Well , your talking to a Road star crowd here, and we don't have that particular motor. My buddy has had his Road liner for around six or so months (same motor , with a few differences I'm sure), and he loves it. Here's what I can tell you, I've run mine down to the point were when I did finally find a gas station , I pumped in 5 gallons. Not sure 'bout the Kawasaki , don't have any experience with them. Yamaha knows how much fuel they can hold. The heat factor is really a non-factor, as I've found that my L/C bikes cooked me to death when the fan kicked on at red lights , man was I ready to get going. That doesn't happen with an air cooled engine. And as for reliability , they go on forever with proper service. As for the Mileage , that will depend on a lot of things. Weather , landscape , right hand (that's the joker you got to watch out for ) , but you may do well to get on a Raider Specific forum , and ask a few questions there. Finally , as for the Harley , you really need to buy the one you want, because if you buy one , all the while wanting the other, you WILL be disappointed. Price really isn't the issue here , so.... Just a few thoughts. BB