[bscarpenter]

I just took possession of my "gently used" 2006 Stratoliner Midnight with 11k mi yesterday. I won't get a chance to put a few hundred miles on it until this weekend. I noticed that I have to lean forward to grip the bar properly. Far enough that I'm not even sure if a back rest would do me any good. Have other's experienced this? Also i noticed at different speeds and different gears, but mostly when i let off the throttle i hear a "singing" noise similar (but much softer) than the tires on a semi on the highway. Could this just be the tires or should i be looking for something more insidious? The sound seems to be comming from both the front and back, but I cannot be sure.

Otherwise I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HTMNKYLVE]

Not sure what your noise is , but the seating position would be helped with a set of Barons risers. They move the bars up about 1 in and back about 2.25 in. I don't have mine yet but I've heard nothing but good about them.

 

[linerdave]

New bike (to you)

Great news on the new to you bike. I basiclly have little idea on the noise. But, One idea could be intake noise. The big V twin has a fair amount of intake noise. When the throttle is closed sometimes there is a noise around the valve in the throttle body. The air box is under the tank and could be hard to locate the sound. I hear some noise there, not a problem to me. If the intake has been modified it might be a little louder.

If the rear wheel is not allinged or the belt is too tight, you could get some belt noise. If the tires are cupped they could make some noise. I am only guessing could be way off.

On the handle bars, I would get a cramp in my neck, only on long rides. So I went to a riser, it helped some.

Yamaha now has a set of touring handle bars for the Delux. I have seen some talk of changing to these. They are closer together and more rearward.

Don't know what kind of riding you do but you will toughen up some and get somewhat used to the cruiser look and position.

Dave

 

[bscarpenter]

Thanks for the responses. The noise could easily just be harmonics or tires on a heavy bike. I just wanted to through it out there since this is a new bike to me. Wanted to make sure it isn't like the "oh yea, it makes that noise before the bearings seize" kind of thing.

As for the riding position, I generally ride about 350mi in a day with a riding club every weekend. I do seem to like the seat, but I have yet to do a long ride. I'm going to make my peace with this machine before I start any mods. Maybe I can get away with just a kidney belt. I'm sure some ab crunches and good posture wouldn't hurt either. Is there a drivers backrest for the stock seat?