Making the jump from SS to Cruiser?

rbjeepthing

rbjeepthing

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A Little Background:
So I purchased my most recent SS (07 CBR RR) back in January and so far this season have logged just over 11,000km currently. I'm 30 years old and the wife rides as well solely for pleasure no commuting. My current riding group varies between 8-12 people all of us on SS. Our rides consist of twisties up north varying between 400-600 km per day.

The Concerns:
I was reminded yesterday going to Dover how much I hated the ergonomics and lack of storage space on a SS. I went with an older crowd not my regular group who were all on baggers and deckers except for 3 of us on SS's. Sure I know I can get bags from SW Motech for my bike and change to more ergonomic bars and a better seat but I feel it still may not be enough. The cruiser is starting to appeal even more now since I have been considering doing some weekend trips. Another side of things is the maintenance on the SS. I'm on my second set of tires this season and have started resenting the chain setup, a belt or shaft drive just makes more sense. Also I think it's only a matter of time before I do something stupid and either loose my life or my license. I've been riding for 25 years and do for the most part have decent control but once and awhile adrenalin takes over.

The Bikes I have Considered:
So initially I thought well maybe switch to a naked bike for the improved ergonomics but I cant really seem to find one I like. They are either almost a SS or a cheap version of something in between. Not to mention most don't look all that great in my opinion. This is where the cruiser comes in. I don't expect the world out of a cruiser when it comes to suspension but the added capability of realistic options luggage wise makes it appealing along with the comfort of the riding position.

The Verdict:
So here it is I am really considering selling my current bike and purchasing a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom. I love the look of the bike. It is priced well within my budget. I fit decently well on it and actually like the way it rides. Do you think I will regret it? Will I be completely left in the dust with my current riding group? I'm cool with playing catch up on the straights.

Suggestions, Experiences etc will be appreciated.

Thanks Adrian
 
rbjeepthing said:
A Little Background:
So I purchased my most recent SS (07 CBR RR) back in January and so far this season have logged just over 11,000km currently. I'm 30 years old and the wife rides as well solely for pleasure no commuting. My current riding group varies between 8-12 people all of us on SS. Our rides consist of twisties up north varying between 400-600 km per day.

The Concerns:
I was reminded yesterday going to Dover how much I hated the ergonomics and lack of storage space on a SS. I went with an older crowd not my regular group who were all on baggers and deckers except for 3 of us on SS's. Sure I know I can get bags from SW Motech for my bike and change to more ergonomic bars and a better seat but I feel it still may not be enough. The cruiser is starting to appeal even more now since I have been considering doing some weekend trips. Another side of things is the maintenance on the SS. I'm on my second set of tires this season and have started resenting the chain setup, a belt or shaft drive just makes more sense. Also I think it's only a matter of time before I do something stupid and either loose my life or my license. I've been riding for 25 years and do for the most part have decent control but once and awhile adrenalin takes over.

The Bikes I have Considered:
So initially I thought well maybe switch to a naked bike for the improved ergonomics but I cant really seem to find one I like. They are either almost a SS or a cheap version of something in between. Not to mention most don't look all that great in my opinion. This is where the cruiser comes in. I don't expect the world out of a cruiser when it comes to suspension but the added capability of realistic options luggage wise makes it appealing along with the comfort of the riding position.

The Verdict:
So here it is I am really considering selling my current bike and purchasing a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom. I love the look of the bike. It is priced well within my budget. I fit decently well on it and actually like the way it rides. Do you think I will regret it? Will I be completely left in the dust with my current riding group? I'm cool with playing catch up on the straights.

Suggestions, Experiences etc will be appreciated.

Thanks Adrian
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I have a 900 Classic without bags or WS. Very similar to a custom. I test rode a custom and decided on the classic. PM me and we can chat.
 
While I never had or will have SS I was also having same dilemma thinking it is either or until I saw Buell Ulysses. That is where I realized I do not have to get cruiser to get away from SS ergonomics. You might want to take a look at any of Triumph tigers, 1050 being closest to best road performance or Vstrom for more economic entry in this kind of bike. On Tiger 1050 you have all day comfort, luggage that goes off in a turn of the key and still 115hp on 230kg wet. I think it is best of both worlds and it will not leave you wishing for much. Cheers!
 
Vulcan 900 is a fantastic bike. It was my plan B before I purchased my Stryker.
Cruisers rock. Make the switch. You'll be happy.
 
thanks for the replies so far. It's only made things worse since no one says don't..lol

dieselxx said:
Have you tried sitting on any Ducati monsters? Or how about the Aprilia shiver?
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Had a Monster 696 demo bike for a few weeks and didn't like it. I found it's handling slugish and not to mention not a fan of air cooled bikes.

Also dealer support is no where (location) close to my residential location. Same goes for the Aprilia. Both are also out of my price range.
 
why not a sport touring?? you get the best of both, and the new Ninja 1000 looks badass..
 
I have never heard anybody ever say anything bad about a Vstrom. I know a Ducati owner that switched to a Vstrom esp. for road trips.

http://www.stromtrooper.com/

p.s. I don't ride but one just the same, I hear it's true.
 
LoneRonin said:
why not a sport touring?? you get the best of both, and the new Ninja 1000 looks badass..
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Would love a Ninja 1000 but then again it goes against the more calm nature of the cruiser not to mention once kitted out would be well above my budget. :-(. Maybe i should make this clear i have to sell my current bike and can go up or down a thousand to get the new one.

johnp said:
I have never heard anybody ever say anything bad about a Vstrom. I know a Ducati owner that switched to a Vstrom esp. for road trips.

http://www.stromtrooper.com/

p.s. I don't ride but one just the same, I hear it's true.
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No offfense to any of the Vstrom guys as I know they are great bikes and have their purpose but those have to be one of the ugliest bikes out there not to mention seem soulless. If I was looking for a second bike then sure to just commute on and put away dirty I would likely consider one but anything other then that they are just not for me.
 
I picked up a used fz1 with luggage this year for an affordable price.

I can honestly say I've never ridden a bike so slowly on the street but enjoyed it at the same time.

Just cruise all day on the thing with no desire to speed. The power is there if I want to go hooligan.

My only regret was not buying some like this a few years earlier.

I actually like street riding again.
 
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I've got a VN900C, I love it. It's a great machine a really solid value. The only cruiser I would want would be a Ultra Classic for touring purposes.

I try to get out with Booya's muskoka rides as much as possible and have no issues keeping up with the group. The bike could do more but i like my clean record just the way it is.

Im also in Barrie, so if you have any questions shoot me a PM or drop by.
 
Do you like to really lean into corners? If yes, then don't get a cruiser as an only bike.

It's that simple.

That said, the VN900 is a really good bike. I just don't like how it won't spin up the rear coming out of city corners with a roll on.
 
I put almost 60,000 kms on my much beloved Nighthawk 750 from 2002-2007. It got sooo uncomfortable that I couldn't ride it for more than 30 minutes without extreme pain. I just took delivery a month ago of a 2002 Honda VTX 1800. I am averaging 1000kms a week with my longest ride of 6 hours straight (just fuel stops) with no body discomfort anywhere. ABSOLUTELY LOVE the seating positon, power and storage. Glad I made the switch....
 
I had a cruiser. Sold it and bought an SS. I will being going back to a cruiser if I get another street bike. I still want a SS but for track use.
 
ZERO_5 said:
I had a cruiser. Sold it and bought an SS. I will being going back to a cruiser if I get another street bike. I still want a SS but for track use.
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Interesting...your riding on your Savage was what made me believe that a cruiser could some what hold it's own with the SS.
 
If you want to be able to keep up with your current SS riding group I would suggest a Bandit or FZ1. A Bandit 1250 with the stock Givi paniers is a great value and the bike is bullet proof. However, it's pretty heavy and if you ride it hard you'll be chewing up tires quickly. Be careful, some cruisers are uncomfortable too, just in a different way.
 
...and that was just getting back on a bike after a couple years. I'm sure I'd be able to ride it more confidently now that I'm back in to the swing of things. Damn I miss that thing, shouldn't have sold it ahah.
 
I had a 94 Katana. I was never comfortable on that bike. I bought a 2000 Shadow Ace 750. I put 70,000km on it and rode it from coast to coast. I fell in love with riding because of that bike. Sold it and now i'm on a Honda ST1300 (sport touring). I love the ST but there are days when I miss my cruiser.

Grab a few demo rides on a cruiser and it'll help you decide. Demo rides are at most motorcycle events.

I would suggest buying a used cruiser and if you really don't like it in the end, sell it.

I was so glad I bought the cruiser. If I hadn't dont' think i'd be riding today. I probably would have left riding because of the lack of comfort (for me) on the Katana.
 
wormburner said:
Vulcan 900 is a fantastic bike. It was my plan B before I purchased my Stryker.
Cruisers rock. Make the switch. You'll be happy.
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Wow, goes to show that it takes all kinds of nuts to make a mixed bag. I tested a Stryker and settled on the Vulcan. Stryker is a beautiful bike.
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