Specs

Crossed Coil Wires

Tank Sticker Removal

Engine Clean-up

3-Part Install - Cobra Swept, Fi2000R, K&N

Stage 1 Rear Fender Clean-up

Performance Edge Tail Light and Side Mount License Plate

Blacked-Out Belt Guard

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On this page we'll continually gather as much information as possible regarding maintenance (mechanical and appearance, routine and otherwise) of our specific bike - specifications, part numbers, articles, suggestions, etc..., as well as parts installation, and other custom modifications that Raider Owners have submitted.

If you have any experience with a particular maintenance or modification issue, please let us know about it - post it in the forum or send us an email.  Manuals can only tell us so much, there's no substitute for experience in the field.

Important Part Numbers and Other Specs

Oil Filter

Spark Plugs

Air Filter

Tires

Exhaust Crush Gaskets (2) - Vital when installing new pipes

Color-Rite Color Codes - factory OEM paint colors from Color-Rite.com.  Note: Candy Red on Standard Raider and Raider S requires Base and Top coats.  Tommy Blue and Raven require Top coat only.

There have been several reports, through our forum as well as others, that some Raiders were delivered with crossed coil wires, primarily on the right side of the bike.  Located on the Raider behind the false air-cleaner covers on both sides of the engine, the coils generate the voltage that fires the spark plugs, of which there are 2 for each cylinder.  While long term or permanent engine damage is not likely with the coil wires crossed, one of the two plugs would not fire at the correct time, possibly leading to rough idling and decreased engine performance, particularly noticeable at lower engine speeds.  If you notice any engine performance issues that cannot be otherwise explained, it's easy to check out if this condition exists, and is worth a look.  IMPORTANT - remember that ignition coils generate potentially dangerous levels of voltage.  If you are not familiar with their operation, get the assistance of a qualified technician, or even better, take your bike to your dealer and have them repair the situation under warrantee.  If you find this condition exists on your bike, notify your dealer so that they can report the problem to Yamaha.

With the right-side coil cover removed (2 Allen screws), observe the two coils on the right side of the motor.

CORRECT - The coil on the left generates voltage for the rear cylinder (#1), and is fed with an Orange wire.  The coil on the right is for the front cylinder (#2) and is connected to a Green/Red wire.  Note the white ring labeled "2" around the front coil wire.

Photo courtesy of forum member Coyote

WRONG - Note how the Green/Red wire labeled "2" is connected to the left-hand coil for cylinder #1.

Photo courtesy of forum member Raider113

Removal of Tank Stickers/Decals

OK, I'm putting this is the maintenance section 'cause I wasn't quite sure where else to put it, plus we can chalk it up to an appearance issue.  The Raider is a custom inspired motorcycle, the appearance and style of which Star clearly put a lot of thought into.  After all that work, they still had to apply those warning stickers on the tank that tell us to wear our helmets and goggles and put in premium fuel (good advice, all of it - but we already knew this).  These decals are a jagged scar on the face of a supermodel.  Your dealer is not allowed to remove them, but that doesn't mean you can't.  After consulting the forum and doing a little searching, the general consensus is a hair dryer, WD-40 and a little patience will do the trick.

From Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine, this article sums it up perfectly, and provides some photos as well.

This modification comes courtesy of Forum Member Sleepercell (aka Ryan from Idaho), and shows how to remove the side covers from the Raider Engine, following installation of a Patrick Racing Big Air Kit, completely showing-off the entire left and right side of the motor.  Complete instructions and photos here.

This 3-part How-to is brought to us by Ninja-Matic (Jack from Mokena, IL).  His extremely well-photographed and written presentation shows us how to install a set of Cobra Swept Slashdown pipes and Cobra Fi2000R Fuel Controller, as well as modification of the stock airbox and installation of a high-flow K&N Panel Filter #YA-1906.  Instructions and photos here.

We designed this simple modification for those Raider owners who wanted to free up the view of the rear tire by getting rid of some of the extra plastic on the fender, while keeping an illuminated license plate on the back of the bike, and retaining the stock turn signals.

Performance Edge Integrated Tail Light and Side Mount License Plate

In our Stage 2 Rear Fender Clean-up, we completely remove the stock license plate bracket and turn signals, and install a Performance Edge Integrated Tail Light and Side Mount License Plate.  The turn signals are completely integrated into the tail light assembly.  Also posted on the Our Bike page, complete details can be found here.

If you aren't happy with the plain metal upper belt guard, aren't interested in adding more chrome to your Raider (especially you Raven owners out there), and don't have access to a powder coater, it's a real simple proposition to paint it to match the swingarm and engine cases - first suggested in our forums by BusaJack (John from Cheyenne, WY).

After removing the guard from the bike (two Allen screws), we primed it with one coat of Rust-oleum metal primer, followed by four coats of Rust-oleum Textured Flat Black spray paint.