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A motorcycle that tops them all!

I recently purchased my 2009 Yamaha/Star Raider and for the last month I have been enjoying it thoroughly. I have made dust while riding across open desert, made rocks crumble from canyon walls, and straightened every twisty in the northern mountains of New Mexico on this bike with ease and a twist... of the throttle.

The combination of the 113" V-Twin, the smooth shifting of the hydraulic clutch, and the impeccable suspension makes this bike incredibly fun to ride. Even though this bike might not by a Harley, I think you definitely get more bang for your buck and a look that GETS LOOKS! Everywhere I go, I have people commenting on it and complimenting the bike. This is most certainly a home-run for Yamaha/"Star" motorcycles.


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raider vs warrior

i disagree with the person that said they were disappointed in the power of the raider and had to ride the warrior if they wanted more power. i just traded in my 2008 warrior for a 2009 black raider. warrior has around 75 hp and the raider has almost 100hp. yes, weight to hp ratio takes into acco...unt, and i will say the two are close in torque, but the raider in 3rd and 4th would leave the warrior behind and the warrior would not catch up. raider is a nicer looking bike, a more comfortable bike, handles just as good as the warrior, same price, more power-faster, more of a head turner, and was 2008 cruiser of the year. i mean, come one, i'm a huge warrior fan, i love the bike, but it simply does not compare to the raider in any way shape or form. Read Full Review

Great bike!

I shopped for 3 months before this purchase and rode many Harleys, Victorys and Yamahas before making my decision. The numbers made the choice for me. Just look at the power, handling, braking, price and quality and make your own decision. Bought my first bike when I was 14 with paper route money, a... 1976 Yamaha YZ125, now I'm 44 still riding a KTM dualsport and now this big black Beast! Can't wait for some sunny weather! Read Full Review

Yamaha Star Raider a fun, comfortable cruiser

A lot's been said of late regarding the cruiser market, and how its appeal to middle-aged riders has kept the domestic makers (read: Harley-Davidson) afloat. When Honda and Yamaha revealed their "custom cruiser" bikes in the Fury and Raider, respectively, there was much teeth-gnashing abou...t the Japanese makers' attempts at a "real bike" for the American market. Could these newcomers make a mark in an arena so solidly dominated by an American brand?

After riding the Raider for a year now, I'll say that it might not be an H-D, but it's a great bike. I bought mine used with only 200 miles on the odometer, making it a great deal at thousands under MSRP. In that time I've enjoyed its assertive (definitely not overbearing) engine and exhaust note, it's upright ergonomics and comfortable stance. It has plenty of power and handles well. I'm glad I found a model without all the chrome accents (they come standard on the S trim); I didn't want a ride that was overly eye-catchy. Regardless, I get numerous comments on the bike when I ride, and all have been complimentary.

The Raider's been great for commuting to work as well as long-distance rides. I've had passengers ride pillion with me, and other than some butt-numbness after many miles they say the ride is reasonable. (I ended up buying a sissy bar, which seems to have made a great difference in pillion comfort.) I feel I could go for hours without a break.

Yamaha may not make the most exciting of cruisers, but the Raider is definitely an attractive ride at a great price. I find the looks to be aggressive enough without being overboard and, for the money, I don't think you could find a better deal out there. If you're looking for a solid cruiser with comfort and class, this bike could be for you. Read Full Review

Raider at One Year

Just finished my first year on my '09 Raider, which I bought new 10/10. I just rolled over 5,000 miles on. My main riding takes me on day trips...the longest of which was 200 miles round trip. I'm the better part of 6'6" tall, and was surprised that I was actually comfortable. My wife doesn'...t ride with me, so I took off the passenger seat, and installed a Yamaha luggage rack in its place. This allow my butt to so sort roll over the back of the seat to give me that slight advantage that helps my knees to be bent in a relatively comfortable angle. I installed a Vance & Hines Big Radius 2-into-1 exhaust. I love the sound, felt a small increase in power, and improved my fuel mileage. If I stay off the parkways, etc., and stay on the type of roads I prefer, the secondary ones with lower speed limits, I've averaged about 44 mpg. At higher speeds, 70-85, it rolls back to about 39. The performance has been flawless. At 55-70, the engine buzz is almost non-existent. Above that, I feel is perfectly acceptable for a 110 cubic inch V-twin. Mine is the standard Raider, but I optioned enough chrome, it looks like an "S". This site would not let me upload photos, but would send if anyone is interested. Read Full Review