Thinking of a Cruiser.

[johno]

I have changed jobs recently, and one of the blokes I work with had a Honda Shadow cruiser that he did 75,000ks on before selling it.
He reckoned it was the best bike he ever had, and the most comfortable for long trips. A long trip for him was a 7,000k run in 5 days. He now has a VFR800 Vtec, but is adament that his next bike is going to be a cruiser again.
I must say, I enjoyed my Harley when I had it, it was a lot more comfortable than any of the Beemers I have had. I am seriosly thinking of looking at a cruiser as my next bike, as the speed limits in Aus are getting lower, and Officer Plod is making a very good effort in reducing our income at every chance, so slowing down is going to be very important in the very near future.
I need my licence to get to work, and as much as my wife says just slow down, she dont ride, and dont understand the temptation to "give it" a squirt every now and then.
Dont get me wrong, I like my R very much, but this cruiser thing makes a lot of sense to me.
Anyone else get the urge now and then.??

[cruiser]

Anyone else get the urge now and then.??

Yes!

My previous two bikes were both Honda Valkyrie cruisers - one Interstate and one Tourer. Both bikes were owned when I lived in Wales and I rode mostly with friends, as a member of the Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club. However, since making a permanent move to Germany, I've decided that for the kind of riding I want to do, which is purely for leisure and mostly on weekends (and alone), my R1150R is pretty much ideal for me. The R1150R does not, IMO, have the charisma of a big cruiser, Harley or whatever, but I've decided that this is no longer so important to me and, in any case, the R1150R is still a fine looking motorcycle. Ironically, my impression is that here in Germany Harleys are far more popular than BMs. The last time I saw so many Hogs was during Daytona Bike Week!

I think you're right about the comfort thing - my Valks were sooo relaxing to ride. I'm currently trying to make my R1150R 'acceptably' comfortable for me, starting with bar-backs and probably, before too long, a new seat.

cruiser

[Philbie]

I know just what your thinking!

just a week ago took a Triumph Speedmaster for a test ride. It was the very first time I had ridden a "cruiser" type bike in my history of Motorbikes.

It would be fair to say I thought it was fantastic! A smooth gear box, no wind noise or buffeting, an exhaust note! it was laid back and very relaxing to say the least.

I was so confused as to which way to go, (and still am) i swapped bikes several times and rode the same course just to work out the good and bad points between the two bikes.

What did I learn?

The beemer seat is SOOOOOO comfy, and it has the build quality, the toy features (radio, heated grips etc..) and for trips (if i ever do any) it wins hands down.

The Triumph was smoooth, great clutch and gearbox, sounded sensational, and looked great - suspension was firm, no toy features at all, and the instrument panel lacking (couldn't see the panel lights in the sun)

To sum it up - I WANT BOTH!

can't have both - and I still can't make up my mind which bike suits my needs best.

The plot thickens.

[johno]

I am not looking for street cred, more like a relaxing ride in comfort.
I have tried several different seats on my R, and still not very comfortable.
I have tried 2 sets of risers, and currently have a set of bar backs which compliment the shape of my current seat.
I am more looking at the Jap cruisers, Yamaha 1100, or Honda/Kawasaki.
Have to ride several before making my mind up.
I ride with different people, some have sport bikes, some cruisers, some both.
My mate has a Yamaha FZS6, as well as a Honda Shadow, and when I asked what he would keep if only one was possible, without hesitation, he said the Cruiser.

[johno]

Philbie, I havent ridden the Trumpys yet, but sat on the America when it 1st came out, and liked the seating possie very much.
I had an RT, and I found it very uncomfortable, as I have with all of my 4 beemers, even with different seats.
The "toys" dont interest me, as I like the solitued riding a bike gives me.
I dont do a lot of long trips, so not an issue. (1,000ks round trip my longest)
Unfortunately, I cant afford 2 bikes either, so making a decision is hard.

[sjbmw]

Cruisers tend to be the only bikes I can flat foot, so I look at them all the time. But the cruisers I have ridden really forfeit a lot in the handling department. My 1150 really forgives my lack of skills with superior suspension and brakes, and it's hard to give that up.

This has a 26.5 inch seat height, and is one tempting looking bike.

[DJ Downunder]

Hey johno..Don't do it.. ..Our bikes can be enjoyed even when riden slow..You just need to work on your self control...btw..same here..bloody cops and cameras..

DJ

[Tripton]

Nope. Never.


And....no one is serious about thinking that Victory monsrosity is good looking...right???

[yjleesvrr]

I really enjoy my Harley Dyna, but if I had to pick one to keep it would be the Roadster.

Having said that, I recently bought a Harley "Sundowner" seat for my Dyna Glide Sport and it feels like pure heaven to my butt. The bike puts me nearly upright and the larger shield I recently bought for it is roughly comparable to the touring shield I have on my Roadster in terms of effectiveness. I rode 240 miles on it down to Blacksburg from Northern VA and was able to compare the new feel of the Harley to my Roadster that I rode up the next day (from Blacksburg to Northern VA). I would say that they are comparable in comfort levels, but when the weather gets cold the Roadster is still superior.

Oh yeah, the Harley still doesn't handle anywhere near as well as the Roadster.

[tkm]

Before you take the step over to a cruiser try to take it for an extended test ride at least 30 minutes in the seat. Most cruisers lock you into one riding posture and if this doesn't fit you it can be pure torture on a longer ride.................tkm

[Boxer]

johno, I feel your pain. The Roadster is a bike that always makes me smile, but sometimes I admire those cruiser types who looks so comfy and laid back with their lady hangin' on to'em. They appear to be having a leisurely good time, which I can't seem to accomplish on the Roadster. My Roadster is HDAD....It won't just slow down and cruise limply along. It wants to 'giddy-up'!

Even so. I sometimes ride my wife's little cruiser Suzuki, and the seating position is so worrisome and painful it nullifies any laid-back cruising benefits. I suspect the same is true of the larger cruisers.

[DJ Downunder]

I wouldn't mind a BMW Montauk..it's like BMW version of the Harley Fatboy....They might even become a collectors item one day.

Nice mirrors..

DJ

[johno]

When I got back into bikes after a 10 year break, I bought a Turbo XJ650 Yammy.
Then I happened to see a Harley Heritage Springer at a dealer intown, and his trade deal on my XJ was too good to refuse.
That bike was the most comfortable bike I have ever owned, no butt pain at all, so if I can get something in that comfort zone, I will be keen.
I rode my Harley 450ks to trade it on my 1st BMW, R1150GS, and no butt pain going up on the Harley, but plenty on the BMW after the 1st 100ks.
I will ride as many as I can to get a feel for the seat, but it would not have to be very good to beat any BMW seat.
I realize they dont handle as good as our Beemers, but they arent ment to.
I am just looking for a change I guess.

[Philbie]

I wouldn't mind a BMW Montauk..it's like BMW version of the Harley Fatboy....They might even become a collectors item one day.

Nice mirrors..

DJ

OK DJ, now that what I'd have too - don't go putting ideas into other peoples heads.....

[ASQTec]

Variety is the spice of life. Go for two.

I would love to make it a threesome by adding a V-Max, and then ride it real slow......

[lcarlson]

Cruisers give you a nice, laid back, mellow kind of ride, but you'll not get the versatility the 50R provides in spades.

Larry

02 R1150R
00 Buell M2 Cyclone
00 Kawi Nomad Fi
05 H-D Sportster xl 1200C

[silverstreak]

In the three weeks or so that I've had my R I haven't even looked at my cruiser, though I still love it. I suppose it's the excitement of a new bike, but I've found the R just more fun to drive. Maybe not as cool as the cruiser (a custom painted Kawi Meanstreak) but that's fine by me. My decision is to keep both bikes, using the cruiser for long, especially highway rides.

BTW, I wouldn't recommend the Honda Shadow. I had one several years ago when I got back into riding and quickly found it to be way too lacking in power. It's also not the greatest bike from a fit and finish standpoint.

[mad1150]

I can say that the Yamaha Star cruisers are very nice.

I rode the 1100 Custom most of last year, stock seat sucks, but the bike is sound. We put a windshield, saddlebags, and a Mustang seat set on it. My wife rides it now and loves it. We have a Star 650 too, great starter bike!

This year they released the 1300 Fuel Injected model. Starting with the 1300, they switch to a flange-less tank, and steel fenders for easier customization.

My neighbor has a 2006 Warrior, now that thing hauls a$$! Looks like it would be a very fun cruiser, like the Meanstreak that "silverstreak" mentioned.


But I feel more confident and comfortable on my R!

[Buckster]

You can have your cruiser...I had one and will probably never own one again.
Very uncomfortable IMO-Legs-Knees-Back were killing on trips longer than an hour. Not a bad ride if your going to your local pub and park like alot of cruiser riders do.


Another thing....you see them everywhere!


The R is a better ride in All ways IMO.

[duke]

Cruisers look nice, I must admit.

However for me bikes are about being different and practical.

Of course there is always exception to the rule and given enough money I would consider R1200GS.
I know there are too many GSs flying around, and Rocksters are far and few between.
But it is about being practical.

If I have to choose for comfort - I would rather like to try K1200GT (the new one, not that fat contraption of the past).
152 Bhp on the crank should be enough for anyone I reckon.

Speed cameras and police - it is all down to self discipline. You can equally get jailed for speeding on F650.
There are always times and places when you can be throttle happy, and get away with it.

Of course if all else fails - you can all come to live in UK as there is hardly any Traffic Police left on the streets ...

... and all Speed cameras are mapped on your GPS so you know where to slow down