Yamaha builds a chopper: 2008 Star Raider

[martialstax]

It uses the big 1854cc engine from the Stratoliner and Roadliner. There's a 21 inch front wheel and a fat 18 incher in back. It has an aluminum frame, too. There's a lot of space between the top of the front cylinder and the gas tank, very much in keeping with current chopper design. It's priced between $13k and $14k, not out of line for a bike of this size. I like it better than Harley's new Rocker.

[JWSanders]

I sure do like the wheels on that black one. Too bad they can't be made to fit on an XS.

[martialstax]

I forgot to mention the one on top is the standard Raider, the one on the bottom is the shinier Rocker S. One thing I don't like is the odd bend in the exhaust. It makes it look a little limp, if you get my meaning. Also, as a Seahawks fan, I'd find it hard to buy anything named "Raider".

[Pat Kelly]

If I put $12,000 into my XS I'd have one hellofa bike.

[BLUEJEEPLAB]

I just don't like it when Metrics try to imitate Hardleys. It's a bit like remodeling the Mustang to be a Yugo wannabe.

[John]

I like the look of the right side, but the left side is just fugly. That chrome cover at the swingarm pivot is hideous. I don't know if YamaMamma was trying to imitate the h-d primary cover or not, but they sure got it wrong.

[mro]

Yamaha builds a chopper

I get to see a lot V twins regularly. Metrics some, but mostly HD.
personally would not want a "factory chopper" (unless free )
To me the only real choppers are from the sixties done in a garage and each was a one of a kind, built by the rider.


mro

[GNEPIG]

Quote:
To me the only real choppers are from the sixties done in a garage and each was a one of a kind, built by the rider.


Yeah, what he said. Choppers shouldn't be mass produced, should be built by the individuals that own them. So no two are the same.

[audijunky]

Mass produced bike made to look like choppers are not truly choppers. They are called choppers cause an individual chopped their stock bikes up. Hence the name
These bikes are just mass produced stretched bikes

[mason79]

i like it, wonder how it will perform

[LoHo]

Mason, I researched that a little...it seems one turns the key, then twists the right grip, more or less causing the wheels to roll along the ground. There's more too it, but the rest was unclear...

[mason79]

but the thing is do you have to know how to do those things mentioned to have a meaningful experience?

[planedick]

Only you

would need to ask.

[mason79]

only you

bother me-

don't you have anything better to do than to follow me around here you have
zero sense of humor- not to mention other tendencies,now-go away

[TucmanXJ]

Nice to see that Yamaha Motor Co is finally getting the fit and finish / QA thing down. Their bikes finish work (like the welds) and chrome pieces look worlds better than just a decade and a half ago.

Can't say much about the massive exhaust pipes, just seem too huge & heavy with that down angle! Still a good effort at being yet another wanna-be V-Twin clone.

Who knows, maybe some new USA firm will build a tough-as-nails, transverse OHC four Cruiser with a long sissy bar and raked front end and get on the retro wave.

Hello? .... Is anyone out there? .... Is anyone listening?

Sigh!