[16kRyd]

Hello guys, I am a new Stryker owner. Just recently bought a used 2011 raven Stryker w/7k miles for $6k and I would like to seek some advices/thoughts from the season Stryker owner in here. Any helps would greatly be appreciative. Now, lets get to the nitty gritty of my burgeoning question. Keep in mind that I have never rode a Stryker before nor a belt driven bike before (all my previous bike are shaft drive *2006 VTX1800F and 2010 Shadow Phantom*), and something is bothering me that the Stryker is very jerky when shifting gears. It just doesn't feel...right.

The bike is bone stock as per the previous owner. Somehow, I just can't shake this feeling that the bike shouldn't be like this. I don't know if it because it's belt driven or something is wrong with the gear box or what, but I'm used to the smoothness from my previous shaft drive bike; so I here I am asking the Stryker vets whether before any of you mods your bike, when it was bone stock...does it change gear rough/jerkiness? Will a new tuner and air intake box/exhaust pipes remedy my question? Many thanks in advance guys.

 

[sscottab]

first thing i would check is the belt adjustment could be loose.

 

[bekohlko]

They're pretty much all like that... One thing you could try doing is tightening up the belt a little bit. Besides that, you'll figure out how to minimize it just by how you ride once you have some miles on it. After a while you won't even notice it anymore. Enjoy the ride and welcome to the forum!

 

[Axorr]

I had the same issues coming over to a belt-driven bike. Any of the belts drives I tested felt a little 'jerky' to me. I came to find that the ones that felt the most spastic to me on shifting needed their belt tensioned more. It did also require a little bit of time to learn how to release the clutch on a belt drive bike though... it *is* a little different - softer. Unless, of course, you are really accelerating off the line!

I don't think the mods you mention will do anything for the problems you feel.


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[16kRyd]

ha, ha...thank you thank you guys. I appreciate it. I thought something was really wrong, but I'm at ease if this is typical of belt driven bike...then my concern is unfounded. I will check for the tension of the belt. Once again, thanks all for your time and effort for sharing your thoughts.

 

[Mentat Ix]

I recently bought a belt tension gauge, after winging it for two years based on my experience with chains. I learned a valuable lesson.

The book calls for 5mm or about 3/16" slack with 10lb of force. After adjusting it with the proper tools I realized that this is very, very tight. Way tighter than I had been adjusting it by feel. And way, way tighter than it was when I rode the bike out of the dealership.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/71/995/33638/ITEM/Motion-Pro-Belt-Tension-Gauge.aspx?SiteID=Google_PLA995&WT.mc_ID=10012&esvt=0-GOUSC&esvadt=9-0-3886819-1&esvaid=30548&kw={keyword}&gclid=CL6YldTWr7gCFSFyQgodXCoAdQ

Get you one.

 

[16kRyd]

Came back from a long ride just a while ago. Hmmm...not very sure if the bike is normal. In gear one, when just cruising slowly...the bike feels like it's going to stall, it was chugging really bad, almost stall a couple time. From hear two to gear three, the bike surges when accelerating and decelerating. Also, when I am in say, gear four going at about 40 - 45mph...and I slightly release the throttle, the bike make a clunking noise and I felt like something was slipping ( gear perhaps?). It is very disconcerting when going into a corner or curve and I have to decel down a gear or two and get that chugging hesitation like it was gonna stall. Is it normal for a bone stock Stryker to exhibit these problems that I am having? Been riding for seven years with shaft bike and don't have these problems. I am really concern after today's ride.

 

[16kRyd]

Thanks Mentat, will invest in one as I don't want to take it to the shop just yet and will check on the belt. Now, however I think I just found another problem to my dilemma. Sigh....

 

[Goose0704]

I would say no go get checked out but I'm not at 4th in 40 either but still don't think u should ride to much without someone looking at it u get it from dealership.


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[16kRyd]

Goose, I got it from a private owner. Took it for a ride and thats the exp I got, that is why i posted the question. I asked the owner and he said it was normal for all Stryker to do that.

 

[16kRyd]

Any Stryker owner in Milwaukee Wi interested in getting together for a second opinion? I really do need help with this...otherwise I have no choice but to take it in for shop diagnoses.

 

[Axorr]

If you have never had it to a shop yet, you really should take it and have it inspected anyways. No telling how it was treated or ridden before you got it! Even if it was treated really well, there could have been something the previous owner just missed.

Put your mind at ease and get it to someone who can check the whole bike out!

 

[SmokenJoe]

If you can wait till next week, I can help. Heading to MMR and will be back on Sunday. I'm in Racine. Heading to Cudahay to pick up my Grandson for a ride and lunch
Does sound pretty normal though. Check belt tension as suggested.

 

[mikoloe]

Try riding it like you stole it. I think I go to second gear at 30-35 mph.

 

[bekohlko]

I don't really like riding in the city, but if you want to ride north a little ways, I can meet you somewhere. I'd be coming from Fond du Lac. I'm not saying I would be able to tell you what is wrong with it, but I could at least tell you whether it is the same as my bike or not. It would also give you a chance to see / try out a different seat, grips, and 3" forward controls extensions if you are interested in any of that.

 

[BOOLSHOT]

Sounds like you are just in too high of a gear. Stryker likes higher rpms.

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[16kRyd]

Thanks everyone. As for the ride it like you stole it, yes...the bike seems to perform better in the higher rpm, but crapidoo...my mpg also go down rapidly like that lol. It seems the Stryker doesn't like being ridden conservatively, because once I ride it like I stole it, the chugging and lugging seems to be not as noticeable. Also, not sure what to make of it but I put in some premium fuel today and it seems to help a bit, not sure if that was just mu imagination or not lol. But, I will be at the Quaker Steak's bike nite this Wednesday if anyone can make it I'd appreciate the extra input.

 

[B-Mac]

I noticed the exact same thing when I first started riding my 2011 stryker. I was used to a shaft drive as I was riding a Honda Magna for the last 10+ years. But everyone here is bang on. Even when I know I am completely steady on the throttle I find it feels like its pulling in and out of gear. A little higher RPMs and the sensation disappears. Either that or pull the clutch in slightly.

I have put over 1200kms on it in just over two weeks and now I barely notice it now unless I am stuck behind someone going too slow!

 

[16kRyd]

Taking it to Don and Roy in Waukesha tomorrow to see if there's anything wrong with it. X'ing fingers that there's nothing major wrong with it.

 

[mikoloe]

Thanks everyone. As for the ride it like you stole it, yes...the bike seems to perform better in the higher rpm, but crapidoo...my mpg also go down rapidly like that lol. It seems the Stryker doesn't like being ridden conservatively, because once I ride it like I stole it, the chugging and lugging seems to be not as noticeable. Also, not sure what to make of it but I put in some premium fuel today and it seems to help a bit, not sure if that was just mu imagination or not lol. But, I will be at the Quaker Steak's bike nite this Wednesday if anyone can make it I'd appreciate the extra input.

I will be at the one at Parkwood and 121.