Yamaha/Star Stratoliner

[NIGHTHAWK1]

Any of you guys ridden or owned one of these? Opinions?

Thanks...

[V2K_CCTX]

nice rides, just cant seem to find anything i like better than the v2k

[sablesurfer]

Not ridden...but I have put my butt on one and it was comfy. When I was looking for a bike, that was the first one I put an offer on. (All the review articles had it listed pretty well.) The seller was NOT motivated and was asking way too much.

(Which is funny cause my dealer has a test bike that they are trying to sell...and they are asking way too much as well. About 8 months and still >$10k on a 3,000 mile test bike.)

Anyway, some like the looks some hate them. I think it is kinda cool...especially the all silver version.

[wild_deuce03]

Originally Posted by V2K_CCTX

nice rides, just cant seem to find anything i like better than the v2k

+1 Never ridden any of them but they are some nice looking bikes for sure. The deal breaker for me was sitting on one. Didn't like the way I sat "on top" of the bike. The V2K just fits so much better for me.

[Vulcan900]

The Stratoliner was on my short list when I got the V2K. Couldn't get a test ride... how do you expect me to spend $11,000 without a test ride?

[V2K_CCTX]

it is getting harder and harder to even find someplace that will let you demo before buying

[vtwinrider]

I think it's a great looking bike,but i'm more partial to water cooled engines.I always thought that in stop and go traffic,the engine would get extremely hot..I could be wrong though.

[Danase]

I love the Yamahas. I think they are really nice bikes and I like how they are air cooled. One less system to worry about.

[Peterh]

Hi. I have to say the new one is a nice bike.

YAMAHA MOTOR CANADA | 2010 Stratoliner Deluxe

[jbsmd]

[quote=wild_deuce03;1831540]+1 Didn't like the way I sat "on top" of the bike. QUOTE]

Can someone explain this to me? Never mind I think I understand, the bike is too tall for the rider or the seat is too wide to allow the feet to rest on the ground. With so many things that can be done to a bike I don't see the problem.

[airchuk]

I have a V2K and a Stratoliner Midnight.

My honest comparison -

V2K heavy beast, short gears, great accelleration 3rd gear on up.
Very comfortable for a long day in the saddle. 42 mpg highway.

Stratoliner much lighter, great gearing, excellent features, amazing accelleration - much quicker than my V2K. Different seating - yes more on top, but still very comfortable for the long ride. 44 mpg highway.

On the Strat you sit 2 inches higher. The seat is more flat, less curve to it.

Air cooling? No big deal. I've been in stop and go traffic with both bikes. They run about the same temp. My inner thighs are approaching well done on both bikes, stuck in traffic. The Strat does have an oil cooler up front.

I added a lightbar, lowers, highway bars, pegs, Sac grips, Madco throttle lock, saddlebag guards, luggage rack, Roadhouse slipons -

It's well engineered and the workmanship is top notch.

The Madonna turn signals look strange, but they are BRIGHT.

I wouldn't know which bike to get rid of if I had to sell one.

[rldowns3]

I have an 08 Stratoliner S. Awsome bike. Yamaha really did their homework on this bike. For a 1900CC engine it gets good gas mileage. From stoplight to stoplight I get around 35mpg, but it really shines on the hiway for long trips when I pull out 49mpg on long trips, provided I'm easy on the throttle.

The temps can get a litle hot on the left rear side of the engine in stop and go traffic, have to hold my left leg out a tad further when stopped, but otherwise it isn't a problem. The bike is very nimble for it's size and will maneuver like a smaller bike in a parking lot. It is pretty smooth on the road too. And did I mention that this bike has power? Oh yeah, for a bagger it hauls @$$. Very torque'ish and power is brought on very smoothly and throttle is very crisp, responsive and exact. Don't let the exhaust sound fool you at idle. At idle it does sound a bit whimpy but when you lay open that throttle it wakes up in a serious way.

The only thing I have added to my strat has been crash bars and a set of bucks lowers. The lowers improved the ride 100% imho. No more wind problems in my face.

The only thing I'd change about the bike are the leather covered hard bags from yahama, which yamaha discontinued for the 2010 model and now use painted hard bags. The leather is a pain in the butt to keep looking spiffy. If you ride like I do, which is in any weather, every day, then your bags will probably start to look like mine...kinda crappy. I'm considering stripping the bags down and fiberglassing them on the outside and paint them to match the bike.

My advise is definately try one out before you discount it from consideration if at all possible. They are great bikes, but I will be strait with you that they are definately not made for folks less than 5'10" tall. They are a very large bike with a very roomy seating position and you will need a decent inseam length to reach the ground with both feet.

[V2K_CCTX]

I am 5-9 32" inseam and i am perfectly fit to the V2K...the yamaha didnt fit me as well...and i prefer the simple lines of the V2K...just me...plus who can argue with 2053cc vtwin

[mbigica]

Originally Posted by airchuk

I have a V2K and a Stratoliner Midnight.

My honest comparison -

V2K heavy beast, short gears, great accelleration 3rd gear on up.
Very comfortable for a long day in the saddle. 42 mpg highway.

Stratoliner much lighter, great gearing, excellent features, amazing accelleration - much quicker than my V2K. Different seating - yes more on top, but still very comfortable for the long ride. 44 mpg highway.

On the Strat you sit 2 inches higher. The seat is more flat, less curve to it.

Air cooling? No big deal. I've been in stop and go traffic with both bikes. They run about the same temp. My inner thighs are approaching well done on both bikes, stuck in traffic. The Strat does have an oil cooler up front.

I added a lightbar, lowers, highway bars, pegs, Sac grips, Madco throttle lock, saddlebag guards, luggage rack, Roadhouse slipons -

It's well engineered and the workmanship is top notch.

The Madonna turn signals look strange, but they are BRIGHT.

I wouldn't know which bike to get rid of if I had to sell one.

That's a sweat ride there.

When I was looking I was torn between the V2k and the Stratoliner. They both fit me well. The Stratoliner seamed more refine. It seamed smoother. the engine was exceptionally smooth. At the time that was actually a deterrent the V2k to me had more of a rumble, slight mirror shaking feel that I liked. It was a tough decision but i came across my V2k at over 5K less out the door than the Stratoliner S I wanted.

The strat does have some cool stuff. Like a keyed quick disconnect windshield. Something I wish Kawasaki had done.

If I were to do it all over again today and look for a second bike it would be a Stratoliner. They are sweat.

[mbigica]

Originally Posted by rldowns3

Not to be left out but that's a sweat ride as well. I do like those strats

[wild_deuce03]

Originally Posted by jbsmd

Can someone explain this to me? Never mind I think I understand, the bike is too tall for the rider or the seat is too wide to allow the feet to rest on the ground. With so many things that can be done to a bike I don't see the problem.

I know it sounds dumb, but I don't like bikes where the seat rides up high. I like seats that go down into the bike so you feel like your in it. I'm 6'1" so reach isn't the issue. Ever sit on a chopper? Usually you sit "in" the bike. That make any sense or did I just confuse you more?

[V2K_CCTX]

Originally Posted by mbigica

That's a sweat ride there.

When I was looking I was torn between the V2k and the Stratoliner. They both fit me well. The Stratoliner seamed more refine. It seamed smoother. the engine was exceptionally smooth. At the time that was actually a deterrent the V2k to me had more of a rumble, slight mirror shaking feel that I liked. It was a tough decision but i came across my V2k at over 5K less out the door than the Stratoliner S I wanted.

The strat does have some cool stuff. Like a keyed quick disconnect windshield. Something I wish Kawasaki had done.

If I were to do it all over again today and look for a second bike it would be a Stratoliner. They are sweat.

go for the ZX14mrgreen:

[h2o]

Originally Posted by mbigica

That's a sweat ride there.

When I was looking I was torn between the V2k and the Stratoliner. They both fit me well. The Stratoliner seamed more refine. It seamed smoother. the engine was exceptionally smooth. At the time that was actually a deterrent the V2k to me had more of a rumble, slight mirror shaking feel that I liked. It was a tough decision but i came across my V2k at over 5K less out the door than the Stratoliner S I wanted.

The strat does have some cool stuff. Like a keyed quick disconnect windshield. Something I wish Kawasaki had done.

If I were to do it all over again today and look for a second bike it would be a Stratoliner. They are sweat.

That's a great looking bike. The bike looks huge in person but feels very light off the kickstand.