[conan48]

I went to the demo days tour and rode the Stryker. I liked the seating position and it felt comfortable except I'd probably get a solo seat that doesn't push on my lower back. Would like to lean back a bit more. Handling was OK, but gotta get used to the raked out front as really slow parking maneuvers are a little tricky.

One thing I didn't really like was the stock sound (but, I hear drilling the exhaust really helps), even the Bolt sounded better stock! I also expected more low end torque and pull. The bike did feel a bit sporty, and didn't really kick into high gear until it was reved until higher RPMs. Higher RPMs also had a noticeable vibrations. Just felt to sporty, which is funny because I'm coming from sport bikes.

It just didn't feel that powerful in the low end. Seems like most of it's power comes from higher it the RPM range. Looks like a cruiser, but it didn't really have that cruiser sound or feel.

I rode Harley Street Bob a few weeks ago and I liked the torque, and sound much better. I think the seating position is more comfortable on the Stryker and the looks slightly favor the Stryker but the Street Bob did handle better and looked ok.

Maybe, I'm full of ****, as I"m no expert on cruisers. Maybe the bike was not up to spec. Another guy who rode it right after me said he was disappointed for similar reasons.

It rode smooth and had no vibrations at idle and I did enjoy riding it and if I had bought one I think I would be happy with it. But, there's just something missing for me.

Am I correct that the power comes from higher in the RPM range? Would the Raider have more low end grunt then the Stryker?

I'm gonna ride the Victory's on Friday to see how they compare.

Maybe the bike is just to refined for me. I think I want slight vibes at idle.

Still have the Stryker as a contender, but wished it had blown me away.


I was actually really impressed with the Bolt. Fun little cruiser. Looked and sounded great. Smooth shifting, and alot more power then I thought it would have (especially after riding it after the Stryker) I think they have a GREAT starter cruiser on their hands. Just a little small for me, and HATED the seat. Too much pressure on my nutsack, kinda like riding a bicycle seat.

 

[strykenshane]

Hahaha, well this is a Stryker lover's forum so you probably won't find many in agreement, however, some of what you say is true but you'll find many of us took the basic ride and modded it out to our personal likes, for instance, I wanted more low end tork and one of te members found out we could swap our front pulley and get that, problem solved, seating changes can be fixed economically as well with a visit to your local upholsterer, I removed a good but of the foam and replaced with a better foam and love my stock seat now, I rode just about every HD there was available at the time and kept coming back to the Stryker, I also own a Victory CC but its for a different kind of riding I like to do, when I bought mine the best bang for the buck was the Stryker, hands down

 

[11Stryker]

Also the Stryker engine has a counter balancer so that your arse won't go numb like on an HD at idle. Yamaha makes bike to last with very little maintenance of the life of the bike. Not so for HD. There- I Said it! Get a Stryker or Raider. Raider does have more torque at idle than the Stryker.

 

[mikoloe]

Conan48 whatever you end up buying.........Ride it like you stole it!

 

[kakarot]

Lucky for us, the bike needs mods to wake it up.... to act like it should of been stock..

I put the airbox/pipes and autotuner all on at once.... and I once left a light aggressively and lifted the front end.... no power/sound/torque complaints here.... a much more affordable and reliable/better ride IMO

 

[Strykeback]

Watch these videos and let us know if you still want that Street Bob.

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/25-rest-stop/11674-victory-vs-harley-video.html

 

[conan48]

Well guys I bought the Victory High Ball after an entire demo days event. The Victory was EXACTLY what I wanted from a torque stand point and the bike has noticeably more power (which it should 1700cc). I found I really enjoyed the apes and had very little difficulty maneuvering the bike. Also really like the matte black, and the white wall tires are starting to grow on me.

Seat is nice and comfy, and lets you slide around a bit to get a more or less aggressive riding position. Also, seat height is really low at 25" and slightly forward foot controls make for a nice riding position.
Also got a really nice deal. The bike was 1500 off until the end of the month and because it was a demo day, they took off another 1000 and I also made the guy get rid of PDE Freight charge. 13 300 + tax. The cheapest I could get the Stryker for was
12 100 + tax, and the Victory does feel like a step up.

I still really like the Stryker. Love the fat rear tire, and raked out look. I could have probably mod the bike to get that low end torque, but.....Also the Victory sounds much better stock then the Stryker, and almost as good as a Harley.

The Dealership had great people working there and they took me on a tour of the repair facility, and showed me some crazy after market pipes they installed for a guy. I believe those were highly illegal. LOL Most of the bikes that were at the repair facility were just getting stuff installed and not for repair.

Also rode the Judge, which was a bit to sporty for me. Very fun ride, and very aggressive riding position. The 8 ball was nice too, but because the price was so close between it and the high ball.....it was an easy choice.

All that matters is that we ride and I hope to see some of you guys on your strykers catching the wind.

 

[conan48]

Watch these videos and let us know if you still want that Street Bob.

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/25-rest-stop/11674-victory-vs-harley-video.html

Yeah, I saw those videos. Seems legit, but they are after all marketing videos. Since I'm not getting a Harley anymore, maybe I should start bashing them. LOL. My problem is I like so many bikes that it makes the decision much harder for me. It's nice to now that I'll have a more reliable ride in a Victory then a Harley.

The Harley did have slightly smoother downshifting. The Victory likes to clunk when downshifting, but it's really a non issue. I'm not a fan of the Victory clutch however. It's too **** tight, or I'm just a weak ass ***** I'm sure it'll be fine, just felt a little stiff.

When you guys bought your Strykers, did you test drive other motorcycles? I love spending the ENTIRE day riding as many bikes as a can. I ride stuff that I know I'm not gonna buy, just to try as many bikes as possible. Last few demo days I got to ride every time they went out because not enough people showed up. It was around 2 degrees today (Celsius) and the first ride out had me, one other rider and the lead and follow. LOL.

It's funny that I have 20 posts here and 0 on the Victory forum.

 

[strykenshane]

Well, welcome to the Victory family, be sure to check out the thevog.net which is the Victory Owners Group forum, very informative and friendly folks

 

[11Stryker]

Glad to see you did not get a Harley. Victory is a Great ride. I saw the Stryker in an ad and online. Went to dealer and bought bike without riding it. 3 months later after winter I finally got my first mile on it. Many stories on here about members buying the bike without even riding it. Says a lot about Yamaha and the Stryker itself Huh? Take care and maybe see ya someday.

 

[conan48]

Thanks guys.

If your ever in the market for a new bike I suggest you test ride a Victory. After riding so many bikes over the past month, I think the Victory should be at the top of everybodys list. Not saying there is anything wrong with the Stryker, because it looks great and rides good. Just find the Victory rides Great.

Now to leave you guys alone, so you can enjoy your bikes. Off to thevog.net

Also, the new Indian is coming this year for 18999 start. The vic dealer told me he knows an engineer on the project and said the new Indian is gonna cause HUGE waves in the industry. They will be retrofitting many existing Victory dealers to sell Indian but they all gotta have the same layout and it's gonna cost big bucks for renovations. Anyway, it's always great to have Indian back. Maybe my next bike.....

 

[Nlinus]

Lucky for us, the bike needs mods to wake it up.... to act like it should of been stock..

I put the airbox/pipes and autotuner all on at once.... and I once left a light aggressively and lifted the front end.... no power/sound/torque complaints here.... a much more affordable and reliable/better ride IMO

What pipes did end up choosing?

 

[mikoloe]

Well, welcome to the Victory family, be sure to check out the thevog.net which is the Victory Owners Group forum, very informative and friendly folks

guess I am going ot sigh up on this one. Maybe I can find a good deal on down the line. Sell your bike yet?

 

[strykenshane]

guess I am going ot sigh up on this one. Maybe I can find a good deal on down the line. Sell you bike yet?

Nah, not in a big hurry, still holding out hope I guess my youngest will show an interest in riding this summer, if he does I'll keep it