I'm thinking of buying a 2014 Yamaha Star Roadliner S. It's still in a crate at a dealer and I can get four-grand off the sticker price.
Any info on this ride would be appreciated. It looks like a really nice bike. My current ride for ten years is a 1983 Honda Nighthawk 650SC, so it will be quite a step up for me.
Welcome to the conversation. That is a big step up and a whole new world you're stepping into. I went from a 750 Nighthawk to a Kawasaki 1500 classic and can tell you the bikes handle completely different. The weight distribution is different, the power curve is different the ride is different. After about a month you will be as comfortable on the new ride as you were with the old bike and the new Yamaha will be a lot easier on long rides.
BIG step.
Please don't do this ONLY because it is a good deal.
Get a test ride on a similar model, probably a used one.
Do not buy any bike without a test ride.
Welcome to the conversation, from Atlanta GA. I agree with ER: test rides are your best source of feedback as to whether or not you will want a specific model.
Thanks for the advice. I've been riding for over forty years but nothing bigger than a 750. All high rev machines. Time for a big cruiser with high torque. I'll be heading down to test drive that Roadliner next week.
I thought I would never own a bike bigger than 600 CCs; then I took a test ride on a Vulcan 900.
It is an AMAZING bike. You don't need an engine bigger than some cars to make a good road machine.
Having an under-square stroke, it rev's more like a sport bike than a big cruiser.
One word of caution when you test ride it, hang on (well that's 2 words) I went from a C50 (819cc) Suzuki to a 1854cc Roadliner and it was more than twice the torque and horsepower in the seat of the pants. Had it not been the shape of the seat I'm sure I would've slid back, it pulls like nothing you're used to with that fat rear tire. As heavy as it is I inadvertently got air under the front tire crossing a busy 2 lane highway, it is a torque monster.
Looking at your pictures I would say the pipes would hit the kerb first. That happen once when I had goldwing. Don't put that bike tire on the parking block. Your feet are reverse. Slightest incline can be most difficult.
I see bikes pulled all the way in a busy lot. I like the rear of bike to be in line with backs of cars with the theory that a hurried mom will see bike and not pull in then see bike.
First ride today. This beast is beautiful. Feels light on the road and great thrust. Trans is going to take some time to get use to, 5th gear is almost like overdrive.
Great clutch and brake feel.
It's nice!