2014 Yamaha Majesty 400

Awesome bike I purchased about 4 months ago what a ride you get. This is a quite and smooth ride keeps up with highway traffic also just a cruise on the back rodes will take you away from everything. I recommend this Yamaha Majesty as your first choice if your in a hunt for a great touring scooter.

My very first motor vehicle was at the age of 18, a 1975 Yamaha RD 350. Ever since then I have been riding bikes. Truthfully, I actually enjoy driving and look forward to connecting with the pavement at any time. To this day, my preferred mode of transportation consists of two wheels, no question. ...

So what about these scooters? Having grown up in the city during the 1960's they were always an odd curiosity, particularly here in the USA. Scooters are small but utilitarian. Scooters are underpowered, but extremely agile. Scooters are less versatile, but exceptionally adept for their intended commuting purpose.

Fast forward to the 21st Century and it is found that the modern scooter and particularly the Touring Class Scooter possesses all of the above advantages while at the same time having eliminated those preconceived disadvantages. In fact, depending on your model and how you equip it, many modern Touring Class Scooters offer advanced features found on large Touring Motorcycles such as ABS Brake Systems. In addition, scooters in general are actually easier to master as a result of the automatic continuously variable transmission, simple hands only controls and lower center of gravity that can make a 500 Plus Pound Scooter feel Like a 300 Pound Motorcycle.

To make the comparison simple, modern Touring Class Scooters, are easy to learn, easy to drive, possess an amazing amount of built in cargo space, have a broad spectrum of features, exceptionally good fuel economy and a wide range of power options, to satisfy just about any two wheel enthusiast, period. Oh, and perhaps I forgot to mention, they also look good and provide in some cases better weather protection for the driver due to a relatively large standard front fairing and windshield combination to boot.

So why aren't they necessarily flying out of the showroom at the same rate as your average V-Twin Cruiser or Touring Bike for that matter? I believe the answer is simple; poor marketing! Because of a general lack of knowledge within this exciting cycle segment people are much more likely to stick with the status quo. Well include me in this category, until I purchased my first Touring Class Scooter. Now mind you, I still have my intermediate sized V-Twin Cruiser with Touring Package, but it is spending much more time looking pretty in the garage these days. This leads to the inevitable question of exactly which Touring Class Scooter could have possibly been responsible for such an enthusiastic transformation.

My selection was based somewhat on uncertainty related to the lack of marketing previously described. Specifically, I did not want to drop a whole lot of money on a vehicle that I might not like, only to take a loss on selling it used, while not being particularly vogue. My dealer had just the right vehicle: A 2012 Model Year Yamaha Majesty 400. This was a brand new vehicle (never been titled), with 1.1 miles on it. Yes, because it was sitting in their backroom unsold for over two years, I was able to make a really good deal. But keep in mind no deal is really good when you do not get what you expect.

Much to my chagrin, I fell in love with it the moment its engine cranked over and I drove around the parking lot and into the trailer for its short haul home. My first great satisfaction was that the machine actually had power. With a simple twist of the throttle, she took off with the same gusto as my V-Twin. Some may question that claim, but the truth is in the 0-60 speed band, she will keep up with most V-Twin Cruisers, if for no other reason than the automatic transmission requires no shifting and she has a redline of over 8,000 RPM's as well as a high compression ratio at 10.6:1. One of my riding buddies, boasting a 1600cc V-Twin Cruiser was most frustrated with me as I passed him ferociously, approaching a red light that turned green while he was still working on the downshift. So the first fallacy of underpowered was immediately dismissed.

Oh and how about those small tires? Up front the Majesty has a less than majestic 120/80-14M/C 58S and an even smaller 150/70-13M/C 64S rear. But once again and still to my enduring surprise those smaller wheels translate to an amazing amount of agility. Here the Touring Class Scooter does not just keep up with your average Cruiser Class Motorcycle; it can handle tighter corners at higher speeds and beat them. It would be less than honest not to mention that the greater agility does seem to translate to reduced stability at highway speeds. Specifically, at speeds above 70 MPH, more wind management is required by the driver, however it is not to the extent that it in anyway dissuades me from hopping on the Interstate and passing an eighteen wheeler. It has a top speed of 105 MPH should you be so inclined to risk a speeding ticket. However if long distance Highway driving is your deal, you should probably look at a Touring Class Motorcycle such as a Goldwing. The same could be said of smaller cruisers in the 1000cc's and below range.

Now let's get down to the matter of comfort. I have taken many Motorcycles and this Majesty out for long haul mixed mode driving (City, Highway and Back road). In this category, there are several noteworthy differences. The Majesty does have a readily adjustable front seat that provides a custom fit for leg length while most motorcycles do not. This may not be a huge advantage for the Majesty, because once adjusted for your height, further adjustments should not be required. Alternatively, spending big bucks on custom seats should also not be required. The Majesty also has a multiple angle footboard built in, that allows for different leg inclination positions. To accomplish this type of seating comfort on a Motorcycle would require the positioning of different peg sets. The rear springs are easily adjusted for ride mode. The front forks provide for 4.7 inches of travel which seem to absorb everything from your average road seam to larger bumps and holes. As far as passenger comfort is concerned, the Majesty has built in floorboards and a virtually 270 degree onboard Grab Handle which keeps sweaty paws off the driver, permits the passenger to feel less vulnerable to that improved agility and is extremely convenient without having to add accessories.

Instrumentation is in comparison better than average. The majesty is equipped with your typical odometer, dual trip meters, Speedo and Tachometer. In addition, it has a fuel gage (Nice!), Temperature Gage, Time or Ambient Temperature Indicator (switch alternated), Check Belt Indicator and Check Engine Indicator. Personally, I would like a Check Oil Indicator to boot, but you will not find one on this model year (2012). All of your hand controls: front brake, rear brake, High / Low Beam Light Switch, Turn Signal Switch, Horn, Throttle and Kill Switch are located exactly where you would expect. Of course the rear brake handle is located where the clutch handle would be on a conventional Motorcycle. The Majesty would also be better equipped with self-cancelling turn signals, also not available on the 2012 Model.

Other up front features include black shelled mirrors (not standard flats found on most Motorcycles) that are Handle Bar mounted, provide adequate to above average field of vision and are easy to adjust. Below the Handle Bars you will find a large and lockable glove compartment on the left hand side, and a smaller storage compartment that is not lockable on the right hand side. The key and ignition switch, which includes a Steering Lock, are located between these two compartments. Another really nice feature on the Majesty is the Handle Bar Mounted (just below the rear brake) Emergency Brake Lever. This lever has both a clever design and a good positive feel for engagement and release. Please note that the use of the Emergency Brake is not for driving but is absolutely essential for parking as the vehicle will roll due to the lack of gears. Rolling is particularly hazardous while utilizing the standard Side Kickstand, but not a concern while utilizing the factory Center Stand which is both easy to operate and utilitarian.

For serious commuters, as opposed to weekend warriors, you have front and rear disc brakes that provide equivalent stopping power in comparison to most cruisers. Obviously, some of your more exotic Sport Bikes will beat the Majesty in this category, but that is an entirely different storyline to tackle. The fuel tank is adequate in size (3.7 US Gallons) to eliminate range anxiety especially in consideration of its 50 MPG overall fuel economy rating. As mentioned above, it also has a very desirable fuel gage should you not be inclined to set your trip meters on a routine basis. Now probably one of its best features has been saved for last. The Majesty has Majestic under seat storage that is both dry and locked (by the ignition key switch). That is right; you can simply get rid of the backpack, fanny pack, fuel tank pouch, sissy bar bag and side saddles altogether. Between the forward and under seat storage I do not ride any longer with so much as a key in my pocket. Yes, when I cruise with my friends and their V-Twins, the Majesty always seems to end up with other peoples baggage, which is not a problem! Finally when you take into consideration, the overall reliability associated with Yamaha Motorcycles and their reputation for quality, fit, form and function it is nearly impossible not to at least consider a Yamaha Majesty 400 as a good all-around choice for your next bike.