Yamaha Raider SCL

The Yamaha Star Raider SCL is a custom limited production bike with stainless steel braided lines, blacked out components and a genuine leather seat. It has applied to it the new dark Matte Iron paint and has oxidized titanium coated fork tubes. Only about 500 models of the 2014 Yamaha Star Raider SCL will be produced.

Design

The low 27.4-inch seat height and an almost 71-inch wheelbase give the Raider a long, low profile. The tank-mounted instrumentation includes analog speedometer and fuel gauge, along with twin digital tripmeters, odometer and self-diagnostics. Lighting details include a multi-reflector headlight, an LED taillight, and custom amber LED turn signals behind clear lenses let's "see-and-be-seen" for safety's sake. The deep-scoop, butt-cradling sculpted seat and pullback handlebars make for a comfortable, easy-cruisin 'rider triangle. Components on the "S," such as the triple clamps, fork sliders, air box and engine covers, headlight housing and handlebar risers, get a little bling that distinguished it from the base Raider.

Chassis

Yammi gave the Raider a 33-degree steering head, and the triple tree that has a six-degree offset to give the front forks a remarkable-for-a-stock-bike 39-degree total rake . This rake, coupled with the 4.72-inch trail, makes the bike track well on the straights, while still comfortable for highway trips.

Beefy and stiff 46 mm fork tubes take care of the front end, and a hidden monoshock supports the swingarm giving the rear a clean look. The front suspension travel is a comfortable 5.1 inches, but the rear only allows for 3.5 inches, making her a little stiff especially when carrying a passenger or well-laden bags.

Monoblock brake calipers work with the dual-front 298 mm discs and the 310 mm rear disc to provide the 730-pound curb weight plus rider braking power to control. Speaking of control, the ample contact patches afforded by the big 120 / 70-21 front wheel and the fat 210 / 40-18 rear wheel give you plenty of traction where it counts. This 210-series rear tire is the biggest Yammi has installed on a bike up to this year.

Drivetrain

The air-cooled, 48-degree V-twin engine in the Raider cuts a distinct American figure, and on the "S", it draws the eye with chrome accents and 'jeweled' cooling fins over black paint. It's a big engine with a voluminous displacement of 1,854 cc, and we do like us some big engines on this side of the pond.

Four pushrod-actuated valves lets these big lungs breathe while the dual spark plugs handle efficient flame propagation, all being fed by the twin-bore, computer-controlled fuel injection system. Yammi used ceramic-composite plated pistons and pressurized oil jets to aid in the air-cooled engines.

The fetching chrome exhaust system helps to boost torque while the integral three-way catalyst and O2 sensor keeps emissions under control.

Specifications

Year	2014
Manufacturer	Yamaha
Model	Raider SCL
Engine Type	V-twin OHV, 4 valves/cylinder
Engine Displacement	1854cc
Bore Stroke	100.0 mm x 118.0 mm
Cooling	Liquid-Cooled
Compression Ratio	9.5:1
Fuel System	Twin-Bore electronic fuel injection; throttle position sensor
Ignition	TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
Starting System	Electric
Transmission	Five-speed multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive	Belt
Rake Trail	NA
Seat Height	27.4 in.
Wheelbase	70.9 in.
Front Suspension	Telescopic fork; 5.1-in travel
Rear Suspension	Swingarm; 3.5-in travel
Front Brake	Dual hydraulic disc, 298 mm
Rear Brake	Hydraulic disc, 310 mm
Front Tire	120/70-21
Rear Tire	210/40-18
Fuel Capacity	4.2 gal.
Dry Weight	750 lbs. (Wet)
MSRP	$16,990