2006 Yamaha Stratoliner S Cruiser reviews

It's a 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner. It's now Jan 2022. I was looking for bike I found this gorgeous Yamaha is 21 years old and Claiming it only has 1,450 miles on it .I figured it had to be to good to be true .. but I went to see it anyway ,it looked in amazingly showroom condition it started up easy . the saler claim in writing he put on all new tires and a new battery ,and he changed out all fluids and registered it It has detachable windshield and Seattle bags. I love the massive pull my sockects out of arms massive raw available torque at hand in any gear . this beast simply lopes along down the highway with very little rpm at 70mph at 2,600 rpm .it vibrates very little which makes the ride so worthwhile .I love this bike it's a blessing . Show less

In the Motorcycle Safety Training class, the instructors tell you that riding a motorcycle is inherently fun. So therefore there is no reason to go crazy on the road or make your bike anything more than it already is, because you are already having fun. You do, however, want your bike to do what you want it to do. that's what the Roadliner S gets accomplished. You want power, it's there. You want good ergos, it's there. You want a stiff frame that doesn't do anything it isn't supposed to, you got it. With so many choices out there, I am sure there are other bikes that do something or the other better than the Roadliner S, but if you appreciate the complete package of feel it in your seat acceleration, a superb chasis, unique and beautiful styling and unsurpassed reliability, this has to be, without a doubt, the bike for you. It is for me. Show less

I've got over 2,000 miles on my '07 Strat and can confirm that the reviews in this forum are an accurate description of the Star Stratoliner S. Yamaha put a huge amount of research and development into creating the Roadliner/Stratoliner and no significant improvements have been necessary since it's introduction in '06. Even though it's air cooled, the dry sump, oil cooler, and other internal innovations reduce heat so that the huge engine runs much cooler than one might expect. My dealer said you should get over 200,000 miles before needing any major engine work! One concept that hasn't been mentioned is that the Stratoliner could be viewed as two bikes in one. It's got huge amounts of torque for a very satisfying bottom end and that classic cruiser feel...cruising along at 2,000-3,500 rpm is a very relaxed, comfortable experience. However, if you want to hit the throttle, the bike wakes up and becomes a monster...extremely fast and agile for a bike this big/heavy! The adrenalin rush from 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm is immediate and significant...more like a high rpm sports bike than a cruiser. There may be faster motorcycles out there, but the Roadliner/Stratoliner has more power/speed than any sane person would ever want. For the rest of us...it's got just what we need! Show less

Great bike. Fit and finish is top notch. Gobs of power. Very well engineered. The seat is pretty darn firm and the reach to the handle bars is pretty long and I have long arms to begin with. Other than the seat and the reach, this is the perfect bike. The removable windshield and back rest come off and go on very easy and stay put when attached. Head light is bright and the chrome and attention to detail is fantastic. The gas mileage is comparable to the other bikes this size which is 33 mpg around town (would be better but I can't stop twisting the throttle wide open) and 42 highway. It would be great if the gas tank was 1 gal bigger so fuel stops would fall in-line with the rest of the pack but it is what it is. The windshield does a great job of blocking most of the wind. If I compare this to other comparable bike and rate on scale of 1 - 10 it would go like this. HD - 6, suzuki boulevard - 7, honda vtx 1800 - 8, victory - 7, Stratoliner - 9, no bike is a 10 so don't get your hopes up to see one listed here. They all have their faults. Show less

Traded my midweight (900vn) in for the 06 Strat last Nov. Had 6,000 mi on it at purchase. Just completed 5,000 mi RT from Houston to Tacoma, WA via midwest, Montana, Idaho, etc. On some interstates I cruised at 85 to 90 for 2-3 hr stretches. The Yami performed flawlessly. I can't begin to explain what an incredible performer this bike is. Over mtn. passes (11,000 ft. Monarch in CO, for example) on twisties, in 100 degree plus heat, never a miss. I will add fairing when I can afford it, but for now, I'll keep enjoying every pulse of the strats powerhouse twin, its balance and smoothness. A big TX 'hats off' to Yamaha for making the best cruiser you can ride. Show less

This bike has it all. Comfort (once you swap the stock seat for a Mustang), power, speed, handling, style and fit and finish are top notch. I fell in love with the Road/Stratoliner bikes when I first saw them, and bought my Strato Midnight in its introductory year. I now have over 14,000 miles on it and have no intention of stopping. The bike produces more horsepower and more torque in its STOCK setup than a Screaming Eagle Harley for less than half the price. Plus, the fit and finish of the Strato is impeccable. The bike's design is well thought out and refined. It is classy and retro without looking old and tired. There is no other bike on the market that can compare. Period. All you have to do is take one test ride and you will buy one. The only drawbacks to this bike line is the limited aftermarket parts for it and the stock seat (on the '06 models anyway). The seat is okay for short rides (1-3 hours), but any longer than three hours in the saddle will make you wish for more cushion. A simple fix to the seat problem is a quality aftermarket seat (I highly recommend the Mustang). No need to add highway bars if you are close to my size because the floorboards offer plenty of space to stretch out on. Show less

This bike is awesome to ride. The balance is so good that it makes it easy to ride. I am happy with the bike in all aspects. Excellent styling makes this machine a head turner and generates many inquiries about it. As big as this motorcycle is and as powerful as it is, it's a tame and smooth machine giving me a boost of confidence during my rides. The fit and finish is top notch. If you have not seen this bike up close, then go take a look and test drive. You will be hooked on this bike. I have had no problems to date. I very much recommend the Stratoliner. Show less

Wow. That would be enough to say about this bike. I recently purchased a new 2006 Roadliner and sold a 2005 VStar 1100. I will not compare the two because you can not. The 'liner' is powerful, smooth, rattle-free and stops on a dime from any speed. The brakes are flawless and do not pull or squeal. The paint and fit and finish is perfect. One bad thing is the seat - it sucks. The torque has to be experienced to appreciate it - I can only say there is a LOT of it in any gear. I had the bike dynoed last week and it has 91HP at the rear wheels and 109 lb/ft torque at stock from the box. I have owned several bikes (two Harleys - 1200 Sportster and a Road King - among them) and I can easily state that no other bike I have owned is even close to this bike. This is a keeper. Show less

Just keep finding more things to love about this bike. I live on a main route to Sturgis and have the opportunity to visit with lots of riders. Was told many times it is nice to see a bike that is unique, not a Harley cookie cutter version of a cycle. Tried to ride for MPG the other day and was able to get 45 on two separate rides of 100 miles +. Keeping it under 60 is tough though. The Strat loves to run. Show less

You have to ride one to understand. The low center of gravity coupled with the overall wheelbase allows one to float around those sweeping curves. don't let the comfort fool you, a simple twist of the wrist will quickly let you know that this bike will run with any bike on the road, regardless of make. My wife and I have logged many mile on trips with friends and even my wife is amazed at the number of compliment and/or acknowedgments we receive form Harley owners. Enough said. Show less