Star Road Tests & Reviews
Star Motorcycle Guide
Yamaha created Star Motorcycles in 1994 as a standalone brand for its line of cruiser motorcycles in the U.S. market. In 2006, the motorbike brand was expanded to being its own company, although the brand is operated out of the Yamaha Motor Corporation offices in Cypress, California, and Yamaha still handles production and distribution. All Star motorcycles are designed in the United States.
Ridden & Rated: 2014 Star Bolt
Bill Stermer
April 29, 2013
It’s a smart company that studies the market, conducts research and builds its products based upon what the data indicate will be successful. In the case of Yamaha, its Star Motorcycles division (which builds its cruisers) is a very smart company indeed. While noting that cruisers compose about 49... Read more »
2014 Star Bolt and Bolt R-Spec – First Look
Greg Drevenstedt
March 9, 2013
Fully embracing the popularity of stripped-down, back-to-basics customization as well as the need to offer cool, affordable motorcycles to attract new and young buyers, Star Motorcycles has introduced the all-new Bolt and Bolt R-Spec cruisers. Based on the V Star 950 platform, the Bolt is powered by... Read more »
All New V Star 1300 Deluxe Headlines the Most Diverse Star Motorcycles Lineup Ever
Press Release
September 28, 2012
Star Motorcycles introduced the all new V Star 1300 Deluxe. Built around a 1304cc (80 cubic inch) V-Twin engine with a 9.5:1 compression ratio, aggressive cam timing and fuel injection, the V Star 1300 Deluxe with its 2 into 1 exhaust has the sound and power you need to get up and go. With the V Star... Read more »
2012 Star Raider SCL First Ride Review
Greg Drevenstedt
April 26, 2012
(This article was published in the July 2012 issue of Rider magazine.) Story by Greg Drevenstedt, Photos by Nelson and Riles Starting in the late ’70s, metric cruisers, such as Yamaha’s 650 Special and Virago 750, Honda’s CB650 Custom and Nighthawk, among others, offered an alternative to American... Read more »
Custom V Star 950 Sweepstakes Bike to be Unveiled at Laughlin River Run
Press Release
April 18, 2012
One lucky person will be the proud owner of a 2012 V Star 950 customized by Chris Hagest and his crew at Low and Mean. The bike will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the Laughlin River Run on April 25, 2012. After that this fully customized V Star can be seen in the Star display at many... Read more »
2012 Star Motorcycles – First Look
Rider Magazine
September 21, 2011
2012 Star Raider SCL is the first model in the Star Custom Line. For 2012, Yamaha’s Star Motorcycles division is launching a factory-custom line, called SCL (Star Custom Line). The first model will be the Raider SCL, featuring chrome wheels and drive belt pulley co-designed by Star and Performance... Read more »
2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe vs. 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 21, 2011
photography by Rich Cox [This 2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe vs. 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Rider Comparison Test was originally published in the July 2011 issue of Rider magazine] Above: A larger fairing and standard fairing lowers give the red Vaquero more wind protection than the Stratoliner Deluxe.... Read more »
2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 21, 2011
photography by Rich Cox [This 2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe Rider Test was originally published in the July 2011 issue of Rider magazine] A large chunk of American motorcyclists are beholden to the past. For years the highest percentage of motorcycle sales has been accounted for by cruisers, classically... Read more »
Yamaha Royal Star Venture/Hannigan Trike Conversion Road Test
Rider Contributor
June 14, 2011
story and photography by James Parchman [This Yamaha Royal Star Venture/Hannigan Trike Conversion Ridden & Rated was originally published in the March 2011 issue of Rider magazine] Hannigan’s Venture trike conversion has slick twin-pipe roadster styling but the lockable trunk, topbox and upper... Read more »
2011 Star Stryker 1300 Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 2, 2011
photography by Riles & Nelson [This 2011 Star Stryker 1300 Road Test was originally published in the January 2011 issue of Rider magazine] The Texas Hill Country around Austin is the perfect venue for a leisurely winding cruise aboard Star's latest 1300 custom. Cruisers, baggers and cruiser tourers... Read more »
