Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager /ABS
$18,249 /$19,349
Kawasaki’s top-of-the-line, full-boat dresser doesn’t do things by half, so extended trips are no sweat. Long-haul accoutrements include a grunty, liquid-cooled 1700cc V-twin connected to a seamless 6-speed transmission, frame-mounted fairing, cruise control, and all kinds of storage options. Stuff your stuff into a 13.2 gallon lockable top trunk or opt for the top-loading, lockable 10-gallon hard saddlebags. Adjustable rear shocks, rider and passenger floorboards and dual 300mm front brake discs seal the deal. The full audio system is iPod, XM and CB compatible. For an extra grand, you can add ABS.
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
$17,149
The Vaquero may be Kawasaki’s “custom” bagger, but you’ll find few compromises to style. This sleek tourer still packs the same 1700cc twin as the rest of the Vulcan 1700 line, and rolls with many of the same amenities, like electronic cruise control, a full audio system and side-mounted saddlebags. A brief windscreen caps the frame-mounted fairing which also features integrated louvers for wind management, and the rear shocks are easily adjusted with air. In Metallic Flat Sparkle Black, the Vaquero gets a $350 price bump this year.
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Nomad
$16,099
The classics never go out of style, right? So it is with the Nomad, which taps into a more traditional touring combination, with a tall windshield, lockable hard saddlebags, and a wide passenger backrest. There’s no skimping on comfort either, with full floorboards for pilot and passenger and handy grab handles built into the backrest’s chrome mounting bracket. A low 28.7 inch seat allows for easy access, and like the other Vulcan 1700s, this one gets a 52 degree V-twin mill and 16-inch tubeless tires bracketing a 65.6 inch wheelbase.
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom
$9199
It’s an 800cc drop to the next Vulcan in Kawasaki’s cruiser lineup, but the Custom is worth the wait. While it rolls with the same basic underpinnings as the Classic, this middleweight dresses differently. The first giveaway would be that tall, skinny 21-inch front tire wrapped around a trick, custom-cast 18-spoke wheel, followed by the aggressive, flat handlebar, and then the forward controls. Sculpted bodywork, chopped fenders and clean lines surround the rubber-mounted 900cc V-twin found on all Vulcan 900s. A black-out treatment extends to the air cleaner, engine cases and exhaust.
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic /LT
$8699/$9699
With a torquey, 903cc V-twin to do the work, the Vulcan 900 Classic delivers a powerful ride, and one that’s pretty comfortable too. That’s because this nicely-priced middleweight ushers in some big-bike features to stack the deck: Floorboards, a 5.3 gallon tank, disc brakes (front and rear), chrome dual slash-cut mufflers and a 180mm rear tire. The ultra-low 26.8 inch tall saddle will especially please shorter riders. The LT model adds leather saddlebags, an adjustable windshield and a studded seat. Both bikes get a price boost this year.
Moto Guzzi California 1400
$TBD
The Italians have finally hit the heavyweight segment with the latest in a long line of ‘Cali’s—and this one looks more refined than the last. The newer, bigger engine will displace 1400cc, but we can only speculate on the rest (no other info has been shared with us as yet). The 1400 replaces the 1100 version, which was available last year as a limited edition, celebrating Guzzi’s 90th anniversary. Guzzi says a fully dressed touring version will be also be available later this year. No word on yet on pricing or availability.
Moto Guzzi V7 Stone /V7 Special
$8390 /$8990
Guzzi’s middleweight line grows for 2013 with the new V7 Stone, a stripped-down V7 that’s aimed at the youth market. Both the new Stone and V7 Special (which replaces the V7 Classic) have the same bones, with an air-cooled, 744cc twin engine,in a classic 90-degree V configuration. But that powerplant has been completely reengineered this year, for increased power and torque. New alloy wheels reduce weight, and there’s an extra 1.3 gallons in the now-5.8-gallon fuel tank. The V7 Stone comes in black or white, while the V7 Special gets a two-tone paint scheme as well as spoked wheels.
Royal Enfield Bullet C5 Classic /Military /Chrome
$6495 /$6695
Despite the many cosmetic options, the differences between the Bullet models come down to seat style, frame size and tire choice. Underneath, all U.S.-imported Royal Enfields have the same air-cooled, fuel-injected 499cc powerplant, five-speed tranny and front-disc/rear drum brake combo. All U.S. bikes also get electric starters and a one-piece Unit Construction Engine/transmission. You’ll find smaller, 18-inch tires on the Bullet C5 Classic along with a smaller frame and a solo seat. For 2013, the C5 is available in black, maroon and green, as well as Military and Chrome trims.
Royal Enfield Bullet G5 Classic /Deluxe
$6199 /$6395
You still get a 499cc single cylinder engine, but the G5 rolls on 19-inch Avon tires instead, and is topped with a longer bench saddle. The G5 also adds a kickstarter in addition to the electric start found on all Enfields, and it’s available in single-color schemes only (British Racing Green or Black), with hand-painted pinstripes. The G5 Deluxe will appeal to the vintage/retro crowd, with its chrome tank, and fenders, rubber knee pads and chrome airbox. It’s available in Black/Chrome, with a 2-year warranty.
Royal Enfield Bullet 500 B5
$5999
Based on the legendary iron-barrel Bullet 350, the Bullet 500 captures the rugged simplicity and timeless style of the original machines with a classic one-color design adorned with a winged tank graphic. It rolls on 19 inch tires, but you still get the unit construction engine, 54-inch wheelbase, 5-speed gearbox, and disc front/drum rear brake combo, as on the other U.S.-imported Bullets. This most basic of Bullets is available in Black only, but it still gets a 2-year warranty.
Star Royal Star Venture S
$20,590
Don’t underestimate the power of Four. Though the Venture’s 1298cc engine displaces less than the competition’s, the liquid-cooled, V-4 powerplant is one of most responsive around. The Star’s high-tensile steel frame is loaded with touring amenities, including an iPod-compatible four-speaker sound system, cruise control, a CB radio and intercom. You get lockable storage with the 15-gallon trunk, as well as from the 9.3-gallon, color-matched saddlebags. And with ergonomically designed, plush bucket seats, the Venture delivers super-comfy support for both rider and passenger. It gets a $400 price bump for 2013.
Star Raider SCL
$19,990
As you’d expect from a limited edition model, the Raider SCL packs on the premium features. According to Star, the SCL is “crafted for riders who value exclusivity,” with items like an exclusive Crimson Red with Intense Black paint scheme, a unique yoke angle and a 33-degree rake, stainless steel throttle cables, clutch and brake lines, and custom 5-spoke chrome wheels co-developed by Performance Machine (with matching chrome pulley). This production custom holds a 113-cubic-inch OHV pushrod 48-degree V-twin in the engine bay. For 2013, the SCL’s clutch pull has 20 percent less effort.
Star VMAX
$19,990
For over 25 years, the VMAX has symbolized the sheer adrenaline rush of unleashed power. The legend continues with the Generation 2 model, which debuted in 2009 with an eye-opening, 65-degree, 1679cc V-4. This mill features downdraft four-bore fuel injection and fly-by-wire throttle, complemented by a five speed tranny, a hydraulically activated slipper clutch, twin radiator cooling, and an underseat-mounted fuel tank. The bike somehow manages to blend current sportbike tech with a unique style that puts it in a class of its own. The VMAX gets a $100 price bump for 2013.
Star Stratoliner S
$17,590
You’ll find one of our favorite engines powering Star’s big classic touring cruiser—an air-cooled, 48-degree, 1854cc lump that puts power through a smooth five-speed gearbox and feeding to a belt final drive. You’ll be that much more comfy with the Stratoliner S’s locking, leather sidebags, adjustable, quick-detachable windshield and a quick-detach backrest, all nicely integrated to fit the bike’s classic style. The streamlined Stratoliner gets a 4.5 gallon tank, and rolls on 18-inch front and 17- inch rear tires topped with a 27.8-inch seat. For 2013, the Strat S gets $200 price bump.
Star Road Star Silverado S
$15,890
This classic tourer is a long-running favorite and it brings all the traditional touring amenities you’d expect in the class: an adjustable windshield, locking saddlebags (these are hard-sided bags), floorboards, and a wide touring saddle with passenger backrest. An air-cooled 48-dgree 1670cc V-twin engine thrusts the power through a 5-speed transmission to belt final drive. Because this is an S trim, this Silverado has plenty of shiny bits, like the forks, fork covers, fork clamp, and brake/clutch lever. Get it in blue for 2013, with a $300 bump over 2012.
Star Roadliner S
$15,690
The Roadliner is your back-to-basics, no-nonsense cruiser—only there’s very little that’s basic about it. That familiar air-cooled, 1854cc V-twin lighting up the engine room is still a straight-up beast, with a 9.48:1 compression ratio and aggressive cam timing teaming up for impressive performance qualities. In the Star universe, “S” means the shiny stuff, and the Roadliner S wears plenty of it, with chrome switchgear, engine covers, polished wheels and more. You also get tubeless radials, and the floating floorboards add ride comfort. A $300 price boost and an easier-pull clutch are added for 2013.
Star Raider /S
$14,890 /$15,690
Not quite a chopper, but certainly chopper-inspired, the Raider is one of those bikes that’s instantly recognizable even from far away. You’ll snap your head when you see the 21-inch front tire, kicked-out front end and super-phat 210mm rear radial go by. The total rake is a super-lazy 39 degrees. The “S” version ladles more chrome onto the triple clamps, fork sliders, air box cover, engine covers and more, but both bikes still run with the 1854cc air-cooled V-twin. Both also get the new lower-effort clutch and a $300 price jump.
Star Road Star S
$13,790
The one that started Star’s heavyweight cruiser presence is still going strong 12 years later. The classically-styled Road Star rolls with a smooth, solid-mounted 1670cc air-cooled engine with OHV and pushrods, bolstered by fuel injection and belt final drive. There’s a low 27.9 inch seat perched atop the adjustable rear shock and full-size rider floorboards mounted along the 66.5 inch wheelbase. There’s no standard Road Star, so the S model covers the switchgear, forks and levers in bright chrome. Get it in black only, for $300 more than last year.
Star V Star 1300 Deluxe
$13,690
Star’s newest dresser builds on the existing V Star 1300 platform with the addition of a specially designed, fork-mounted fairing stuffed with an integrated audio system and a motorcycle-friendly Garmin zumo 665 GPS. It’s topped by a windshield for extra weather protection, too. There’s more, of course, like a pair of hard locking side bags made just for the Deluxe, a 4.5-gallon fuel tank, and a dished saddle to make long treks more comfortable. At its core, the Deluxe packs the same 80-cubic-inch, counterbalanced V-twin found on the other 1300s, with 5-speed transmission and belt drive.