[Strykeback]

Being a newbie I can think I can get away with this without too much grief (maybe). I have narrowed my choice down to the blue or the raven (both 2011's) Sorry copper's I like the red/black combo but I gotta narrow it down and the copper did not make the short list. For me the blue is eye catching and chrome works well with the silver wheels. According to the "What color is yours? poll the blue is definitely the minority and the Raven a winner by a huge margin. This is probably why the blue was dropped for 2012. (Yeah I know… that because the Ravin is faster) The dealers around here still have blue ones on hand and seem eager to offload them. I like the blue even more because it more of rarity. Being my first bike I can live with the chrome, but the blacked out look of the Raven is sick. I have found only one 11 Raven locally and IMHO I not a fan of the black/chrome on the 12s. Black bikes are pretty common here and truthfully I would end up painting the tank to get rid of those wings. When I get stuck emotionally I try to reason it out logically like resale (why would I ever sell it I can’t imagine) or one easier to keep clean one vs the other. Being my first bike I am not sure how much maintenance is needed to keep up chrome or the flat black. I know black shows dust more but their isn’t that much paint to wipe down. Decisions Decisions.

 

[74novaguy]

Go with the Raven...

 

[deputystryker]

Go with the blue, don't be like everyone else.. As you said the polls show the raven was a clear winner, so in turn everyone has one, you don't want to be like everyone else..... Do you?

 

[Strykeback]

No but I guess that's why everybody customizes thier bikes anways is so they are different. I know its a strange post to begin with to solicit this kind of feedback as I have to live with the color and most members join the forum post purchase. Just puttin it out there.

 

[deputystryker]

No but I guess that's why everybody customizes thier bikes anways is so they are different. I know its a strange post to begin with to solicit this kind of feedback as I have to live with the color and most members join the forum post purchase. Just puttin it out there.

Any stryker you buy, whatever color it maybe is going to be an awesome bike. I have blue but I'm trying to decide on a different color like synergy green, metallic orange, help I don't know, to many colors only one bike to paint....

Anyone have a paint sample of synergy green or metallic orange?

 

[Kubalj]

Raven. No! Wait! Blue. Just a sec...yeah, Raven. I mean BLUE! Yeah, blue. I think.

My apologies -- just being a smart ass. I went through the same thing with all 4 colors, and finally decided on a 2011 ReddishCopper because it was the least expensive and if I don't like it I can paint it for less than the any of the 2012 models. In the end they all look good, but I like the blue over the raven. IMHO The raven loses something in its profile because of the black such that it winds up muddying-up what is an otherwise awesome profile. Maybe that's the point. And its everywhere! That, and I hate those wing-things more than the flames. Guess it was the wings more than the color, but a little splash can't hurt...my two cents. And yeah, I know, you can always paint the wings too.

But that's MY opinion. What's YOUR take? Dude, get what you like. You're the one that has to ride it. Besides, it's a Stryker! Can't miss!

NOTE: No offense meant to the raven bikes out there!

 

[Voltage]

I went through the same thing with all 4 colors, and finally decided on a 2011 ReddishCopper because it was the least expensive


Thats interesting because at my dealership the copper was the most expensive.

As picking a color you could always choose both.

 

[Kubalj]

Clarification: least expensive 2011 Stryker that they wanted to move. The 2012s were ~ $1500 more.

 

[Melissa]

I have blue, my boyfriend has Raven. Look at my avatar pic of them side by side...
I searched high and low for the blue. Thought about all the same things that you did as far as resale, care, looks. Having one of each color I can tell you, black seems to show more scratches and swirls. The chrome is easy to wipe off and keep shiny. The powder black is also easy to wipe clean after normal driving conditions. (We don't wet the bikes or ride in rain.) I hated to buy a 2011 so close to when 2013's would be coming out, but in the end I just really wanted blue. Not only is it an attractive color it is more visible to cars on the road. I don't think you will go wrong either way.
Go with your gut.

 

[Strykeback]

Thanks Melissa. Your insight was the kind of response I was hoping to solicit. The fact you and your boyfriend own the two colors is great to provide feedback.. I was not sure how the powder coat stayed looking nice and I can relate to the swirls having owned two black cars. Interesting that you had too search so hard for a blue one, there seems to be plenty around here but I have only been able to find one true Raven in a 60 miles. Getting a 2011 so close to 2013s only means a better deal for me as dealers will hopefully be more eager to move old inventory.

My wife said I was a goofball for creating this post but I responded the worst thing that can happen is that they ignore me.

 

[immortal13]

I just hate the flames on the non-Raven colors.

 

[kraaazymike]

Yes the black gets dirty fast and scratches are easy to see. Not just on paint but the black powdercoat too. But it's a good lookin' bike.

The blue is a great color and the chrome is easy to care for (so long as you have the time to do it). Also a good lookin' bike.

Both have their own attitude and appeal. What suits your personality and needs? Go with that your gut says. Do you want to be spending ~$10,xxx.xx and think everyday, man I should have gotten the other one. I honestly think you know your answer.

 

[atspence]

I got the Copper because it is the fastest color

 

[Strykeback]

I knew that was comin.

 

[galo8]

From what you wrote down It seems that you like the blue one better... I never had a question or doubt as of which one to buy. I liked the raven since the first time I saw it. Fell in love with it and bought it without hesitation. You look that way with the blue one IMHO.

 

[11Stryker]

A 2012 Raven would be my choice- would have saved me all the hassle of having tank repainted without the Wings!

 

[atspence]

I agree. You want the blue one so go get it and start riding!!

 

[BOOLSHOT]

When I got mine, they only had 1, and luckily it was a Raven . I think they all look nice, but I think the raven has a meaner look... I have always loved blacked out bikes.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

 

[tonto247]

I too have a raven and that is all I ever wanted color wise and can live with the wings. But from your post, I am reading that you will get the blue. Great bike anyway you go though as has been mentioned.

 

[Guest]

I ended up with a 2012 black non-Raven, when initially I thought I was going to get a Raven. The black does show dust easily.