I had a post here recently asking whether the v rod or Stryker. I almost considered trading in my stryker for the vrod 2012 denim. I did not post my experience here because I did I not want to give HD any credit on a Yamaha . I rode my Stryker before the test ride and clean her up good. I Also took pictures on my I pad to compare my raven side by side to the V Rod for a digitized crisp look again. I was torn all day Sunday eating till 11 am for my test ride and possibly picking up a V Rod.
The V Rod musle felt top heavy, started her up and her exhaust was quiet and the rev sounded muffled. We got on the road ways and then I opened her up in gear 1 and she took off kinda like when I first got my Stryker, I was in gear 3 when I got her to 110 and the Harley sales person was not even anywhere close in my rear view mirror. he probably thought I was stealing the bike.
I was only able to take it to 115 and that was good for me. I pondered as I waited for the sales guy to catch up whether I liked the fast feeling of the 1250 C V rod musle with 121 HP in Demin black with a muffled exhaust and less after market parts available, back hurts a little and sitting on the bike and not in it like the Stryker, and does not have a raked front or feeling like Stryker, and has a 250 rear unlike Stryker comes with 210, and Styker is a chopper and Vrod a hopper, kinda expensive and not sexy like my raven, and the sissy bar they make is a short and best fit for bike but will be uncomfortable for 2nd rider, and pondering away till I was awakened by the thumping of a 103 screaming eagle.....Ooo he's here.
How do you like the bike he says.....Ummm ..itsss fast....I grinned and then asked if we could head back quickly.
When I got back from my ride. I immediately asked my wife which bike was better looking. my wife said the Stryker.
that was all the re assurance I needed. I also knew that my Styker would keep up with crotch rockets. Not pass most but keep up. And even when going 115 mph in Stryker a lot of 600 and 650 keep up but can never catch up with my Stryker. I have have only a Suzuki 1000 pass my bike while I was 115 mph. ...all others kept up but couldn't over take on straight always with the heads tart. I am confident that without a head start the Stryker will not be passing but will be keeping up in this situation.
I am happy with my sexy raven. Since she is paid off and one of a kind. Amy wife and I will be keeping her in the family for a long and and we will only add to and not trade.
she can be bobbed later or aped later, or slammed later or whatever....the Stryker is powerful for its class and has lots of potential.
In my opinion , it will outlast its older brother the raider in stamina because of its liquid cooled motor. All it has to do is catch the raider resting off a hot beat and wax him off the long run like I have done a few times so far.
Dear V Rod,
You have been Stryked out.
We rode for another couple of miles together then he ended up turning off. 
