Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe to rival H-D Street Glide

US riders are getting Yamaha’s new rival for the Harley-Davidson Street Glide, the Stratoliner Deluxe, in 2010.

Sold under the Star Motorcycles banner in the USA, the Stratoliner Deluxe is based around Yamaha’s 1854cc pushrod, four-valve per cylinder air-cooled v-twin and the same aluminium frame used on other Stratoliner models.

The key differences are a swooping handlebar-mounted fairing (Yamaha calls the look ‘neo-streamline’) stretching back from the headlight to protect the rider at chest and head height, and a pair of built-in panniers.

A stereo system with an iPod jack and speakers built in to the fairing are fitted as standard to while away long motorway journeys too. Yamaha’s UK and European distributors are yet to confirm 2010 models, but it’s unlikely the Stratoliner Deluxe will be available outside the USA.

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