None of the big luxury bikes have the antilock brakes they deserve, but there are two schools of braking-system design evident here. The two American brands each have a single, independently controlled disc brake on each wheel. All three Japanese brands use triple-disc systems. Honda and Suzuki provide linked systems whereby the brake pedal operates the rear brake and partially applies the front brake as well. This provides better (and possibly more immediate) stopping when a panicked rider simply stomps on the brake pedal in a moment of crisis, but it makes it harder for an experienced rider to modulate the crucial front brake in a panic stop. The Suzuki's pedal-operated portion also has remarkably little feel. The Star uses independent brakes front and rear, and combined with the power of three big discs and excellent control, that made it the universal favorite stopper here. Victory was a solid second with strong scores, but the others slipped to below-par rankings for unimpressive power (Harley) or uncertain feel and control (Honda and Suzuki).
The accompanying sidebar discusses the relative merits of each bike's luggage. Few other details drew comments from the riders except for praise of the Stratoliner's nicely styled and thorough instrumentation, though its position in the middle of the fuel tank means you have to look away from the road to consult it. The C109RT's instrumentation is almost as thorough, though it lacks the tachometer (and the styling emphasis) of the Star.
So if you find yourself in a maximum-bagger state of mind, where should you go shopping? Again, you should assure yourself that any bike you consider buying will fit your build and stance. That proviso is particularly important for our top-rated motorcycle here, the Star Stratoliner. There is a lot to like about it-great power, the best suspension and saddle in this group, strong and controllable brakes, good saddlebags, a removable windshield (too tall in standard form, in our opinion) and carefully hewn styling. But if it is immediately uncomfortable for you, all that good stuff may seem of little consequence.
In that case we'd suggest you look up your Victory dealer and size up the Kingpin Tour. Though we think it's a bit pricey (even with the trunk) and larger riders thought the saddle was too skimpy, the Kingpin was our favorite Victory. The Tour shares many of the attractions of the Stratoliner, with high marks for handling, braking, power/ performance and riding position (from riders of all sizes). Most oglers liked its stand-out styling. The windshield could stand some improvement, but it is otherwise a great magic carpet.
Parked in the middle of the pack, the Honda VTX1800T didn't inspire any real passion either way. It would probably have been a stronger contender with belt final drive, but that was as close to a criticism as we could come. It won't be the bike we will recommend first if someone asks us "Which bagger?" On the other hand if someone says he is getting ready to buy a VTX1800T, we won't try to steer him (or her) away, either. It's competent and pleasant to ride, but not soul-stirring. If you are counting your pennies it's the most affordable.
What most impressed us about the Suzuki Boulevard C109 series was how much more we liked riding them than the M109 models, especially when the road started to bend. The C109RT's size and weight may put off smaller riders, but big riders scored it as very comfortable and roomy, and it has the best wind protection. Though it lags in a few areas, some testers gave it strong marks.
No doubt the Harley-Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic will outsell all its competitors here, just because it's a Harley. It will probably be a satisfying choice for shorter riders or those who don't get much past the city limits. However, bigger riders who plan to travel on an FLSTC should allow an accessory budget for things like more accommodating saddles, and any of our crew would have changed the handlebar. You probably shouldn't challenge any Stratoliners or C109s to a dragrace, though.
While you can certainly find more luxurious long-distance touring machines and cleaner big-inch basic cruisers, this class of basic bagger retains the same appeal it enjoyed three-quarters of a century ago. They are handy around town, perfect for a Sunday romp through a few counties, and ready to take you and a friend away for the weekend. These days they do all that with a bit more muscle and style.
Suzuki |  Victory Though all the bikes'...  Victory
Though all the bikes' shield heights look similar in front of our 5-foot-7-inch rider, a slight difference in shape can mean beaucoup buffeting. The shortest-in-class Victory unit is by far the noisiest, while the Star Stratoliner's plastic was much too tall for most. The Suzuki C109RT's shield shape and added lower configuration was the winning combo for all the testers. | 
Harley-Davidson |
Honda | 
Star | 
Suzuki |
Victory |  | |