The Way You Look Tonight
Styling is the conversation-starter with most cruisers, and this group has something for everyone: streetrod (yep, the Honda), traditional cruiser with modern flourishes (the Star) and old-school chopper (the Suzuki). All the bikes emphasize a simple design aesthetic rather than radical chic-there's not an exhibitionist in the bunch.
As the newest entrant to the 1300cc class, the V Star 1300 also brings the most current technology. With fuel injection, liquid cooling, belt drive and four valves per cylinder, the 1304cc V-twin is a substantial step up from its aging stablemate, the V Star 1100. Star reps are quick to point out that the 1300 is 241cc bigger than the 1100, but if you look at the physical specs (wheelbase and width), it's close in size to the firm's Road Star model too.
The VTX C aims for street-rod attitude, highlighted by chopped fenders, front and back, and brief bodywork that cedes the spotlight to an attractive engine bay.
Everyone commented on the Honda's elongated, beautifully chromed headlight nacelle-you can't help but stare at the sky reflected in it as you ride. The tanktop instrument gauge forced taller riders to slightly dip their eyes down to view it, and there are no frills within. There was a thumbs up consensus on the VTX's vibe and styling, but some details belied its price-consciousness-the shaped tank's huge seam, plastic covers, a nest of unrouted cables and mismatched finishes were deemed the biggest sins, especially for a Honda product.
The Star brings perhaps the most traditional styling of the bunch, but it's mixed with modern sleekness in the stretched tank and full steel fenders. The Star is the only bike here with floorboards and a heel-toe shifter. Fit and finish is excellent, with integrated detailing and an easily accessed, full-featured instrument pod. Like the VTX, the V Star's engine is styled to resemble an air-cooled design, but if you look closely, you'll spot the compact radiator nestled between the downtubes. On the downside, that taillight isn't an LED unit as stated in Star's spec chart-there's a bulb in there. And the decal on the airbox that reads "Vstar 1300" looks plain cheesy on an otherwise thoughtfully finished motorcycle.
If you want a completely different look, the S83 is as singular as they come. A peanut tank, narrow saddle, smallish, almost drag-style handlebar and raked-out fork straddling a 19-inch wire wheel means styling is Spartan, to say the least. With its unique lines, the 45-degree V-twin makes no bones about what it is-an '80s-era chopper replica. In fact, one of the testers likened the Boulevard to a '90s-era Sportster married to a dragbike. But there's a cohesive cleanliness in the details. The tank is neat, seamless and beautifully finished. All fasteners are covered, and even the front control cables are routed cleanly through the triple-tree clamp, giving a tighter appearance than the Honda. A single analog-only instrument gauge just adjacent to the narrow, angled-back bar carries the theme.
Back In The Saddle
Settle into each of these bikes and your butt won't feel the same way twice. The Honda brings a fairly wide, dragstyle bar with a slight pullback that offers excellent leverage and reach for most riders. But while the gunfighter-style saddle may initially be comfortable, all riders whined that the steep dish also locks you in position, becoming somewhat painful after 30 miles. It's the lowest saddle here, so the reach to the ground was a breeze for shorter riders, and the VTX's forward-set controls were accommodating for taller folk too.
The Star's wide, lightly dished pan, on the other hand, was comfortable for everyone because it offers the greatest variety of seating positions. Its wide bar features an almost buckhorn-like bend for an easy reach, though taller testers complained it was too low.