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Cool Cycle Guy takes the Yamaha Raider XV1900 out for a test ride and gives his review of Yamaha’s big power cruiser.
The Yamaha Raider XV1900 is a custom-inspired cruiser with a chopperesque attitude. Stretched out front forks are spread over a long rake point to low profile front tire. The 1900cc motor, long backswept exhausts and rear tire are all gargantuan. This is a motorcycle reminiscent of the hot rod era.
The Yamaha Raider picks up where the Yamaha Warrior left off. It is a motorcycle poised at competing with the very best of urban beasts Harley-Davidson or any of the other manufacturers have to offer. After spending a week riding Harley-Davidson’s Breakout last summer, Yamaha’s Raider became a logical target for a 2014 test ride and review.
Bill Whitman beat me to it. Perhaps better known by his online name, Cool Cycle Dude, Bill is a comedic motorcycle enthusiast who blogs, vlogs, and podcasts about motorcycling. No matter how many times he gets caught in the rain he’ll always let you know that it’s not a bad day… because he’s on a motorcycle.
We spliced about 15 minutes of footage down to the most informative 6 minutes we could put together based on Cool Cycle Dude’s videos of the Star Raider SCL / Yamaha Raider XV1900 S review / test ride. Have a look:
Cool Cycle Dude’s 2013 Yamaha Raider test ride and review:
Likes:
– Forward controls
– Gobs of chrome
– Clutch pulls a little light
– Nice rumble in the exhaust
– Long and low with stretched out front end
– Custom seats
– Nice big speedometer
– No clunking in the gearbox
– Steering is precise but has a bit of a learning curve
– Low seat height
– Very fancy
– Stainless steel brake lines
– Self-cancelling turn signals
– Plenty of power
– Nice fit and finish
– Good reach to the bars
– Nice machined rims
Dislikes:
– 5 speed gearbox
– No tachometer
– Wouldn’t mind a clunkier gearbox for better feedback
Yamaha Raider Specifications (General):
| Engine | |
| Type | 113-cubic-inch (1854cc) air-cooled V-twin OHV, 4 valves/cylinder |
| Bore x Stroke | 100.0 x 118.0mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Fuel Delivery | Twin-Bore electronic fuel injection; throttle position sensor |
| Ignition | TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition |
| Transmission | 5-speed, multiplate wet clutch |
| Final Drive | Belt |
| Chassis | |
| Frame | Double cradle |
| Suspension / Front | Telescopic fork; 5.1-in travel |
| Suspension / Rear | Swingarm; 3.5-in travel |
| Brakes / Front | Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm |
| Brakes / Rear | Hydraulic disc, 310mm |
| Tires / Front | 120/70-21M/C 62H |
| Tires / Rear | 210/40-18M/C 73H |
| Wheels | 5-spoke cast |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 101.2 in |
| Width | 36.4 in |
| Height | 45.9 in |
| Seat Height | 27.4 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 70.9 in |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.2 gal |
| Claimed Fuel Economy | 42 mpg |
| Claimed Wet Weight | 730 lb |
Yamaha Raider Specifications (Performance)
| Power | |
| Rear Wheel Horsepower | 84 horsepower |
| Rear Wheel Torque | 107 lb.-ft. |
| Wet Weight | 739 lbs. |
| Power to Weight Ratio | 1:8.76 |
| Average MPG | 40 MPG |
| Speed | |
| Top Speed | 125 MPH |
| 0 to 60 MPH | 4.01 seconds |
| 0 to 100 MPH | 11.23 seconds |
| 0 to 1/4 Mile | 12.27 seconds |
| 0 to 1/4 Mile | 106.73 mph |
| Braking 60 MPH to 0 MPH | 120.2 ft. |
If the Raider is your thing, you may also be interested in our three day review of the Harley-Davidson’s Breakout.
We get it: it’s “really nice”…….has “forward controls”………”lot’s of chrome”…….and, oh yeah, “did I say it’s really nice”…….has “forward controls”……….”lot’s of chrome”……..and, ummm, and, oh yeah, “no tach”. Oh, and one more thing……”IT’S REALLY NICE”.
Bill, do you think you kissed ass enough to get invited to the next Yamaha demo ride?
You say you’ve ridden Yamahas before but you “don’t know how long they’ve had hydraulic clutches”? Well…..my ’03 Venture is hydraulic…….so, I’d say you’re a little outta touch!
So, when you’re going out on your next test ride, and you know what model you’re gonna be riding, don’t be afraid to ask your “sponsors” to give you a few details ahead of time. That way, you can sound a little better informed…rather than having to say…..”not sure what the rake is….but that front wheel is WAY OUT THERE!”
Don’t get me wrong, Bill,…….good on ya for being a biker….but, it’s Vance AND Hines….not Vance Hines. And Harley DaviDson…..not Davison. Your good ol’ boy accent may charm the girls…..but, as your mother said, “Don’t be lazy!”
you’re an idiot! don’t be lazy. shave that nasty beard boy
Suffering from Parked Motorcycle Syndrome much, grumpy pants?
Right!! (And I’m SURE he meant 1300 cc’s…….not cubic inches!)
Funny story about them Raiders. It seems that Victory came out with a real nice bike of similar size a few years ago, and, a bunch guys sold their beloved Raiders to get one. Well, after a period of time they realized that the Raider was a much better bike: smoother, more powerful engine, better transmission, better ride, etc… A handful actually came back in and re-purchased Raiders and took a bath on their used Victory’s. Several guys- not just one. As a rider, who prefers anything over a H-D, I was not overly impressed with the look of the Raider, and, besides- it’s way to big a bike for me personally. Apparently, several buyers of the new Indians are keeping their Raiders- locally, the Raider is known as a quality, long term bike to own. By riders of the very large bikes, who know more about this class of very large motored bikes. They are also virtually bullet proof and can go for years and tens of thousands of miles without issue. I was unaware of the respect the Raider has on the street until recently.
The victory actually has more power and a 5 year warranty.oh and a 6 speed tranny.do your research before making false claims.
Hi George, I bought a Jackpot 1 year after buying a Raider…because of the 5 speed! I put 25000 miles on the Jackpot and traded it for a Magnum X1. When it came time to decide whether to trade the Jackpot or the Raider…it wasn’.t a problem. The Raider is a much better bike. Period. I’ve got 36000 miles on the Raider. It’s a terriffic motorcycle. David
Actually, these are just individual Indian buyers, who had decided to keep their (trade in) bikes. Just a motorcycle that genuinely met most of these riders needs- who had made a mistake in the past. I’m not a big rider of very large bikes- although I do ride longer distances- I learned this from buyers of Indians, people who own the Raiders already. Just a lesson learned from big bike folk, who, having been burned once, decided to keep a bike for a bit, while they became sure that the new bike was as good- or better- than what they were buying.
That’s just my personal experience from meeting Indian buyers. A real strong statement about the Raider, in my opinion, and, not based on anything but those buyers experiences. It’s not about warranty or 6 speed tranny- it’s about personal preference. If it happened once, I would have just written it off as 1 buyers choice. But, I met 2, and, heard about a third buyer who also chose to keep his Raider. Now, I’m sure that many, if not most Indian buyers are coming off of H-D’s (again, very large bikes- ones that I do not follow, want, or track), so, the oddness of the choice sort of stood out. I actually asked a long term rider about it, and, he is the one who shared the added info about the Raider’s longevity, good ride and comfort, as well as the Victory info.
I shared what I considered interesting information, from a source that I consider reliable. Content related- what research is required?
RT @YouMotorcycle: Yamaha Raider Test Ride by @coolcycledude – a cruiser with a chopperesque attitude https://t.co/joAYiqNmHF https://t.co/…
RT @YouMotorcycle: Yamaha Raider Test Ride by @coolcycledude – a cruiser with a chopperesque attitude https://t.co/joAYiqNmHF https://t.co/…
I rode one it was nice, it handled better than I thought, but my Honda f6b is quicker, smoother and will out handle the Raider any day of the week.
Hey Alain, would love to hear if you’re in agreement with our thoughts on the F6B. Have you checked out our review of it? https://youmotorcycle.com/honda-gold-wing-f6b-review.html