New Raider Owners

[dukedomain]

The fuel storage on the Raider includes a subtank under the seat where the fuel pump is located.  The low fuel light on the "dashboard" is triggered by a thermistor mounted on the fuel pump.  If the gas gets that low, it no longer cools the thermistor and the light turns on.  When the light turns on, the digital display in the odometer automatically shifts to show you the number of miles you've ridden since the light came on.  There is about 0.8 gallons left when that occurs.  At 40 mpg average, you have about 30 miles to find fuel.

You are advised to burn premium gas in your Raider.  The compression ratio is 10.2 which is right on the edge of possible early detonation (knocking) of regular gas. 

As with most motorcycles, the engine, clutch, and transmission are all cooled and lubricated by the same oil.  Do not add additives to the oil to try to improve mileage or engine life because it may cause clutch slippage and a huge cleanup problem.   

Does this include Seafoam?

I wouldn't add Seafoam to my oil...

Don’t add anything to your oil.
Put seafoam in the fuel....along with marvel mystery oil, Lucas upper cylinder lube, octane boost, ethonal reducer, Stabil 360, blah, blah, blah.

[RoadStarRaider]

[House O Pain]

I've only owned my '09 Raider for a few weeks now so thanks to the OP and others who have added to the newbee info base.  ((THUMBS UP!))

I've never owned a fuel injected bike and honestly I dislike all the sensors and warning light codes I'm reading about, but I love the bike so I'll deal with it.  I suppose I'm a bit old school being in my 60's and having ridden 35 years on about 10 different bikes (lost count). 

One thing that wasn't mentioned here is the vacuum/suck that happens on the gas cap.  I stopped for gas for the first time and thought there was something wrong with the gas cap, but pulled harder and it came off with a with a sucking sound like the tank was sucking on the cap really hard.  My V-Star 1100 never did that...

UPDATE!!!

I did some research and discovered the the gas cap will have suction on it if a vent hose is blocked.  Advice was to pull the left engine cover to reveal hoses that control gas spill if the bike is tipped over.  Two hoses have stopper 'balls' inside that stop the gas flow when the bike is tilted.  I blew air through one of the lines and it was clogged.  Suggestion was to spay carb cleaner through it to free up the ball so it allows air through when not tilted.  It worked to clean/free up the inner stopper/ball so the tank could vent and the cap no longer has suction on it and bike seems to run better at low speeds now. [/color]

[RangerRick]

I've only owned my '09 Raider for a few weeks now so thanks to the OP and others who have added to the newbee info base.  ((THUMBS UP!))

I've never owned a fuel injected bike and honestly I dislike all the sensors and warning light codes I'm reading about, but I love the bike so I'll deal with it.  I suppose I'm a bit old school being in my 60's and having ridden 35 years on about 10 different bikes (lost count). 

One thing that wasn't mentioned here is the vacuum/suck that happens on the gas cap.  I stopped for gas for the first time and thought there was something wrong with the gas cap, but pulled harder and it came off with a with a sucking sound like the tank was sucking on the cap really hard.  My V-Star 1100 never did that...

My 2009 gas cap never did that, so I think the vent line may be restricted. But then maybe the California models do that if you still have the evap canister on it. Yes after 92,000 Plus miles I no longer trusted my bike  , so that's why I went with a Single carbed VTX But the injection is nice when the engine is cold, had to relearn how to ride a carbed bike when cold.  Just today I got ride of it's stock petcock though and put a Pingel on it. Don't want that damn vacuum operated petcock.

[Ares X]

I've had three different Raiders and never had that situation, but like Rick mentioned, it may have something to do with the extra CA BS added to your bike.  Maybe someone else from CA will chime in.

[Mr. T]

When you’re sitting at a red light and people start staring at you it’s okay – that happens when you own a Raider.

I am glad Roadkill posted that last one as it made me feel a lot better.  I always thought they were staring at me and thinking how dorky I looked.

Don’t give up on that thought.  “Dorky” fits too.

[SLK]

When you’re sitting at a red light and people start staring at you it’s okay – that happens when you own a Raider.

I am glad Roadkill posted that last one as it made me feel a lot better.  I always thought they were staring at me and thinking how dorky I looked.

Don’t give up on that thought.  “Dorky” fits too.

That would explain all the stares I get when not on the Raider.  But I got use to them, and now I just imagine they are seeing me on my Raider. 

[FoFo]

Thx for the info lol. The first one got me on the way home when I bought it. Stopped to get lunch only to find out it wouldn't start if not in neutral.... Lessons learned

[dukedomain]

Thx for the info lol. The first one got me on the way home when I bought it. Stopped to get lunch only to find out it wouldn't start if not in neutral.... Lessons learned

It’ll start in gear, just need to put the kickstand up

[MrReacher]

Why not? It says on the product can that its okay. To be clear im not arguing just trying to learn.

[SLK]

Why not? It says on the product can that its okay. To be clear im not arguing just trying to learn.

As Poadkill stated we have wet clutches in which the clutch is soaked with oil any oil not designed for wet clutch motorcycles or any additive to wet clutch designed oil will cause a slippery deposit to form on the clutch plates causing loss of friction and thus clutch slippage.