[unclesuperman]

hello all im new to the forum . i came across it doing some research on the stryker. im up in the air trying to decide on which bike to buy this tax season. i love the looks of the stryker but all the guys i ride with ride bigger bikes. 1800 vtx's a few random harleys a couple old vulcan 88's. were all younger guys so its usually lots of riding and at a pretty brisk pace. i just wanted to know if a stryker will keep up. im torn between the stryker and the harley wide glide. any advise would help. thank you.

 

[TEMCO]

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[cdirth]

Of course the Stryker will keep up with them, it's not they're going to be doing 120 mph on public roads. Harleys have way more maintenance and parts are more expensive. If you're looking for a "bigger" bike take a look at the Yamaha Raider. Pretty much the same thing as a Stryker with a bigger engine. In my opinion the Stryker is the best bike for the money but I am bias ;D

 

[unclesuperman]

how is it for 2 up riding? i currently ride a 800 suzuki marauder. and its just not cutting it

 

[cdirth]

I cant really tell the difference when my wife is riding on the back

 

[50ccRdRash]

My girl rides with me almost all the time..., I find it handles as good as when i'm alone and even a bit softer over the bumps..

 

[CoalJack]

Most folks on here are happy with the power of the Stryker. I really like mine and since I learned to keep the RPM's up a little higher the power is fine.

 

[nyjol]

I'm a big dude - 285lbs. Mine keeps up just fine 2-up. I was considering an HD as well, but cost of ownership is SO much higher, JUST for the "Harley" letters being on the bike - just not worth it. I like to ride, not drop the bike off at the shop. After talking with a few buddies who have gone both routes, every one of them said that they'd go Yamaha if doing it over again. (A couple of them did - sold their HDs and got Raiders, and love it...) Stryker or Raider is the way to go. Low maintenance, badass, plenty of power... You'll be glad (like I am) you did.

 

[Ben-Rod]

The Stryker will keep up and then some. Its no slouch in the power department. Im very happy with mine and ride with guys that have Harleys, Big Dogs, Iron Horses, 2010 Honda Sabre, and a couple Honda Magnas. I never play catch up...


Ben

 

[unclesuperman]

how well does the stryker do with performance mods? on my current bike all that i change for the better cant seem to tell a difference performance wise?

 

[MY LIFE]

First yes the Stryker will keep up. My 800 did. The problem may be is the CC large enough to stand around and brag. If not the Raider (almost 1900 cc) will do that job. If you want to be the biggest boy, go with the Triumph Rocket. http://www.triumphrocket.com/. Or my choise would be the Victory Vegas Jackpot.

But I'm a little confused. Its not whether you can keep up, its how is your HD friends going to keep up. Hard to keep up when your bike is in the shop. ;D

 

[MY LIFE]

Thought you might to like to see this video. I think anyone would have trouble keeping up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=megoCFBuGaU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSKFucw8EBA&feature=player_embedded#!

 

[bozzly]

That second video is awesome, The wheelie is cool as ****. Love it.. 8)

 

[unclesuperman]

holy crap. that truimph is bad. i think that is to much power. i dont want to have to worry about it breaking loose everytime i get on the gas and throwing me off. im really hoping that the stryker is the bike for me im trying to set up a test ride at our local shop.
we ride a lot of interstate in arkansas so lots of long stretches of road with very few people on them. thats why i was concerned with the power and speed. my current 800 does cruise along at 75 to 80 well but the motor is wound up pretty tight. cant help but to think that im causing undu wear and tear by prolonging the rpm so high for so long.

 

[cdirth]

That bike is nuts!!

 

[Stryke Force One]

Hey bud, I test road a Stryker a couple of months ago and was blown away how nice it is....even my G/F said I looked more comfortable and relaxed riding the Stryker. And I was. I was blown away how easy it is to ride and it handles so nice....And if you believe some of the online magazines the performance of a Stryker is slightly better than the 96cid Harley.

I stopped by the Harley dealer again today (yeah they are open on Sunday). I HAD to sit on the 2012 V-Rod Night Rod. (new handlebars for 2012) and I was pleasantly surprised how much better the seating position was for me. Then I sat on the Fatbob (not to be confused with the Fatboy) and that bike is nice too. But i can't get pass the price of the Harleys. I think the V-Rod was 18K and the Fatbob was $16.5k....And I would need to ride both Harley's...but I can honestly say this..."The entire time I sat on the V-Rod/Fatbob I kept comparing it to the Stryker and I keep coming back to the Stryker" If I wasn't upside down on my current bike, I would have a Stryker in my garage waiting for me each morning."

Good luck bud I know it's a tough decision, but for the money? It's going to be super **** hard to justify the HD. And I am not partial to any brand. Be automotive or Motorcycle. But I do think Yamaha has a great thing going here. You just need to ride it.

Can't comment on the Victory someone mentioned. I like the Vegas and Hammer models...but no dealers real close to me. Star and HD are within 1 mile of my house. And the Honda/Kawi/Suz dealer is withing 2 miles..

 

[crazy8ight]

i think my bike run last week might sum it up:

i went on a bike run with my bro-in-law.. 9 other bikes. guess what.. i was the only metric bike. ok.. so after the first stop... everyone is like, "you need to get a harley"... then the next stop is.. "well i first started out with a yamaha/suzuki/honda"... then the third stop.. it was "man.. that fat tire on back.. how does it handle?" or "that deep rake how do you handle the turn?". THAT sums it up.. deep down inside they individually were curious about it, and probably envied it.. but to look as a group.. they had to stick to their brand affilition. they asking me to get a harley (since this was my first bike) and i said.. nah.. i'll stick to this one for a few yrs. and get the next stryker.

btw.. all those harley riders.. including my bro-i-law.. rode "bigger" harley's with the fairings, and speakers, and shields, and saddlebags, oh.. and pipes that WEREN'T stock! AND the kicker is with all that junk the largest was already at a 1300 cc, and the youngest was a 1999 model. i mean really?

i dont know about you.. but that's like me getting the I-pad this year, and someone getting rid of their I-pod to get a Sony Walkman just cuz of the brand and they think that trading cd's is the ****, and all along i'm streaming music to my delight.

 

[11Stryker]

Welcome to the forum from NYS.