The suspension unfortunately suffers the consequences of the current infatuation for the low-low look. While the fork is downright cushy, the rear suspension proves comfortable on smooth surfaces, but did not live up to my expectations on bumpy roads, forcing me to slow down in corners to maintain the proper trajectory. This is a hard one to fix, as you can only play with the rear preload as rear damping cannot be adjusted.

The flawless braking system, with two 298-mm front discs and four-piston calipers, responds well at both high and low speeds, and even better when the big rear disc is called into play.

The instruments are well designed and easy to read.

Stylish and comfortable ergos
Yamaha’s designers worked hard to give the Roadliner S a unique appearance; the chromed parts stand out and every detail of the oh-so careful finish leap out at you. Just look at the wide seat, the large-diameter handlebars that conceal the usually visible wires and the impressive chromed brake and clutch master cylinders. The Roadliner is somewhat reminiscent of the Harley Davidson Road King, with its combination of fork, fork shrouds and two-bulb headlight, one for low beam and one for high beam.

The instruments are well designed and easy to read, and an old-style clock adorns the centre of the gas tank. An analogue speedometer, a digital tach and a fuel gauge are also included.

On the road
This Roadliner is a true gem: nimble, quick, responsive, powerful – quite an impressive machine Outstanding cruising qualities put it in a class of its own. Both torque and power make their dominating presence known when you start it up, with an immediate and powerful throttle response right off idle. Though it seems heavy, the S is easy to ride and tracks perfectly in high and low speed corners. The S is always comfortable on smooth roads, but I do recommend trying different rear preload settings on bumpy roads.

I liked it
The Roadliner S has personality. Beautiful, elegant and boasting an unequalled finish, it’s worth the price. Aimed at thrill-seekers who love to eat up the miles, the low seat accommodates tall and short riders alike. With its performance-hiding docility, the Roadliner S is a pleasant surprise when compared to other bikes in the same class.



Photo Credit : Matthieu Lambert