All I can say is "WOW"!!!! What an awesome bike!! And fast!! Took a demo ride while in Fayetteville for BB&BBQ and am totally impressed. Lots of power and very smooth. The ride they took us on was about 22 miles long with some twisties and a stretch of freeway thrown in so we could get a feel for the bikes. The only thing I didn't like, but it's just a matter of what I'm used to, is the flatter drag bars. Other than that, it's a beautiful piece of machinery. And did I mention FAST!!! When we hit the freeway on-ramp I was doing 70 mph in 4th gear, hit 5th and was immediately rocketed to 80 mph. Cruising at 80 mph I blipped the throttle and was doing almost 90 mph in a heartbeat!!! Say what you want about fuel injection, but the throttle response is unbelievable!! If money weren't an issue (and the issue is I don't have enough of it! ) I'd be at the dealer today buying one, or at least ordering one.

If any of you get the opportunity to demo ride this bike, you owe it to yourself to do so. I don't think you'll be disappointed. As someone else said that also rode the Raider; "All the other companies better do their homework if they want to keep up with the Raider".

In The Wind,
Aaron

Does it look better in person than in the pictures? What is it's size compared to the R*'s?

Yes, it's beautiful. The only thing I'd definitely change right away is the stock exhaust. Sounds okay, but looks leave alot to be desired. As far as looks go, IMO, that's it's only downside.

As for size, it's a 1900cc. Yamaha used the same motor thats in the Roadliner and Stratoliner line of bikes. I don't know what the bike weighs, but it feels much lighter than my Road*.

In The Wind,
Aaron

The raiders dry weight is 692lbs all aluum, fram like the strataliner.

Just spent a few minutes going over the spec and comparing to a Road Star.

It weighs about the same, is a fewinches longer, a couple of inches narrower, height about the same, same for seat height. It has the dual bore fuel injection (like a warrior).

Some things I'm liking...

34 degree rake at neck (roadstar is 32), triple clamps add 6 more (roadie = 0) total of 40 degrees rake (same as my bike, but six in trees so better handling). 21 inch front rim, 18 inch rear with 210 stock rear tire. Interesting dash panel...

Looks like they were trying to add more sharp angles to it.

I agree with 2005Roadstar, it needs to loose the exhaust (looks overdone), perhaps some softening of the rear fender bracket angles, perhaps similar treatment for some of the other angled brackets...

Looks like great project.... Who going to jump in first

If I had the money I would consider it. It has a lot going for it straight off the dealers floor.

GRAM

couple more things of note:

smaller gas tank (4.1 gallons).

The fenders look like Yamaha's trying to reach into that sport market for cruisers again. Those are begging to be replaced.

GRAM

GRAM wrote:
[quoteThe fenders look like Yamaha's trying to reach into that sport market for cruisers again. Those are begging to be replaced.[/quote]

Yup .... especially the front one. Imagine riding in the rain.

Doc

Other than the exhaust my eye keeps catching that rear fender bracket, it's pretty hideous in my opinion.

Yep. That would be one of the first things to go. But since its a bracket, should be able to fashion a replacement pretty easily..

The Bike is due-in late Nov. I'm told. I like the lines of the bike but whats up with that exhaust, and the rear fenders got to go looks like a Dyna, not much availible for assesories, which means an expensive trip to the custom shop.

"I'll put my best guys on it Pal, I'll call you in a few weeks with an update. Oh, by the way can you leave me a couple of thousand for expences?"