Anybody owned or ridden a Yamaha Radian?

[bad Chad]

These were a parts bin bike from Yamaha from 86 to 91.   In line 600 4, looked a little like a smaller Vmax.

[Shorty]

Howdy. Yes I owned one, an 86 model. I bought it used after being inspired by the praise the Radian received from Cycle World magazine. Fun bike. Low to the ground (important for my 30 inch inseam,) fairly light weight. I was not used to the power delivery after riding mostly high torque twins. I pulled a few accidental wheelies
which is uncharacteristic for me. It's a little hot rod with a mildly detuned sportbike engine in it. It did not suit my needs at the time with its lack of storage, and it seemed a shame to cover that little beauty up with a windscreen and luggage. I had zero problems with it in my short ownership. CW article:  https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1986/7/1/yamaha-yx600-radian

[guzzisteve]

I race one with the LM3 and all I saw in my rear view mirror was a headlight going up & down behind me. I guess he thought he had a fast bike, just not fast enough. I had an 8/35 rear gear set & once you got 2nd you were gone.

[chuck peterson]

Long time ago…in a galaxy far far away…

I read a road story about a young lady who soldiered on with a Radian from the lower 48 to Alaska. Perfectly unsuitable to the situation but she kept on keeping on. Updates from the trip created a large following, and garage help from the audience of new friends

I’ll try a search

[chuck peterson]

Here she is..

2010 on ADV rider. Her brother was killed by a drunk driver.





https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/virginia-to-alaska-and-back-on-an-86-yamaha-radian.831213/

[Stretch]

I read that story on ADVRider, too. Epic tale - real adventure stuff.
Recommended!

The bike stood up just fine. Tough, tough machines.

                                       -Stretch

[DoubleGuzzi]

Awesome story, that. I gave up reading after 1.5-2 hours 'cos it's about time I got back to polishing my bikes!   

[davethewelder]

I sold them back then at a multi line Japanese dealer, most people went with the Honda 650 Nighthawk both were great.

[Motormike]

Long time ago…in a galaxy far far away…

I read a road story about a young lady who soldiered on with a Radian from the lower 48 to Alaska. Perfectly unsuitable to the situation but she kept on keeping on. Updates from the trip created a large following, and garage help from the audience of new friends

I’ll try a search

I remember that story as well.  Very early in (at least for me) my ADV days.

[nwguy]

I bought one in the mid 90s after not owning a bike for 15 years. Pretty good bike! Cheap too.

The gal's tale of her AK trip sure is a good read.