Written by Arv Voss
STAR MOTORCYCLE’S STRATOLINER
A New Star Is Born
Y am ah A
last
M ADT I l l s I’O R
V
i it became
: com-
Available in three different
levels o f trim, we tested
the top o f the line, the
Stratoliner S.
r is provided by a
fair-
F, 48-
ngine with
¡el injection and
«idon sensor. 'Hie
r makes 101 horsc-
r at the crankshaft (91
hp at the rear wheel) and
1 pound-feet o f torque
: crank (yielding 117
t to the:
Stratoliner 1
is a blend i
attributes c
emisi
: drive,
dnum frame
• 37 pounds.
I weight savings
: from an eight-compo­
nent aluminum rear swing
arm. T h e exhaust setup is
a large chrome, two-into-
one right-side setup, with
a sweet-sounding, deep-
throated tone.
pounds, but its low center of
gravity and remarkable bal­
ance provide a much lighter
feel, tempting floorboard­
dragging transitions from
turn to turn. The ride qual­
ity is exceptionally comfort­
able thanks to 46 nun dual
forks with 5.3-inch travel
up front and a single-shock
Link-Type rear suspension
with 4.3-inch travel.
T h e Stratoliner S travels
on Bridgestone radial tires
- 130/70-18 in the front
and 190/60-17 aft. Wheels
are polished 12-spoke hol­
low cast alloy. Stopping
chores are handled by
298m m dual front discs
assisted by a 320m m single
disc at the rear handle.
O n the road, acceleration
while encountering strong,
gusting crosswinds during
is smooth and instanta­
neous over a broad torque
range, and shifting up or
down delivers smooth tran­
sitions. Braking is positive
lens withI
our test ride. T h e weight
mass positioning and low
stance allows for both slow-
and high-speed maneuvers
with equal aplomb.
Riders long-of-leg may
need to move their inside
turn leg away from the tank
to <
dr
aft. T h e I
and taillight 1
beneath.]
and i
i »
!
*'
; is for sure, it’s
. It’s the real
!
tourer.
-1
‘
◄ The Star Stratohner combines
the best attributes ol both cruiser
and lour»» bikes
24 > JUNUJVLV