[Flem]

I upgraded from a VStar 650 Custom ( the faster one ) back in November and after 5 months & 3000 miles my overall opinion of the Stryker remains very high.

I captured a few thoughts & comments below - but bear in mind that this is probably more a commentary on my general level of inexperience on anything other than the VStar than anything else ...

- I don't miss a choke at all
- I don't understand why they just didn't paint the plastic chrome speedo, ignition cover & headlight black. The plastic chrome doesn't work on the black model.
- I love the upper body & arm position with the stock Styker handlebars - I always felt I was pulling on the VStar stock bars
- Someone needs to come out with aftermarket forward controls or extensions soon ! I need about another 3 or 4 inches of reach for my feet. ( I'm 6'2" )
- I love it from behind ( the look of the bike, perverts )
- After the much lighter VStar it first it felt like I needed to learn low speed maneuvering all over again but it's gotten better quickly
- Stryker feels pretty nimble despite it's larger size, weight & rake but I can't throw it around like I could the VStar - although I'm getting better.
- Cagers are still trying to kill me
- It's a lot quieter & smoother then the VStar so I have to be more aware of my speed. At first I kept finding myself wondering why I was drifting wide in a bend before realizing I was doing 70.
- The look of the speedo face has grown on me
- I thought the weird position of the ignition ( just above the headlight ) would annoy me more than it actually does
- Riding through sea water & sand is probably not the best way to break a bike in. ( Rode down to the Outer Banks in NC just after some coastal flooding on the first weekend I had the bike )
- A little lower back support goes a long way

I'm really happy with the bike. I feel like I got a lot more bike for a great price.

Flem

 

[RedStar Raider]

Good write up Flem! I think you have the most miles of anyone who has posted!! 8)


RSR

 

[ares x]

Nice write-up. My wife, Desiree, did the same thing going from a V-Star 650 Custom (obviously the faster ones) to a Stryker, but she doesn't have near the miles you have already. Though she's doing pretty well at adding them on quickly.

I don't miss a choke at all

Can't blame you one bit. I went from a V-Star 1100 to my Raider and love not having it and would razz Desiree when she had to use it and wait for it to warm up.

I don't understand why they just didn't paint the plastic chrome speedo, ignition cover & headlight black. The plastic chrome doesn't work on the black model.

No ****! This thing screems for all satin black parts and we plan on repainting them as soon as possible.

It's a lot quieter & smoother then the VStar so I have to be more aware of my speed. At first I kept finding myself wondering why I was drifting wide in a bend before realizing I was doing 70.

I took hers out for my first test ride and didn't think it was picking up speed very quickly and then realized I was doing 80 mph.

Someone needs to come out with aftermarket forward controls or extensions soon ! I need about another 3 or 4 inches of reach for my feet. ( I'm 6'2" )

I, too, am 6' 2" and know exactly where you're coming from. I would definitely have to adjust the controls if I were riding it regularly. I wonder how you'd like a Raider.

Cagers are still trying to kill me

Unfortunately this is true no matter what you're riding. They're too busy talking on the phone, texting and setting up their music playlist instead of important things like paying attention to the road and driving.

 

[RedStar Raider]

X, you crack me up, you could have raised your post count by 6!! ;D

Nice write-up. My wife, Desiree, did the same thing going from a V-Star 650 Custom (obviously the faster ones) to a Stryker, but she doesn't have near the miles you have already. Though she's doing pretty well at adding them on quickly.

I don't miss a choke at all

Can't blame you one bit. I went from a V-Star 1100 to my Raider and love not having it and would razz Desiree when she had to use it and wait for it to warm up.

I don't understand why they just didn't paint the plastic chrome speedo, ignition cover & headlight black. The plastic chrome doesn't work on the black model.

No ****! This thing screems for all satin black parts and we plan on repainting them as soon as possible.

It's a lot quieter & smoother then the VStar so I have to be more aware of my speed. At first I kept finding myself wondering why I was drifting wide in a bend before realizing I was doing 70.

I took hers out for my first test ride and didn't think it was picking up speed very quickly and then realized I was doing 80 mph.

Someone needs to come out with aftermarket forward controls or extensions soon ! I need about another 3 or 4 inches of reach for my feet. ( I'm 6'2" )

I, too, am 6' 2" and know exactly where you're coming from. I would definitely have to adjust the controls if I were riding it regularly. I wonder how you'd like a Raider.

Cagers are still trying to kill me

Unfortunately this is true no matter what you're riding. They're too busy talking on the phone, texting and setting up their music playlist instead of important things like paying attention to the road and driving.

 

[ares x]

X, you crack me up, you could have raised your post count by 6!! ;D

Yeah, but I was referring to the same post for each comment. I figured that would've been obnoxious.

Oh, what the ****!

#1

 

[ares x]

#2

 

[ares x]

#3

 

[ares x]

#4

 

[ares x]

#5

 

[ares x]

#6

There! How's that?