 Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
When you see a boxer twin like this classic what comes to mind first? BMW of course. But this bike is a Harley-Davidson built during WW2 at the request of the U.S. Army when they saw the shaft drive German BMWs performance in harsh desert enviroment. After the war Harley could have continued to build and improve in the boxer twin design but I suppose they decided that wasn't their style.
According to a Popular Mechanics writeup in, maybe, '44 the opposed twin XA and the Indian Guzzi were both way underpowered as compared to the 45 inch WLA V twin, and more expensive to build.
Oddly enough, the first BMW opposed twin was based on a 1920's HD model and another flat twin made in the UK.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3 |
Douglas had a motor like that. As did another manufacturer of that era that I can't recall right now. Starts with a "G" I believe, 7 letters.
I wish I knew why my brain works (or doesn't work) the way it does!
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 490
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 490 |
Douglas Dragonfly
Last edited by amglo; 05/08/2013 11:32 PM.
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688 |
Quote:
Quote:
When you see a boxer twin like this classic what comes to mind first? BMW of course. But this bike is a Harley-Davidson built during WW2 at the request of the U.S. Army when they saw the shaft drive German BMWs performance in harsh desert enviroment. After the war Harley could have continued to build and improve in the boxer twin design but I suppose they decided that wasn't their style.
According to a Popular Mechanics writeup in, maybe, '44 the opposed twin XA and the Indian Guzzi were both way underpowered as compared to the 45 inch WLA V twin, and more expensive to build.
Oddly enough, the first BMW opposed twin was based on a 1920's HD model and another flat twin made in the UK.
Wow and I thought the rear cycinder of a V-twin didn't get enough cooling air flow. That configuration had to run HOT!
Acording to war experience in the North African desert the BMW longitudinal mounted boxer twin ran much cooler than Harley's V-twin and the BMW shaft drive was far more reliable without maintenance than a chain in desert sand.
edit: You are correct the original Harley-copy of the BMW boxer twin was more expensive but that's to be expected since Harley had to quickly design and produce all new tooling to build the engine and shaft drives will be more expensive than chain. As for power the Harley XA was a side valve and by the time it hit the front BMW had advanced to overhead valves for more power.
Of course it hardly mattered because the U.S.Army quickly realized the Jeep was the ultimate all-terrain durable messenger/scout vehicle. It was also incredibly versatile performing jobs no motorcycle could match.
Last edited by outerbanks; 05/10/2013 5:16 AM.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688 |
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
I would think a mag would just run it on a dyno and would not be listing crankshaft horsepower.
Some magazine reviews list dyno numbers.
Some show the dyno chart, which often tells more than the raw numbers. 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
...Yamaha lists the Bolt at 540 lbs - 10 pounds less than an America so acceleration should be ok for a cruiser.
Prefires check in at 497 dry. Triumph's addition of 53 lbs to our rides is another line item on a long list of sorrow. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
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Star Bolt.
Air cooled V-Twin - check
Belt drive - check
Sportster styling - check
And now Star is bragging the Bolt has real steel fenders just like Harley.
Just get the real thing.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Druthers... Rather have the modern engineering of the Yamaha than the alchemy of the Hardley Davidson. Although is it mystical every time I walk into a HD apothecary. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,026
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,026 |
If the Bolt runs like Yamaha has made the Stratoliners and Raiders run, I d bet it moves quite well. HD cant keep up with the Strats or Raiders, unless they spend tens of thousands more just to get close.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883 |
Here is an interesting article.... Sportster vs Bolt vs Bonneville
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
Here is an interesting article.... Sportster vs Bolt vs Bonneville
Seems like more often than not, the Triumph shreds the competition in these comparisons, even with the America and Speedmaster going against cruisers. Displacement and torque can get any bike down the road, but useable range and handling, along with a smooth ride usually win the overall prize.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3 |
A article in last month's Motorcyclist magazine quotes Star Corporate as stating that design cues came, not from the Sportster, but as a natural extension of the Yamaha XS650 (as customized by owners). O...kay.
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883 |
They used to have a Virtual Bike Show on their site, here, but it does not appear to be working at the moment. It was pretty cool to see what people had done to customize their bikes. I think every brand should have something like that on their site.
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
...a natural extension of the Yamaha XS650 (as customized by owners.)
The xs650 EXUDES Hardley's sportster v twin looks. NOT.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well, like I said much earlier in this thread, I think this Star Bolt WOULD HAVE made a great looking Street Tracker, and ESPECIALLY because of two reasons: First, most of the BEST looking custom XS650's people will see out there on the road HAVE been turned into Street Trackers.   And Secondly, other than Harley's XR1200, there STILL is not one major M/C manufacturer that has tried to tap into the Street Tracker market, which I believe has the potential to expand at this time. Yep, all Yamaha/Star has done is make another copy of the Cruiser-ish Sportster models, THAT'S all....yawn! 
Last edited by Dwight; 05/31/2013 4:42 PM.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
True, but they're one of, if not the number one, motor of choice right now for garage built, low buck bobbers.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
...First, most of the BEST looking custom XS650's people will see out there on the road HAVE been turned into Street Trackers.
And Secondly, other than Harley's XR1200, there STILL is not one major M/C manufacturer that has tried to tap into the Street Tracker market, which I believe has the potential to expand at this time.
What ya got in that 401K!??? 
Just thinkin' out poud. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yeah, but evidently AND unfortunately erle, it LOOKS like they're turnin' 'em into monstrosities like the one Jim just posted a pic of up there!!! 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Yeah, to quote the FIRST response I got when I joined this site, "Not my cup of tea." 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22 |
Quote:
Here is an interesting article.... Sportster vs Bolt vs Bonneville
That 360 degree Bonneville runs away from the America too. its a zippy bike. The America runs mid 14s in the 1/4.
I like the Bolt. Yamaha makes a very good V-twin. I think it will sell well.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688 |
Quote:
Quote:
Here is an interesting article.... Sportster vs Bolt vs Bonneville
That 360 degree Bonneville runs away from the America too. its a zippy bike. The America runs mid 14s in the 1/4.
I like the Bolt. Yamaha makes a very good V-twin. I think it will sell well.
First lines of the test summed it up nicely:
Quote:
There’s no disguising what bike Star Motorcycles had in its sights when the 2014 Bolt was released. And with good reason. The Sportster has been a best-selling model for Harley-Davidson for ages and has made it into the production line yearly since 1957.
The Star is just another copy.
The Bonneville is unmistakable, a Triumph. Might be why I've heard so many compliments on my Triumph from Harley owners. Albeit usually old, giezer Harley owners... 
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Tested one today (well, OK, technically yesterday). Here's the summary, post # 859 here: ADV Bolt ThreadI could not wait to get back on my SM.
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883 |
I tested one today also. I just happened to be riding by a big multi-brand shop on my way out of town and saw the truck. There was no line. Well happy Father's day to me...  I like the way B02S4 did his review (so I'm using that as my outline), though I don't know or perhaps just didn't pay as much attention to details,but... The good: great cornering/handling. The bars were pretty comfy and the bike does feel much lighter than it is. strong low-end torque, yes the extra bit of torque was nice and noticeable. We got on the freeway and it was right at 70mph no problem and very quickly. I thought the suspension was good. sounds great at idle I also thought it seemed small and actually wanted to put my feet out a little farther, I'm 5'10" with a 31 " inseam and I felt a little cramped. I really like the seat. decent brakes I also thought the bike seemed of pretty decent quality as well. I fell like the only one in the world who likes that taillight. Maybe it's because I just put a 34 ford taillight on my bike. The bad No tach I thought it shifted kind of clunky, and I got a lot of false neutrals. I felt like I ran through the gears rather quickly The exhaust, all modern Yamaha's have ugly exhausts. It would be my first thing to change. The whatever That digital display, though I like the placement was a pain to see. Weird that it is so dark. It actually might be better at night. I also don't have any problem with the seam in the tank. It doesn't bother me and never has, on any bike. People seem to go on about it. Overall it has a lot of the styling's that I have done to my Speedmaster. I have no need to buy a bike similar to my own but I really enjoyed riding it and I hope it does well for Yamaha. I would recommend one to a friend especially if they are shorter in stature than myself. Like our bikes, I think it is a good size that a person may have for a very long time because it is pretty versatile.
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3 |
I was in the neighborhood yesterday and stopped by the dealer. He tried to get me to take a test ride, but since I was dressed in my usual attire of shorts, T shirt and flip flops, I declined. After all; this is a real motorcycle - not a scooter! Anyway, it sat pretty nice. Maybe good for a couple hundred miles w/o complaint. Dealer says he's sold about 15 so far.
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Re: Star Bolt
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
Arg, nice looking bike for the most part but the exhaust and the front forks got to go, the front end looks week in comparison to the rest of the bike, kind of like having a big chest and arms then real skinny legs!
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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