2011 Yamaha Raider S
User Reviews
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MONSTER
By (I am an Owner) on Mar 27, 2013This bike is truly a joy to ride..Even with its massive size the bike manages to feel lite and easy to maneuver.. I looked around for a month before I test drove it and in 3 minutes I was DONE... This thing is a beast and I absolutely love it!!
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Great sport and style
By (I am an Owner) on Jan 15, 2012I was looking for a stylish cruiser to fit my six foot four 235 frame. I had been looking at the HD Night Train. I didn't like the stock wheels and I didn't want to spend a mint on a bike then have to spend even more customizing it. I had seen a Raider in a Yamaha dealership and instantly fell in ... love with it's styling. I searched eBay and found several I liked. I bid on a '09 Raider Raven with only 75 miles on it. I have had it for only 3 months and I thoroughly enjoy it. It fits my frame extremely well and it has all the power I need. The only thing that I would like to change is the pipes. I have my eye on some LA Chopper pipes. They would give the bike the final look and sound I'm looking for. I recommend the Raider to anyone looking for a bike with chopper style and comfortable cruiser ride.
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Raider - nothing compares
By (I am an Owner) on Nov 13, 2011Drop your Harley blinders and give this bike a try - you won't be disappointed. In fact, you WILL BECOME insecure as your HD faith will be shattered. Nothing performs like a Raider - power and maneuverability - it's the most fund you can have wearing clothes on two wheels. If you have the need ... for excitement on a cruiser, this is your bike; otherwise you can stay chicken.
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A perfect combination of power and function...
By (I am an Owner) on Aug 01, 2011Everyone told me that this is not a bike for beginners, but I'll go ahead and admit it: This is my first motorcycle. I am 50 years old and have always wanted a bike, but something stylish, dependable and practical for my 6'4", 280-lb frame.
I always loved the look of a mildly customized ... 80-90's era Harley Softail ("Renegade"-style)bike, but did not want the hassles of having to buy an old bike and "fix it up" the way I want it.
When I decided in earnest to get a bike, I researched and checked out everything that I could. The Harleys were my first stop, and I expected to find the "perfect" choice, but I was very disappointed in what they sell these days. No cruiser-style bike that was really big enough to fit me comfortably, and the styling was not exactly what I wanted either. The "Rocker-C" was closest to my wants, but not close enough. And way too expensive for the level of performance and handling.
Initially I really was leaning towards a Suzuki M-109, as it seemed to have a real "Muscle-Car" kinda vibe, which I also like quite a bit. The headlight fairing kept putting me off though. It just looked like a horse with his head stuck in a feed-bag to me!
Eventually, I found several reviews on-line about this bike: the Star Raider. All the reviews were basically stellar in their opinions of the bike, and the only negative thing I could find from any "expert" reviewer was that they didn't like the over-done and "droopy" styling.
Personally, I think this bike's styling is the near-perfect incarnation of that classic look I was initially interested in. The ultra-fat 210-mm rear tire coupled with the big 20-incher up front gives this beast a decidedly purposeful and "no compromises allowed" look that I love. The fact that it is also a wonderfully complete and powerful design convinced me to test one.
I rode one at 3 pm at my local dealership, and took delivery at 5 pm. I was instantly hooked!
Of all the bikes I have sat on, this one just seems to "fit" the best: perfect arm and foot reach, controls are easy to operate (I think they call this "ergos"...as in "ergonomics").
I have had it for about a month now, it has over 1,000 miles on it now, and I get more in-tune with this machine every day I ride it. Seat-time on this baby is awesome.
Since this is my first bike, I know I don't have a lot of experience to draw from for a good comparison, but I can't imagine any bike impressing me more than this one.
It is massively powerful at all RPM ranges, starts and runs like a finely-tuned watch, and handles so easily I can't believe it.
Many reviews make mention of a "chopper"-style fork seriously affecting turnabilty and handling, but this thing turns like a dream!
The brakes are also very good, something I hope all other bikes have as well!
The paint quality and fit-and-finish of the entire bike is very, very obviously far above what I noticed on most other bikes I looked at...particularly the H-D bikes.
I got the "S" model, which is loaded with lots of extra chrome, and it looks great. I don't know how important this is in the long run, but most all of the "chrome" on this bike is actual metal pieces that are chromed, not that fake "Chrome-y" plastic that you would think would be used. I think it will last longer that way.
The bike is averaging about 40 MPG, and Star claims 42 MPG, so I'm not far off.
I have driven and restored old muscle-cars for many years, and I am the original owner of a 1971 429 Cobra Jet-powered Mustang Mach 1. I LOVE the massive torque of a big-block engine, and I feel this bike gives me the equivalent feeling on two wheels.
More than anything I wanted to get a Harley to fit my needs, but there just wasn't any Harley out there that could even compare to this bike, in any area. This bike is about $5,000 less expensive than a "Rocker-C", and in my opinion about a zillion times a better machine.
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2011 Raider S
By (I am an Enthusiast) on May 24, 2011Not much to say about the Yamaha Raider except.....WOW!!! Pure Power, Pure Pleasure Pure Fun...
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Best Kept Secret
By (I am an Owner) on May 06, 2011At 6'3 and 240+ pounds, I started my search for a suitable cruiser for big guys leaning towards the Honda VTX 1800. I guess I should have been paying attention because Honda discontinued my first choice. After looking at the expensive HD Rocker C and the under powered Honda Fury, I came across ... the Yamaha Star Raider S. As soon as I sat on this behemoth, I was surprised at how it fit my tall frame and 34" inseam. Yes, Yamaha stole some of the styling from HD, but this chopper style cruiser really looks hot in person. It looks ready to hit the street and cruise. My test ride sealed the deal as this bike handles very well and really doesn't feel at all like a 700lb cruiser. Winding roads? No problem. This bike transitions from side to side really well. Power? One twist on the throttle and you will rocket from 0-75 in a blink of an eye. Gear shifts are smooth and the clutch has almost perfect tension and feel. Every stoplight, I could see envious looks from pedestrians and car drivers. I received quite a few thumbs up from people as I cruised by. They were probably trying to figure out what the heck I was riding. My one knock on the Raider is the stock exhaust pipes. Great sound, but very bulky looking and not to my taste. So, yes, I bought the Raider S but had the dealer install Cobra Tri-Pro exhaust pipes prior to delivery. Wow, these Cobra Tri-Pros look and sound awesome. They are loud but not obnoxious. The deep rumble and gurgles ask you to pump the throttle. After adding the chromed out sissy bar and a 14" windscreen, I can't get enough of this wonderful cruiser. No, it will never command the attention of the Rocker C, but this is one secret that Yamaha should tattle on...VROOM! MARKWI
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