Anybody ever ride a Stratoliner?

[alanmcorcoran]

It's a big tourer from Yamaha. I am thinking of renting one to get a feel for a bigger bike. It's a bit bigger than what I was aiming for, but it is hard to find rentals of 600cc bikes where I am. I'd be especially interested in anyone with about 3000 miles riding experience on the GZ that traded up to an 1800cc class "touring/cruiser."

[Easy Rider]

It's a bit bigger than what I was aiming for, but it is hard to find rentals of 600cc bikes where I am.

A "BIT" bigger ??? I guess !!! :roll:

Good idea but a little off track with an 1800, I think.

Have you checked with Harley dealers?
They often have Sportsters to rent (883cc) and/or "cheap Jap. crap" taken in on trade that they love to make a few bucks on by renting out.

Not only is it hard to find 600cc bikes to rent, aside from sport bikes, there aren't many to buy either.........but there are LOTS of good things between 800 and 1800.

[alanmcorcoran]

Rode the Strat today. I was surprised at how much of the GZ experience carries over. I was somewhat nervous about climbing on something that much larger and heavier, but once I was on, it wasn't that much different to drive than the GZ.

Of course, it does 75 in third gear and I only got as far as fourth gear (and I was forcing that - didn't really need it. Kind of makes me wonder how often people make it into fifth and sixth...)

And, to second Dupo, there is a huge sh*t eating grin that is hard to get rid of once you climb on board. :ride: Plus, it sounds real manly at the traffic lights. I almost don't look like a pussy with all my ATGATT crap on. Being the sort that tends to regret not going "bigger" or "better" I've all but decided I will skip the 600cc category for my next bike and focus in on the 1100 and up bikes.

Hey Moe - I'm going to take the Strat up to Monterey later this month. The guy has three of them - you maybe want to come with?

[Easy Rider]

Of course, it does 75 in third gear and I only got as far as fourth gear (and I was forcing that - didn't really need it. Kind of makes me wonder how often people make it into fifth and sixth...)


Oh crap. The bug has bit him!
Been nice knowing you, Alan. :roll:

You're welcome to stick around on here with us wussies if you want. :)

One caution: There is a LOT more mass moving around in the engine of the big V-twin. Those engines aren't as tollerant of being rev'ed out as is the little thumper. 75 in third is a little much.......if you want the engine to last very long.

Much like the GZ, 4th is good for curising around town, above 45 or so and 5th is overdrive, highway use.

I think you are making a BIG mistake overlooking things in the 800-1100 class.
You do realize that there are a bunch of CARS with engines smaller than 1800 cc, right ??
At some point, a bigger engine is just wasteful.

[alanmcorcoran]

The 'Liner has floorboards...

It does, but the riding position is about the same, if not a tad worse. One minor adjustment I was conscious of was having my shifting foot a little more forward. I didn't get enough time in on the beast to rate the relative seat comfort (also, my brain was kind of mostly in "Ho-Leeee Geeeze" land, tuned into the power plant rather than the ass plant.) I think the pegs on the Suzie sit more directly under foot which is where I like them. The Stratoliner is not "chopper style" though. Even with the floor boards (more like generous foot rests) the position is not too radical. I did notice the wheel base seems to be a lot longer and the windshield sits a lot more forward. It also has an actual gas gauge and left and right turn indicators on the tank. Plus, the one i rode had a GPS mounted on it. Didn't look at it much, but it is probably more handy when you are out in the middle of nowhere.

[Moedad]

Hey Moe - I'm going to take the Strat up to Monterey later this month. The guy has three of them - you maybe want to come with?

It's long been a dream of mine to ride Hwy 1 on a motorcycle. I'm definitely interested, depending on my finances.

[Sarris]

Alan;

If your gonna go big, try a Harley Street Glide, $18995. There is no better. The way a Harley fits and feels is like no other. It feels like it's painted on you. It'll make that Startoliner feel like a battleship. (I have a friend who owns one, so I've ridden one, FYI) Plus on the HD you get AM/FM/CD/CD-MP3, great fairing, cruise control, full guages, hard bags, etc.....

I've had my 2006 for about 2-1/2 years and have about 30K without incident.

:banana: :chop: :banana:

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks for the tip Sarris. Harleys are more easily found for rent. After I get some miles on the Strat, I will find an HD to compare. FYI, the Strat's geometry made it feel very UN-battleship like to me, but obviously, without having ridden any other large bikes yet, I have no point of reference but the GZ. I have sat on a 1800cc Gold Wing and it felt like the center of gravity was higher, but how much can you really tell when they aren't moving. Plus it's a straight tourer, and the Strat is less tourer, more cruiser-ish. I'm not sure which is what I want yet.

Any mechanical problems with the HD? I see a lot of knocks on HD quality (and price) on the Internet (The Strat is about 2K less, but price is not my primary concern.) Did you actually pay $18995 or do they sell them for less?

[music man]

( price is not my primary concern.)



That Must be nice, I wish just one time in my life in shopping for a vehicle of any kind, two or four wheeled that I could say that. And From what I have heard, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles are leaps and bounds more reliable than they were 10-15 years ago, but Sarris would probably be the ultimate authority on that.

[Easy Rider]

FYI, the Strat's geometry made it feel very UN-battleship like to me, but obviously, without having ridden any other large bikes yet, I have no point of reference but the GZ.

I'm biased.......
against the land cruisers and toward a sport tourer.
Honda ST1300
Kawasaki makes one
Yamaha used to, now don't know
BMW makes several.

Second point is: I think this next year will be a good time to shop for an "upscale" bike as I suspect there will be more than a few repo's. Sad but good for somebody shopping with $$$.
A little patience might land you a really sweet deal.

[Sarris]

No mechanical problems with mine, although service is $$$$. The HD boys want to see you at 2500 mile intervals, but the manual and says 5k intervals, and thats all I do. The worst in my area is the 20k, which runs $659 + tires + brakes + etc. Mine was $1300 out the door.

Prior to my HD, I owned a Yamaha Roadstar 1700, which I totalled. That's when I bought my HD. When you sit on a Street Glide it feels less massive, lower, and easier to balance. It is also more nimble at low speed than the Stratoliner. The accoutrements and smoothness make the bike a real joy to own. Best bike I've owned. I"ll need (want) a new one when the 2010 models come out.

And no, HD doesn't deal (at least in my area) on new bikes, so I paid list for mine but I was able to have it built to my preferences. I had to wait 9 weeks to get it, but that was not a problem, as I was in a wheelchair from the above mentioned accident.

So come on Alan, bite the big weenie and join the club, we'll even let you keep your GeeZee. Rent a Glide, you'll be hooked.....

:skull: :biggrin: :skull: :biggrin: :skull: :biggrin: :skull: :biggrin:

[music man]

The new bikes are liable to drop in price too if things don't look up soon, My local suzuki shop that is open religiously on saturdays was closed today, they are already hearing crickets slow in the winter anyways, and combine that with the economy and they are probably hurting real bad this winter.

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks for the info Sarris. I will try to rent one when it gets a little less rainy out here and I'll let you know what I think. How often do you ride the HD vs the GZ?

[Sarris]

My '05 GeeZee has 14k on it and the HD is an '06 with 30k. That being said, I ride the GZ more often for alot less mileage, but often I will ride the HD 4 or more times in a week. My motorcycles are my main transpo, although I do own a car for those occasional mega-shitty days here in Florida.

:)

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks Sarris. I'm trying to get my head around having a choice of two bikes.

[patrick_777]

It's not that hard to deal with. I get to choose between my Ninja or the GZ - two COMPLETELY different riding styles.

[alanmcorcoran]

I tend to suffer from "over-equipped" syndrome. Don't want to end up with two motorcycles when one will do the job. I'm sure I'll be in a better position to make some decisions once I try a longer tour on a bigger bike. May turn out I really don't like riding for more than a few hours a day. I got to keep an eye on the weather - as soon as I see a dry stretch, I am going to make a run up the coast on something big.

[dan_]

It's not that hard to deal with. I get to choose between my Ninja or the GZ - two COMPLETELY different riding styles.


Is the ninja faster then the gz?

[music man]

Is the ninja faster then the gz?



Very Much so. A 250 Ninja will blow a GZ off the road.

[patrick_777]

[quote="dan_":3q3qt1mt]Is the ninja faster then the gz?

Very Much so. A 250 Ninja will blow a GZ off the road.[/quote:3q3qt1mt]

What he said. I've been up to 105 on the Ninja, and it gets to 65 a lot faster.

[dan_]

What he said. I've been up to 105 on the Ninja, and it gets to 65 a lot faster.


Is this due to a more powerful or souped up engine or because of like aerodynamics and stuff?

[patrick_777]

It's geared differently, and the weight is distributed more for sport riding.

[Easy Rider]

It's geared differently, and the weight is distributed more for sport riding.

Mmmmmm.......oh yea, it's the different gear ratios and the weight distribution that makes most of the difference.

WHAT ?? :shocked:

I guess the ~20 hp of the GZ at a ~7K redline versus about twice the HP at 12K for the Ninja isn't much of a factor then ???? :poked: :biggrin:

[alanmcorcoran]

Sarris,

I found a place nearby that rents HD's. They have something they call an FLHX Street Glide. Right bike?

[Sarris]

That is the bike I own & ride.

Good Luck.

:)

[patrick_777]

[quote="patrick_777":3mwdfl98]It's geared differently, and the weight is distributed more for sport riding.

Mmmmmm.......oh yea, it's the different gear ratios and the weight distribution that makes most of the difference.

WHAT ?? :shocked:

I guess the ~20 hp of the GZ at a ~7K redline versus about twice the HP at 12K for the Ninja isn't much of a factor then ???? :poked: :biggrin:[/quote:3mwdfl98]

I will cut you.

:redflip: :skull:

[Sarris]

Alan, here's a photo of my 2005 Roadstar. It's basically Yamaha's version of a Harley Roadking. I'll tell you though, you just cant beat that FLHX full batwing fairing.


http://www.postimage.org/Pq1Q9yxr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1Q9yxr)

[patrick_777]

Sarris, can you put up a quick pic of your GZ? I think I see taillight there but it would be nice to have it in that frame with the others.

[Sarris]

Here's a photo of the GeeZee. I've sold all my bikes except for my HD Streetglide and the GeeZer.

:)


http://www.postimage.org/aV1Y18h9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1Y18h9)

PS: Had to ditch the bitch whips as they were to damn hard on my forearms!

[Easy Rider]

PS: Had to ditch the bitch whips as they were to damn hard on my forearms!

Yea and pretty GAY too !!! :crackup

[patrick_777]

They worked for him though.

[caroledee1]

Man-boobs! Oh yeah!

[Easy Rider]

They worked for him though.


I didn't take your threat seriously.
Stop, please!! :neener:

[Sarris]

Yo, Alan. Did you do the Rent-a-Glide yet??

:??: :??:

[alanmcorcoran]

Yo, Alan. Did you do the Rent-a-Glide yet??

:??: :??:

Sorry Sarris. Caught the fever real bad. Got a "new" 07 Strat. Looks a lot like a Harley, anyway.

[Sarris]

Congrats on your new bike. You will absolutely love your Yammer. My Yama Roadstar was my best bike to that point in time, only to be exceeded (IMHO) by my HD. I really wanted the fairing, Radio/CD, and the cruise control. All are aftermarket options available for your new Strat if you feel the need. Just a function of time and money.

I still think you should rent a Streetglide for shits and grins. Just so you know what your missing (ha-ha).

We'll get you eventually.........

:rawk:

[patrick_777]

Remember this "fact": 98% of all Harleys are still on the road. The other 2% actually made it home.

[alanmcorcoran]

Re the H-D: I have to admit I was biased against it from the start. I will try and work on my unfounded prejudice, but, once a Brandist, well, it's hard to reform. Here were my top three strikes against H-D:

1) Starting price. (remember, I got the Start for an H-D equivalent starting price of about 9,500.
2) Service policies (no H-D service, no warranty.)
3) The brotherhood. I'm typically not comfortable in group, even if I join one accidently. It's a stupid reason, but I guess I just wanted to buy a motorcycle, not a "lifestyle."

These area all pretty lame, I'll admit. The H-D may be the greatest bike ever made for all I know. I can certainly assure you that yamaha studied them very carefully before making any American Cruisers. The Strat is a little too pretty to be mistaken for one, but the influences are all over, from the V-twin to the heel shifter.

Sarris - the H-D dealer I was going to rent one from has fallen on hard times and discontinued the rental department. (There were selling two Street Glides!) If I get another chance I will rent one and report back. Your encouragement to get a big bike was a powerful persuader as you were one of the few on here that is currently riding one (AND a GZ!)

[alantf]

Genuine question!

Are Harleys as bad as everyone's making out, or is it just Suzuki fans joking?

I only ask in case I see one for sale at a decent price, & can afford to upgrade.

[Sarris]

Mine's been 100% reliable. All issues were minor and covered with the HD standard 24 month unlimited mileage warranty. My local dealer service has been expensive, but pretty much impeccable. I've got 32K on my 2006 Streetglide and it's just now 2-1/2 tears old.

I'm happy. Like I said before, I won't have another touring/road bike without a fairing, radio/cd, cruise, etc. I hope Alan hasn't jumped too fast. The only downside to the Asian models is resale. If I sell my HD used, I'll get within a few thousand of what I paid for it new. Alan would be lucky to get 50% or less after two days. That's the other reason I bought HD. I got tired of taking it in the shorts on resale. It really wasn't a "lifestyle" issue with me, as I've pretty much ridden them all.

As I said before to Alan, congrats! Now get some miles down and be safe.

:biggrin:

[Easy Rider]

If I sell my HD used, I'll get within a few thousand of what I paid for it new.

That certainly has been true in the past but I wonder what impact the current economic crisis will have on the resale value (and new prices even) of "high end" bikes like HD and Victory. I'm betting that for the next 3 years or so, they will be taking it in the shorts just like the "high end" auto makers are now.

[alanmcorcoran]

Now get some miles down and be safe.

Already logged over a hundred. Hesitate to keep yakking about it. This IS a GZ forum after all.

Hey Dupo, www.stratoliner.com (http://www.stratoliner.com) is available. I'll give you a few seed bucks if you set it up!

[Water Warrior 2]

Now get some miles down and be safe.

Already logged over a hundred. Hesitate to keep yakking about it. This IS a GZ forum after all.

Hey Dupo, http://www.stratoliner.com is available. I'll give you a few seed bucks if you set it up!

Oh this is just too funny(and exciting). Sounds like Alan is High on Life and not willing to come down. Happiness = Priceless. Never leave home without it.