Yamaha Raider Test Drive 

the xs500 from the early 70's had 4 valves per cylinder.

Harleys suck!

Yup, always some Harley fanboy gets pissed.

Rocket Number 9 did you get one?

Check SRKcycles.com then if they don't have any Raiders check CycleTrader.com that's where I got mine from and used U-Ship to ship it about 1000 miles for about $550 with $15K insurance in an enclosed trailer in 2 days.

Me to man

I ended up with an an 94 intruder 1400 over a Harley because of these and a few other videos, stock 71hp 83lbs 🤘🏼 with a stage 2 kit for carbs, exhaust, pod filters, and maybe port the heads can get around 125hp. with the money I saved tho I got another one I'm gonna bob it out try to turbo or supercharge but idk yet.

Got a Raven, (stock metallic glossy black) 12' Yamaha Raider S, new with 1 mile on it June of 2018. Welcome to the family. Check out www.roadstarraider.com as it is the official forum and best place for Raider info from Raider owners.

Wow! What do ya think it would do the quarter in? I’m considering another VTX with mods or the Raider.

No bro. You want angels to sing a respectful hymn for you. A far superior sound.

Aber du hast die Autobahn :P

Did you get the raider? If yes how do you like it? Thank you,

It's better looking than a Vmax.

They not only have the same engine, same torque/HP figures, same belt-driven design, but they're also approx. the same weight (the 'liner is spec`ed as 3 pounds lighter). I expect they share similar straight-line performance characteristics, with a definite nod to the Roadliner for cornering: it's got a better front/rear tire ratio, a shorter wheelbase, and higher ground clearance.

TangoGolf Sierra im sure roadliner is heavyer then just 3 lbs, and the power difference between the two is massive, especially becuase of gearing and different ecm.

LOL Yamaha styling is great on all their bikes. If you don't like the roadliner that is your opinion but it looks bad ass with the big headlight and reminds me of a ram charging with his head down. No teeth and old ladies with C sections...get otta here.

Horsepower and torque are directly related through rpm. The rpm at which the torque is made determines the hp number. 100 ft lbs of tq at 5,000 rpm is 95.2 hp whereas 100 ft lbs at 12,000 rpm is 228.2 hp.

search youtube for Yamaha Raider with Freedom Performance pipes or Yamaha Raider with Vines and Hines 2 into 2 THATS what a Raider is suppose to sound like. Trust me.

Its really heavy

Heavy but handles well... It's the chopper style rake that can be tricky not the cc's... My first bike was a Vstar 1100 and the transition to this powerful machine was learning how to corner with a chopper style bike... IMHO

If u know how to ride a bike whatever bike you get it with in one week you will be comfortable on it .... There are no bikes made for beginners or experienced riders ...all bikes are for everyone and u know this when you are 200 Lbs and riding a Kawasaki 400 sports bike because someone told u its for beginners and u get passed by a 100 Lbs Lady in her 40s on a Yamaha Vmax 1700....

wajahat ali you just cemented my decision. Looking at a 2011 raider with 2900k miles for $5700. Keep thinking it’s too much since I’ve only done the msf course and cruised a little on my brothers wide glide. I’m honestly more scared of spending $3-4,000 on a bike I get bored of.

Back when it was a Stryker.

Taking dyno figures from a tuning website for both the Stryker and Raider, taking stock wet weights from Yamaha's website, and running the peak HP and Torque numbers (not knowing the weight loss with exhaust systems, etc), the Stryker isn't that far off the HP-to-weight ratio of the Raider. The Raider has a decent amount better torque-to-weight ratio. Obviously the Stryker has a higher power-per-CC factor with liquid cooling and OHC, weighing 84 pounds less. Stryker 650 pounds 9.5:1 comp 1,304cc liquid-cooled 8 valve SOHC forged pistons and con-rods 85 hp (wheel, tuned) 90 tq (wheel, tuned) 1:7.6 hp/lb (using factory weight) 1:7.2 ft-lb/lb (using factory weight) --------------------------------- Raider 734 pounds 9.5:1 comp 1,854cc air-cooled 8 valve OHV push-rod forged pistons 101 hp (wheel, tuned) 129 tq (wheel, tuned) 1:7.3 hp/lb (using factory weight) 1:5.7 ft-lb/lb (using factory weight)

stryker

It definitely is air/oil, just like its older twin (XV1900 Roadliner), but last I checked, there were plenty of Harley riders in AZ/TX, so air/oil-cooled engines must be doin' OK out there.

It probably will outrun the Victories but not by much. That 106 was an awesome motor.

Yes

Marco Polo more nimble than the M109 Suzuki

It's not for most beginners. Are there ppl out there that bought a Raider for their first bike? Yes. Would I suggest this for your first bike? Absolutely not. It's 740lbs. It's 1855cc's. The torque is massive. I've ridden a LOT of very fast bikes. The Raider is my first cruiser and it's no joke. It has power for days. If you're used to big bikes, you won't have an issue. The low center of gravity and handling is very nice for a big bike. If you can respect the power, you'll be fine. But it's very hard to not twist that throttle and open it up. The Raider hauls ass. I LOVE mine. It's addictive.

Go the the website, you lazy pimple.

That's what I wanna know

My 1800 didn't handle so well. I'd really like to.knownhow the raider handles turns and twisties

Doberbull Gaming The Raider has no vibration in any gear...and it's a 5 gear transmission.

You can tell it's not a softail by the lack of an oil puddle under the bike in the initial shot ;)

Or you could say with the 40 degrees total rake, up angle gas tank, and stock 210mm rear tire and you can throw a 250mm on with no mods, that it looks more like a modern chopper than a HD? That's why I bought a 12' as it looks more like a chopper but rides like, priced like, and dependable like a Yamaha. All for $5K less than its HD counterpart. I got mine new for $11,750. Not hating on HD I love their Fatboys, Breakouts, Heritage Classics, and Road Kings, but this seemed like more bang for my buck and with a Fireman's salary it works great for me. Ride safe.

@@RossMalagarie Couldn't have said it better myself Ross. Spot on brother.

@@markmullen9919 thanks man😎👍

+John Barns better in what way ?

John Barns raider is bigger bike never ridden one but that scout runs like a raped ape

so im assuming that is a bad thing? are you saying it goes really fast, in a good way, or goes fast in a bad, uncontrollable way? lol

John Barns not bad it is controllable but don't recommend either if ur a new rider

thanks, as a new rider, i was considering the scout, or scout 60 used. but thanks man. the only thing holding me back is deciding what bike i want to get (for a new rider) and the practicality of a motorcycle.

checking the turning radius and handling, especially with this bikes 40 degree total front rake, but he does it with all the bikes to check the handling.

Raiders are most certainly not junk. And it's definitely not even close to a Harley. I spank Harleys on my Raider. And it hasn't broken down either. The VMax is for a certain few. They're both outstanding. But calling the Raider junk is ignorant.

@@markmullen9919 Anything with a long stroke v twin is junk in my book! And those forward control are terrible at speed on a twisty mountain road! If they were any good , grand prix riders would use them!

I own both. They are very different rides, and serve very different purposes. As Sean mentioned, the Max is much more of a sporty crossover. The Raider has a very addictive V twin with gut punching torque. The Max will take it in acceleration and speed for sure. But looks, comfort and as an overall better bike, i'll take the Raider

@@Theologic Excuse me if i don't understand, but 90 percent of bikers, on a web site or in person , always talk about, instead of speed and handling, talk about looks and sound, neither of which will get you anywhere! It's like this cruiser bullshit, that has come along in the last few years, a guy saddles himself, with an ill handling, awkward shifting, piece of crap, to parade through town at 30 mph! While a person on a good, standard bike that does everything well, can ride through town at 30mph!

@@MrJimmy1437 I don't blame ya, since we are way more likely to see people parading around town on cruisers (look at me!) than actually using the bike. I take mine on motorcycle trips to the mountains, far away from people where one can push these bikes to their limits. Each year a different country in search of the most enjoyable roads here in Europe. The way i see it, i ride bikes to see the world, not so the world could see me. And that's where it differs from the 90% you mentioned. Ring these magic words to any 'poser' out there, and it will shut them up permanently. Raiders shift pretty nice by the way, it's a very satisfying clunk. The torque i talked about combined with the fitted gearbox, makes a powerband perfect for 'lazy' riding, in comparison to let's say 4 in line 6 speed sportbikes. You will enjoy the scenery in a very different way, it's a pleasant experience. I tried to avoid towns and traffic in general, which is why i take it to the mountains. On of the luxuries of the comfort is to do very long riding days without the discomfort of the sportbike, like sore wrists or the backpain some riders endure due to the more sporty riding position. I'm not saying cruisers are better, i'm saying that each bike will have their purpose and different ways to enjoy them. To each their own, i found a very good balance for myself in the bikes mentioned above.

No chance? What do you mean? You don't believe it has a 1854cc/113ci motor? Just google it.

@@RossMalagarie he said 1900 cubic INCH

Yep, and how 'bout the Triumph Rocket III @ 2300 cc's.

SJC Cobra ALL both of those bikes habe bigger engines, but neither is faster or look better than the raider. Also as for being comfortable the raider surpasses both those bikes easily due to its ability to allow the rider to sit in the bike as opposed to on the bike which sets itself in a category of SPORTS CRUISER. Very awesome bike that allows the owner to feel awesome also. Fast, appealing, stylish, sporty, powerful, and very fuel efficient for a bike this size puts the raider in a category only shared with the Suzuki m109.

Joe D I've owned both and you couldn't be more wrong

I've also owned the M109R

Actually, he did mention both of them, and even said he'd love to try a Rocket.

1854cc/113ci to be exact with 85hp to the wheel at 730ibs.

+Solo86 I have not yet rode a break out

Srkcycles Sorry I was referring to appearance wise....I think the raider would one up the breakout.

Srkcycles I have to agree thou good looking bike

+Randy Carlisle wow good job

Srkcycles I rode the Roadliner ( dresser style without bags) believe they called when the 1854 first came out , absolutely a beast of a V twin.... truck loads of torque.

Randy Carlisle you get a popsicle

OnPointFirearms now sure what the premise of this comment is? Lol

SJC Cobra the m109 will only out handle the Vtx if I'm the one driving the Suzuki and your on the Honda. Lol

M109 fanboys crack me up

@@Srkcycles perfect answer .... With your experience in bikes you will out handle anything with anything ....

Gary Baldwin then take another 30 seconds making your comment

It's for people who would rather ride a Yamaha than a Harley. Seeing as how you can easily get a Harley for 15,000. It must be hard for you to understand. But not everyone likes what you do. Enjoy your Harley and have a good one.

David Gamboa Tell ya what, why don't you pull up alongside a Raider with your little Harley someday and rev that John Deere exhaust system....and after the guy on the Raider stops laughing, maybe he'll show you some of the capabilities of modern motorcycle engineering. Have another glass of Harley cool aid.

HD fan boys don't get it HD isn't the real one like they say, the v2 engine was invented in europe not HD, the cruiser style european bikes had it before HD, HD is only a life style and clothing brand, the only thing they did was marketing ... And other thing when people buy other cruiser brands they don't wannabe HD rider they like the freedom and reliability of the bikes like the japanese bikes... HD only became popular because of WW they didn't want to buy anything from outside only american and HD suported the war delivering over 90.000 bikes it's normal when the war ended they want the bikes they knew... But know the people oppened their eyes and start accepting outside brands .

Thats why harley is dropping sales right its just a fucking name man

Oh and guys that actually want to make it to their destination without a breakdown. Do you ever stop to wonder how you can't throw a rock in the US without hitting a Harley-Davidson dealership? And why their sales are dropping off vastly? Because the Harley riders that are out there always have to find a dealership to fix their s*** on the road or to get a new new vest, bandana or wallet with a chain on it. Because that's what's Harley Davidsons all about now and this is coming from a huge Harley fan growing up

Chuck Woolworth the Warrior is the bike everyone wants to copy, even Yamaha. I wouldn't trade my Warrior for anything!!

lol.

Yamaha makes a different style muscle cruiser and you call it a poser? What a wiener

to me, the Warrior is the base for the Raider. It's not normal for Yamaha to up the size of the engine on anything, when the engine changes so do other items and it becomes something else. Hence the Warrior-1670cc/ Raider-1900. It's hard for 1900cc to be posing

I was merely pointing to the extreme rake. Take a low cg upside down fork muscle bike and tweak it into a chopper for "looks" with Honda doing the same, for what? If it sells I guess. Still see '14,15's around here new. I'm just oldt and ain't hep I guess