Buying a real cruiser, tourer or custom has absolutely nothing to do with cylinder capacity. That’s the first idea you get when seeing the 2009 V Star lineup, especially the 650cc trio, the Classic, Silverado and Custom. These bikes are built with reliability, comfort and fuel efficiency in mind and it is by now a fact that beginners love them mostly due to offering diversity in the form of entry-level products.
Does 40-cubic-inch of V-twin motor ring a bell? This is one of the first engines to power a Yamaha cruiser-type motorcycle and ten years after being introduced it still rocks…on three stylish different models.
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Ever since Yamaha decided to brand all their cruiser-type models as Star, they’ve aimed towards delivering outstandingly refined machines as well as reviving legends such as the VMAX. But they were lacking new models and the all-new 2009 V Star 950 models stand as the first step towards changing that situation.
The V Star 950 was built from ground up and addresses either at riders who are just starting to ride or at those in search for the best cruiser that $8K can buy.
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Probably Star’s most appropriate motto would be
“A Star for everybody” as they offer different, but close sized engines to power a variety of models that are meant to suit all possible riding demands. Take the V Star 1100 lineup for instance. This fills in the gap between the V Star 1300 and V Star 950 with three similar and yet so different models, the Classic, the Silverado and the Custom. So which one suits you best?
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Star builds their 2009 V Star 1300 as the ideal midsized cruising motorcycle that makes no concessions in what concerns power, comfort and built quality. Combining a bulletproof and dynamic 80-cubic-inch engine, a low (28.1 in) seat height and Star unmatched fit and finish, this package simply had to be widely exploited.
And it is with two different models being available, the simple V Star 1300 and the V Star 1300 Tourer. This last comes fitted with a tall windscreen, leather-wrapped, hard sidebags as well as a passenger backrest, all contributing at delivering a machine that is meant to keep the rider and passenger traveling for long distances in complete comfort.
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The 2009 Star Road Star Silverado and Silverado S are ready for the long haul and don’t mind letting everyone notice this fact. Packed with floating floorboards, a tall windscreen passenger backrest as well as with hard-shell sidebags, the Silverados are comfortable and offer plenty of loading capacity.
And all of that extra load is properly dealed with loads of torque and a harmonious rumble provided by the 102-cubic-inch V-twin engine powering the two cruisers.
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Kawasaki starts producing the Versys Tourer after receiving positive feedback to a prototype they unveiled at the NEC.
The new model will feature a set of hard panniers, mounting frame and adjustable flip-up screen, all adding a plus of $472 to the base MSRP of the standard Versys.
ABS will be optional and colors available will be Metallic Black, Metallic Gray or Metallic Orange. Sales start at the end of February for $7,879 (ABS-free model) or $8,378 (ABS model).
Can’t decide between cruising and touring? Why don’t have both with the Star Royal Star Tour Deluxe, a full-sized touring motorcycle that can easily be stripped into a veritable cruiser. Powered by a lively V-four engine, it loses nothing of the old Yamaha cruisers/tourers charm and we’re talking about a 2009 model year.
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MCN spotted Ducati’s latest adventure touring motorcycle while it was being tested and they captured some accurate images which confirm our suspicions related to the latest creation of the Bologna house.
Aimed to replace the Multistrada model, the bike is built around the water-cooled 1099cc V-twin engine of the Ducati Streetfighter. The
yellow cables seen in the pictures are for the portable datalogging unit, meaning that they retuned the engine through the fuelling system for greater sport-touring performance.
While we loved what we’ve seen on the left rider side of the bike, including the single-sided swingarm, the right side unveils an awkward
looking exhaust. The collector box is positioned under the engine (that will most likely be covered) while the pipes look like every kid’s dream slingshot…not quite what you would expect from a big boy’s machine.
Comfort and appropriate styling is a must for the new Ducati so while the generous bodywork allows for plenty of room both for rider and passenger, the windscreen is adjustable as seen from the hinges on the side mounting. With a pair of aggressive ram air scoops and 1098’s LCD dashboard, this bike looks ready for this autumn’s EICMA show in Milan.
If we could only get a glimpse of it without all that duct tape on…
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Yamaha’s notorious FJR1300 models make for perfect long haul companions as they meet not only the normal requirements of the sport-touring class, but set new standards with advanced development and anticipation. Comfortable, despite the sporty riding position and very fast even though they weigh third times more than your average commuting bike, the A and AE models can’t stay in the garage for long.
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Suzuki may have carried on producing their big boy models without any changes apart from the ones involving color schemes, but the C50 series is the exception to the rule. Not heavily refined, but enough to make a difference are: the base model, the C50T and the Special Edition one, all with something special to offer.
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