Imagine blasting off along the highway with the wind slamming against your helmet and feeling all the gushing sensation of air creeping into your skin.

Sounds exciting, right?

Well, that image could turn into reality if you so choose. All you need to do is bring home a Yamaha->ke301 Stratoliner Deluxe and you can bring that daydream into reality.

The Stratoliner Deluxe->ke1807 offers the best in style, comfort, and convenience for the casual tourer. The bike's unique neo-streamlined designed and powerful 1.8-liter engine is the perfect road companion for anybody that has visions of clear highways and open roads.

In addition to the outstanding design characteristics and robust powertrain, the Stratoliner Deluxe handles like a puppet, too. Everything you want it to do, it can do without so much as any resistance.

Quite simply, it's one of those tourer bikes that comes with a retail price - $17,490 - that may look steep at first glance, but it's an investment well worth making.

Find out more about the Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe after the jump.

2011 Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe
  • Engine/Motor: air-cooled, long-stroke, OHV, 4 valves per cylinder, 48°, V-twin engine
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Design

The 2011 Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe comes with a big, wind-shearing fairing with a short windscreen and plenty of entertainment trinkets, including an iPod jack and high-fidelity speakers. The bike's stereo system also includes convenient, handlebar-mounted audio controls to make audio navigation easier. The bike's neo-streamline design gives the Stratoliner Deluxe a completely distinctive look and the fairing offers excellent weather protection. A sculpted seat makes for an excellent and comfortable place to sit on long rides, improving long-range comfort along the way. It also comes with position beams, situated within the main headlight housing and providing great visibility along the way. The bike's chrome finish also adds a touch of sophistication and class to the Stratoliner Deluxe while the classic clock-style instrumentation complements the bike's neo-retro look. A bright multi-reflector headlight, LED taillight, and amber turn signals behind clear lenses provides an even more custom look. Finally, color matched, locking hard sidebags make the Stratoliner Deluxe perfect for short trips or long hauls.

Performance

The bike is powered by a 1854cc, air-cooled, long-stroke, OHV, 4 valves per cylinder, 48°, V-twin engine that produces massive torque and class leading acceleration, enough to make it one of the most popular bikes of its class on the market. A traditional pushrod valve actuation helps keep the engine height down, allowing for a lower center of gravity and ensuring more uniform heat dissipation due to absence of a cam chain case. Four-valve cylinder heads provide optimal breathing efficiency for great power delivery at all rpms. A cylinder head utilizes a pent roof combustion chamber design and features an oil passage near the exhaust valve seats to improve cooling and durability. There's also a Mikuni 43mm, twin-bore, downdraft throttle body fuel injection (FI) with throttle position sensor (TPS) ensures great throttle response and maximum power throughout the rev range. The 12-hole, 2-directional Mikuni fuel injectors produce a wide spray pattern for complete cylinder filling. The bike also features a state-of-the-art Electronic Control Unit that ensures the power remains steady, even in out-of-this-norm circumstances.

Chassis and Suspension

As far as the chassis is concerned, Yamaha outfitted the Stratoliner Deluxe with an aluminum, die cast, double-cradle frame that reduces weight, while balancing strength and rigidity. There's also a single shock with an adjustable spring preload that provides a smooth ride for the riders no matter the load the bike is carrying. A lightweight C.F. die cast aluminum swingarm offers superb rigidity and excellent stability and handling. Rigid 46mm front fork offers 5.1" of wheel travel for exceptionally stable handling and great ride comfort. Making the bike even more imposing, the Stratoliner Deluxe carries 12-spoke wheels - 18" on the front and 17" on the back - with a front brake master cylinder and an integrated lever that operates a pair of 298mm front discs squeezed by strong monoblock calipers for excellent power, feel, and great style.

Pricing

Interested in a 2011 Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe? For the US-spec model, you're going to need to shell out $17,490.

Specifications

Model

XV19CTFAB

Engine Type

113-cubic-inch (1854cc) air-cooled 48°

V-twin; pushrod OHV, 4 valves/cylinder

Bore x Stroke

100.0 x 118.0mm

Compression Ratio

9.48:1

Fuel Delivery

Twin-Bore electronic fuel injection

with throttle position sensor

Ignition

TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition

Transmission

5-speed;

multiplate wet clutch

Final Drive

Belt

Frame

Aluminum

Suspension/Front

46mm telescopic fork;

5.1-in travel

Suspension/Rear

Single shock;

4.3-in travel

Brakes/Front

Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm

Brake/Rear

Hydraulic disc, 320mm

Tire/Front

130/70-18

Tire/Rear

190/60-17

Wheels

12-spoke cast

L x W x H

101.6 x N/A x 59.6 in

Seat Height

27.8 in

Wheelbase

67.5 in

Fuel Capacity

4.5 gal

Est. Fuel Economy

N/A

Wet Weight

794 lb

Color

Raven


Quotes

Ultimatemotorcycling ---- "There is only one Star Stratoliner for 2011, but it's Deluxe.That means you get a fork-mounted fairing that houses an iPod-ready stereo system."

Custombodykits ---- "Love it or hate it, there's a place for the metric market to drive competition and give you a better Harley in the end. You cannot argue that capitalism is what drives companies."

Motorcycle-usa ---- "The Star’s impressive engine helped it grab the lion’s share of points in the objective categories, but its third-place finish in the subjective scoring has it finishing just one point behind the Street Glide"

Ridermegazine ---- "Deluxe is French for “of luxury,” a description that is a bit of a stretch for the Stratoliner Deluxe, which is billed as a stylish tourer."