Got to ride the two today...Both are very nice, very nice rides...Only got to take a spin around a square mile city block...(45mph tops)...but the short rides made for THUMBS UP!! I'd take either if I was in the market for either? The Raider was smooth...strong...and very nimble considering it's "Chopper" rake (As Yamaha puts it). At low speeds, you can corner and U-turn with no problems...the stock exhaust is quiet, but not as quiet as Triumph stock...some "Street Sweepers" would look and sound killer on that thing!! Acceleration was awesome!! Definitely not the bike you want to drag against with your Bonnie...but they are two different bikes and leave nothing to compare...Great Bike though...
I look like a friggin dork...I don't wear shorts when I ride, or shorts with boots EVER! It was a last minute opportunity...Don't laugh...oh well...go ahead
The ROCKET was a BEAST!!! I couldn't own one...not because it was a bad bike and/or anything was wrong with it, it was just TOO BIG!! If I was into two-up touring...then HELL YEAH!! I take one...but I never have and probably never will...The thing is Freakishly easy to ride...At first you think you need to give this thing a good twist to get her moving and keep her up...NOPE! Not at all...75 yard 5 mph coast up to a light are a piece of cake...mostly due to the newer narrower rear tire...I assume? The motor chugs like a tractor...no matter the speed...on and off the throttle...Stock exhaust is horrible!! WAY TOO QUIET!!! SCARY QUIET!!! Easily fixed when a manufacturer get's off their lazy Arses offers one!! Anyhow...it's not mine...but my buddy is going crazy for a new exhaust!!
Ok...Got some rest...and back on the road for an evening run to Newberg!!
Cheers!
Mondo
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