I am with you Max! I like the V-Star 1300 Deluxe, but I also like the Stratonliner Deluxe. I want the full faring of the Deluxe though.

The V-Star is Liquid cooled which means less heat in the summer while in town. That is a real good thing. The only thing is the 1300 might not be enough power. I spoke with a couple people who own Strykers and they feel they could use more power. With all the stuff on the V-Star, I am thinking 1300 won't be be enough. Still a sweet ride and I love the black out look of the red one.

The Stratoliner, though air cooled, has 1800 CCs. So it's a much bigger engine for a couple grand more. More then enough to haul my wife and all the stuff on the bike. It has the same MPG as the V-Star 1300 and very similar style except it has a ton of chrome. My main concern is the hot engine while riding in town. But if I am touring, I ain't spending a lot of time in the city.

So it's power Vs. heat of the engine?

I've heard about the V Start Custom clutch being a bit wonky. I like the Bolt but I keep hearing about the pegs so low they scrape and it bugs me.
I do love the Star line, they make nice looking bikes!

The Bolt scrapes less then the Iron 883. However, if you are over 5'8" you can get the Low and Mean forward controls. They are a bit pricey but IMO worth it. More comfortable ride and it give you an extra two inch clearance. You can still scrape, but you have to really try.

I actually don't mind a little scraping. Keeps my speed a little more realistic!

I've heard about the V Start Custom clutch being a bit wonky. I like the Bolt but I keep hearing about the pegs so low they scrape and it bugs me.
I do love the Star line, they make nice looking bikes!

For $200 you can get some Hagon shocks for the Bolt. This will raise the pegs and give you more travel.

It's the best mod you can do for your bike and you won't scrape your pegs anymore, unless you really want to. 

Personally I was very happy with my 650 V star. I had an 05 classic that I loved to death. Stock, it topped out at about 85 on the highway, but had plenty of power for around town. I took it on several trips including the Black Hills Classic and would regularly ride home from college on it, 300 miles one-way. I thought it was a great beginner bike, much more stylish than a Rebel, and perfect for commuting.  Never ever scraped the floor boards, either!

While it didn't have the 'bad ass bobber attitude' of the Bolt, every time I swung my leg over it and grabbed those chrome beach bars I felt cool.  Throw a set of bags on it and you'd be set. I'd buy a used one as a fourth bike in a heartbeat if I had the room. It was just a great all around ride, in my opinion. Certainly more comfortable for both rider and passenger than the Bolt.

Looking at the '15 custom with the blacked out motif, I'm not sure it has anything to put up against a Bolt. If it catches your eye and you like the way it rides, don't let us jaded power-hungry bobber boobs tell you any different.

It's a bike we sell mostly to girls.  Low seat height, low power, low price. 

I agree, the bike is in the rebel class, beginners mostly, if you already outgrown the rebel, you will quickly outgrow the 650.