I just saw a picture of the new Star -  Raider. Wow it looks *** good and with that engine taken from the Roadliner, it has to be a real gas to ride.Some of my Harley buddies are talking about switching over already.The Raider reminds me of the "Duce" but w/ a giant motor. I can't wait to see how it compares to the other 2008 bikes.  

I am selling my Busa (which is hands down the best bike I have ever owned) to purchase a Raider.  I believe, in a year, that the Raider will be the most customizable bike on the road.  Kudos to Yamaha for this one, for sure.  

Picked my new Raider up last Thursday.  Wow.  What an awsome ride.  

Picked up my Red Standard last Sunday. Its smooth, powerful, and an absolute pleasure to ride.  Easy to handle with my Girl on back too, at 12,999 out the door here in Marina Del Rey California.  Good Job Yamaha!
http://rides.webshots.com/album/561128391ixppJT?start=24
Pics at the link above.
Ray

 

I agree the Raider looks great, but at the price of $17,999 here in Canada, I don't think I will run out and sell my Harley FXSTC.  

I just got mine about a week ago.This thing is incredible!It's got the custom Harley looks but not the custom Harley shakes ! I have the Raider S with the flames and all of the chrome.There isn't much I really want to add to the bike except maybe some chrome wheels.The wheels on it now look out of place with all of the other chrome.  

Yes I agree the Raider is an awesome bike, my Dad just bought one a month ago, he has the black with the matching custom wheels,it is a factory custom right off the floor, the dealer only had 2 and they were the first ones and did not last. I still love my 05 Roadstar though, we are going to be riding together, we should turn some heads wherever we go, I think the Harley Guys should watch out. He paid about 13,000 for it, not bad at all, got the Harley looks without the Harley price, plus way more Engine. He is 63 and getting back into Riding, I think it is Cool!  

We have three at my dealership in Tucson: the blue S, the red S, and the black standard that we put Yamaha drag pipes on. I got to ride the black one a little ways after we piped it, and was pleasantly surprised by the handling. That 210 rear tire is well offset by the rake - chopper flop and phat meat cancel each other out! Plus even though it weighs 60 lbs more than the Roadstar Warrior, it feels lighter due to a CoG that feels like it's an inch above the bottom frame rails. The ergos are just right, even for a little guy like me (5'-8", 32" inseam). I agree that the bike needs nothing; if H-D made a 113" Gothic Softail like this, they'd charge $100 each to swap out the ugly stock seat, pegs, mirrors, fender stays, and even the kickstand for the custom touches the Raider already has! The only thing I don't care for is the stock exhaust (but then again, the V-Rod's grew on me in time), and the Yamaha drag pipes are less than inspired with their obvious crossover - I can't wait to see/hear what Rineharts or the like will do for this machine...  

I just signed the paperwork on a base red model for 11,700 + tax/title and they gave me a good deal on my trade.  I pick it up on Monday since the bike was still in the crate.  I could have got it $300 cheaper, but that was an 8 hour round trip and an uncertain trade amount, so I decided to spend my bucks locally on a certain deal.  Can't wait to pick it up on Monday.  

I bought the base model red Raider on 12-29-07. Traded my 05 Honda VTX 1300S. 27 mile ride home at 31 degrees with no windshield. It was the coldest I've ever been on something so hot.  
 I ordered bags,backrest,touring seat and windshield at time of purchase. They should be in this week.
 I love the bike, it handles great and has more power than I'll ever need. It looks and feels good too.  

Any more thoughts on the Raider??  Thinking hard about trading in my 2000 Roadstar on the Red Raider S..  Waiting for another one to arrive at our dealer.  

I picked up my red standard raider for 12,700 out the door from LA Yamaha two weeks ago and I get nothing but compliments on the bike, handles really good, it becomes a monster when you open up the throttle, Harley Rocker $23,000 plus, uhmmmm tough choice!!!!!. Has anybody done any mods to their bikes yet? Id like to get pipes but Im not sure how it is going to affect the bike performancewise, you know with the catalytic converter and that power valve built in the pipes.  

I got my raider s in red it is a great ride. In late spring cobra is coming out with a down swept exhuast pipe that compliments the bike.  

Picked up my red Raider last Wednesday, awesome bike.  I have already modified the rear tail light.  I removed the turn signals and fabricated a side mount license plate that attaches to the passenger peg mounts.  It really shows off the wide rear tire.  

I just bought my raider s last week!!!  I purchased the one that is candy red w/flames!  The one thing that I'm really impressed by is how well balanced the bike is.  It handles like a dream.  I traded in my 03 rc-51 and I'm very statisfied! Cobra exhaust is already ordered and on the way.  A couple of my friends polish on the side and they will be doing my rims soon! Can't wait it should look and sound sick!