Today Star Motorcycles announced the introduction of the Star Custom Line (SCL), a special effort to deliver genuine "factory customs" to its most loyal customers. The first Star cruiser to receive the SCL treatment will be the 2012 Raider SCL. These ultra-limited edition Raiders will feature modifications that, although they come from the factory, will not be available from the Star accessory catalog. Topping off the Raider SCL is a slippery, smooth six layer paint scheme that adds a bold orange with gold and black. A special Star logo graces the tank. The wheels and pulley are the product of a joint effort between Star and Performance Machine, while a chrome belt guard gives the finishing touch to the drive train. Stainless steel throttle cables and hydraulic lines grace the handlebar. Proud owners will get to park their posteriors on a two-tone leather seat that carries over the color tones of the paint scheme. If all that wasn't enough to make a SCL owner's riding buddies jealous, the limited edition aluminum SCL tank badge will seal the deal. Since only 500 SCLs will be made, the badge will display the production number of the bike.
According to Star, all these goodies would cost over $6,000-if you could buy them as separate accessories. But you can't. So, the MSRP of $19,990 is actually forcing you to save money over accessorizing a standard Raider. (Nice rationalization, eh?) The Raider SCL will be available in February 2012. However, since there are more Star dealerships that there will be SCLs, you might want to take your sweaty palms off your mouse and make a down payment right now.
By introducing this new line of motorcycle, Star hopes to add some cachet to an already popular cruiser. By only producing 500 Raider SCLs, Star may have found the sweet spot in the delicate balance between the exclusivity dedicated Star fans will want ,and the cost-effectiveness a manufacturer needs. If the Raider SCL is a hit, expect to see other limited edition Stars down the road as well.
But don't expect any earth-shaking developments from the standard Star lineup; several models are returning from last year, including the V Star 950, V Star 950 Tourer, V Star 1300, V Star 1300 Tourer, Road Star, Road Star Silverado, Stryker, Raider and Venture, but all remain unchanged except for color options and a small price increase.
V Star 250
The V Star 250 is also back for 2012, but with a minor change. Instead of the swept bar you remember from past models, the 250 gets a new, drag-style unit. Otherwise, the beginner bike remains the same as it ever was, and it's still available only in black. It also gets a price increase for 2012, up to $4190.
VMax
Then there's Star's mightily muscled VMax, which likewise gets just a series of cosmetic tweaks. The side cover is now color-matched to the intake cover and the seat stitching changes from red to grey, for an overall more unified look. MSRP is $19,890.
Roadliner S / Stratoliner S
The Roadliner and Stratoliner S may have been MIA from Star's lineup in 2011, but both are back for 2012 with a few nips and tucks to the styling. New this year on the Roadliner and Stratoliner is a new tank emblem featuring a single bar instead of the tri-bar design of yore. The front fender stay on both models is also now gone, to clean up the design. You can get the Roadliner in Seashell for $15,390, and the Stratoliner S for $16,590, in Intense Black.
Stratoliner Deluxe
Naturally, the Stratoliner Deluxe gets similar tweaks, with that single-bar emblem going on the fuel tank, and the front fender stay going away completely. But the Deluxe gets functional upgrades as well, in the form of an integrated iPod/iPhone player, with controls perched on the handlebar. The speakers also are now framed with chrome, but perhaps the biggest news is the addition of a fresh Zumo 665 GPS - Garmin's top-shelf offering designed especially for motorcycle applications. The new Stratoliner Deluxe will set you back $17,990.