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What's the RIGHT cruiser for me?
- Thread starter Ramtin
- Start date
macrider
Well-known member
Like Rbjeepthing said, take a look at a Triumph Roadster.
One bad *** cruiser..http://www.triumph-motorcycles.ca/motorcycles/range/cruisers/rocket/2012/20315
One bad *** cruiser..http://www.triumph-motorcycles.ca/motorcycles/range/cruisers/rocket/2012/20315
This is probably true...the uglier the better longer distances. I'm just trying to go say 4 hrs . My decision tomorrow will be between a 09 Fatboy or a 012 Vic Hammer and the Fatso costs more. All the hate on Harley and they still depreciate very slowly and retain a good value even when seemingly old. The Vic is getting better but nothin compares to a HD...go figure?
When I got my license, the 1st 5 years I rented different bikes to see what felt best for me.
Tried the HD Sportster 883 and felt it was too narrow for my frame. Then the Honda Shadow 750, which was a good fit and enjoyed it. Also tried out a HD Road King just for the fun of it, and it was huge, not something I would ride around daily. Then I tried a Suzuki Boulevard C50T, and absolutely loved it. It fit me better than any of the other bikes, had plenty of power, and looked great.
After that I started looking for one and picked up my '08 C50 shortly after.
Tried the HD Sportster 883 and felt it was too narrow for my frame. Then the Honda Shadow 750, which was a good fit and enjoyed it. Also tried out a HD Road King just for the fun of it, and it was huge, not something I would ride around daily. Then I tried a Suzuki Boulevard C50T, and absolutely loved it. It fit me better than any of the other bikes, had plenty of power, and looked great.
After that I started looking for one and picked up my '08 C50 shortly after.
suzuki2000
Well-known member
In any option there will be concessions made. I am in a similar position, I wantt to look at picking up a "cruiser" style bike, but i am not a fan of the traditional HD's or vstars. I do like the VRod, but it has limitations to perfoem what I am want.
I have looked at Victories and just don't need the displacement they have. I like the M90R (no longer available) and M109R, but those bikes are massive. I am not a small guy but they just feel ackward, and again I just cant justify a need for 1800cc's
I would like a cruiser that could be somewhat nimble, and capable of going out for a full day on, maybe overnight rides.
I also would prefer belt or shaft drive, tired of chain maintenance.
I know my wants are somewhat in conflict with each other, but hope I can find a bike that fits at some point.
Right now it seems that the VRod most closely fits my ideal, though it has some serious limitations.
Summer is still a bit away, so I will continue to watch what is available and if I cannot decide this year, then I keep riding my old bike until I find my next one
I have looked at Victories and just don't need the displacement they have. I like the M90R (no longer available) and M109R, but those bikes are massive. I am not a small guy but they just feel ackward, and again I just cant justify a need for 1800cc's
I would like a cruiser that could be somewhat nimble, and capable of going out for a full day on, maybe overnight rides.
I also would prefer belt or shaft drive, tired of chain maintenance.
I know my wants are somewhat in conflict with each other, but hope I can find a bike that fits at some point.
Right now it seems that the VRod most closely fits my ideal, though it has some serious limitations.
Summer is still a bit away, so I will continue to watch what is available and if I cannot decide this year, then I keep riding my old bike until I find my next one
What limitations? Have you heard of the Street Rod? Steep rake, high mid-mount foot controls = 40 degrees of lean. Increased tank size (19L over the V-RODs 15), plus that creamy 120 hp water-cooled engine designed by Porsche...
They only built them in 2006, should be able to find a low-mileage model real cheap these days. There was a guy on GTAM selling one for $10K a couple of years ago, I was very tempted...
suzuki2000
Well-known member
The biggest limitation I keep hearing is the ability to ride for extended periods, maybe the Street Rod set up is better then the other Vrods?
02 was the first V-rod...they were my first choice. Nightrod mostly...engine no problem...riding characteristics for each model vary. Still not a long distance rider...unless you can find the right tweeks to make it fit you. Expensive somewhat too....especially just a couple years old. My 012 Hammer...$12g's otd....but I got lucky...I believe.
Yes, I've ridden my share of V-RODs and they are terrible for long distances - you're basically riding around like the letter C, arms and feet stretched out in front of you. However, the Street Rod has mid-mount foot controls instead of feet-forward, so automatically your body weight is supported between your feet and butt in a straight line. Also, the bars are closer to you so you're not forced to reach forward, which helps keep your body more upright.
If you can find one, have a seat on one, you'll see what I mean.
There are twisties in Ontario.. you just have a to ride a bit to get to them.
I know you mentioned Cruisers but wonder if you have considered getting into an Adventure bike? In many ways these offer a bit of sport bike as well as touring with the ability to travel down unpaved roads with no issues.
There are several flavours of Adventure bike and the most well know are the BMW GS series. I have a couple of Suzuki V-Stroms. A 2006 with 202,000+ km and a 2012 that I bought last March with 43,000+ km on it. My Stroms have gone on tours including south, east and west on them. I commute with them every day that there isn't a likelyhood of being ice or snow on my roads (I live a bit up north on the edge of the snow belt.)
These bikes are great all purpose bikes.
The only real downside is that they are kind of ugly but this has the side benefit that they aren't as likely to get stolen.
..Tom
Ramtin
Well-known member
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Ramtin
Well-known member
You obviously haven't been riding in the Swiss Alps or in BC... once i came back from Europe, and BC riding the mountain twisties there, i CHANGED!
if you call these roads nice twisties, wait till you ride the Alps! lol WHOLE ANOTHER WORLD my friend
My new ride...2012 Victory Hammer 8 ball
Absolutely badass!!!!!
Ramtin
Well-known member
no THIS is a badass middleweight cruiser http://www.youmotorcycle.com/images/stories/2013/Yamaha_Stryker.jpg
as for super cruisers, nothing beats the VMax but personally i'd take the Diavel... reason being is that it's much sportier, all personal preference!
but we're drifting too far away from what i want... what i want is a bike like that STRYKER! totally my type of bike except it's not as nimble as i want it to be at low speeds so u know what? i think my best choice is going back to my naked bikes... buy a 2013 ER6N, DONE AND DONE! it's got a very comfortable riding position... u know what i need .. I NEED TO GROW SOME ****IN BALLS AND STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LONG DISTANCES ON A NAKED BIKE AND JUST DO IT! and that's exactly what i'm gonna do! lol
You obviously haven't been riding in the Swiss Alps or in BC... once i came back from Europe, and BC riding the mountain twisties there, i CHANGED!
if you call these roads nice twisties, wait till you ride the Alps! lol WHOLE ANOTHER WORLD my friend
I have not ridden in the Swiss Alps or anywhere in Europe. Here is where I have ridden on my V-Stroms plus I have ridden in Alberta and BC on a borrowed bike:
There are twisties in Ontario, but none (that I have found yet) would compare to the switchbacks on the Swiss Alps. You just need to look for them.
Note that on an annual comparison test held on the Swiss Alps the V-Strom one the rating of overall winner and alpine king so journalists that DO know the Swiss alps think it handles good. So you don't need to believe me that it handles.
..Tom
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silverbullet132
Well-known member
Why not get a brand new leftover 2012 and save a bunch of $$$?
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