4. With the top box gone, the Eluder also has a sleeker seat. Going the bagger route, the Eluder seat lacks the lower back support of the Venture’s perch, and the passenger has no backrest.

5. The changes from the Star Venture to the 2018 Yamaha Star Eluder make it a lighter bike. Tipping the scales at 875 pounds, the Eluder is 82 pounds lighter than the fully dressed Venture.

6. Taking things away also lowers the Eluder’s price compared to the Venture. The standard Eluder runs $2500 less than the standard Venture, while the Eluder GT is $3000 less than the Venture Transcontinental.

7. Yamaha stripped down the electronics a bit for the Star Eluder, compared to the Venture. While the Venture is set up for two-up communications, the Communications Suite, as Yamaha calls it, focuses on the rider rather than the rider/passenger. However, like the Venture, the Eluder has heated seating for the driver and passenger.

8. With the lost weight on the Eluder, Yamaha’s Sure-Park System is gone. You’ll have to use a bit more muscle to maneuver the Eluder around the parking lot. It doesn’t have the Venture’s electric-motor powered reverse system.