being uncomfortable, it’s a case of not even being able to ride a motorcycle if you’re less than 6′ tall.
A little late, but I totally agree with Arnold. Would be great if they could make something a little more powerful than the XT250, but keep the ergo’s the same. Also, keep the price under $6G for sure!
Royal Distributing parts dealership told me that Yamaha FJR riders are gravitating to Avon Tires like the Storm 2 ultra tires..
I need tires now for my 2013 FJR…
I do lots of backroads and highways..money is never considered when it come to tires..
So what tires should I get.
Yamaha is losing the touring market by discontinuing the Venture. Many, many venture riders that wanted an upgraded venture are switching to Harleys. A close friend on mine with an 07 venture traded last week for a Harley ultra classic. I have an 05 venture and am tired of waiting for an upgraded venture and will be trading for an ultra classic. The person that started the venturerider.org web site got tired of waiting last year and traded for a Harley road glide. We don’t want a crotch rocket. We want a touring bike.
Amen I feel the same way I have a venture and I love it it feels so much better than a wing and as far as Harley is concerned no way would I pay that much for something I will most likely have in the shop most of the time
I feel the same way. I ride a 05′ Roadstar Midnight Silverado and was waiting for an upgrade in the touring area and all I see is that they stopped making the Roadstar, Venture, and the rest of the touring bikes. How sad in that my next bike will probably be a harley or Victory or another bike besides Yamaha. I would like a touring bike from Yamaha.
gedobransky@gmail.com
I have been using Pirelli Angel GT with very good results, FJR 1300’s are very hard on front tires so you have to keep 40 psi in them and 42 psi in the rear, te Angel GT is excellent in rain and dry roads too.
these machines couldn’t be any more of a blatant copy of american iron—its unfortunate these designers have no clue on what to do for their own imagination-(purely speaking about star)
You mean like the vmax?!?!?
I currently own a 2009 Royal Star Tour Deluxe S and was hoping to upgrade to the new Venture this past fall. I am very disappointed in the fact that the Yamaha dealers keep leading us on by giving us false release dates for a new Venture. I will be purchasing a new motorcycle within the next few weeks and it is a shame that Yamaha does not have anything in the touring class to consider.
I totally agree ! I do not know why Yamaha stopped producing the ROADSTAR, I currently ride a 2015 RAIDER S but I TOTALLY miss the foot boards that I had on my ROADSTARS!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, I can NOT understand for the life of me WHY YAMAHA is no longer producing the RAIDER “S” model!!!!! So many people I know want ALL THE CHROME THEY CAN GET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I picked up a new 2016 Kawasaki Voyager last Saturday and love it. I decided it was time to move on and put Yamaha behind me.
The Venture was way underpowered and top heavy. With the same basic engine as the first gen VMax I got to thinking: why not produce a Second Gen V-Max tourer and name it the Add Venture ? Get it ? No, seriously.
This just goes to show you that the Japanese companies really don’t care what their loyal customers want. They are not listening to us at all.. Honda ruined the Valkyrie with the what ever the hell it is they call the Valkyrie now days.. Yamaha have not come up with a new Venture Royal which both bikes had the Harley Davidson beat in every which way.. now they are producing little 650 and 900 cc bike great for beginners but neither company has anything in the fully decked out cruisers that can compete with Harley and because of that Harley has now taken control of the touring market.. As a lot of people were saying on here I too am tired of Yamaha stringing us along and will be trading my Venture in on a Harley Davidson..
The sad thing is once everyone converts over to Harley they won’t go back no matter what they come out with
Good buy Yamaha