Star Log: 2012
STAR LOG: 2012
With the 2012 Raider SCL, Star boldly goes where no metric cruiser has gone before
THE 2012 STARS ARE OUT, AND THERE are not a million of them. In fact, there aren’t any completely new models at all, but that’s not a problem. Making the most of what you already have has proven very successful for HarleyDavidson, and Star has decided to pursue that line of marketing with a new premium “CVO”-type line of its own: “SCL,” for Star Custom Line. The first example is the 2012 Raider SCL pictured; 500 of these specially numbered Raiders will be run up the exclusivecruiser flagpole to see who salivates.
Photos don’t really do the six-layerdeep orange-marmalade metalflake paint job justice, and the real leather two-tone seat goes with the flow like your favorite broken-in boots. Chrome Performance Machine wheels and a matching drive pulley, along with stainless brake hoses and a few other custom touches, all add up to an even more “custom” factory custom. H-D claims its CVOs have been very successful; Star wants some of those bucks-up buyers on its bikes. At $19,990, the SCL will sell for a $5400 premium over the base model. Compared to a Craigslist Virago, that’s a lot of cake. Compared to a CVO, it’s bargain-basement. In other news, the $17,900 Stratoliner Deluxe bagger, which was a little light in the entertainment department before, is a much more appealing package for 2012 with the addition of a standard Garmin zumo 665 GPS and iPod/iPhone integration; now, you can toggle through your playlist with your left thumb. In addition to navigation capabilities, the zümo brings with it Bluetooth and Sirius/ XM connectivity. The stylists have backed off a bit, leaving the bike with a simpler gas-tank badge, deleting the front fender stay and drenching the whole thing in tasteful Liquid Silver paint, same as the non-Deluxe Strats.John Burns
