motorcyclistonline.com | 49Timeline
Development began when the
Yamaha USA product planning team,
led by Brooks, identified the target
rider and created the design brief.
From there, YMC [Yamaha Motor
Company] took over engineering
and development and saw the bike
through to completion, guided by
testing and input from Yamaha USA.Concept
“Once we committed to developing a
new luxury tourer, we began market
research,” Brooks says. “Gold Wing
riders we talked to loved their GLs but
wanted more of a ‘motorcycle’ feel.
The Harley guys loved their bikes too
but wanted a more modern package.
We were hearing this over and
over again in focus groups.”Design
Despite any architectural simi-
larities to previous models, the
Venture is essentially a clean-
sheet design. “The passenger
floorboards are the same,”
Shinsho says, “maybe some
other small parts.” Modern
muscle-car styling was a big
influence, Brooks says, but the
team was careful not to push
too far. “Go too modern and
the design can look dated very
quickly,” Brooks warns.Engine
“We had a lot of discussion
around engine type—liquid-
cooled, oil-cooled, strictly air-
cooled,” Brooks says. “But why
develop a new system when we
didn’t need it? Our basic air-
cooled design was well proven.
It doesn’t overheat, it’s extremely
durable, and heat dissipation is
great with the ceramic-composite
liners. Liquid-cooling just adds
weight and complexity.”Challenges
“Three big challenges!” Shinsho
exclaims, laughing. “Infotainment
was the biggest—so many func-
tions, so difficult to make it easy
to use and understand. Then
the electric-assist Sure-Park
system—lever mount, gear ratio,
very complicated to get every-
thing right. Finally, to make a
‘cocoon’ of still air in the cockpit
so the audio sounds good.”Success
“What gives me the most happy
feeling?” Shinsho asks. “What
makes me most happy is good
handling. The bike handles very
good.” (Just then, powertrain
leader Takeshi “Tony” Taya leans
over and whispers in Shinsho’s
ear.) “But Tony says the engine
is the best. So, yes, handling
and engine both give a very
happy feeling.”BRIAN J. NELSONMCY1017_TECH.indd 49 7/24/17 3:35 PM