New for 2018, the Yamaha Star Eluder is a bagger built on the same platform as the Star Venture. Both have bold, modern bodywork wrapped around a massive, 113-cubic-inch, air-cooled V-twin, and they’re equipped with contemporary technology such as throttle-by-wire, riding modes, linked ABS brakes and a full infotainment system.

The Venture is designed for two-up touring. With no trunk and fewer bells and whistles, the lighter, less expensive Eluder is for riders who do more solo riding and prefer a leaner, more aggressive look.

Read our 2018 Yamaha Star Eluder first ride review

We like the Star Eluder’s generous low-end torque, its handling and its touring amenities. But what’s a bagger without some customization? For years Yamaha’s Star Motorcycles division’s tagline was, “We build it. You make it your own.”

We teamed up with Jeff Palhegyi, owner of Palhegyi Design, on a Star Eluder project bike. Known for his customized cruisers, vintage race bikes, flat trackers and more, Palhegyi has been involved with Yamaha’s product planning division for nearly three decades. The goal of this project was to enhance the Eluder’s functionality and style in a way that any owner could do in his or her own garage.

Check out Part 1 of our three-part video series about the project: 

Source: RiderMagazine.com