Star Bolt

Any opinions?

Little over $8k for the r-spec. Think I'd still prefer a sporty.

Hmm. The local Yammie dealer is having demos this weekend. Maybe I'll pop over and try one of those, just for S&G.

I'm withholding full judgement until I can see/ride one in person, but from the pictures I've seen and what I've read I like it a lot. Its a Yamaharley sportster Iron with real shocks and suspension travel...

Damned if they didn't misspell "Harley Davidson" again.

I like it. Not a bike type I would ever buy, but it looks nice. they had a demo trailer at Bike Night last night. They had one and a bunch of Star accessories like different tanks and seats that they swapped on to show how different you can make it look.

As a V-Star 950 owner, I can vouch for the motor! I would still pay a few hundred dollars more for the 950 because it's more my style (solid, dependable, not cool) but the Bolt should be pretty popular.

I kind of like it. Isn't it significantly lighter than a Sportster, too?

Well, I rode one, today.

The fit and finish is OK. Asian manufacturers still haven't made a gas tank look as nice as American made tanks. Switches feel cheap, chintzy, flimsy.

The motor doesn't "shake" like a Harley does, at idle. Once up to speed though, a Sportster is much smoother. The Bolt's mirrors are useless at anything more than idle speed. Peppy enough, but doesn't feel as torquey as a Sportster. Clutch was light and smooth; shifter was, too. Neutral was easy to find.

The digital speedometer wasn't nearly bright enough. Speed was tough to see, as were the signal and neutral indicators.

The ride was equal to a Sportster. Handling was crisp and light at speed; parking lot manners felt heavy.

Would I buy one? No. I don't make parts for Yamaha, so I'm biased. But that wouldn't sway me, anyhow, toward getting an imitation.

eastsidemav wrote: I kind of like it. Isn't it significantly lighter than a Sportster, too?

If you consider 33lbs "significant...."

Star Bolt weighs in at 540lbs, Sportsters are about 573lbs.

I guess the benefit over the Sportster is that you won't have to listen to the rest of the H-D guys tell you it's a chick bike.

ShadowSix wrote: I guess the benefit over the Sportster is that you won't have to listen to the rest of the H-D guys tell you it's a chick bike.

Heh, the only ones that the dealer sold so far were all to women.

RealMiniDriver wrote:

eastsidemav wrote: I kind of like it. Isn't it significantly lighter than a Sportster, too?

If you consider 33lbs "significant...." Star Bolt weighs in at 540lbs, Sportsters are about 573lbs.

Then not as much as I thought. For some reason I thought rubber mount Sportsters had hit the 600 lb mark.

Then not as much as I thought. For some reason I thought rubber mount Sportsters had hit the 600 lb mark.

That would be the avg weight of the H-D rider these days ;)

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