So not even having owned my Stryker for a month I have already put 1700 miles on it. Some people say "smiles", but the seat will start reminding me after about halfway through the ride why aftermarket is better. Having the seat mildly redone has made longer rides bareable though. So in that time frame I have really come to know my bike and its pros and cons.
Pros being that it is a head turner while not running. I constantly catch people walking by and giving the bike a quick look over. The guess that this bike costs at least $18,000 always sets people up for the actual costs that is way lower than that.
Another pro being that the bike is very stable at highway speeds and on rails around corners. This isn't a sportbike by any means, but really does surprise me by not back talking in a tight corner. Even low speed maneuvers are no problem once I came to know the 40 degree rake.
Now for every plus their are minuses that rear their ugly head and the first is the ride. The bike is smooth as glass on good pavement, but any kind of rough bump, pothole, or break in the pavement sends the impact up my spine. The suspension is already set to 3 (factory being 4) and while it has helped a little their is still room for improvement. A good aftermarket seat and maybe would another notch down would send the impacts morse code instead of speed dial.
The factory exhaust also leaves a lot to be desired. I know their are noise and emission laws, but did Yamaha really have to make it sound about a fierce as a 400 Grizzly? The Stryker does loose its luster the second I thumb the starter infront of a crowd and emits a tame purr. At least a mildly pissed growl would fit the bike off the showroom floor.
Running around town or passing a semi on the freeway the bike is more than willing, but holding your own from a stoplight isn't on the transmissions mind. Shifts are very spaced apart which is good, but I really haven't found the bikes sweet spot. At 70-75 your either chugging if fifth or running moderately high in fourth depending on your comfort zone. Going from home to Walmart through town seems more to the Strykers liking. Second or third gear under highway speeds and the Stryker really does feel at home.
So am I unhappy with my purchase? Hell no. I really love my bike and do see it as a blank canvas for improvement.
In a way the Stryker is like Ford factory speakers. They get the job done, but could be a little better.
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