Stratoliner

Thought I would revitalize the thread with this short tale.  I own a V-star 1100 which is a terrific machine, though I am shopping for a larger displacement touring bike. I demo'd a Stratoliner this week at a bike meet. The Strat was really amazing-light to lift off the stand, real chracter in the engine, tons of grunt, awesomne sound even with stock pipes, superb handling at all speeds. This has really changed my thinking about my next bike p- will let y'all know what happens!
Re-visited this site to see what others thought. Thanks for the info!  

I have not had the opportunity to ride the Vulcan or VTX or the Harley Heritage Softail Classic bikes. These were the bikes along with the Roadstar i was looking at. I sat on all of them and that was as close as I got. However due to a really cool young man at the Yamaha shop he got me to sit on the Stratoliner and it was first love. I can't begin to explain how much difference I felt in just the simple sitting down on this bike. It was so different. The Harley felt good but it is hard to get a real feel on a Harley because of all the hype and nostalgia that they induce. The VTX felt like a Mississippi River barge wanting to turn upside down. The Vulcan did nothing for me. The Roadstar made me sit like I was sorta way too close to the gas tank. OH, and the Suzuki 108 Boulevard was like the Vulcan.. I just didn't care for the looks of that headlight and too wide rear tire/fender on a cruiser... But hey guys don't throw rocks at me.. This is my opinion and they are all fine bikes to the rightful lovers.

This stratoliner is the most elegant handling bike I have ever rode on. It is beautiful in parking lots and on long stretches of winding roads. It will drag the cheap chrome off them floorboards begging to go a little lower in a curve. It will make the normal Harley look like its tied with a chain to something in a race. Those 6cylinder Hondas and Valkries I avoid though???  The Gold Wing is one fast big elephant..My brother in law has one and we ride and it will scat.

I did install Cobra's a Power commander III and a big air kit and although this stratoliner will fly I do have way too much popping on deceleration and between shifts or when letting it wind down thru the gears. It is very annoying and I have had a lot of work on dynos to remove it and been reading a lot of forums and it seems to be alot of trial and errors for each individual bike.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.. StarwalkerP  

Vulcan is a top heavy beast..Add about 80lbs compared to Strato,and its all up high where you really feel at real slow speeds and lifting off stand,esp 2 up.Added complexity,hassel of coolant,hoses,radiator..Not for me..
Got my Strato two weeks ago,put 600 miles on,LOVE IT! Will love more with following changes. Flanders handlebars.Get different seat than Corbin(i'm a BIG guy,will fit average size fine)Different windshield,WAY to much buffeting above 60..imho always.Randy  

hello could we have a live chat room  

Why?  People with a life don't need one and don't have the time to sit and chat, especially if riding is a viable alternative at the time.  Herb.  

ok i guess u told me  

jus trying to be creative  

sorry  

Vulcan is 80lbs heavier and weight is up high.Also has additional complexity of water cooled heads,radiator,hoses,etc..I'm in Florida and heat not a big deal until I installed "Bucks"windshield lowers..They did a great job to reduce buffeting at speed,but way more heat on rider..Riding 40yrs..Strato is great bike...Randy  

strat07, I ride a V Star 1100 now and the strat is my dream bike. I've read in other forums about buffeting with 1100s and 1300s and installing lowers helps way reduce or eliminate buffeting. Do you have lowers on yours? That may be a better (cheaper) way of chilling that out.

Can't wait for the day my lovely bride and I go two-up on a strat...how's the pillion on yours?

Ride safe, watch out for cagers on cell phones, and thank The Man Upstairs for every safe ride.  

luv this site, tons of info thanks guys 4 your input.  

Only sat on it and never rode it.

It seems well balanced and maneuverable but the floor boards seem a little low.  Don't know if that can be changed.

Met a bunch of people who rode them.  It sounds like one of those bikes that's gonna be a classic.  Never heard anyone say anything bad about them and the price is right.  

I posted on this thread 2 years ago and now have much more experience with my Stratoliner.  I still love it.  I did get an Ultimate seat with a backrest and a luggage rack and a leather covered trunk.  Now I'm adding chrome - STAR "Hot Rod" stuff.  I would recommend it.  

I traded an older 1994 BMW K1100LT for my 2006 Stratoliner Midnight about 2 months ago.  Fantastic bike, I could not get me wife to get on the beemer, but I can't seem to get out on the strat alone.  With it lower center of gravity and the rear seat not being 6 inches higher than the drivers, she feels more comfy back there.  I only put 3K on it so far, but those are realy comfy miles.  

I think I would like a little louder exhaust on it, I geuss I'm going through a midlife or something.  Anyone got a website for some nice exhaoust kits?  I've looked at some and it looks like they don't come so cheap,$500 besides the fact you got to get the programmer so your not pinging and back firing $350.  

I do need some tires and that would have to be my only complaint they are specific and not very easy to shop for.  I did check the site someone mentioned in this formum and I guess they found out they where cheaper becasue now they are $149.  As anyone put a fatty on the back yet, stock is 190-60-17 on a 5.5 inch rim.