Harley-Davidson dealerships topped the rankings for the 2012 edition of the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, an industry benchmarking study examining how well dealerships treat customers, and turning shoppers into buyers.

The Pied Piper PSI rated different manufacturers’ dealerships in a number of categories to produce an overall score. The study was conducted between July 2011 and April 2012 with 1,653 anonymous “mystery shoppers” gathering information at different dealerships across the U.S.

The study gave Harley-Davidson dealers a score of 108, a four-point improvement from 2011 and five points above the industry average. According to researchers, Harley-Davidson dealers scored the highest of all brands in 16 different categories, including offering test rides, obtaining contact information and asking customers if for the sale. Continue Reading »

Star Motorcycles will be auctioning this Stratoliner Deluxe at the annual STAR Days rally in Reno, Nevada this July. Proceeds from the auction go to Feed the Children charity. The custom 2010 Stratoliner Deluxe wears a Benny Flores paint job, PM wheels, fairing lowers, a Garmin Zumo 665 GPS unit as well as a variety of Star accessories.

“The annual Feed the Children auction at STAR Days each year generates thousands of dollars to help feed and clothe children who so desperately need it,” said Alan Cease, President of Star Touring and Riding. “And this beautiful Stratoliner Deluxe is sure to the key attraction at this year’s annual auction.”

 

Given the choice of what motorcycle to ride when surrounded by bikes including the VMAX, Raider SCL and the rest of the 2012 Star model line-up will usually leave the V Star 250 unchosen. An ingenious idea at a recent Star press junket, however, ensured a journalistic derriere in the 250’s seat by making it the most valuable bike available.

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Star Motorcycles is giving away this customized V Star 950 to one lucky motorcycle enthusiast. The sweepstakes runs from April 16th to November 1, 2012. Entering to win entails nothing more than submitting your contact information at starmotorcycles.com/vstar905sweepstakes.

The custom V Star 950 is the product of Chris Hagest of Low and Mean in Lake Havasu, AZ. Hagest and his team deconstructed a stock V Star 950 and using their ingenuity and creativity combined available Star accessories with components from Leo Vince exhaust, Ride Right wheels, Burley bars, Platinum air ride suspension, Radiantz LED lighting and covered the bodywork in a stunning custom paint scheme.

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Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., along with the Star Touring and Riding association, join forces for the fifth year to support the charitable organization Feed the Children in a food drop to benefit needy Orange County, Calif., residents. The event takes place today, Friday, November, 18th.

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On Oct. 28th, 2011 Yamaha filed a recall campaign with the NHTSA (campaign ID number: 11V533000)  regarding possible fuel leaks on 2009 thru 2012 model-year V Star 950 and V Star 950 Tourer manufactured October 2008 through August 2011. The recall also includes the 2007 V Star 1300 model with manufacture dates August 2006 to March 2007. A total of 2800 models are affected.

A separate recall (NHTSA campaign ID number: 11V532000) was issued by Yamaha for the 2012 Super Tenere with manufacture dates June 1, 2011 to August 31,2011. This recall also involves possible fuel leaks.

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The U.S. motorcycle industry saw a 4.6% decrease in year-on-year sales over the first six months of 2011, thanks mostly to a 17.3% drop in ATV sales. Motorcycle and scooter sales however saw a 1.7% bump in the first half .

Unfortunately, most of that gain in two-wheeled vehicle sales was due to a strong first quarter that saw a year-on-year increase of 7.2%. Second quarter motorcycle and scooter sales totaled 156,215 units, down 1.6% compared to 158,686 units sold in the second quarter 2010.

Compiled by the Motorcycle Industry Council, the figures represent sales over the six months ended June 30, 2011, from 19 reporting manufacturers: Aprilia, Arctic Cat, BMW, Buell, Can-Am, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husaberg, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Polaris, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Victory and Yamaha.

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Yamaha revealed the first 2012 models from its Star Motorcycles brand of cruisers, the V Star 950 and V Star 950 Tourer.

The 2012 V Star 950 (and the more touring-oriented V Star 950 Tourer) is powered by a fuel-injected air-cooled 942cc 60 degree V-Twin engine with a five-speed transmission. Yamaha estimates fuel economy at 47 mpg from the 4.5 gallon tank.

Billed as entry-level cruiser, the V Star 950 offers a low 26.6-inch seat height. Front suspension is provided by 41mm forks while the rear uses a bottom-link-type monocross shock. Brakes consist of a 320mm front and a 298mm rear disc.

The 2012 V Star 950 has a claimed weight of 613 pounds. Available in Liquid Silver and Candy Red, it retails at $8490. The V Star Tourer adds a windshield, leather-wrapped hard saddlebags and a passenger backrest. With a claimed weight of 657 pounds, the 2012 V Star Tourer is available for $9,490 in Raven and Impact Blue.

Visit our 2012 V Star 950 and V Star 950 Tourer gallery for more pictures.

Press release after the jump.

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