Fours & More

Fours & More

When Just two won't do

SURE, THE CLASSIC CRUISER IS PUSHED DOWN THE ROAD by a big-inch V-Twin. But there are alternatives. Honda’s Magna 750 for one. This uses a dohc, liquidcooled V-Four lifted from the old-style VFR sportbike, though it gets a 360-degree crank, different cam timing and smaller carbs-changes aimed at intensifying bottomend and midrange grunt. A wide-ratio, five-speed gearbox is part of the package, replacing the VFR’s six-speeder. At $7499, the Magna is more expensive than the usual middleweight V-Twin, but its steamin’ four-cylinder motor

puts this 750 in a performance class most of the Americruisers only dream about. Order yours with the scalloped, two-tone gas tank, well worth the extra $300.

Another V-Four option is the Yamaha Royal Star, fitted with a retuned, 1294cc version of the mighty V-Max motor. We like this mega-cruiser for its clean styling, above-par suspension, decent brakes and great sound (especially with aftermarket pipes...pure NASCAR). We’d like the RS even more if all but 62 of Mr. Max’s original 110 bhp hadn’t been dribbled away-though as is, the Yamaha would have been competitive in our Retro class. Pricing is another matter: At $13,749 to $13,999, depending on appearance package, the Royal Star is the most expensive Japanese cruiser, some $3000 more than the highest-priced Retro-Twin.

Almost as costly ($12,799-$13,099), but packing heat-as in 90 horsepower and 90 foot-pounds of torque-is Honda’s six-cylinder Valkyrie.

Performance-wise, it will spank every Ameri-cruiser here, except the built-tothe-hilt Big Dog and Titan, though come see us in 50,000 miles and we’ll run ya for pinks.

Agreed, it’s nowhere

near as pretty-that goliath, Gold Wing-derived pancake-Six being hard to style around. Worth overlooking, though. If you want, think of it as a 180-degree V-Twin plus four. Works for us. -David Edwards