New 2008 Yamaha XV1900 Raider custom cruiser motorcycle

This is Yamaha’s aggressive new drag-style XV1900 Raider custom cruiser, which will only be available in the USA.

The 1854cc air-cooled v-twin motorcycle engine powering the Yamaha Raider is from the Yamaha Midnight Star – but only the engine is carried across – the chassis and bodywork is all-new and unique to the Raider motorcycle. An aluminium cradle frame and swingarm is used, and a rear monoshock is hidden for a hardtail look. Skinny right-way up forks are raked out and hold a tall, narrow section five spoke alloy front wheel, and the matching rear wheel has a smaller rim diameter but with a fat tyre.

The Raider’s brakes are Yamaha’s four-piston monobloc calipers used on several generations of Yamaha sports motorcycles, but with chromed piston covers in place of the more familiar anodised blue caps used on sportier motorcycles.

The teardrop tank, ducktail mudguard, seat and side panels all follow a line down to the rear tyre – even the silencers tilt down to accentuate the shape of the motorcycle. A pillion seat is fitted – but the small surface, flat top and high pillion pegs mean it’s only meant for urban cruising rather than two-up touring. The riding position isn’t entirely practical either – the wide straight bars, forward set footpegs and relatively thin seat won’t give the levels of comfort seen on the softer Yamaha Midnight Star.

Price in the USA will be $13,180 (£6498). Currently, Yamaha has no plans to import the Yamaha Raider custom cruiser motorcycle to Europe.

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