Anyone Ride a Raider?

[JRO]

Does anyone have a Yamaha Raider 1900?

My brother-in-law is determined to get himself a motorcycle. He called last night, to tell me he sat one of the new Raider S's, and really liked it. I saw the things in the showroom, when they first came out, but wasn't interested (myself). I'm supposed to go help him find a bike, soon, and would like any owner or test rider input. Reviews rate it pretty highly, but I wasn't crazy about the last big Star cruiser we had around here.

It may be a good choice for this prospective buyer. He's 6'3", probably 230lbs, 40 years old, and although he's never had his own bike, he can ride. I wouldn't want to cross half the country on a V-twin cruiser, but that is his plan for the Summer.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

I dont own one, but I did help a friend of mine buy hers, and have ridden it many times since. The bike is nice. Strong motor, minimal vibration (for a v-twin), very smooth transmission. Also, the seat height (her bike is bone stock) is very low, and the bike feels very "centered" at both low and high speeds. If I was to ride a cruiser again,it would probably be that bike or a Suzuki M109R (but the transmission on the 109R is not as smooth as the Star, and the bike is physically bigger and feels heavier).

I think that the price is a little high, but you are paying for a damn big engine and "custom" look, so I guess its in line with other comparable bikes.

Overall, a very nice bike with great looks, good power and torque, and Star quality.

 

[JRO]

Well... No Raider for my brother-in-law. The Raider S (in his opinion), was a beautiful bike, and he loved looking at it. After some test riding, he decided anything wth a lawnmower engine would be better. The silly thing was grossly underpowered, vibrated like a cheap Vegas motel bed, and handled accordingly (I thought the handling was pretty decent, for the kind of bike it was).

I wouldn't reccomend one, myself. It's kind of a bike without a mission. I guess you could brag on the 1900cc, but the lack of power sort of ruins that. If you were interested in a 'power cruiser', and you wanted a Yamaha, I'd suggest a Warrior.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Well... No Raider for my brother-in-law. The Raider S (in his opinion), was a beautiful bike, and he loved looking at it. After some test riding, he decided anything wth a lawnmower engine would be better. The silly thing was grossly underpowered, vibrated like a cheap Vegas motel bed, and handled accordingly (I thought the handling was pretty decent, for the kind of bike it was).
I wouldn't reccomend one, myself. It's kind of a bike without a mission. I guess you could brag on the 1900cc, but the lack of power sort of ruins that. If you were interested in a 'power cruiser', and you wanted a Yamaha, I'd suggest a Warrior.

**********************************

Intresting....Lori's bike (my friend) vibrates less than a shadow 1100, and the power is damn near the Zuk M109R that I also sometimes ride. I also feel it handles about as well as any other Vtwin, and definitely feels lighter than some. Guess its different perception or a bad bike he got hold of.

 

[smokeFJR06]

Does anyone have a Yamaha Raider 1900?
My brother-in-law is determined to get himself a motorcycle. He called last night, to tell me he sat one of the new Raider S's, and really liked it. I saw the things in the showroom, when they first came out, but wasn't interested (myself). I'm supposed to go help him find a bike, soon, and would like any owner or test rider input. Reviews rate it pretty highly, but I wasn't crazy about the last big Star cruiser we had around here.

It may be a good choice for this prospective buyer. He's 6'3", probably 230lbs, 40 years old, and although he's never had his own bike, he can ride. I wouldn't want to cross half the country on a V-twin cruiser, but that is his plan for the Summer.

I test rode a Raider and liked it, but only for in town and short rides. No way I would pick a Raider or a Warrior for a cross country ride. Tell him to check out the Stratoliner S or a Tour Deluxe if he's set on a Yamaha cruiser to ride long distance.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here's some pic's

https://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/produc.../1/0/image.aspx (Stratoliner S)

https://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/produc.../1/0/image.aspx (Royal Star-RSTD)

 

[brewsky]

Well... No Raider for my brother-in-law. The Raider S (in his opinion), was a beautiful bike, and he loved looking at it. After some test riding, he decided anything wth a lawnmower engine would be better. The silly thing was grossly underpowered, vibrated like a cheap Vegas motel bed, and handled accordingly (I thought the handling was pretty decent, for the kind of bike it was).
I wouldn't reccomend one, myself. It's kind of a bike without a mission. I guess you could brag on the 1900cc, but the lack of power sort of ruins that. If you were interested in a 'power cruiser', and you wanted a Yamaha, I'd suggest a Warrior.

?????????????????

Must have had a plug wire disconnected if you thought it was underpowered!

100 HP and 120#'s of torque are not underpowered compared to any other stock cruiser out there, (except the new V max)

The Roadliner has the same engine, but handles better than the Raider, and it will run with a stock Warrior.

What vibration???? There was virtually none on every one I have ridden.

 

[JRO]

Prepped bike for "review", I'm sure. I've a pal who does dynos on bikes. He's yet to see so good from a Raider. He was impressed with my son's (former) Roadstar 1700, though. 112Ft/lbs and 68hp (if I remember correctly) - AFTER they were through tuning it.

So, yes. At 700+ lbs, the Raider felt underpowered; which is probably why Yamaha is so tight with any HP figures on the 1900 engine.

I thought it was a fine bike, but I wouldn't want to own one. After checking out the Raider, my brother-in-law considered an FJR. He's since decided upon a Rocket 3.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Your data is suspect. You sure you are getting info on the STAR RAIDER???? First of all, you describe the bike as underpowered and rough...its not. Secondly, your dyno chart goes against EVERY review I've seen. Here is one for example >> Raider Review by TopSpeed. Here is yet another that shows your data and description of the ride/comfort/performance is bad >> Reivew.

This forum is great for info generally speaking, but when a post like the one above makes it way onto this site, it makes all posts suspect. Take em all with a grain or 2 of salt.

 

[JRO]

Your data is suspect. You sure you are getting info on the STAR RAIDER???? First of all, you describe the bike as underpowered and rough...its not. Secondly, your dyno chart goes against EVERY review I've seen. Here is one for example >> Raider Review by TopSpeed. Here is yet another that shows your data and description of the ride/comfort/performance is bad >> Reivew.
This forum is great for info generally speaking, but when a post like the one above makes it way onto this site, it makes all posts suspect. Take em all with a grain or 2 of salt.

To somebody used to riding bikes with a lot better HP/weight ratio, the Raider feels underpowered. I'm sure it feels overpowered, to some, and just right to others. They're welcome to make their own comments.

As I said, I thought the bike was pretty nice. I don't own any V-twin cruisers, currently, and probably never will, again. One of my main reasons, is because V-twin cruisers run rough. There are those who like V-twins, and those who don't. It's smooth enough, for a V-twin. It's rough, compared to a lot of better bikes. I can't help it, if my brother-in-law learned the same, during his test rides - he was certianly motivated not to. He wanted a V-twin.

There's a big difference between reviews that quote 'provided' figures, and ones that actually put the bike on a dyno. One is advertising, the other is information. The above dyno chart from motorcycleusa.com, bears out what I've heard from people I know, who do dynos. The same is true, for pretty much every bike (including FJRs). Actual hp/torque, is generally lower than 'advertised'. Subtract 10-20% from the advertised figure, and that'll get you in the ballpark.