2009 Star Road Star Silverado Review

Introduction

2009 Star Road Star Silverado S

Star is all about getting as much out of any particular model so they diversify their lineup in various ways depending on the potential of different models. So apart from the classic Road Star and Road Star S, they present virtually the same bikes with bolted on touring accessories and new color schemes called Road Star Silverado and Road Star Silverado S.

Because at their base these bikes are all the same, they get the same fuel-injected 102-cubic-inch air-cooled, pushrod OHV 48-degree V-twin motor only that the five-speed transmission gets 5th gear overdrive for greater cruising performance and low fuel consumption. The Road Star Silverado averages a 43 mpg and has a 4.74 gallons tank so it achieves good range for those long trips. Riding comfort is enhanced by a heel/toe shifter that comes standard on both models and we reckon that the seats, backrest and pullback handlebars really talk for themselves.

The engine is solid-mounted to the steel double-cradle frame, but you’ll be still benefiting of a plush ride as there are no harsh vibrations transmitted through the handlebars, floorboards or seat. Also, those 43mm forks offer 5.5 inches of travel and the rear shock is capable of 4.3 inches of travel, which is good even for speed bumps and bad roads.

Fully loaded and carrying both rider and passenger, the Silverado ends up being a seriously loaded vehicle that demands plenty of stopping power, especially for emergency situations. And it is provided with by the four-piston calipers with aluminum pistons and sintered brake pads actuating on those 298mm front discs and 320mm rear disc.

2008 Yamaha Road Star Stratoliner History

Competition

2009 Suzuki Boulevard C109RT

Suzuki performs the same magic tricks on their 2009 Boulevard C109RT. The bike is basically a dressed up C109R painted differently and looking like a veritable tourer. In this case, we’re dealing with leather saddlebags, studded seats and backrest as well as with a tall windscreen. The engine is liquid-cooled (unlike Star’s air-cooled unit) and slightly bigger in displacement – 108.8-cubic-inches of V-twin. But, the Suzuki also weight 885 lbs o the performances of the two bikes are similar. The prices though aren’t as the 2009 C109RT has a $15,999 asking price.

2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT

Kawasaki delivers their 2009 Vulcan 1700 Classic LT as an uncompromised piece of machinery. With timeless looks and also belt final drive, all the Vulcan 1700 needed in order to step up and become a tourer were the studded seats and backrest, leather saddlebags and windscreen. Still, it relies on the muscular 103.7-cubic-inch, liquid-cooled, SOHC, four valves per cylinder V-twin engine and that provides 108 lb-ft of torque just above 2000 rpm. Curb weight is 804.7 lbs and $13,799 asking price.

2008 Honda VTX1800T

Let’s not forget about the Honda VTX1800T which is refinement itself and the $14,899 price stands precisely for that. The engine backing it up is a 1,795cc, liquid-cooled, 52-degree V-twin that is also fuel-injected. Like on the Suzuki, there’s a shaft final drive for greater reliability and the touring goodies (backrest, saddlebags and windscreen).

Exterior

2009 Star Road Star Silverado S

Among Japanese Tourers powered by around 100-cubic-inch engines, the standard Road Star Silverado blends perfectly in as it too features classic design, a lot of chrome and tall screen, studded seats, backrest, but also leather saddlebags. There is pair of 16-inch standard spoked wheels giving a nice classy touch while the fit and finish is incontestably top notch. Black Cherry painted, this ride is ready to shine under the Californian sun.

Star also produces the Road Star Silverado S and the 2009 model year not only distinguishes thanks to the Light Gray Metallic paintjob, but also due to the hard-shell sidebags and non studded seats. Furthermore, the “S” model rides on a pair of 9-spoke cast wheels which really look like the perfect choice for it.

The details make all the difference and in this case, both Silverado models feature floorboars even for the passenger. This feature enhances comfort and raises the standards for the class.

With great accommodations and attention to details, the Stratoliners really appear as unmistakably beautiful and never growing old tourers with almost everything in common and yet different looks.

2009 Star Road Star Silverado S

2008 Yamaha Road Star Stratoliner Test Ride

Price

These motorcycles also stand proud in their class as they feature competitive retail prices which seem like having nothing to do with the actual products. At $14,090 for the 2009 Star Road Star Silverado and $14,590 for the 2009 Silverado S, you really get a lot of bike for the money in each particular case.

Conclusion

2009 Star Road Star Silverado

Undergoing a facile transformation from Classic into Touring, Star manages to exploit their Road Star’s capabilities into a whole new domain, but so do the other Japanese builders and they’re as good at it as Star. So what makes the difference? It all consists in each manufacturer’s engine reliability and performance, build quality, comfort as well as fit and finish. All these are top notch on the Star Road Star Silverado models and the climax are the affordable prices.

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