First ride: Yamaha Star Stryker

I am very fortunate to test a range of bikes, but to this day none have attracted more attention from onlookers than Yamaha’s Star Stryker. After spending a bit of time with the Stryker, questions like “what is that?”, “who makes it?” and “is it custom?” were fired at me almost every time I pulled up on it -- I must admit it was good for the ego. Lately, Japanese manufacturers have been taking the cruiser market very seriously and none more so than Yamaha with its growing Star and Bolt range.  

The Stryker is all about chopper-inspired looks and a mean attitude straight from the showroom floor. Up front you have a very narrow 21-inch front wheel that is connected to a radically raked-out front-end, while the rear is supported by an 18-inch super-wide 210-section tyre.

Most of the engine, which sports fake-cooling fins to maintain a classic air-cooled appearance, and the two-into-two exhaust system is all blacked-out for a more menacing look. The matt grey 15-litre tear drop tank highlights the Stryker’s aggressive styling and is fitted back on the double-cradle steel frame for that renowned chopper ‘open-neck’ space. Both the front and rear fenders are constructed out of steel to allow owners to easily undertake their own unique fabrication.

At the heart of the Stryker is a 1304cc (80 cubic inch, hence the large ‘80‘ sticker on the tank), liquid-cooled, SOHC, four-valve V-twin that features an uneven firing order and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Thumb the starter button and the Stryker’s mill thunders into life with a deep do-not-argue-with-me growl. Each and every cylinder heartbeat is felt from this rather large V-twin up through your body in a satisfying way -- not an annoying vibey-way.

With 107Nm available to your right hand, there is a surprising amount of get-up-and-go from standstill and still enough tickle left in the donk for fast-zippy overtakes while in top gear at highway speeds. Fueling is a little rough down low with an on-off throttle, but quickly cleans itself up as the revs rise and pulls strongly all the way to the rev limiter. A new set of pipes will be first on the list for most owners, but the stock, dual slash-cut tailpipes do emit an ear-pleasing rumble and burble on the overrun.

Power is sent to the rear wheel through an efficient and low maintenance belt. The five-speed box is precise and is not as clunky as some other Japanese cruiser boxes. Gearing is also good and doesn’t see undesirable revs in top while at highway speeds. Clutch pull is light and actuation is good.  

With a wheelbase that sees the front and rear wheel in different post codes, a 40-degree rake and a claimed wet weight of 293kg, I naturally assumed the Stryker’s steering would be heavy and a complete handful at slow speeds -- I couldn’t have been more wrong.

See, Japanese engineers very rarely put style before function and the brainiacs at Yamaha stayed true to this concept. To combat the negatives associated with a raked-out fork with lots of trail, Yamaha opted for a six-degree yoke offset angle and a 34-degree caster angle to give the Stryker a more rider-friendly 109mm of trail. I am no Pythagoras when it comes to measurements and angles, but I can definitely simplify all those numbers for us more simple folk -- basically, it works.

A bit of muscle is needed to get the Stryker off the sidestand, but once moving the near-on 300kg weight is disguised superbly. Slow-speed maneuverability is confidence-inspiring and does not demand an abundance of strength in steering inputs, so much so that even feet-up U-turns are easily manageable. In the faster corners the Stryker becomes even more stable, tip-in is undemanding and precise, while changes of direction take little effort with no unwanted instability. Ground clearance is surprisingly good; touchdown can still be a regular occurrence but for that to happen you are generally north of the posted speed limits.

The suspension offers a very comfortable ride and soaks up road bumps and inconsistencies well, however the rear is a little on the harsh side. But it isn’t a deal breaker. The rear shock is tucked out of sight for that classic, clean hardtail look.

Pulling the Stryker up is done so by a single 320mm disc upfront that is squeezed by a two-piston caliper, while the rear 310mm disc is gripped by a single-piston caliper. If you need to haul the Stryker up in a hurry, using both brakes is an absolute must. Both the front and rear brakes offer good and predicable feel, however, a larger front brake and the fitment of anti-lock braking would be nice.  

Not many complaints will be coming from your backside after a long day in the saddle thanks to the heavily cushioned one-piece seat. The forward-facing pegs are placed well and you are guided into a riding position that can be held in comfort for many miles. A large-single analogue speedometer and basic LCD screen grace the centre of the handlebar. In my opinion the handlebar could wrap back a smidgen more towards the rider. The low 670mm seat height allows even the shortest of riders two flat feet on the ground at a standstill.

At $15,299 for the matt grey and $14,999 for the midnight black, it’s priced about what you would expect to pay. It is not a short-term bargain, but when you factor in the five-year factory warranty the price becomes very attractive in the long run.

If you want a custom-looking motorcycle that will turn heads and set you apart from the crowd, but prefer to purchase from a mainstream manufacturer, then the Star Stryker is well worth a look. Yamaha has not only created a great looking cruiser, but one that also rides as good as it looks.

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 72hp (53.5kW) at 5500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 107Nm at 3500rpm
Economy: 5.2 litres/100km (measured)

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Final drive: Belt

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Double-cradle, steel
Front suspension: 41mm telescopic fork, non-adjustable, 135mm travel
Rear suspension: Single shock, adjustable preload, 100mm travel
Front brakes: 320mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brake: 310mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: Bridgestone Exedra D404 -- 120/70-21 front, 210/40-18 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 293kg
Rake: 40 degrees
Trail: 109mm
Seat height: 670mm
Wheelbase: 1755mm
Fuel capacity: 15 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $15,299 (Midnight black, $14,999)
Colour: Matt Grey, Midnight Black
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Australia, www.yamaha-motor.com.au
Warranty: Five year, unlimited kilometres