Any point to leveling a strider?

I just leveled my recently transformed star strider from 55 to 56, only to find that none of its stats changed in any useful way. Sure its defence and atk ratings went up, but those stats only make a difference when leveling the strider, not riding it. So I'm wondering if there's any point to leveling my strider up to close to my main's level. I read in 'The Library' that there is a penalty applied if the strider is too much higher than the rider; does this penalty apply to a rider above the strider's level range as well? ie will I see improved/un-penalized stats if i get the strider to within 5 levels of my main?

striders are mainly for fast transport..

my strider iss 55 and im 70+.. same speed

Correct... striders are ment for speed. Much more useful than people are willing to give them credit for. Oh and perfect for training lol (just make sure your strider has some competent defensive buffs)

"As a strider's level goes up, its Speed will also increase and likewise, if a strider's level goes down, its Speed will decrease as well."

So the above (taken from here (http://www.lineage2.com/Knowledge/pet_4.html) ) is not true? Has anyone actually levelled their strider to confirm one way or another?