I've ridden several Raiders and love them. The Raider is a very comfortable, relaxing ride. I think that I'm one of the few people who likes the quiet pipes. As a former owner of 2012 Roadstar Silverado, I think that Yamaha makes a great, large-motor cruiser. I do wish Yamaha would increase the fuel capacity of their big bikes, add a 6th gear and 4-way flashers. Great review -- nice motorcycle sounds, good insights to the bike and no obnoxious music.
I put a windshield on my Raider S (Yamaha makes one for it). The ignition switch is well behind it, so there's plenty of room to reach and turn the key. I also have a set of Yamaha-made straight pipes ordered directly from Japan. They let the deep throaty rumble come through at idle, and when I twist the throttle it roars. Loud, but not stupid loud. This bike is smooth and powerful, pulls like crazy through the entire range, and handles like a smaller bike because of the low center of gravity and almost perfect weight distribution side to side. I have a 240 in the back so I have to wrestle it a bit through the tighter twists, but I personally like a horse that's a little headstrong. I put a Mustang wide touring seat on it so I can ride all day in total comfort, but the stock seat isn't nearly as bad as most. Some people wish it had a 6th gear but it really doesn't need it, the power's there whatever gear you're in. I don't even need 5th gear until 60 and it glides along at 75 without breaking a sweat. The only thing it lacks is ABS. Yamaha stopped making all their big cruisers in 2017, so if you find one of these in good shape, grab it. You'll never regret it.
The team of V-gang.com recommend this bike for any bike trip short and long! great power, comfortable and fun! You'll get a lot of looks from every direction! The Raider is an amazing riding experience.
This motor is amazing. Just pukes torque. When I first bought this, I parked it next to my 1975 Z-1 Kawasaki which was the superbike of it's day. I was stunned to see the the comparison of 40 years in Japanese motorcycles. Almost a joke- the Yamaha dominates that scene. At 75 m.p.h., the Raider pulls and sounds like a radial engine biplane. I put a batwing fairing on it, and yeah the key is harder to reach, so I leave it running and never get off it.
Those pipes are noisy too other people but not to the rider. I barely hear the noise come from the pipes but I hear the intake which annoying me. Beside that it is a perfect bike. I only wished that Yamaha came with a 6th gear.
I've ridden several Raiders and love them. The Raider is a very comfortable, relaxing ride. I think that I'm one of the few people who likes the quiet pipes. As a former owner of 2012 Roadstar Silverado, I think that Yamaha makes a great, large-motor cruiser. I do wish Yamaha would increase the fuel capacity of their big bikes, add a 6th gear and 4-way flashers. Great review -- nice motorcycle sounds, good insights to the bike and no obnoxious music.
I put a windshield on my Raider S (Yamaha makes one for it). The ignition switch is well behind it, so there's plenty of room to reach and turn the key. I also have a set of Yamaha-made straight pipes ordered directly from Japan. They let the deep throaty rumble come through at idle, and when I twist the throttle it roars. Loud, but not stupid loud. This bike is smooth and powerful, pulls like crazy through the entire range, and handles like a smaller bike because of the low center of gravity and almost perfect weight distribution side to side. I have a 240 in the back so I have to wrestle it a bit through the tighter twists, but I personally like a horse that's a little headstrong. I put a Mustang wide touring seat on it so I can ride all day in total comfort, but the stock seat isn't nearly as bad as most. Some people wish it had a 6th gear but it really doesn't need it, the power's there whatever gear you're in. I don't even need 5th gear until 60 and it glides along at 75 without breaking a sweat. The only thing it lacks is ABS. Yamaha stopped making all their big cruisers in 2017, so if you find one of these in good shape, grab it. You'll never regret it.
The team of V-gang.com recommend this bike for any bike trip short and long! great power, comfortable and fun! You'll get a lot of looks from every direction! The Raider is an amazing riding experience.
This looks like the Yamaha XV1900 Custom S. Why doesn't the title say that?
This motor is amazing. Just pukes torque. When I first bought this, I parked it next to my 1975 Z-1 Kawasaki which was the superbike of it's day. I was stunned to see the the comparison of 40 years in Japanese motorcycles. Almost a joke- the Yamaha
dominates that scene. At 75 m.p.h., the Raider pulls and sounds like a radial engine biplane. I put a batwing fairing on it, and yeah the key is harder to reach, so I leave it running and never get off it.
Absolutely love this bike, but why don't bike companys just put a decent looking pipe on. People will still buy aftermarket pipes.
No abs, no 6th gear and small tank sound familiar - roadliner ?
It's funny that a Strat / Roadliner has a smaller tank than my 1700cc Road Star. What's up with that?
but the roadliner is beatiful AND original... You have nothing that looks like that on the market! This one is quite... vulgar looking.
Doesn’t have the look and ride of the 1100 VStar. Yamaha took a step back with this bike.
Those pipes are noisy too other people but not to the rider. I barely hear the noise come from the pipes but I hear the intake which annoying me. Beside that it is a perfect bike. I only wished that Yamaha came with a 6th gear.
You didn't mention the bikes handling characteristics, does that mean they corner like a sack of potatoes?
Nice Yaaamaha. ;-)