2009 March MOTORCYCLES
$16,790/15,690
Engine type: ohv V-Twin
Displacement: 1854cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: bell
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 67.5 In.
Seat height: 27.8 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 802 lb.
What’s in a name? Quite a lot, it turns out. The Boeing Stratoliner was a long-haul cargo and passenger plane of the 1940s powered by four big radial engines. That’s a good namesake for this bike, a bagger version of the Roadliner that harks back to an earlier era. It’s set up to carry two people and their luggage in style and comfort, and has an engine with two cylinders that look like they were plucked straight out of a biplane’s engine cowl. Also available: The standard Stratoliner, which retains the S-model ’s art-deco styling but with a bit less chrome and a lower price.
$14,490 to $15,190/14,090
Engine type: ohv V-Twin
Displacement: 1854cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: belt
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 67.5 in.
Seat height: 27.8 In.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 749 lb.
New in 2006, the Roadliner impressed Cycle World’s editors with its power, sound, overall good handling and “of-a-piece” art-deco styling so much that we named it Best Cruiser that year. While its motor shares the same basic architecture as the Road Star’s - 48-degree Vee spread, pushrods, four valves per cylinder, etc.-it’s 10 cubic inches (183cc) larger for a useful bump in torque. Aiding in that department is an EXUP exhaust powervalve that boosts foot-pounds in the 2500-3000-rpm range. Also available: The less-expensive Roadliner Midnight, which comes with black paint and less chrome.
$13,790 to $13,990/14,490 to S15,590
Engine type: ohc V-Twin
Displacement: 1854cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: belt
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 70.9 in.
Seat height: 27.3 In.
Fuel capacity: 4.2 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 730 lb.
The Raider was a natural evolution for the Star cruiser lineup, in that it is a step toward an edgier extreme, as represented by the chopper movement. So you get a fork rake of 40 degrees, 46mm fork tubes, turned-down exhaust pipes and some out-there angular styling. The aluminum frame, despite the kicked-out rake, is configured for light, easy handling. Power comes from the same excellent 1854cc ohv V-Twin used in the Roadliner and Stratoliner. A wide, 210/40-18 rear tire completes the custom look. Also available: The Raider S, the same bike with extra chrome.
$17,990
Engine type: done V-Four
Displacement: 1679cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: belt
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 66.9 in.
Seat height: 30.5 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.0 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 683 lb.
There is nothing on two wheels like the VMax. All-new for 2009, this long-awaited redo of Yamaha/Star’s original muscle-cruiser hasn’t failed to impress. At the heart of the matter is a hugely powerful, 65-degree, 1679cc V-Four that blasts out a claimed 199 horsepower. There is electronic intake control and ride-by-wire e-throttles for smooth response and a stout, linear power curve, and the Max even has a superbike-inspired, ramp-type slipper clutch. Chassis prowess is there, as well, with a huge, 52mm fork and beefy single rear shock. All this makes the VMax one of the most thrilling straight-line rides on the market.
$14,090/14,530
Engine type: ohv V-Twin
Displacement 1670cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: belt
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 66.5 in.
Seat height: 27.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.7 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 774 lb.
If you sec a Road Star with “Silverado” after its name, you’re looking at a road-worthy bagger wearing a medium-sized windshield, a short backrest/sissybar and leather saddlebags. Chrome studs along the seal, backrest and bags are another common denominator. This big ‘Rado is based on the 102-cubic-inch Road Star now fuel-in-jected and outdoes its 650 and 1100cc garagemates with quite a lot more low-end power. Also available: The Silverado S, with hard saddlebags and a chromed front end for $500 more.
$13,190/13,390
Engine type: ohv V-Twin
Displacement: 1670cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: bell
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 65.6 in.
Seat height: 28.1 In.
Fuel capacity: 4.0 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 650 lb.
Aluminum frame, inverted fork, track-worthy brakes, big exhaust canister, wide radial tires. Must be a sportbike, right? Big-inch V-Twin, pushrods, pullback handlebar, lotsa chrome. Must be a cruiser, right? Yes and yes. This is the Warrior, one of Star’s power-cruisers, and it borrows from both of those seemingly disparate worlds. Think of it, then, as a sportbike suitable for around-town duty, or as a cruiser that’s not afraid of tight, fast curves. Either way, it’s a fun, fast ride. Also available: The Midnight Warrior same bike but with blacked-out pieces replacing most chromed ones.
$11,899/12,599
Engine type: ohv V-Twin
Displacement: 1670cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: belt
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 66.5 in.
Seat height: 27.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.7 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 743 lb.
Yamaha shook up the metric-cruiser community a few years back when it unveiled the Road Star. First, its engine was huge, a full 102 cubic inches, almost 1700cc. But more important was what it didn’t have namely, a radiator and overhead camshafts. Nope, taking a page from the classic American cruiser book, the Road Star ran a long-stroke, air-cooled, 48-degree V-Twin with pushrod-activated valves. It looked like a slice of a radial aircraft engine and was an instant hit. Also available: The Road Star S, which is the very same machine except for the extra chrome sprinkled all around the hike.
$11,290/11,490
Engine type: sohc V-Twin
Displacement: 1304cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: belt
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 66.5 in.
Seat height: 28.1 In.
Fuel capacity: 4.9 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 712 lb.
This is your basic “neo-streamline” V Star 1300 in Tourer guise. Don’t let the generous cylinder tinning fool you: This 60-degree V-Twin is liquid-cooled, with the radiator tucked almost out of sight between the frame’s front downtubes. The 1300 Tourer has the usual over-the-road accoutrements windshield, backrest and usefully sized saddlebags, the latter leather-wrapped hard cases with easy-to-operate latches. Add a couple of extra C-notes for the optional Galaxy Blue paint instead of the standard Candy Red.
$10,290
Engine type: ohv V-Twin
Displacement: 1304cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: bell
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 66.5 in.
Seat height: 28.1 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.9 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 668 lb.
It’s rather odd these days that a bike powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-Twin engine that displaces 1304cc is now considered a “middleweight” package, at least when it comes to cruisers. The V-Star 1300 is a sweet-riding machine with clean, classic, art-deco lines. Four-valve heads with roller rockers, forged connecting rods and aggressive cams ensure broad power and a durable engine. The cooling system’s radiator is hidden between the frame tubes and is fed by hidden hoses to keep the look tidy.
$18.190 / $18.690
Engine type: dohc V-Four
Displacement: 1294cc
Carburetion: (4) 32mm Mikuni
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: shaft
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 67.1 in.
Seat height: 29.5 in.
Fuel capacity: 6.0 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 869 lb.
Old-timers would call this a “dresser,” as in it’s fully dressed out, ready for the open road. Wind protection is provided by a large handlebar-mounted fairing, leg shields and various blast deflectors. Asphalt eating comes courtesy of a four-cylinder powerplant fed by four carburetors via a 6-gallon gas tank and modulated by electronic cruise control. On-the-road entertainment is available through a four-speaker AM/FM/cassette player that’s CD-player compatible. Also available: The Venture S model, which is all spiffed up with extra chrome.
$15,190/15,690
Engine type: dohc V-Four
Displacement: 1294cc
Carburetion: (4) 32mm Mikuni
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: shaft
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 67.5 in.
Seat height: 29.1 In.
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 844 lb.
Can’t decide between a touring cruiser and a standard, stripped-down version? Yamaha feels your pain and offers the Royal Star Tour Deluxe as a remedy. Consider it a “convertible.” as the windshield and passenger backrest both quick-detach to give the bike a different look. The hard saddlebags lake longer to remove, but our guess is that once you get used to their convenient, one-touch openers and 9.3 gallons of storage space, you won’t want to do without them. Likewise with the air-adjustable suspension at both ends and the electronic cruise control. Also available: The S model, dressed up with additional chrome.
$10,290
Engine type: sohc V-Twin
Displacement: 1063cc
Carburetion: (2) 37mm Mikuni
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: shaft
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 64.8 In.
Seat height: 27.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 670 lb.
The middleweight touring-cruiser category is going strong, and it’s easy to see why. These arc versatile rides, equally at home whether you’re commuting to work with a bag lunch, annual report and rainsuit in the saddlebags or headed for the horizon with extra clothes and camping gear. For just over $10K, the Star 1100 Silverado is a lot of machine for the moolah. It’s basically the time-proven 1100 Classic made open-road-ready with a copbike-style windscreen, soft-leather saddlebags, studded seat and passenger backrest. Simple alterations, substantial transformation.
$9290 to $9490
Engine type: sohc V-Twin
Displacement: 1063cc
Carburetion: (2) 37mm Mikuni
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: shaft
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 64.8 in.
Seat height: 27.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 628 lb.
Just because it’s styled like the 1940s and has an engine with design roots in the 1980s, don’t think the 1100 Classic is in any way outdated. Take that 75-degree Vee motor, common to all three Star 1100s. It runs lightweight forged pistons for reduced reciprocating mass-and, hence, vibration. Its ceramic-composite cylinder-bore plating ensures superior heat dissipation for better cooling and longer engine life, a motion seconded by generous cylinder finning. The dual carbs feature a throttle-position sensor and are activated by a progressive twist-grip pulley so fuel delivery is accurate under all conditions and loads. Silver paint with flames ups the price over the standard Candy Red.
$9190/9290
Engine type: sohc V-Twin
Displacement: 1063cc
Carburetion: (2) 37mm Mikuni
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: shaft
Front brake: dual disc
Rear brake: disc
Wheelbase: 64.6 in.
Seat height: 27.2 In.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 606 lb.
The Custom’s 1063cc air-cooled V-Twin has always been one of our favorites, dating right back to the mid-Eighties when it powered Yamaha’s Virago 1100. It’s seen mechanical and cosmetic changes since, of course, but its low-rpm and midrange torque remains as strong as ever. The stout frame that wraps around the engine looks like a rigid but actually has a back-saving 4.5 inches of rear travel via a tucked-away, link-type shock. Also available: Submit to the dark side and go for the Midnight Custom in Raven paint and many blacked-out components.
$8990 to $9090/7890 to $8090
Engine type: sohc V-Twin
Displacement: 942cc
Carburetion: EFI
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: shaft
Front brake: disc
Rear brake: drum
Wheelbase: 66.3 in.
Seat height: 26.5 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.4 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 612 lb.
This is an all-new model this year, and it lists a pretty impressive collection of features. The air-cooled, 942cc engine has four-valve heads, fuel-injection and a catalyst-equipped exhaust for smooth running and clean emissions. Cool eight-spoke cast wheels and belt drive also help get the 950 down the road in style. A windscreen, saddlebags and a sissybar allow the 950 to exhibit excellent light-touring manners. Also available: The Star V Star 950, which is the same basic motorcycle bill without the touring amenities.
$7490
Engine type: sohc V-Twin
Displacement: 649cc
Carburetion: (2) 28mm Mikuni
Transmission speeds: 5
Final drive: shaft
Front brake: disc
Rear brake: drum
Wheelbase: 64.0 in.
Seat height: 27.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.2 gal.
Claimed wet weight: 583 lb.
Touring cruisers don’t have to break the bank or weigh-in at 750-plus pounds. For proof, check out this nifty V Star Silverado. Classic styling is made more so with the addition of a touring package consisting of an adjustable windshield, decently sized leather saddlebags and a paded backrest perfect for securing a passenger or a duffel bag on extended solo excursions. Speaking of which, the class-leading 4.2 gallons of gas capacity means a useful range between fill-ups, handy for commuting or crossing state lines. The V Starr Silverado is available in solid Raven, otherwise known as black, or Candy Red.
2009 March MOTORCYCLES |
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