My first post. Love the forum. I have been looking forward to buying a Stryker for months now. But I came across a Raider at a great price. But after plenty of research, I am actually very lost as to how or why a Raider is a better bike than the Stryker. It seems like the bigger engine only makes the bike an unoticeable bit faster than the Stryker; based on the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times I have found. Clearly it has more torque and HP but why are the numbers almost identical. I ask because on paper the bigger engine doesn't seem to equal better performance.
I am interested to know what I am obviously missing. My intentions are to ride with a passenger at times and on long trips. I like the looks of both bikes equally. So performance and comfort are the deciding factor here. But I am not seeing a difference in performance or comfort that justifies the extra cash. Any input would be appreciated.
Maybe I can give a honest personnal opinion since I also own a Roadliner S (which is for sale) and its the same motor as the Raiders also. I rode the Raider several times way before I test rode a Stryker. Im 5'6" and when I first test rode a Stryker I fell in love with it. It handeled easier and of course that 100 lbs lighter makes the Stryker more flickable in my mountians where I live. They both have the same rake but you feel the handle bars pull in alot more on the heavier Raider in the very slow turnes. I will miss the bragging rights about owning the biggest mass produced AIR cooled v-twinn made by Yamaha, but thats okay. The strykers motor is quicker reving and more responsive than my Roadliners air cooled engine. The heat in stop and go traffic on the Stryker is not a issue. On my Roadliner the heat on the right side can cook your leg as the oil tank is right there. Also the Roadliners engine will vibrate at higher revs, some thing you will get tired of when rideing it hard in the twisties. The Stryker has a wider rev limit and way smoother ride, only some slight vibe's in the foot pegs and the Strykers higher rev range makes it easier for ME to ride the twisties and feels more of a v-twinn sport bike with the wider RPM range. The Raider and Roadliners do give better gas mileage than my Stryker so far, no big deal. also the Strykers engine is ALOT quieter because it is water cooled and water mask's the valve train noises. Working on the Stryker is so easy , oil changes are a breeze, alot easier than the three drain plugs on the Raiders, Liner motors. Now as far as performance goes,the reason the Stryker is almost the same in 0-60, ect, is because of the 100 lbs lighter weight and the quicker reving engine. I can tell you this. On a top end race the Stryker will blow away my Liner mod for mod. Im not steering you away from the Raider, I love the Raiders engine design, I think the big air cooled Yamaha v-twinns are the most beautiful built engines on the market today . Im a motor head ,so it may be just a personnal opinon on thier design,lol. So yes Im giving up the "I have the biggest air cooled motor mr hd, so take that". But its okay, lets just say my new Stryker already has proven its self bone stock against the last hd I raced,lol. Im also very pleased with my Stryker as far as a two up rider. Its is VERY stable at highway speeds, just as my Roadliner is. The lighter weight does not give up in that area at all and not bothered my side gusts of wind.I said it before in another topic . My Stryker is not as classy as the Roadliner,Raider,Warrior,Roadstars because it uses alot of plastic stuff and the motor is not as beautiful. But I can live with that, plastic is lighter,lol. I just orderd the Cobra power flow black air filter and the Cobra Tri flow exhaust and the EJK tuner. I should have it all together next weekend. To some it up. The Raider is a beautiful bike in its own rite.But for me the Stryker won in the end, smoother engine, lighter on its feet,just a quick but faster on the top end (if thats your thing), easier to manuver around. Fits me like a glove and I felt it has a better controlled syspension from the factory. I Hope this honest opinon of mine helped some:wink:.
