But, that's not to say metric cruisers are disappointing. Rather than tackle Milwaukee head-on, the Japanese have staked out territories unique to them in the cruiser world. The so-called ‘metrics’ have a different look--like it or not--and standards of suspension, handling and engine performance that are focused on the riding experience, rather than simply the ability to profile effectively. Click image to enlarge

The Star Roadliner S is an example of a metric cruiser that enjoys all the advantages of Japanese engineering, yet also manages to establish itself as a bike with an undeniable personality. Accessing the history book for styling cues, the Roadliner recalls the heady days of Streamline Moderne, which brought sweeping curves and extended horizontal lines to everything from airport terminals to zeppelins to high schools. This is a stunning machine to gaze upon, stretching over 100 inches from tip-to-tip, with its 113 cu in air-cooled, pushrod V-twin motor prominently displayed.

It's not all about looks, however, as it retains its metric cruiser heritage. There's an aluminum frame that gives the bike more high-speed stability in turns than you might expect from a bike of this type and size. Beefy 46mm forks have over five inches of superbly damped and sprung travel, providing a nice isolation for the irregularities of the road, yet retaining composure when the bike is ridden with a bit of aggression. In the rear, a properly tuned hidden single shock works wonders.

The engine has a stroke stretching over 4.6 inches, yet twin counterbalancers and spot-on twin-bore fuel injectors prevent it from having a lumpy or lazy feel. It may be a pushrod motor, but it has four valves and two spark plugs per cylinder, so the air, fuel, and spark are certainly attended to. And, in case you don't think you can get enough torque from 1854cc, Star added the Exhaust Ultimate Powervalve (EXUP) to boost torque from 2,500 to 3,000 rpm (sport bike owners will remember the EXUP's debut on the 1987 Yamaha FZR1000). A five-speed transmission works well enough for the wide spread of power (I'd still prefer a six-speed) and the heel-toe shifter changes gears smoothly.