Got a 2012 Raider about 6 months ago and absolutely love it. Upgraded from a Honda Shadow 750, so it was a really big upgrade but I found it really easy to ride. Took me about 5 minutes to get used to the raked out front end, weight, and fat rear tire. It handles surprisingly well, IMO. I just need to get rid of the stock exhaust. While I like how they look they are super quiet for how big the bike is. Just hard to get exhausts in California....
Yeah that's one heck of an upgrade!!! They are pretty easy to ride, smooth and just overall a nice bike. I've heard how Cali or really Arni frrom how I understand it to be, really screwed bikers out of aftermarket exhausts. We've had a bunch of em with different exhaust configurations. They do all sound pretty great. Hope you can get one.
I went from a 2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 as a new re-entry rider one month ago after a 25 year break, to a 2011 Yamaha Stryker 1340cc a week ago and I friggen' LOVE it. I can only imagine the Stryker, but more ! WOW that is nuts. I think the Yamaha Star line made the best off the shelf cruisers, ever, right up there with the legendary Kawasaki Vulcan line.
I have a red 2014 Raider, not the S version, but incredibly nice all the same! And all I can say is what a beautiful machine!!! I can't get enough seat time!!! Enjoy yours!!!
I liked mine more then the new 117 breakout. Really, intended to buy one till I rode it. Would have been a downgrade. (Bought the Sportster S instead) Fantastic bike, never fails to make me smile. Does better in the turns if you counter steer. With a tune it’s 101hp and 121tq. She will definitely step out on you in first if your not careful.
Great vid. I hav the same bike. In the Pennsylvania twisties it struggles. I think its due to the rake angle of the forks. Makes my turns wide. Its my 1st cruiser off of a ninja zx6r.
They are both very different bikes. One is more of a classic cruiser and the other a production chopper. They both do the same thing but the road king is more of a touring bike than the Vstar. You can outfit both bikes to be pretty much the same thing. But their riding positions are very different. Tough choice. Boils down to how do you want to ride? What kind of riding would you be doing 90% of the time? Then taylor your choice to that.
@@dangalli1 Yes - I have a 07 Strat S and love it - Strat is the same bike pretty much just adds the bags & wind shield - tons of torque and HP but she is heavy at low speeds but you do sit down in the frame.
@@timmauk2798 Yep, I've got an '06 S. I bought it used 5 years ago with 1,800 miles on it. I've got 29,000 miles on it now... It's darksided for the past 2 years.
The sound is awful. And the original pipes are much more beautiful than those. In fact, the Raider’s pipes are the best designed pipes in the motorcycle history.
Got a 2012 Raider about 6 months ago and absolutely love it. Upgraded from a Honda Shadow 750, so it was a really big upgrade but I found it really easy to ride. Took me about 5 minutes to get used to the raked out front end, weight, and fat rear tire. It handles surprisingly well, IMO. I just need to get rid of the stock exhaust. While I like how they look they are super quiet for how big the bike is. Just hard to get exhausts in California....
Yeah that's one heck of an upgrade!!! They are pretty easy to ride, smooth and just overall a nice bike. I've heard how Cali or really Arni frrom how I understand it to be, really screwed bikers out of aftermarket exhausts. We've had a bunch of em with different exhaust configurations. They do all sound pretty great. Hope you can get one.
Where are you at in Cali? I'm in Ukiah...
@@dangalli1 We are in Lebanon Pa.
@@dangalli1 I'm in Petaluma !! Went from a Shadow 750 to a Stryker 1300 .
Awesome! I’m up in Ukiah, I ride an ‘06 Yamaha Stratoliner S, same engine as the Raider…
I have a 2014 Raider, what an incredibly awesome machine!!! I love mine, and this one in your video is just as fantastic!!
That was a sweet one!!
I'm 5'7" and My raider feels fine for me
All depends on the individual.
I'm 5'5 and I love this bike.
Same
I went from a 2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 as a new re-entry rider one month ago after a 25 year break, to a 2011 Yamaha Stryker 1340cc a week ago and I friggen' LOVE it. I can only imagine the Stryker, but more ! WOW that is nuts. I think the Yamaha Star line made the best off the shelf cruisers, ever, right up there with the legendary Kawasaki Vulcan line.
Yamaha should bring back the XV1900 engines.
There are those who would like that as well
I just bought a 2014 Raider S with 1400 miles on it :) Moved up from a Vstar 1100 Classic
You're gonna love that bike for sure!
I have a red 2014 Raider, not the S version, but incredibly nice all the same! And all I can say is what a beautiful machine!!! I can't get enough seat time!!! Enjoy yours!!!
I liked mine more then the new 117 breakout. Really, intended to buy one till I rode it. Would have been a downgrade. (Bought the Sportster S instead)
Fantastic bike, never fails to make me smile. Does better in the turns if you counter steer. With a tune it’s 101hp and 121tq. She will definitely step out on you in first if your not careful.
Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸
Thanks David!!
Great vid. I hav the same bike. In the Pennsylvania twisties it struggles. I think its due to the rake angle of the forks. Makes my turns wide. Its my 1st cruiser off of a ninja zx6r.
Well it sure won't turn like a ZX6r that's for sure. But it can still hit those twisties, just not like a race bike.
Maybe y’all should put website link in the description. Especially for y’all ship
cyclehunters.com
I just bought a 2008 and would really like to get one of those bullet cowls, but I can't find one anywhere.
Call a Yamaha dealer. I'm sure they can get you one.
I have one
@@jameslewis8820 How much do you want for it? Where are you located?
Would you choose it over a road king
They are both very different bikes. One is more of a classic cruiser and the other a production chopper. They both do the same thing but the road king is more of a touring bike than the Vstar. You can outfit both bikes to be pretty much the same thing. But their riding positions are very different. Tough choice. Boils down to how do you want to ride? What kind of riding would you be doing 90% of the time? Then taylor your choice to that.
Consider the Yamaha Stratoliner S or Deluxe, same engine...
@@dangalli1 Yes - I have a 07 Strat S and love it - Strat is the same bike pretty much just adds the bags & wind shield - tons of torque and HP but she is heavy at low speeds but you do sit down in the frame.
@@timmauk2798 Yep, I've got an '06 S. I bought it used 5 years ago with 1,800 miles on it. I've got 29,000 miles on it now... It's darksided for the past 2 years.
@@dangalli1
My Raider will be going to the Darkside soon as it’s due rubber. Ran my Stratoliner that way, no complaints.
The sound is awful. And the original pipes are much more beautiful than those. In fact, the Raider’s pipes are the best designed pipes in the motorcycle history.
Everyone has an opinion.
Ahh, ahhh