The 2006 Road King seen here retails for $17,310 plus an extra $225 for the EFI. In the same trim but with the vastly improved TC96 engine and Cruise Drive six-speed transmission, the '07 King lists for $17,700. Our Midnight Raven Royal Star has an MSRP of $14,699 (up $100 for '07), so it's the easy choice for those without deep pockets.

But what bike you like has more to do with personal preference, taste and budget than whether or not it will get the job done better or worse than another make/brand/year. So instead of picking a winner (including a view from the passenger seat). Ultimately, whichever bike you pick, there's a good chance you'll enjoy your adventures too.

Rider Decisions Don Becklin - MCUSA President

It's funny how as I get older my tastes seem to shift. A few years ago it would have seemed unimaginable that a Harley would have appealed to me, especially compared to any Japanese motorcycle. Yet when I ride the H-D Road King I can understand the appeal of quirky personality over outright performance and polish.

There's no doubt that the Royal Star will pretty much wipe the floor with the Road King in any quantifiable performance evaluation. The Yamaha is faster, smoother, more comfortable, more stable and ultimately less enjoyable. Sure, Yamaha went down a different road with the V-Four engine, but it still feels like a sanitized, perfected Harley. Yet perfection to Harley is about how the intangibles come together to make the ride unique.

Riding this (and, arguably, any) Harley is about fulfilling the vision that many guys have about motorcycling. It starts by outfitting your body in black, your bike in chrome and thumping along the boulevard as all the pretty girls look on. Sure it's a pipe dream, but when you are out there playing the part of cool guy on a Harley, it seems awfully real.

And while some may argue that owning a Harley is the de facto status symbol for baby booming doctors and lawyers, riding this Road King made me think that my H.O.G. club membership card may arrive in the mailbox sooner than expected.

Robin Haldane - MCUSA Graphic Designer
One of our resident Graphic Designers, Robin felt like the Royal Star was a clear-cut winner in his scorebook. Citing the Road King's inflated price tag (a full $3000 higher than the Yamaha), Robin pointed out the Royal Star's added features such as a hydraulic clutch and touring-friendly cruise control. He also tested the bikes' two-up capabilities, with his passenger finding the Yamaha more amenable to riding pillion.

"The decision of which of these bikes I would buy isn't a hard one. This area of motorcycling is so dominated by the Harley-Davidson name that the remaining manufacturers are forced to push the envelope in areas such as added features, power management and chassis design. In Yamaha's case, this has pushed the Royal Star far ahead of the Road King in handling, comfort, and power. Yamaha's Royal Star would be my choice between these two machines."

Brian Chamberlain - MCUSA Creative Director
The resident wheelie expert up in our Medford office, BC was one of our performance-oriented testers for whom the experience with the big lumbering cruisers was a definite change of pace. Still, even though it was bulkier, heavier, and didn't sport the better brakes, he had no trouble giving the nod to the burly Royal Star due to its more refined overall package.

"Overall, I was really impressed with the big Tour Deluxe. Appearance-wise, Yamaha has delivered a very stylish and well-refined classic-looking motorcycle. Brakes would have to be my biggest disappointment, but stability, comfort, and attention to detail are where the Yamaha really shines. The overall appearance of the Tour Deluxe is outstanding. Our metallic black model looked mean and clean and was scattered with chrome bits to really accent the black paint. Fit and finish looked to be top notch and attention to detail showed everywhere."

Ken Hutchison - MCUSA Editorial Director
When it came time to pass judgement, Hutch had no qualms about picking the King over the Star. A fan of the Road King since he first rode it a few years back, the self-proclaimed Twin aficionado felt the rumbling personality of the H-D machine was more in tune with his inner chi than the bland but refined V-4 of the Star.

"In the end, I believe that there's more to these uber-cruisers than just numbers. It's how it makes you feel when you are riding that counts and the Road King makes me want to go places, enjoy the ride there, soak in the scenery along the way and not worry too much about strafing apexes like I am compelled to do on a more-sporty machine."

Kevin Duke - MCUSA Editor
Although Duke wasn't along during the Oregon trip, he did sample both bikes around his Southern California office. Plus, he's the only one of our testers who has any seat time on Harley's 2007 models that include the new Twin Cam 96 motor. Regrettably, we had to settle for the '06 model because the new bike wasn't released in time for this shootout.

"The addition of the TC96 to the Road King would've really helped it compete against the sweet V-Four in the Yamaha. However, that alone wouldn't be enough for me to give it the nod over the less-expensive Royal Star. This bike reminded me of a 1964 Lincoln convertible, the one with the suicide doors. It's big and heavy, ponderous in the tight going, but it motors down the road delightfully. In fact, the Royal Star's V-Four engine is half a V-8, and its exhaust note does a fine impression even if its dual exhaust pipes don't let out enough snarl for my taste. I received several compliments on the bike when I parked it, and I liked how I was riding a cruiser that stands apart from the V-Twin herd."

Nashona Haldane - MCUSA Graphic Designer
Because passengers are such an integral part of the Cruiser Touring world, we thought it would be a good idea to throw someone on the back and get some notes. Shona became our pillion pilot.

"I felt that the Road King's passenger seating was less than ideal. When hopping on the back, I found the saddlebags to be awkwardly located, hitting my calf in such a way where I couldn't place my feet flat on the floorboards. Once moving, the suspension felt very unforgiving and caused me to be jarred at every bump. The Royal Star also felt difficult to mount because the backrest gets in the way. Once situated, I found the seat to be much more cush than the Harley, and the welcome backrest provides a laid back ride. Between the soft comfy seat, accommodating leg room and supple suspension, the Royal Star has the best place for a passenger."

Tom Lavine - Photographer
As MCUSA's best friend forever, Tom does more than just take fantastic photos; he also rides and provides great feedback. As for the two behemoths here, however, Lavine was a bit out of his element on the gigantic cruisers. Despite his inhibitions, if he had to choose between the two, Tom would select the Road King based on its relative compactness and its sweet-sounding engine, not to mention that certain cachet which comes from owning a machine made by The Motor Company.

"Honestly, if I were going to purchase a bike like this I suspect it would be a Harley. I always admire a guy who tastefully sets his Harley apart both in appearance and mechanically, yet doesn't go overboard by making it look like a rolling parts counter! Again if you're going to ride this type of machine, why not ride the trend-setter, the people who started it all, Harley!"

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