Anyone own a Raider?

[chesthing]

I'm not much of a cruiser guy, but I sat on a Raider S at the dealer yesterday and I can't get it from my mind. It was like slipping on a REALLY nice watch, if you know what I mean.

[rauchman]

While I don't own a Raider, I have owned a Roadstar.  After HD, I think Yamaha makes the best cruisers out there.  I've sat (and drooled) on a Raider and I have to agree with you, it fits nicely.  I understand the motor is very very nice.  Yup, Yammie, especially the Roadliner/Stratoliner/Raider, are the only cruisers that have that really solid feel that HD has and no one else seems to duplicate very well.

Only downsides that I know of, the tires might be a bit hard to get as they are less than common sizings.  Great looking bike with a honkin motor......... NICE!!!

[nferr]

I had a Stratoliner which is basically the same frame and engine. For a cruiser the 1854cc V-twin hauls. You'll leave any Harley buddies in the dust if you so desire. My friends use to just wave at me if we took off on the highway. Very low center of gravity with the aluminum frame. And the fit and finish is very good. The engine is smooth too (well for a large air-cooled V-Twin).

But for me the bike was just too heavy. 800 pounds, I think the Raider is about 750 wet. I like a bike at 500 pounds or less fully wet. But if you like big cruisers the the Raider is definitely a nice one. Just read the reviews, it basically wins every comparison test. Even against Harley's and Victory's that cost $7000-$8000 more.

[chesthing]

It sure didn't feel like  750 lbs, it felt extremely light taking it off the stand - as does the Strat and Roadliner. Yamaha's done a fine job with this line, first time in years I've been tempted to buy a cruiser.

[mnrodliner]

I have a Raider and like it. Beats all the hardly guys, they dont like that! No probs with it at all. Nice bike!

[chesthing]

You have a Raider and a Roadliner? I'm sure the power is the same, how do they handle curves? which one is the better handler?

[atadaskew]

I like the Raider a lot.  Much nicer than the other Japanese cruisers.  Even though it is obviously a heavy bike, it feels much lighter than the Suz M109 etc when picking it up off its stand.
Nicest thing about it is the fit.  You feel part of the bike, with everything in the right position.

[chornbe]

It sure didn't feel like  750 lbs, it felt extremely light taking it off the stand - as does the Strat and Roadliner. Yamaha's done a fine job with this line, first time in years I've been tempted to buy a cruiser.

Listen to the commentary on the power, too. My Street Glide could out handle my buddy's Strat, but if he had like 8 feet to open the throttle, forget it... he could be GONE before I could think about shifting. The Strat's engine is a joy to uncork. I still like taking that beast for the occasional ride.

[Oilhed]

Supposed to have great brakes and great forks.

[hazra]

Listen to the commentary on the power, too. My Street Glide could out handle my buddy's Strat, but if he had like 8 feet to open the throttle, forget it... he could be GONE before I could think about shifting. The Strat's engine is a joy to uncork. I still like taking that beast for the occasional ride.

Hmmm... I'd question the handling comment.  I really like the Street Glide (it's one of 2 bikes I'd even consider replacing my Roadliner with), and have ridden several, but they won't out handle the Roadliner.  Not picking on your buddy, but are you sure it wasn't just that you handled your bike better?  

My Roadie has been on the dyno, and it puts 77 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque to the ground stock.  That does a lot to compensate for the near 800 lb wet weight. Yamaha made them with radial tires, decent suspension, a frame that doesn't flex and a low CG... and they handle very well for a cruiser.  They have good brakes... they use the same pads and calipers as my FZ1... but they will fade a little if the bike is ridden hard for any length of time.  All in all, if the Raider had been out when I bought my Roadliner it might have come home instead... they use many of the same components, and I like the ergonomics better.  I think the Raider is geared slightly different, and it has a smaller tank (4.1 gallons instead of 4.5) so the range is a little shorter.  They both need premium and they both have only 5 gears.  There are times I wish for a 6th.  The downsides of the Raider (my opinion here) are the range and the long wheelbase.  It's slower handling than the 'liner and they don't ride as well, and they do suffer a little from "chopper flop" at low speeds.  They also look goofy from certain angles to my eyes.  Mechanically they're great bikes though.

[chornbe]

Hmmm... I'd question the handling comment.  I really like the Street Glide (it's one of 2 bikes I'd even consider replacing my Roadliner with), and have ridden several, but they won't out handle the Roadliner.  Not picking on your buddy, but are you sure it wasn't just that you handled your bike better?  

No, if you listen to people on here, Harleys can't be ridden fast or hard, and they can't handle and don't do anything well.

With that in mind, I was riding mine at 5mph, so Paulie must have been riding his at 3mph thru' the one turn we wobbled through.

I've ridden his bike lots. I can not get it to turn in as fast or feel quite as planted in deep, fast turns as I did with my 'Glide.

To each his own.

[Indefatigable]

A friend of mine just picked up an 09 leftover for a sweet deal.  Very nice looking bike.  

[atadaskew]

  They also look goofy from certain angles to my eyes.  Mechanically they're great bikes though.

That's what prevented me from buying a Raider.  Yeah, I'm shallow etc etc but for me looks matter on a cruiser.  And as much as I loved the motor/layout/chassis of the Raider, I could not get over its Virago family heritage looks.

[hazra]

 get over its Virago family heritage looks.

Exactly.  Especially it's front wheel... it's too fat for a "skinny" chopper tall tire.  Looks like an oversized Virago.

[ZZR12]

Buy the best "power" cruiser ever produced, the ROADSTAR WARRIOR, and if you can handle it get the Midnight (The Midnight is the fastest color)