New for 2015, Star Motorcycles brings us the Stryker Bullet Cowl. Spec-wise, it's the same Stryker mid-displacement cruiser->ke392 they've offered since 2011, but with the addition of the outlaw-esque bullet cowl -- hence the clever name "Stryker Bullet Cowl." With a 40-degree rake, low seat height, a fat rear tire, a tall front tire and that bullet cowl, it has an unmistakable bad-boy chopper look that gets attention even when parked. We don't buy a bike to look at it, though. It has to have more than looks if we're going to part with our money and take it home.

Continue reading for my review on the 2015 Stryker Bullet Cowl.

Design

With a 26.4-inch seat height and an almost 70-inch wheelbase, this baby is long and low. You can put your feet on the ground and still have enough break at the knee to look casual and relaxed. On the go, the handlebar position allows for a natural level-arm position for that "fists-in-the-wind" posture and the bullet cowl directs airflow for a smoother transition over and around the rider. Lighting details like the slit-pattern, multi-reflector headlight, an LED taillight, and custom amber LED turn signals behind clear lenses give you "see-and-be-seen" confidence. If customization is your thing, you'll like the real steel fenders and the choice of two trim packages -- chrome or blackout -- to launch your project.

Chassis

The handlebars connect directly to the top of the triple-tree, and yes, that gives a cleaner look; but by doing away with the risers, the handlebars are lower. With the low seat height, this keeps your hands in a horizontal line with your shoulders -- a much more comfortable position for riding. In the front, the telescopic-fork suspension has 5.3 inches of travel; in the rear, a single shock with 3.9 inches of travel. I'm not sure, but I think my kidneys just groaned at the short rear suspension travel. For a mid-displacement cruiser, the brakes seem more than ample -- 320 mm front and 310 mm rear. The whole package rolls on five-spoke cast aluminum wheels and a low-profile 210-series tire on the rear and 21-inch tire up front..

Drivetrain

I like the liquid-cooled bikes that still have that air-cooled look. The radiator tucked between the front-frame down tubes cools the fuel-injected, 1304 cc, SOHC, 60-degree V-twin engine. Aggressive cam timing and an exhaust system designed specifically for Stryker give you the power and distinctive exhaust note you'd expect from a V-twin. Couple this with a smooth-shifting five-speed transmission and you'll be cruising like "Easy Rider."

Pricing

MSRP on the 2015 Stryker Bullet Cowl is $12,090. You can get it in any color you want as long as the color you want is Camo Green. Browse the accessories store to add bags and some cool custom details like teardrop mirrors and flamed pegs.

He Said

My husband and fellow writer, TJ Hinton, says, "This really isn't a bad looking bike. I kinda like the minimal bullet cowl, the color isn't as bad as "camo green" might suggest and the hidden rear suspension really cleans up the rear of the bike. The long and low look plus the blacked-out details really give it a solid "boulevard bruiser" look."

She Said

"I like the chopper look, but it's an adventure finding that magic spot between chop and maneuverability. I think a 40-degree rake is about my limit. With a low, low seat height, I like this bike, but that rear suspension gives me pause. Oh well, it's a cruiser, so short barhopping trips are easier on the kidneys that long jaunts on the interstate. The bullet cowl gives it just enough character to separate it from its cowl-less brethren. This is a nice mid-displacement cruiser for the money. I like it better than any of Suzuki's Boulevard lineup. If you want something a little more ballsy, go for a Raider Bullet Cowl. The rake is slightly less -- 39 degrees instead of 40 -- but who is going to measure?"

Specifications