Wingrider, Surprised by your comment on the royale. IT has a low center of gravity similar to the Wing. The gas tank is under the seat. I dropped my VR once, about the first time I took my wife for a ride. Turning left out of my driveway parking spot, the cold engine died, and at zero mph over we went. Wife stepped off, and I picked it up easy and off we went. I can turn tight circles with it leaned over till it drags everything, and it just is stable. Goes down the road easy, and straight. I can weave back and forth as it is light on its tires for a big bike.

Now the '04 Wing I bought this summer, I have dropped it twice trying to just turn around. The thing just wants to DIVE for the ground if you lay it over much. Just can't turn tight circles with it like the VR. Love the power/torque, and I am happy with the features, but the VR has a Much more sophisticated suspension and rides a lot better. Plus the VR gets better mpg. Wish Yamaha made a modern VR, the royal star just doesn't do it for me, basically the same bike mechanically, but I am not in love with the Harley look unless it is a Harley. The Shadow Tour is my wife's bike, and I like riding it, but it isn't what I want for my own bike.

Anyway, we have opposite experiences on these two bikes, but still they were/are both fun in their own ways.