What"s New: Out with the Art Deco, In with the Garmin
What's New: Out with the Art Deco, In with the Garmin
The Star Motorcycles brand was launched by Yamaha in 2005, and at last count, their lineup features twelve cruisers including the mighty V-Max and the new-for-2012 limited edition Raider SCL.
Updated for 2012, the Stratoliner Deluxe gets a price bump from $17,490 to $17,990, but also gains a new Garmin zumo 665 GPS unit, which integrates with the Strat's speaker system and can connect via Bluetooth to an optional headset for navigation and cell phone connectivity.
With a monthly subscription, the Garmin can also be enabled for Sirius/XM satellite radio, traffic information, weather radar, and road condition warnings.
The '12 model now enables iPhone/iPod audio controls via buttons on the handgrip which links to devices hidden in a new closeable, weather proof compartment. The two fairing-mounted speakers are now chrome-lined, and other subtle updates include the loss of the precedessor's art deco-treatment on the fuel tank, the removal of the front fender stay, and a new color, liquid silver-- oh, and if you want yours in any other hue, good luck and best wishes. Silver is the only option.
The Stratoliner Deluxe's underpinnings remain mean and not-so-lean, including an air-cooled, fuel-injected 1,854cc v-twin mated to a 5-speed transmission, a pair of color-matched locking sidebags, and a fairing equipped with a short windscreen.
On the Road: Have Bags, Will Travel... Sorta
From its massive fairing to its swollen saddlebags, the Stratoliner Deluxe displaces a chunky but streamlined footprint, and an expansive personality to boot. Sure, she's a big girl with a lot of bulk to carry, but at least the Strat's aluminum frame helps limit its wet weight to 794 lbs-- plenty hefty, though not as weighty as you might expect for such a hulking cruiser. For a quick apples to oranges comparison, consider that the Honda ST1300 sport tourer tips the scales at only 64 pounds less than this bad boy.
Mass feels apparent as you lift the Strat Deluxe off its side stand, but the relative narrowness of the saddle and low 27.8 inch seat height gives the rider a psychological advantage to life in the wide lane. The 1,854cc V-twin revs with growly authority, spitting a bark that's notable but not annoyingly loud. Though the handlebar position results in a somewhat wide grasp, the bike feels manageable at speed, with suspension geometry lending it stability on the road and predictable-- if slow-turning, nautical style-- handling. Peak torque kicks in at only 2,500 rpm, and there's plenty of passing power on hand despite the five speed transmission's relatively tall gearing, which shifts with smooth and easy lever action. Incidentally, cruising at 75 mph equates to an engine speed of 3,300 rpm, visible on a small out-of-the-way tachometer situated adjacent to the big, retro-style speedo.
Though the sound coming through the two fairing-mounted speakers is relatively robust and the grip-mounted iPod controls work fine, the Stratoliner Deluxe isn't exactly setup for long distance, high-speed riding: at least with my five foot, eleven inch frame, the shorty windscreen creates turbulence at speeds above 55 mph.
Seating posture is comfortable enough aboard the saddle, with front-mounted flooboards enabling a stretched out body posture. Although I had no problem spending prolonged stretches of time aboard the bike, the slightly arms-forward position might get tiresome for those with shorter limbs. Brakes stop all 794 pounds effectively, but ABS would be a welcome option for those interested in the safety net offered by the technology.
I tested the Stratoliner Deluxe on the hills of Georgia to the south of Atlanta, and it managed the twisty sections with relative ease. Though peg scraping (and the occasional trail of sparks) accompanied some of the more challenging sections, the Strat proved entertaining to ride, with plenty of torque wrapped up in a comfy and capable package-- characteristics most bagger enthusiasts seek. However, higher speeds produced an annoying amount of wind noise which fought with the stereo speakers for attention, suggesting that this bike is better suited to around-town cruising than to interstate hopping.
As previously mentioned in my Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero review, the bagger genre is a strange one: though these big bikes come equipped with integrated saddlebags, they're usually not very big. They've also got windscreens, but those also tend to be on the skimpy side. In essence, these bikes are more about form than they are about function, which seems just fine for fans of this genre.
If you're a bagger enthusiast, the Stratoliner Deluxe offers no big surprises: it does everything it purports to with relative ease, and its on-road manners offer about as much user friendliness as you can expect from a 730 pound animal.
Power is copious and comfort is high, though the $16,799 Kawasaki Vaquero, its nearest competitor, offers stiff competition with its standard cruise control (which the Star lacks). At least the Strat Deluxe takes the lead with its more accommodating saddle, which is friendlier over long haul rides.
The pricier $19,499 Harley-Davidson Street Glide offers more (engine shaking) character, and unlike the Japanese alternatives, makes ABS available as part of an $1,195 security package. Cruise control can also be added for $295. The Hog, like the Star and Kawasaki, includes a two-speaker sound system at no extra cost. Incidentally, an AM/FM receiver is included with the Kawi and Harley, while the Star offers only the iPhone/iPod/MP3 player option for music sourcing.
Another domestic option is offered by Victory's recently updated Cross-Country, which starts at $18,999 and features standard anti-lock brakes.
Is Star's updated Stratoliner Deluxe the bike for you? Hardcore domestic fans will likely spring the extra dough for the Street Glide or Victory Cross-Country, no questions asked, while metric enthusiasts will have a tougher time picking between the Star and the Kawasaki.
While the Vaquero comes with a lower price tag and standard cruise control, the Stratoliner Deluxe's incrementally comfier saddle makes it more attractive to road tripping riders.
At the end of the day, I suspect that long distance accommodations are a less compelling factor in this segment than style-- making the battle for bagger supremacy a subjective one that's best decided by the buyer's personal sensibilities, rather than a spec sheet or equipment list.
>>Click here to see the 2012 Star Motorcycles Lineup
The Star Motorcycles brand was launched by Yamaha in 2005, and at last count, their lineup features twelve cruisers including the mighty V-Max and the new-for-2012 limited edition Raider SCL.
Updated for 2012, the Stratoliner Deluxe gets a price bump from $17,490 to $17,990, but also gains a new Garmin zumo 665 GPS unit, which integrates with the Strat's speaker system and can connect via Bluetooth to an optional headset for navigation and cell phone connectivity.
With a monthly subscription, the Garmin can also be enabled for Sirius/XM satellite radio, traffic information, weather radar, and road condition warnings.
The '12 model now enables iPhone/iPod audio controls via buttons on the handgrip which links to devices hidden in a new closeable, weather proof compartment. The two fairing-mounted speakers are now chrome-lined, and other subtle updates include the loss of the precedessor's art deco-treatment on the fuel tank, the removal of the front fender stay, and a new color, liquid silver-- oh, and if you want yours in any other hue, good luck and best wishes. Silver is the only option.
The Stratoliner Deluxe's underpinnings remain mean and not-so-lean, including an air-cooled, fuel-injected 1,854cc v-twin mated to a 5-speed transmission, a pair of color-matched locking sidebags, and a fairing equipped with a short windscreen.
On the Road: Have Bags, Will Travel... Sorta
From its massive fairing to its swollen saddlebags, the Stratoliner Deluxe displaces a chunky but streamlined footprint, and an expansive personality to boot. Sure, she's a big girl with a lot of bulk to carry, but at least the Strat's aluminum frame helps limit its wet weight to 794 lbs-- plenty hefty, though not as weighty as you might expect for such a hulking cruiser. For a quick apples to oranges comparison, consider that the Honda ST1300 sport tourer tips the scales at only 64 pounds less than this bad boy.
Mass feels apparent as you lift the Strat Deluxe off its side stand, but the relative narrowness of the saddle and low 27.8 inch seat height gives the rider a psychological advantage to life in the wide lane. The 1,854cc V-twin revs with growly authority, spitting a bark that's notable but not annoyingly loud. Though the handlebar position results in a somewhat wide grasp, the bike feels manageable at speed, with suspension geometry lending it stability on the road and predictable-- if slow-turning, nautical style-- handling. Peak torque kicks in at only 2,500 rpm, and there's plenty of passing power on hand despite the five speed transmission's relatively tall gearing, which shifts with smooth and easy lever action. Incidentally, cruising at 75 mph equates to an engine speed of 3,300 rpm, visible on a small out-of-the-way tachometer situated adjacent to the big, retro-style speedo.
Though the sound coming through the two fairing-mounted speakers is relatively robust and the grip-mounted iPod controls work fine, the Stratoliner Deluxe isn't exactly setup for long distance, high-speed riding: at least with my five foot, eleven inch frame, the shorty windscreen creates turbulence at speeds above 55 mph.
Seating posture is comfortable enough aboard the saddle, with front-mounted flooboards enabling a stretched out body posture. Although I had no problem spending prolonged stretches of time aboard the bike, the slightly arms-forward position might get tiresome for those with shorter limbs. Brakes stop all 794 pounds effectively, but ABS would be a welcome option for those interested in the safety net offered by the technology.
I tested the Stratoliner Deluxe on the hills of Georgia to the south of Atlanta, and it managed the twisty sections with relative ease. Though peg scraping (and the occasional trail of sparks) accompanied some of the more challenging sections, the Strat proved entertaining to ride, with plenty of torque wrapped up in a comfy and capable package-- characteristics most bagger enthusiasts seek. However, higher speeds produced an annoying amount of wind noise which fought with the stereo speakers for attention, suggesting that this bike is better suited to around-town cruising than to interstate hopping.
As previously mentioned in my Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero review, the bagger genre is a strange one: though these big bikes come equipped with integrated saddlebags, they're usually not very big. They've also got windscreens, but those also tend to be on the skimpy side. In essence, these bikes are more about form than they are about function, which seems just fine for fans of this genre.
If you're a bagger enthusiast, the Stratoliner Deluxe offers no big surprises: it does everything it purports to with relative ease, and its on-road manners offer about as much user friendliness as you can expect from a 730 pound animal.
Power is copious and comfort is high, though the $16,799 Kawasaki Vaquero, its nearest competitor, offers stiff competition with its standard cruise control (which the Star lacks). At least the Strat Deluxe takes the lead with its more accommodating saddle, which is friendlier over long haul rides.
The pricier $19,499 Harley-Davidson Street Glide offers more (engine shaking) character, and unlike the Japanese alternatives, makes ABS available as part of an $1,195 security package. Cruise control can also be added for $295. The Hog, like the Star and Kawasaki, includes a two-speaker sound system at no extra cost. Incidentally, an AM/FM receiver is included with the Kawi and Harley, while the Star offers only the iPhone/iPod/MP3 player option for music sourcing.
Another domestic option is offered by Victory's recently updated Cross-Country, which starts at $18,999 and features standard anti-lock brakes.
Is Star's updated Stratoliner Deluxe the bike for you? Hardcore domestic fans will likely spring the extra dough for the Street Glide or Victory Cross-Country, no questions asked, while metric enthusiasts will have a tougher time picking between the Star and the Kawasaki.
While the Vaquero comes with a lower price tag and standard cruise control, the Stratoliner Deluxe's incrementally comfier saddle makes it more attractive to road tripping riders.
At the end of the day, I suspect that long distance accommodations are a less compelling factor in this segment than style-- making the battle for bagger supremacy a subjective one that's best decided by the buyer's personal sensibilities, rather than a spec sheet or equipment list.
Specifications
- Price: $17,990
- Engine: 113 cubic inch (1,854cc) air-cooled and fuel injected V-twin; OHV, 4 valves/cylinder
- Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons
- Frame: Aluminum
- Transmission: 5-speed, with multiplate wet clutch
- Final Drive: Belt
- Front Suspension: 46mm telescopic fork, 5.1 inches of travel
- Rear Suspension: Single shock, 4.3 inches of travel
- Front Brakes: Dual hydraulic disc, 298 mm
- Rear Brakes: Hydraulic disc, 320 mm
- Seat height: 27.8 inches
- Curb Weight: 794 lbs
- Colors: Liquid Silver
- Warranty: 1 year, limited factory
Who Should Buy the 2012 Yamaha Star Motorcycles Stratoliner Deluxe?
Metric bagger fans who gravitate towards custom styling and gutsy performance, but don't demand the wind protection or available anti-lock features offered by other alternatives.>>Click here to see the 2012 Star Motorcycles Lineup
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