Sportbike Riders: Would you ever switch to a Cruiser?
- Thread starter derek03
- Start date
Deimos
Well-known member
Well I'm not too sure how the ones in my mind perform, but if the Honda Shadow 750 I tested was any good representation of cruisers, I'd steer clear of them.
But anyway, in terms of affordability: Honda Magna V45 or Yamaha Virago 750/1100
Dream cruiser: Ducati Diavel
I might be getting out of SS bikes in general next season. Can't realistically use the power without doing track days and I have no money for that...
But anyway, in terms of affordability: Honda Magna V45 or Yamaha Virago 750/1100
Dream cruiser: Ducati Diavel
I might be getting out of SS bikes in general next season. Can't realistically use the power without doing track days and I have no money for that...
600 supersports are the worst offenders when it comes to crappy unusable power for the street. You have a 100hp bike but barely half of it is available until like 8000rpm, and you don't see the peak until well over 10k. Not only that, but you're not even in the meaty part of the powerband until you're almost doing highway speeds. Total crap for light-to-light and city riding.
You'd change your tune on a 1000, and especially a v-twin. And not necessarily a supersport either. Bikes like the V-Rod for instance have tons of torque and feel waaaay faster than a 600 around town. The difference in power delivery is ridiculous.
Deimos
Well-known member
You're probably right on all points.
I'm currently doing 90% of my riding in the city and it absolutely sucks. Things that bother me most: the ergos, heat, and crap fuel mileage. I love the acceleration and styling but it ends there. If the cruisers I'm eyeballing don't do it for me, then I'm going back to naked/half fairing standard bikes.
Actually I'd probably buy a tourer or sport-tourer first, rather than a cruiser. My back doesn't much like the "Harley Slump" over extended distances.
Correction, I'd just do what I did already:
Correction, I'd just do what I did already:
It's an age thing. A lot of my peers went through the sportbike phase until they hit mid to late 30's and early 40's. Hell, I'm 46 in a week and I love sportbikes, but lately there's been a nagging desire when I see a Victory Hammer or a Harley Fat Bob or '48. You younger guys can say you'll never go cruiser, but I'd love to place bets on your choice 20 years from now.
600f4ilover
Well-known member
no..I wouldn't switch to a cruiser.. I love my sportbike way too much... I love the position..and just the overall performance of my bike. 
I ride a naked/standard bike. I feel like the middle child in a family where the older brother gets all of the new things and the younger sister gets even more new things and attention because she's the baby and a girl. What am I, chopped liver? I ride, too. And my pipes aren't obnoxiously loud, my bike has a low rate of theft, is reliable, reasonably light and reasonably powerful. And I can take my bike home to mom without her having a heart attack.
The only thing I envy are windscreens. But as I understand it, sometimes a windscreen is worse than none because for tall folks like me it just funnels all of the wind onto your face.
Anyway, to answer the question: I really appreciate the aesthetics and performance of a sports bike, but the ergonomics and impracticality of actually owning one are enough to scare me off. And cruisers? My biggest objection is the high-up handlebars; I might be able to get used to having my feet forward on the bikes. The chopper-type cruisers with no rear suspension or pipes so loud that your eardrums feel like dying when the bike is idling are right out.
The only thing I envy are windscreens. But as I understand it, sometimes a windscreen is worse than none because for tall folks like me it just funnels all of the wind onto your face.
Anyway, to answer the question: I really appreciate the aesthetics and performance of a sports bike, but the ergonomics and impracticality of actually owning one are enough to scare me off. And cruisers? My biggest objection is the high-up handlebars; I might be able to get used to having my feet forward on the bikes. The chopper-type cruisers with no rear suspension or pipes so loud that your eardrums feel like dying when the bike is idling are right out.
Before I ever go into riding I used to think that cruisers were simply ugly. I always wanted a sports bike and that's what I own now. However, after falling in love with the sport, I would LOVE to own a cruiser, especially for touring/long distance riding. The seat/seating position on my bike can be numbing after a couple hours of riding. I wouldn't mind owning a cruiser at all, but as someone else mentioned It would be a second bike not my only. There are some beautiful cruisers out there, to me it's just a matter of finding the right style.
Ive been through this op. Started on a 600 ninja, upgraded to a zx7, then a zx12. 2 up riding became a priority, & the 12 wasnt cutting it so I did what I never thought I would do this side of 50- bought a vulcan 1600.
It was weird at first.. Really weird. Heavy, slow, funky handling, bad brakes, slow.. Felt like an old guy.. But wait, I could ride this thing for hours with no aches or pains, and I could do it with loaded saddlebags & a passenger! still fun, but in a different way.
The desire to go fast all the time faded & was replaced with this lazy relaxed layed back riding style, and its a great feeling. So the zx12 was sold cause I believe bikes should be ridden & I wasnt giving Rex anymore attention..
The problem is, my itch to go fast came back.
Bought a Honda Blackbird.
Cant have just a cruiser.. Cant have just a sportbike.. They both have pros & both have cons. My advice is try a cruiser out for a season. Buy a popular model that will sell easily if you decide to let it go. Bikes come & bikes go. Why not try them all
It was weird at first.. Really weird. Heavy, slow, funky handling, bad brakes, slow.. Felt like an old guy.. But wait, I could ride this thing for hours with no aches or pains, and I could do it with loaded saddlebags & a passenger! still fun, but in a different way.
The desire to go fast all the time faded & was replaced with this lazy relaxed layed back riding style, and its a great feeling. So the zx12 was sold cause I believe bikes should be ridden & I wasnt giving Rex anymore attention..
The problem is, my itch to go fast came back.
Bought a Honda Blackbird.
Cant have just a cruiser.. Cant have just a sportbike.. They both have pros & both have cons. My advice is try a cruiser out for a season. Buy a popular model that will sell easily if you decide to let it go. Bikes come & bikes go. Why not try them all
Last edited:
