Opinions on the Roadliner/Stratoliner, Raider & Warrior

[nferr]

Just noticed this thread. I have an 06 Stratoliner S. It's an awesome bike if you're into cruisers. Tons of power, and it's really nicely balanced. Has the quick realease windshield and backrest so you can go from cruising mode to touring mode in 30 seconds. It's been 100% reliable too. And it has that cool art deco styling which I love although I know some don't.

That said I might sell it. It's a great bike but I'm just into much smaller bikes. I always seem to just hop on my 07 Bonneville. I even tour on the Bonnie, it's so light and agile. Just love the bike and I've always been a Triumph guy. I'm thinking of trading the Stratoliner in on a leftover Triumph Scrambler. I'd have two differing Bonnies.

The problem is I'm just not sure I want to get rid of the Stratoliner. It's such a premium cruiser.

[marble]

trades my 206 stratoliner in for a kawasaki 208 concours, big mistake can't get comfortable on the concourse, miss the stratiliner in a big way. may try to get another stratoliner.

[kolzen]

I just found this thread (and forum) doing a search for Roadliner vs. Raider.  The seriously funny thing is those 4 bikes listed are the 4 I'm trying to decide between.  They are to replace my 2008 Suzuki M50 with the following goals:

More Power
More room - 6'1" with 32 inseam on the M50 is a joke even with forward controls
Canyon Carving ability - similar to the ability of the M50 if possible
Light touring ability - ability to throw 3 - 5 days worth of "stuff" into a magic hatch and ride off into the sunset
Daily work commute (30 miles)

I suppose this is a lot to ask out of a single bike but I just dont see a real reason to own more than one!  I did consider something more like a FJR1300 but I'm not sure my back can deal with the seating position for long periods of time.

At any rate, rauchman have you made your choice?  If so I'd love to hear how it worked out for you.

-K

[rauchman]

At any rate, rauchman have you made your choice?  If so I'd love to hear how it worked out for you.

-K

For now, I'm keeping my SV.  My wife lost her job and any thought of getting a different bike is out the window for the time being.  If I were going to through with this, I'm still not sure what I'd go for, but I haven't taken any test rides on these bikes either.  If the RS Warrior had a bigger gas tank, I'd probably be inclined to go for that.  But the limited range on that bike is a deal breaker on a bike that is going to see touring duty.  I really like the idea of the Super Glide, but I'd add on at least an additional $5k to bring power levels/suspension up to where I'd want the bike to be.  Roadliner is really nice, but a little big (weighty) and I'm not that big a fan of the styling.

[marble]

got rid of a kawasaki concours c14 for a roadliner, no more pain. love the roadliner can strech out and enjoy the ride. anyone else trade a sport tour for a cruiser?

[rauchman]

got rid of a kawasaki concours c14 for a roadliner, no more pain. love the roadliner can strech out and enjoy the ride. anyone else trade a sport tour for a cruiser?

Nice!!!  Pics???!!!!

Have you had other cruisers?  Any idea of how the lean angle compares to other cruisers?

[marble]

sorry about no pics, I don't know how to put them on line. yea the lean angle is very good for a cruiser, and the roadliner let's you strech out, no need for highway pegs.  u thing about a cruiser?

[dafoduc]

I am a 60 year old sporty bike rider. Had a 2002 yellow ST4S. Got a bunch of tickets. Decided it was time to slow down. Tested Stratoliner, the 1300cc version, Vulcan 1600 Classic, 1200 Sportster Custom, ended up buying a 2007 Electra Glide Classic. The Electra Glide was a bit much for what I wanted to do, so traded for a 2009 Superglide Custom. I really was impressed with the Strato it handled well and was well executed. But it was too long. I traded the Electra Glide because of the handling. Of the Harleys, I would go for the Superglide OR the 2009 Road King. The FL series got a new frame and tires this year and the difference is absolutely amazing. Moral of this extended story is I now own a FJR1300.

Buy what fits and what fires your brain. You will never regret it.

[sammyseaman]

May not matter at this point but will put my $.02 anyway. Had a Warrior for three years and loved it. I get a different bike every three years or so and always alternate between sporty bikes and cruisers or slower standards. On sport bikes I end up riding too fast and slow myself down by riding "slower" bikes. I actually find it more fun pushing slower bikes hard than riding sport bikes fast. As far as touring on the Warrior it's definitely do-able. Mustang seat w/drivers backrest and I didn't even need a windshield (hate shields). The tank doesn't hold a lot of fuel but never found that to be a problem. Even in the Appalacian area where gas stations can be few and far between. Also the Warrior is THE best handling cruiser I've ever ridden. You can do a shit-ton of work to up the power. Plus there's a great site for the RS Warrior  http://rswarrior.com/forums/

[skater69]

If you're looking for comfort AND performance in a cruiser, a Stratoliner is the way to go.  It's got a monster engine and is comfortable......the others not so much.

With that said, I went from Sport-tourer/standards to a Kawi Nomad 1600 (GREAT cruiser BTW...super comfortable) but sold it after 10 months and will never go back to a cruiser.

My back hated the feet in front position and every bump in the road going up my spine/tailbone.  And I had a backrest too...which couldn't prevent it.  Back on my Blackbird and SV1000 and couldn't be happier.  No more back pain and I really missed having a lighter, nimbler, faster, better handling and better braking bike.