Three years after the introduction of its VX1900 S Raider, Yamaha is taking the Chopper plunge again with the new Stryker. Featuring the lines and leanings of the genre, the new V-Star 1300-based cruiser arrives just in time to stimulate sales during these difficult times with its low-as-you-can go pricing.

The Stryker holds its own corners despite an enormous 210-mm rear tire. (Photo: Glenn Roberts)

No doubt nettled by Honda’s Fury launched in 2008, Yamaha is – ahem – striking back this fall with the Stryker, which serves up the American chopper goods Japanese-style: 21-inch front wheel, huge rear tire, raked out fork and elevated front, prominent dual exhaust pipes and short mudguards.

Sophisticated powerplant
Yamaha has jettisoned the obsolescent air-cooled mill powering the V-Star 1100, instead equipping the Stryker with its contemporary successor, already seen on the V-Star 1300. More sophisticated and powerful, the 1,304-cc, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled twin boasts four valves per cylinder as well as forged pistons and connecting rods, ensuring a more attractive weight-strength ratio. The engine produces some great sensations thanks to a crankshaft design where a single crank pin is used for both connecting rods, and counter balancer shafts that neutralize vibrations.

It turns out impressive performances worthy of a larger displacement mill, bringing the age-old question back to the forefront: is bigger really better? It offers energetic throttle response, maintains a decent cruising speed even in high winds, and easily handles what you throw at it, no matter the conditions or the riding situation: city, road, highway, one-up or two-up.

The wide-ratio 5-speed gearbox feels solid, delivering curt gear shifts accompanied by a reassuring mechanical sound reminiscent of those big American cruisers. The whole drivetrain does give off an annoying feeling of looseness, especially at low speeds, despite the final belt drive, which has by its nature has zero free play, in addition to being quiet, efficient and requiring zero maintenance.

Small twin but, great sensations and impressive performances. (Photo: Yamaha)