2012 Yamaha XV1900 Raider SCL – No. 123 of 500 – Ultra-Rare Star Custom Line – £9,495

Every now and again, a motorcycle comes back through our doors that we already know very well — and this is one of those bikes.

This spectacular 2012 Yamaha XV1900 Raider SCL was originally imported by us from the USA several years ago and subsequently sold to its previous UK owner. He has now reluctantly offered it back to us, purely because the sheer size and physical presence of the Raider are becoming a little too much for him as his knees have deteriorated.

We were more than happy to have it back.

And this is no ordinary Yamaha Raider.

This is Raider SCL No. 123 of just 500 produced for the 2012 model year, complete with its individually numbered SCL tank plaque. The 2012 Raider SCL was officially sold exclusively in the United States, meaning examples here in Britain are extraordinarily uncommon. Even in America these are limited-production motorcycles; in the UK, seeing one in the flesh is a genuinely rare occurrence.

With 33,271 miles, a huge specification, several excellent touring and custom additions and that unmistakable six-layer Blazing Orange SCL finish, this really is something very special.

The Story Behind the Yamaha Raider

To understand why the SCL matters, it helps to understand the Raider itself.

Yamaha launched the Raider into the North American market as a 2008 model. At the time, the American cruiser scene was heavily influenced by stretched, raked-out custom motorcycles, but Yamaha wanted to produce a machine that captured that dramatic custom-bike appearance without sacrificing the reliability, handling and engineering quality of a properly developed production motorcycle.

The result was the Raider: a long, low and muscular factory custom built around Yamaha’s enormous 1,854cc / 113 cubic inch air-cooled V-twin, sitting in an aluminium chassis and wearing a radically stretched front end. Yamaha described its development philosophy as combining “artistic design” with handling performance that defied the conventional custom-bike image.

The engine is a proper big-inch cruiser motor: a 48-degree, pushrod-operated OHV V-twin with four valves and two spark plugs per cylinder, electronic fuel injection and maximum torque arriving at only 2,500rpm. Power is transmitted through a five-speed gearbox and heavy-duty belt final drive, giving the Raider the relaxed, muscular delivery that suits this style of motorcycle so perfectly.

The chassis was equally unusual. A long wheelbase, 21-inch front wheel, huge 210-section rear tyre and combined 39-degree front-end rake create the dramatic stretched-out look, yet Yamaha engineered the geometry specifically to retain natural steering and good straight-line stability.

It was never intended to be merely a motorcycle that looked like a custom.

It was designed to ride like a Yamaha while looking like something that had come out of a custom workshop.

Then Came the SCL – Star Custom Line

For 2012 Yamaha’s American Star Motorcycles division took the Raider concept considerably further and launched the Star Custom Line — SCL.

The Raider SCL was the first model used to introduce this new limited-production factory-custom programme. Rather than asking an owner to buy a standard motorcycle and then spend thousands customising it, Yamaha created a premium, individually numbered version straight from the factory.

And they deliberately kept it exclusive.

Only 500 examples of the 2012 Raider SCL were produced, and Yamaha sold them exclusively through its American dealer network. The original US retail price was $19,990 — some $4,800 more than the Raider S on which it was based.

That premium bought considerably more than a numbered badge.

The 2012 SCL received a specially developed high-metallic Blazing Orange paint finish, created using a six-layer process with metal flake and bespoke graphics. Yamaha also commissioned special chrome wheels developed with Performance Machine, together with a matching chrome rear pulley and chrome belt guard. Stainless-steel mesh control lines, special trim and an SCL-specific leather saddle completed the factory-custom treatment.

And sitting on top of the fuel tank was the finishing touch: an exclusive metal SCL plaque carrying the individual motorcycle’s production number.

On this bike it reads:

NO. 123 / 500

That badge is not simply cosmetic — it identifies this as one of the original 500 motorcycles produced for the inaugural 2012 Raider SCL run.

Exceptionally Rare in the UK

The rarity of this motorcycle deserves emphasising.

A production run of 500 motorcycles is small by any standard, but Yamaha then restricted the 2012 Raider SCL to the American market.

Consequently, there was no normal UK dealer supply of these machines. For a 2012 SCL to be sitting on British soil today, somebody had to find one in America, buy it, ship it across the Atlantic and register it here.

That is exactly what we did with this motorcycle.

We imported it ourselves several years ago, so unlike many unusual imported bikes appearing on the market, this is a machine whose UK story we already know.

For collectors of unusual Yamaha cruisers — or simply someone who wants to turn up at a bike night on something the person parked next to them is extremely unlikely to have — this is a very difficult motorcycle to replicate.

The SCL Factory Specification

As well as its individually numbered status, this bike retains the visual ingredients that made the first-generation SCL so distinctive:

• 1,854cc / 113ci air-cooled 48-degree V-twin
• Electronic fuel injection
• Pushrod OHV engine with four valves and twin spark plugs per cylinder
• Five-speed transmission
• Belt final drive
• Factory six-layer high-metallic Blazing Orange SCL paint
• SCL-specific custom graphics
• Individually numbered SCL tank badge – No. 123/500
• Custom chrome wheels co-developed by Yamaha/Star and Performance Machine
• Matching chrome rear pulley
• Matching chrome belt guard
• Stainless-steel mesh control lines
• Dual front disc brakes
• 21-inch front wheel
• Huge 210/40-18 rear tyre
• Aluminium chassis and swingarm
• Low-slung, stretched Raider riding position

Those Performance Machine-developed wheels, pulley and belt guard are particularly significant SCL details: period reports noted that Yamaha deliberately did not make the unique SCL components available for ordinary Raider owners simply to buy and bolt onto their motorcycles.

Touring & Custom Equipment on This Bike

The previous specification has been enhanced further with a very useful selection of extras.

Colour-Coordinated Detachable Batwing

The most obvious addition is the large colour-matched Blazing Orange batwing fairing.

It suits the scale and proportions of the Raider extremely well and completely changes the character of the motorcycle from open custom cruiser to something approaching a custom bagger.

The fairing is easily detachable, allowing the bike to be changed back to its more stripped-down Raider appearance whenever required.

It is finished with a black tinted eyebrow-style windshield, which looks superb against the orange paint.

Bluetooth Hi-Fi System

Built into the batwing is a proper audio installation consisting of:

• JVC Bluetooth digital-media head unit
• Amplified audio system
• Four DRVN speakers
• USB input
• AUX input
• Bluetooth music streaming

So whether the bike is being used for a local Sunday ride or a full day on the road, you have a genuine integrated sound system rather than a portable speaker strapped to the handlebars.

And because the complete batwing can be removed, you are not permanently committed to the touring setup.

Aftermarket Shotgun Exhausts

The original exhaust system has been replaced with a pair of beautifully simple chrome shotgun-style exhausts.

They visually suit the Raider perfectly, following the long, low line of the bike and showing off the rear wheel rather than hiding it behind an oversized silencer.

More importantly, they give that enormous 113ci Yamaha V-twin the soundtrack it deserves — a deep, traditional V-twin rumble that adds character without changing what makes the Raider such an enjoyable motorcycle.

Professionally Reworked Seat

The seat has been professionally restitched in black leather with contrasting orange diamond stitching.

It works extremely well with the Blazing Orange bodywork, and the diamond pattern continues the custom theme without looking overdone.

The result is a far more individual interior treatment than the normal production saddle and ties the black, orange and chrome colour scheme together beautifully.

Rare Sissy Bar & Luggage Rack

At the rear is one of the harder Raider accessories to find today: a substantial passenger sissy bar with SCL-style pad and chrome luggage rack.

Please note that there is currently no key for the locking mechanism and the sissy bar is locked onto the motorcycle, so we want to be completely transparent about that.

A supportive rider backrest is also fitted, making the riding position considerably more comfortable on longer journeys.

Additional Chrome & Touring Details

The motorcycle also benefits from:

• Chrome swingarm covers
• Large chrome engine/crash bar
• Auxiliary driving lights
• Chrome-and-rubber custom grips
• Extensive factory chrome engine detailing
• Chrome front-end components
• Braided brake and clutch lines
• Stainless-mesh throttle cabling
• Passenger footpegs
• Rear luggage rack

There is a tremendous amount to look at on this motorcycle, and the more closely you inspect it, the more detail becomes apparent.

Condition

For a motorcycle of this age, the overall condition is fantastic.

The Blazing Orange metallic paint still has tremendous depth and sparkle, the custom graphics remain beautifully presented and the large amount of chrome fitted throughout the bike gives it enormous visual impact.

The engine, wheels, exhausts, front end and cycle parts all present extremely well.

There are, inevitably, a few age-related marks, and we have deliberately highlighted these in the accompanying video walkaround rather than attempting to disguise them. Nothing we have seen would concern us; they are simply the sort of minor cosmetic imperfections you should reasonably expect on a 2012 motorcycle that has actually been ridden and enjoyed.

Please watch the full video and study the photographs — we would always rather show a motorcycle honestly than photograph around its imperfections.

Mileage

33,271 miles

For an 1,854cc Yamaha cruiser built for big-mile road use, the mileage does not worry us at all, and the motorcycle presents extremely well for it.

Why This Raider SCL Is Different

There are plenty of motorcycles that have been customised after leaving the showroom.

This is different.

The Raider SCL started life as a factory-built limited edition, created specifically to showcase Yamaha’s ability to produce a genuine high-end custom cruiser without losing the engineering, reliability and usability for which the company is known.

Then this particular example was enhanced further with a colour-matched detachable touring fairing, Bluetooth sound system, four-speaker audio, shotgun pipes, custom stitched seating, backrests, luggage rack, additional chrome and touring equipment.

And beneath all of it remains that numbered plaque:

No. 123 of 500 built for 2012.

Add the fact that the 2012 SCL was originally sold only in America and you begin to appreciate how unusual it is to find one already imported, UK registered and sitting here available to buy.

If you have been looking for a Yamaha XV1900 Raider for sale in the UK, there will always be other Raiders.

If you specifically want a 2012 Raider SCL, the opportunities are considerably fewer.

Key Details

Make: Yamaha
Model: XV1900 Raider SCL / Star Custom Line
Year: 2012
Production Number: No. 123 of 500 built for 2012
Engine: 1,854cc / 113ci air-cooled V-twin
Fuel System: Electronic fuel injection
Transmission: 5-speed
Final Drive: Belt
Colour: SCL Blazing Orange metallic with custom graphics
Mileage: 33,271 miles
Origin: USA – previously imported by American Cruiser UK
Condition: Fantastic overall, with minor age-related marks shown in the video
Price: £9,495

Price & Availability

£9,495

This is not simply a brightly coloured Yamaha Raider with a few accessories fitted.

It is an individually numbered, first-year Raider SCL factory custom, No. 123 of a 500-bike US production run, finished in one of the most recognisable colour schemes Yamaha ever put on a cruiser and now fitted with an excellent selection of carefully chosen extras.

We imported it once.

We sold it once.

And now, somewhat unexpectedly, we have the opportunity to offer it for sale again.

For the right person, this is a very special motorcycle indeed.

Available now at American Cruiser UK — £9,495.