Possible second bike acquisition...opinions wanted!

[AdrianR]

Hey you guys, before the new Valk came around I was always wanting a Yamaha Roadstar Warrior...  Well...I might be able to get an 04' model without allot of miles like really cheap...the bike looks beautiful...and very clean, however, I would like honest opinions on this bike from those whom have actually owned or rode one.  I am of course keeping my Valk, but have been wanting a second bike to mix things up.  Also was looking at a Triumph Thunderbird, but it is hard to get away from Japanese reliability...

[Jess from VA]

There are a lot of other bike forums out there, especially on Delphi.

I would look around for a Yami, or Warrior forum and do some reading.

Then, if you find a particular bike (year) you are interested in, log in and just ask them what they think about that year model, recalls, things to look for, and general positives and negatives.

When I was thinking about a Valkyrie, I logged on here and the Delphi Valk forums and did a lot of reading. 

Back when I wanted a 2d bike, I chose a Kawasaki Mean Streak over a Warrior.  Stock, the Warrior had more more power, but after pipes, air kit and PCIII with a custom map, I smoked every Warrior I came across.

[Kidd]

I'd just go for a  Vmax and be done with it

[hungryeye]

You already have a great cruiser, if you want to mix it up why not try an adventure bike. Kaw KLR650's are cheap and are bullet proof. A Honda NC700X is another great bike for cheap.

I had a new 2007 Yamaha Stratoliner back then, fit and finish and quality was great, I loved that bike, it had a 1900cc motor. But if your into the Warrior...why not. Can always sell it and move on, I done that more than 100 times.

[_Sheffjs_]

Yamaha makes good stuff.   

[Verismo]

I agree, Sheffjs. I recently rode a 2013 FJR and was surprised at how much I liked it, even more so than the st1300.  It's far newer technology, but it still surprised me how much smoother and more refined it felt.

[Kidd]

Unless they redesigned the  FJR , can not imagine it's more refined than the ST1300.
Owned a ST for a 1.5 years , the most smooth  bike I have ever ridden .

They both have heat problems  , the FJR being worse but faster

[Verismo]

I mislead, but not intentionally.  I've ridden a 2003, a 2006, and a 2007 st1300, while the fjr I rode was a 2013.  I'm sure if I rode a 2007 or younger fjr it would be a fairer comparison.  However, I was disappointed with all 3 ST's, as they all seemed effortful relative to my 99 Valk.  The FJR didn't, the acceleration felt more linear, the wind was decent, and there was much less vibration to the bars.  Like I said, I was surprised.

[Stealth power]

Yamaha makes a better Harley than Harley.

[hungryeye]

I don't like to claim any other Cruiser is like a Harley. If all bikes are clones of a HD then, A Camaro would be a clone of a Mustang, a Blazer is a clone of a Bronco, a Bronco is a clone of a Scout, An Excursion is a clone of a Suburban. All P/U trucks are clones of the original Ford P/U.

All industries build and produce a product that people will buy, they go where the trend is.

[bscrive]

I don't like to claim any other Cruiser is like a Harley. If all bikes are clones of a HD then, A Camaro would be a clone of a Mustang, a Blazer is a clone of a Bronco, a Bronco is a clone of a Scout, An Excursion is a clone of a Suburban. All P/U trucks are clones of the original Ford P/U.

All industries build and produce a product that people will buy, they go where the trend is.

If a HD is a clone of an Indian.....O boy...we better start over......

[Stealth power]

I guess a better way of saying it is that The Road Star/Raider is the closest imitation to a Harley as far as the thump and sound goes. It has more power, less maintenance and more dependable. Most other metrics have overhead cams, liquid cooling, etc...

Not everybody can do "reverse technology" and make it work.

[bscrive]

My cousin just bought a 2017 Indian Chieftain a couple of months ago.  It is an OK looking bike, but I am not keen on the ride.  The seat is horrible.  There is a seem in the back of the seat that makes it feel like you are sitting on a thin bar across the seat.  He bought an Ultimate seat because he couldn't ride the darn thing for more than an hour without a sore butt.  My bike's seat was the same, so I cannot complain there. 
I am not overly impressed on the power, although it is supposed to have around the same torque as our bikes.  I am not sure about the HP, I couldn't find anything on it.  He will probably have to spend another $2500 putting in the stage 2 kit and pipes to get it as good as my bike for power.  I am lazy and I hate to have to shift all the time.  With his bike I feel like I am shifting constantly. 
The worst thing about his bike though is the freakin heat from the rear cylinder.  That there is a real ball burner.  I don't know how he does it.  I would never have bought his bike for that one reason alone.  I drove his bike on a cool 18C day and my nuts were roasting.  He was driving his bike the other day when it was 30C and he said that he almost cannot stand to ride it at those temps. 
My question is why would Polaris make an air cooled engine after all the problems that HD has had with them.  I am concerned that the rear cylinder will quit on him sometime.  It will probably be in the most inconvenient place.  I only rode the bike for two hours coming back from Americade and I couldn't wait to get off the freakin thing and get back on my Valk.
His Indian is not a cheap bike.  He paid almost twice what I paid for mine and I got a better bike.   

[hungryeye]

People are buying a cool noise and a cool look, They could care less about function, longevity, overall performance. Driveway jewelry and lookin cool is high on their list. And the pirate outfit of course.

[Adirondack Bill]

AdrianR- I am with you on that Triumph Thunderbird. I was considering a Thunderbird Storm before I got the Valk, but the closest dealer was several hours away. I love the looks of the T-bird simple and dependable. Also you will not find much plastic on it like Japanese bikes.

[Verismo]

I thought the same thing, bscrive!  The Indian dealership here is really great. Nice sales guys, demo events, plus, I think the bikes are beautiful. I've ridden several of them and I CAN'T BELIEVE THE HEAT!  Why would anyone do that to their jewels?!  Also, as beautiful and metallic as they look, they feel a little plastic-y when you are on them.  The Valk feels miles more refined and machined in comparison.

[hungryeye]

I don't mind plastic in modern vehicles. Its not the same stuff used in toys that were made in Japan back in the 60's. It is high tech. and is used to save weight not $$, in most cases. Think about dropping a wrench on your Valk fender then think what would happen to a metal fender. The Valk fender may get a chip in paint but I'll bet the metal will chip and dent slightly. A rock hit my fender, left a 1/16th" chip. At 70 mph it would have been a good size dent in metal.

[Verismo]

The toy-like plastic is what I was referring to, hungryeye, but not on the Valk, on the Indian. The Valk feels precisely machined in comparison. Don't get me wrong, I like just about anything on two wheels, and they really are beautiful. But for the price? Not for me.

[dans2014]

Indian is owned by Polaris. Built in recalls and trouble with every product!!! My Dealer loves Polaris side by sides cause he keeps his mechanics busy on recalls and break downs. Polaris is a BAD company but excellent in marketing. You are the R&D with Polaris