Do I Buy a Raider ?????????????

[CoastalTrader]

I would certainly appreciate some help with this purchase decision.  Of course I realize the source I'm seeking advice from is highly biased - but then again - very knowledgeable and experienced on the product.

I currently ride a 2007 Honda 750 Shadow Spirit - black with silver flames.  Bought it used and have had a great time riding it - and it is bullet proof.  Great looks - and riding position.  Handles great.  I want the same only bigger.  I was thinking 1100 Sabre or 1300 Star or VTX.  Looked at some bigger cruisers like Kawasaki, Road Star and M90 - but just too friggin big/heavy for the type of riding I do - which is - evening country cruises (1-1.5 hrs)- weekend day tours (3-4 hrs) - some ride to work (15 mins) - and plans to do 3-4 day cruises with friends here on Vancouver Island. BC, Canada - with trips through south and central BC. Washington state (Cascades) and Oregon coast.  Further points after these cruises are completed.

So a big heavy retro bagger is out - heavy weight is out - and need some more power.  BUT 1854 cc's of power

So here are my questions and feel free to add anything you think I should know but didn't know enough to ask:

1 - do I really need 1854 cc's - is it wasted on country cruisin' - or does she lug nice on 4Th and 5Th to get some MPG's?

2 - stock seat - is it good for a full tank or am I gonna need an upgrade?  I like comfort.

3 - in town and parking lots and slow speed - how does the large rake steering perform?

4 - tire wear?  Won't be burning rubber at every intersection - past those days long ago.  I'm early 60's in good shape and a decent rider - and ride slightly aggressive when possible (twisties - LOL) - but not into high speeds like pushing past 80 mph unless requied.

5 - power control - clucth friction zone and throttle sensitivity at slow speed and in crawling traffic?

6 - I like to do my own light maintenance - oil chg's - add on's - etc.  Any issues or special tools required?

7 - thinking of short Sissy Bar and Rack for travel.  Don't like the idea of bags on this beauty - what have you guys found works best for 2-4 day cruises?

8- how bad do the insurance companies bite into the large cc Raider vs the lighter cruisers?

As I mentioned above - rode and sat on many different bikes - but the one that felt like a bigger/better Shadow - was the Raider.  Man... I didn't want to get off of it.  Like they say - you sit in it - not on it !

Thanks to all of you in advance for your insights and contributions.  I guess I left the impression I'm looking to replace the Shadow with a better performer.  In reality I'm a recently retired helicopter pilot and I'm actually looking for a terra-firma replacement for a Bell Jet Ranger - LOL.

Thanks all.

Coastal.

[CBird]

The raider is the best in its class, don't count out the Yamaha Striker though!!! Good luck, I have added my opinion below.

1 - you don't need 1900 cc's to cruise the country roads but its nice when you need it!

2 - you will get mixed answers on the stock seat, I like it and can last the whole tank on the road, but if you don't theres a lot of options out there...

3 - she is very well balanced in parking lots, takes some practice but I can maneuver just fine in tight spots, the steering is a little stiff but you will get used to it.

4 - tire wear, you will want to go to the 240 rear, she dives nicely in the corners once that 210 is swapped out.

5 - power control - Yamaha has this covered too, everything is smooth from engine - clutch function - gear box, it all works well together. I noticed a difference when I went from dino to synthetic in both engine and tranny.

6 - Oil Changes can be a pain, but if you follow the manual you shouldn't have any issues, just takes a Little longer than say the smaller v-twins...

7 - I have the Yamaha quick release back rest and luggage rack, the compliment each other very nicely and lock on and off with a set of keys in seconds, they do offer in tall and short.

8- Mine is $31 a month and I am 34 with full coverage.

Again Good luck, I don't think you will find a nicer bike but as you stated I am very bias!!!       

[t84a]

My guess is the Raider weighs as much as the "heavy cruisers" you elude to. I, however, would not recommend the VTX. They have no power.

[Fj_Ohio]

Agree with everything CBIRD has to say.
I might add that the reach to the handlebars are going to be a little more than what you are use to. Also keep in mind your gas milage will most likely not be what you have on the honda.

[RangerRick]

I had a used 87 Honda Shadow 1100. I had fun with that bike but love the hell out of this one more so. I live on the south coast of Oregon and ride the raider over the mountains in the summer to interstate 5 on one lane very crooked paved forest service roads. I have never felt like it was to big for that. I'm 61 years old by the way

[MacsRDR]

The Raider is a lot of what you are looking for.  For 113 ci bike it is pretty mellow at small throttle inputs.  I handles great at slow and fast speeds.  For me the stock seat is pretty good...the only reason I will be changing it is for my wifes comfort.  I have the Yamaha Star fixed backrest on my bike.  Star does have luggage racks in the accessory catalog.  The overall package of the Raider is very hard to beat.  I say; you will not find a better all around cruiser.  Did I mention the torque this thing has right out of the crate?  I forgot to mention...I pay $26 a month full coverage at 34.

[109rfan]

The raider cruises nicely great throttle and clutch   I'd almost say if u don't need the power try the Stryker almost same size bike with water cooled 1300. Save some initial cost and lil on insurance

[CoastalTrader]

WOW !  You guys are getting me all excited !

Insurance - sounds like you guys get great rates state side - and hopefully when the time comes it'll be comparable here in BC, Canada.  I will definitely insure year round as I could care less if I only ride  one day in a winter month - if its nice I want to get out there. In other words at my age I want to have fun at every opportunity - cost just ain't that big a factor.

Oregon - Riding the coast and mountains is exactly what I love doing especially the narrow twisty forestry back roads - as long as they're paved.

Handlebar position.  When I got on that Raider everyhing was ergo perfect.

Weight.  Good point about it actually being similar to some bigger cruisers. What was really noticeable was how light it was compared to the others when you pulled it up off the kickstand - didn't really feel any heavier than my Shadow - whereas the others were much heavier to lift off and even felt heavier than the Raider to push around.

Many thanks for you comments.  I look forward to more and will continue to read them over the next couple of months - then in the dead of winter - when dealers are short on cash, I will go grind the heck out of them and join you all as a Raider Rider.  If a good used Stryker comes available I will have a close look.

Thanks all,

Coastal

[gostr8r]

If you loved that other cruiser you had this Raider will blow you away with excitement every time you ride it. You don't need to be hauling a$$ to get a thrill on this beast! It's just that much fun to ride and once it's in your stable you will make excuses to go riding when you have no place to go. No other model out there will give you the cruising enjoyment that a Raider will.

[SLK]

    If just sitting on one in the dealership impressed you that much just wait till you take one for a ride.

[gostr8r]

The demo ride seals the deal for all of us so be warned!

[Capt_Zoom]

1 - do I really need 1854 cc's - is it wasted on country cruisin' - or does she lug nice on 4Th and 5Th to get some MPG's?  God yes.  While some will tell you they want a 6th gear I feel it would be wasted on the raider.  If you look at someone riding a 98ci nighttrain you'll see them shifting from 5th to 6th constantly while cruising cause there isn't enough power in 6th for hills or high speed passing.  Most of us are averaging 42-46mpg with the raider I believe.

2 - stock seat - is it good for a full tank or am I gonna need an upgrade?  I like comfort.  I find the stock seat pretty cozy for 5 hour rides but most of the guys upgrade.  you could also drill a hole in the bottom to make it cozier.

3 - in town and parking lots and slow speed - how does the large rake steering perform? Better than most bikes.  The large rake is an illusion because of the raked triple trees, to keep it overly simple it handles with the rake of its neck rather than the total rake.

4 - tire wear?  Won't be burning rubber at every intersection - past those day long ago.  I'm early 60's in good shape and a decent rider - and ride slightly aggressive when possible (twisties - LOL) - but not into high speeds like pushing past 80 mph unless requied.  Upgrade to the 240 Avon Cobra immeiately (about $40 from most dealers).  the sstock metz 210 sucks especially on wet cold roads.

5 - power control - clucth friction zone and throttle sensitivity at slow speed and in crawling traffic?its a breeeze

6 - I like to do my own light maintenance - oil cg's - add on's - etc.  Any issues or special tools required? like any bike certain jacks are more convenient than other but its no big deal.

7 - thinking of short Sissy Bar and Rack for travel.  Don't like the idea of bags on this beauty - what have you guys found works best for 2-4 day cruises? sissy bar and rack but they are hard to find and the yammi one's are expensive.

8- how bad do the insurance companies bite into the large cc Raider vs the lighter cruisers?  Cheaper than my former buell or HD

As I mentioned above - rode and sat on many different bikes - but the one that felt like a bigger/better Shadow - was the Raider.  Man... I didn't want to get off of it.  Like they say - you sit in it - not on it !  just wait till you ride it

[Pudge]

Great questions and I agree with all the responses you are getting. I've only had mine for 4 months and in 25 years of riding a few different models I've never enjoyed it more than these past 4 months.

Alberta rates for me are $600 for the year with the full comprehensive insurance including collision.

Enjoy!

[CoastalTrader]

Here's what I'm drooling over.

[Bill L]

Welcome from Yuma, AZ I am in the same boat, riding another bike, Harley for me and drooling over the Raider.  As soon as I get the Harley sold, the Raider is mine.