September 1, 2005
USA - As Yamaha heads into its tenth year of producing cruisers with the Star logo?the Royal Stars, Road Stars and V Stars?it?s taking the line to the next level by creating the Star Motorcycles cruiser brand. Yamaha says that Star will focus specifically on cruiser riders and provide a clear distinction from its other product lines. Star event transporters and displays have a new look and will focus more on cruiser-only events. Dealers will immerse the rider in the Star brand, according to Yamaha, and provide a strong sense of the Star personality.
The first rolling example of the new Star direction is the 2006 Roadliner, which has styling the company calls neo-streamline, based upon the Art-Deco movement of the 1930s and Streamline Modern industrial design in planes, trains and automobiles. The Roadliner also has an all-new, air-cooled, 113-cubic-inch (1,854cc) pushrod V-twin engine with electronic fuel injection and belt final drive. An all-aluminum frame ties it all together.
The Roadliner S will be available in either Pearl White or two-tone Charcoal and Bronze. The Roadliner Midnight is painted in a Raven color and the regular Roadliner will be offered in Black Cherry.
Star also introduced the Stratoliner, which is essentially a touring version of the Roadliner. It will feature a windscreen, leather-covered hard saddlebags and a passenger backrest. Both the windscreen and backrest have the same type of quick-release system used on the Royal Star Tour Deluxe, which allows them to be quickly installed or detached without tools.
Both Roadliner and Stratoliner will be available in three trim levels: the standard model, a "Midnight" version with all-black paint and engine and the premium "S" model, which has chrome almost everywhere. Roadliners will have a sticker price from $13,580-$14,980 depending on model and color, while Stratoliner's list price will run from $15,180 to $16,580, depending on model and color. Look for a fall 2005 arrival at dealers.
