[adventurous1]

Now, I'm a former HD guy, who switched to the vtx 1800 yrs ago, so my comments are generally speaking.

Was finally able to find both bikes on a showroom floor (N. Hollywood Honda). Both bikes bout the same price, (at this dealer anyway), 14.5 K ish (w/ ship/ prep) plus the privilege tax (commonly referred to as 'sales tax'. In Cali, add bout another 10% for the privilage tax.

Both bikes obviously need mods, (fwd cntrls, chrome wheels, xhaust). The fury does hav a slightly better feel, and someone in the metric family finally came to the conclusion of "Hey, why don't we paint the frame to match." However for the same price, the raider offers metal fenders, the 210 is an ez swap for a 240, an 1800 plus pwr, and chrome engine parts. (btw, i like a metal rear fender so I can occassionally take the tight framed, big breasted chickaleenas I find on the internet. Bikes always make it an ez score. LOL )


Think Honda could hav done an even mor stellar job if they would hav had chromed 'metal' in about 11 of their engine parts, and metal fenders. If this were the case, I'd pay cash today. The bike's already a decent platform, however for the current price, I think's it not reasonable. The bike should hav been slightly more then the vtx 1300, or the current price with metal and chrome engine parts.

Speaking w/ Heartland about the cost of making metal fenders, and adding their struts w/ ez release buddy seat and sissy bar. Yeah, there set-up are a 'tad' xpensive, but they make a vry streamline 2 up for raked bikes. Anywho...this is just my02.

 

[NWLA_LE_Fury]

This is the same exact extremely difficult decision I was trying to make. I had been looking at the Liquid Silver Raider for at least 6-months and thought that would be the bike for me. That is once I could convince my wife that I needed to keep my 954 for dragging my knee and have the cruiser for everything else. She was all for me selling my 954, which I wanted no part of so I just had to bide my time until I knew she wouldn't kill me for adding another toy. I still love the Raider, but I decided I preferred the front-end (triple) a little more and the water-cooling for Louisiana.

Oh, and I also saved about $500 a year on insurance going with the Fury through Progressive. I would never pay retail for either, I had been quoted 11.8k for the Raider and I paid 12.3k for my LE Fury. Good luck on whatever choice you make.

 

[sfc rick]

I have a few bikes in my bike shop but I only buy high end bikes that are within my budget. That being said, I have 3 Star bikes that are the cream of the crop, a Road Star Silverado(bagger), a new Raider(simply awesome), and the new VMax which is incredible (beyond description).

I have seen, riden and serviced a Fury recently and think they are a great looking bike for the money and the answer to the average joe who wants a stretched looking Chopper. You won't have the most power, nor will you have the quality of chromed real metal, nor will the rims be chromed easily, since the chromer will have to polish the crap out of the stockers to remove all the flashing, and cast in "Honda" and assortment of stuff BEFORE he can plate. The amount of plastic would make tupperware very proud and Revell couldn't even make a plastic bike as well as this one.

BUT, It's gonna be a big seller and as long as the owner is happy....it's a win-win situation. I like the bike personally, even if I don't want to own one. It's been a great bike so far to one of my riding buddies and he's enjoying it very much.

The Raider is a no holds barred cruiser with a lot of power and great styling. There are lots of aftermarket products for the Riader, and maybe the Fury will be close behind soon enough.

 

[Matt Mathews]

Adventerous 1

North Hollywood Honda is charging an extra $2000.00 in bogus fees. I bought my "Fury" at another local dealer and my OTD cost was $14300.00! Yes, with doc, prep, tax and license...
While I agree with the plastic issues. My brother wanted me to get the "Raider"as well, after many sleepless nights, I bought the "blue Fury." It was clearly the right choice for me. My brother rode my Fury, and has since bought one for himself! In fact he can't stop talking about how much he loves his new chopper SE (Vin #008)... Believe me when I say he was a die hard Yamaha guy.

Just fuel for thought. If you got it, ride it...

Good Luck

 

[springmaker]

Plastic is lighter than metal, and they said the same thing about Corvettes back in the day.
That Raider does look nice.....

 

[Brandon]

For styling the Fury wins all day long IMO.

However, the Raider is an excellent bike for the money. I know that many of you are fine with the 1300 VTX performance. If you rode a Raider though and cracked the throttle I am not sure you would be content any longer.

Regardless of whether plastic last longer or not, many people are old fashioned like myself and appreciate metal construction.

Actually I couldn't believe how heavy my Fury was considering all the plastic.

They both are awesome bikes. The plastic on the Fury though, was going to bug me to the point that I was looking for upgrades to come out so I could replace it all. Not a cheap prospect for sure.

 

[Raventhdog]

I actually prefer the plastic chrome over the metal, except in areas where you need the strength of metal for structural reasons. I also drive a 2004 dodge ram 1500 quad cab, and most of the chrome on there is plastic. And 5 years and over 50,000 miles of wisconsin hot summers, bugs and pollen, and salty road winters, and it still looks as shiny and new as the day i drove it off the dealership lot.
plastic chrome doesnt pit or rust, requires very little maintenance besides just simple washing. scratches can be buffed out with some inexpensive scratch removers and a soft cloth. It's 10 times lighter and in my opinion just as durable for normal use.
the main benefit is its almost maintenance free, where as metal chrome needs to be polished, protected, and kept dry at all times, and needs a lot of elbow grease to clean up.

 

[sfc rick]

I actually prefer the plastic chrome over the metal, except in areas where you need the strength of metal for structural reasons. I also drive a 2004 dodge ram 1500 quad cab, and most of the chrome on there is plastic. And 5 years and over 50,000 miles of wisconsin hot summers, bugs and pollen, and salty road winters, and it still looks as shiny and new as the day i drove it off the dealership lot.
plastic chrome doesnt pit or rust, requires very little maintenance besides just simple washing. scratches can be buffed out with some inexpensive scratch removers and a soft cloth. It's 10 times lighter and in my opinion just as durable for normal use.
the main benefit is its almost maintenance free, where as metal chrome needs to be polished, protected, and kept dry at all times, and needs a lot of elbow grease to clean up.

Wow! What an endorsement, but it IS a Fury Forum.

 

[Pyre]

I'm looking at both bikes now and I've come to the conclusion that they aren't necessarily the same thing. I'm a research freak, especially with a big purchase such as a new motorcycle.

Styling - Fury wins hands down. The line from the headlight, to the gas tank, down the frame is just perfect. Simple, beautiful lines. Front fender is great, rear fender, while plastic, wraps the tire and looks great. No real need for an aftermarket rear fender.

The raider needs that low front fender to set it off, and I'm really disappointed that Yamaha kept their rear fender design. That big rear end begs for a nice rear fender to wrap around it.

The fury also has a great looking stock exhaust. Personally, I doubt I'd change mine out. The raider, like most yamaha bikes, comes with a butt ugly exhaust that is usually the first thing to go. Advantage, fury.

Price - Fury is a bit cheaper.

Reliability - I'm really not sure. I've heard great things about both bikes

Rear Tire - Raider wins, 210 vs 200 (?) on the fury. PLUS, a 240 fits right on the raider's stock rim. Also, belt drive makes larger rim & tire combinations an easier fit.

Engine - Raider wins with the bigger engine. Aesthetically, I think the fury has the better looking engine. To me personally, the raider engine looks bulky and too busy. The simplicity of the fury engine is nice.

Final Drive - I prefer belt drives, personal choice.

Brakes - I think the raider has the better braking capability with twin front rotors.

Overall, I think either bike would be fantastic. I think the raider would make a better bike if someone were only to have one bike. It looks better with windshields and bags and would probably be better suited for touring than a fury.

I think if a guy already had another bike, the fury would be the more fun second bike to own. It will turn more heads and require fewer mods out of the box to look stellar.

 

[RAWONE]

I have a few bikes in my bike shop but I only buy high end bikes that are within my budget. That being said, I have 3 Star bikes that are the cream of the crop, a Road Star Silverado(bagger), a new Raider(simply awesome), and the new VMax which is incredible (beyond description).

I have seen, riden and serviced a Fury recently and think they are a great looking bike for the money and the answer to the average joe who wants a stretched looking Chopper. You won't have the most power, nor will you have the quality of chromed real metal, nor will the rims be chromed easily, since the chromer will have to polish the crap out of the stockers to remove all the flashing, and cast in "Honda" and assortment of stuff BEFORE he can plate. The amount of plastic would make tupperware very proud and Revell couldn't even make a plastic bike as well as this one.

BUT, It's gonna be a big seller and as long as the owner is happy....it's a win-win situation. I like the bike personally, even if I don't want to own one. It's been a great bike so far to one of my riding buddies and he's enjoying it very much.

The Raider is a no holds barred cruiser with a lot of power and great styling. There are lots of aftermarket products for the Riader, and maybe the Fury will be close behind soon enough.


New guy here. I'm Bill from RAW Design (metricfats.com).
We have several bikes in the stable. Have had M109 for 3 years, Raider for 1 year and picked up a Fury this past Friday. Here are my first thoughts which are very much in line with the above.
The Raider and Fury are not a good comparison except for price. Very different bikes. Raider vs. 109 is a better performance comparison. Raider vs. Fury is more of a styling discussion. If they ever put the 1800 in the Fury and make some other relatively simple upgrades, it will be the best of both worlds.
I think the Fury is targeted more towards a step up from a 750-850CC bike than an all-out power cruiser, but styled very well and has a ton of customizing potential.