Musings on Cruisers

[SlashWylde]

I've been thinking lately about the often disparaging views sports bike riders take when considering cruisers and choppers.

The following quote was made here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=35298) in relation to the 2007 HD lineup:


I dont get it, every year they look the same, look at the harley in terminator 2 and its the same as this.. dont you harley guys get bored with the same thing every year? :mellow:

Well, from an outsiders perspective that is a perfectly valid question. I happen to appreciate (and ideally would like to own) examples of most styles of motorcycles.

Like many things in life, the differences are in the details, which may not be apparent from breifly veiwing a couple of two dimensional pictures on the internet. It's about being there and seeing the machine in the 'flesh', viewing it from all angles. Motorcycles are objects which involve almost all the human senses whilst experienced in a static context - all of the senses when they are ridden, which is the main point of their existence.

Many non-cruiser riders tend to "not get" cruisers and choppers because they see only the issues of weight, lack of performance, HP, cornering clearance etc relative to their own machines where these concerns are of utmost importance. The way I view cruisers, choppers and in fact most motorcycles is that they are objects of Kinetic Art which can be experienced in an abstracted context (in pictures); in the first person sense (standing next to the machine); or by actually riding the bike. This for me is a large part of the appeal of being a motorcyclist - the multifaceted way in which we interact with our chosen passion and the way we share it with other like minded folk.

Your thoughts...?

[zadok]

Get this: Eight bikes on the last work ride I went on and seven of them were cruisers! They are getting popular.

[MSTRS]

.....

Your thoughts...?

I could be in trouble if I put my thoughts in print...:innocent:

[yungatart]

I could be in trouble if I put my thoughts in print...:innocent:

You don't need to put them in print - I can read your mind and you are in trouble!!!

I love my cruiser - she is easy to ride, handles really well, is comfortable - no sore arse for me, not like those sprotbike riders, and she is pretty to look at!!
What more could you want?

[crashe]

:love:
"Easy Rider"

What more can one say about the cruisers in that movie...
Tis pure art form those bikes.:love:


I just love :love: cruisers... there is just something about them...
The weight, the balance, the handling, apehangers, the whole dimension of the cruisers just do something for me... sitting on them with your feet forward and just cruising out there on those open roads mmmmmmmmmmmmmm


I love cruising/riding in the summer... HD boots, blue jeans, black t-shirt, leather jacket, fingerless gloves, full face helmet and dark sunnies... cruising out there on my black and white cruiser..... mmmmmmmmmm:love:




Now sportbikes pffffffffffffffffft They ALL look alike... :whistle:

But I dont criticise sportbikes either...
Afterall we are all motorbike riders.


PS: It is my choice to wear fingerless gloves.... so no picking on me for it.

[Mr. Peanut]

Tell you what, I had a look at a few cruisers the other day (japanese ones mind) and I'm pretty sure I could handle one in my garage.

I'll ride anything ;) and cruisers look like great fun. Low stress v-twin, shaft drive...
Yes please :love:
I'm just not into the "culture" or those silly accessories, ape hanger bars....

[Virago]

I could be in trouble if I put my thoughts in print...:innocent:

Why? If I read SlashWylde's post correctly, all opinions are welcome, but closed minds are not. Do you have an opinion, or a closed mind?

If you don't like cruisers, no problem. As is often said, you either get them or you don't.

As Slashwylde said, too many people get hung up on the image or (supposed) shortcomings of cruisers, and don't see the wider picture.

Cruiser riding is a state of mind. If you have a closed mind, you'll never get it.

It's like trying to explain the joys of motorcycling to someone who hates motorcycles. Ever been there?

Cruiser riders get it. They love riding, they love motorcycles. Even if they don't like sportsbikes, you won't find them in the sportsbikes forums, spraying scorn and ridicule. That's the difference........

Too many sprotsbikers see a "them and us" division. I don't. But if you want to draw a line in the sand, I know which side I'd rather be on.......

[yungatart]

Why? If I read SlashWylde's post correctly, all opinions are welcome, but closed minds are not. Do you have an opinion, or a closed mind?

MSTRS rides a sprotbike - and I ride a cruiser - he'd be in trouble with me if he was disparaging of my choice of ride - it is all about maintaining domestic harmony, you see....

[Virago]

MSTRS rides a sprotbike - and I ride a cruiser - he'd be in trouble with me if he was disparaging of my choice of ride - it is all about maintaining domestic harmony, you see....

Ah, now it makes sense. Like most of us married men, he's perfectly entitled to his own opinion, just not allowed to express it?:shutup:

[MSTRS]

Why? Do you have..... a closed mind?
.......

Who said anything about my thoughts being about the merits of cruisers, sprotbikes.:innocent: Each to their own....it's more about the rider's attitude than the bike type.... As to my thoughts, well......:nono:

[Mr. Peanut]

Hey Crashe,
Your bike does 9000rpm @ 100km/h...
Mine does 6000rpm @ 100km/h

Who's cruising? :lol:

[Karma]

It's all about choice surely?

I ride a sports bike because I like the ability to flick it around and dart here and there... that's the way I do things.

I've also ridden a cruiser (if a GN250 counts) and found this to be a very relaxed method of transport.

I can see the merit in cruisers, it's just those stupid loud harleys that piss me off, and no matter what anyone says, sports bike riders are usually quite friendly, even when I'm on a cruiser, but 90% of all cruiser riders I see around look at you like you're shit.

[Virago]

.......but 90% of all cruiser riders I see around look at you like you're shit.

More of the "them and us" scenario, I find that the scorn comes the other way, but more like 95%.........:dodge:

You've only got to read throught the cruiser threads to see where the hate and scorn come from. Every thread started about cruisers seems to draw in the sniggering morons, who will gleefully piss all over the discussion.

Now look, I'm all upset now. Must be time for a ride.........:scooter:

[Karma]

I got no problems with cruisers, it's all good in my book. Scooters on the other hand...

[Mr. Peanut]

Are good fun ^_^

[yungatart]

We have no problems with any bikes - all are welcome at our gargre. We have friends with HD's, old Trumpys, scooters, cruisers, nakeds, tourers and sprotbikes, and of course, the obligatory GN250. It is not what you ride that makes you an arsehole - chances are you were one before you ever got on a bike - if you are that way inclined. Who cares what you ride, it is the person that you are that is important, not the style of bike.

[MSTRS]

We have in our gargre - 2x Suzukis, 2x Hondas and a Kawasaki....hell, we even allow Yamahas (when paid enough)

[Edbear]

I'll have one of each, please! Most of my mates ride cruisers and it's a bit of a pain having to adjust my pace to theirs around the twisties, but we all enjoy ourselves anyway. I'd love a 1200 Sporty, but unfortunately there's this thing called "money" and I need a lot more of it!:bye:

[07fatboy]

[QUOTE=Edbear;748026] Most of my mates ride cruisers and it's a bit of a pain having to adjust my pace to theirs around the twisties,


Hell, they obviously not riding hard enough....come for a ride with me boy ill show ya what a harley can do

[Skyryder]

One thing about the Cali..............it's a cruiser in drag. I got the best of both............bit like having a bike that's AC DC............if you get my drift......or is it drag. :love:

Skyryder

[forkoil]

There is another dimension to the cruiser vs sports debate which hardly ever gets mentioned. Its about why we ride, the psychology of it. Now this debate is all about generalisations, and alot of comment goes by about NOT generalising, but that seems to me that the vast difference between sports bikes and cruisers does in fact say something about the rider. I've owned bikes from the 70s on, from a Vespa (school = mods), Norton Commando (ridden from London to India in early 70's), series of Suzy GS's (plenty of proddy racing in the 80's), Yamaha RD's and lately an SV (big gap = kids). Having seen the hey day of bikey gangs (pre HD's) thru to todays HD and jap cruisers. There has always been a divide between the ride cos its fast, exciting, (scary), handles well, could be better etc .... vs .... this looks cool, dangerous, people look at me with a sense of fear / respect, going back to Marlon Brando's Wild Ones. This is the divide, and its quite a divide. The 'function' vs 'form' divide.

I guess then what does it say about the rider, and what impression does the rider / bike combination impart on the rest of society?

[Macktheknife]

I have both, and I'm perfectly happy with my choices, I view it as a 'what kind of mood am I in today?' kinda thing. Dirtbike/tourer/sports/cruiser? hhmmmmmm
Its all about options.
I see no value or point in putting other riders down for their choice of ride, if it has 2 wheels (even 3) welcome along and enjoy the ride. On the other hand, if you are an arsehole then no amount of wheels will save you.
Viva la difference`

[Riff Raff]

I've had classic bikes, a cruiser and sportsbikes and I loved them all. They're all very different riding styles, but they're all a lot of fun. Anything with two wheels is all good by my reckoning.

And all those who bag Harleys for being slow have never seen White Trash riding one!

[diggydog]

I've owned quite a few sport bikes and recently started riding a cruiser, and i think each person to there own preference. Myself i never put down other bikers ride,there so many reasons why people ride, myself i ride i enjoy being free, the bike going though the twisties and put on the power with each change of the gears.

[Edbear]

[QUOTE=07fatboy;748037Hell, they obviously not riding hard enough....come for a ride with me boy ill show ya what a harley can do[/QUOTE]



Sorry, but the best ridden Harley can't corner like a sportsbike, matey! The difference in cornering is huge between my mates' Softail and V-Rod and my "F"!:second:

[Edbear]

One thing about the Cali..............it's a cruiser in drag. I got the best of both............bit like having a bike that's AC DC............if you get my drift......or is it drag. :love:

Skyryder



I LOVE the Cali EV, or as it is now, the Cali Classic! WANT one big time! As I said, though, there's this little thing about needing MONEY! (Sob!):bye:

[Waylander]

Sorry, but the best ridden Harley can't corner like a sportsbike, matey! The difference in cornering is huge between my mates' Softail and V-Rod and my "F"!:second:
Lol if a cruiser rider wanted a bike that handled like a sportsbike, they would buy a sportsbike (or Tourer)

Personally I like cruisers cause I can ride around town comfortable. On a sportsbike I always feel like the revs are too low but even in first gear if I go higher, I'll be speeding. Not that I mind a little over the limit but 80 in a 50 is pushing my limits of breaking the law.

Also, for me, carrying a pillion is just more fun on a cruiser. I can pay attention to the road and my passenger (always female, I've never carried a male pillion) and not have to worry about every little movment she makes moving the bike around even just a little bit.

I would love a sportsbike for weekend playing and trackdays and what not but for me, real life riding is just better on a cruiser.

[sunhuntin]

I just love :love: cruisers... there is just something about them...
The weight, the balance, the handling, apehangers, the whole dimension of the cruisers just do something for me... sitting on them with your feet forward and just cruising out there on those open roads mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I love cruising/riding in the summer... HD boots, blue jeans, black t-shirt, leather jacket, fingerless gloves, full face helmet and dark sunnies... cruising out there on my black and white cruiser..... mmmmmmmmmm:love:


o yeh....bring on summer!! endless highways, open faced lid with sunnies, fingerless gloves and a tshirt or tank...depending. [only round town for the tshirts though! too cold otherwise.]

i love my bike...and love looking at other bikes. im not fond of the sportbike style....like the guts to show. but i dont bag them either... least not to their faces, lmfao.

[NUTBAR]

need i say more!

[carver]

Also, for me, carrying a pillion is just more fun on a cruiser. I can pay attention to the road and my passenger (always female, I've never carried a male pillion) and not have to worry about every little movment she makes moving the bike around even just a little bit.

I would love a sportsbike for weekend playing and trackdays and what not but for me, real life riding is just better on a cruiser.[/QUOTE]

you took me on your viagra ooops, viagro.
when peachy was alleged to be too drunk to ride :beer:

[buellbabe]

I like both... to me my Buell is the sexiest piece of hardware I'll ever need but I still love HDs and have no problem riding one every now and then... As far as the lack of handling etc... of cruisers, well whenever I'm on a HD I have the attitude 'ride it like ya stole it'.!!! I push it just as hard as I would ANY bike... :yes: :love: :devil2:

[Pwalo]

I reckon if you're an older rider it depends if you liked the Brit bikes or the HDs.

When I started riding my Dad (Birt bike rider) encouraged me to buy Japanese as they were a better bet for reliabilty. My brothers and I all rode two strokes, and I guess that meant we all gravitated to the sports side of riding.

No one I knew rode cruisers when I was at school and at Uni. No one that I know now rides HDs or cruisers.

I can understand the attraction (sort of) of cruisers, but I still prefer riding 'naked' sportier bikes - Bandits, Buells, SVs etc.

I have a feeling that cruisers and sports bikes are both as much about image as actual riding.

[Motu]

Well if you are an older rider it was only British bikes - there were a few Sportsters and Sprints brought in around the mid '70's,but Harleys didn't really appear until the '80's.That's why I like a more upright riding posistion and why a dirt bike feels so natural to me these days.

[Pwalo]

Well if you are an older rider it was only British bikes - there were a few Sportsters and Sprints brought in around the mid '70's,but Harleys didn't really appear until the '80's.That's why I like a more upright riding posistion and why a dirt bike feels so natural to me these days.

Spot on Motu. The scary thing is that I've found myself looking at the new XT motard lately and thinking that it looks pretty inviting. Everyone (myself included) seemed to ride trail bikes in the '70's: really good fun.

[Waylander]

you took me on your viagra ooops, viagro.
when peachy was alleged to be too drunk to ride :beer:
AS I said, I've never taken a male pillion.:Pokey::lol:

[carver]

AS I said, I've never taken a male pillion.:Pokey::lol:

shit, what gave me away??
wasnt the scooter was it?

[Phoenix]

Hey Crashe,
Your bike does 9000rpm @ 100km/h...
Mine does 6000rpm @ 100km/h

Who's cruising? :lol:


I think my dad's Bandit 1200 does 4,000rpm @ 100km/h

[crashe]

Hey Crashe,
Your bike does 9000rpm @ 100km/h...
Mine does 6000rpm @ 100km/h

Who's cruising? :lol:


My cruiser doesn't have a rev counter on it........

So I just cruise out there on the roads....... and have fun.....




(The Virago 250cc dont come with rev counters)

[Edbear]

Also, for me, carrying a pillion is just more fun on a cruiser. I can pay attention to the road and my passenger (always female, I've never carried a male pillion) and not have to worry about every little movment she makes moving the bike around even just a little bit.

I would love a sportsbike for weekend playing and trackdays and what not but for me, real life riding is just better on a cruiser.




Can't argue with that at all! As I said previously, I'd like one of each! Another middle-aged mate has just picked up a '96 1200 Bandit so he and his wife can go riding and now his wife is pressuring my wife to get some gear and get on the back of mine again too! I know my bike will handle the two of us, but another mate has just updated his Marauder 800 to a 1500 Beulevard, (sorry spelling), so he can take his Missus cruising! Guess I'll have to think about changing my bike to something abit more suitable for two-up...

[Phoenix]

bandits arent really comfortable being the passenger or rider on, theyre pretty good for out accelerating a lot of things though,with a geared down GSXR 1000 engine bored out to 1200cc

[mooks]

Why? If I read SlashWylde's post correctly, all opinions are welcome, but closed minds are not. Do you have an opinion, or a closed mind?

If you don't like cruisers, no problem. As is often said, you either get them or you don't.

As Slashwylde said, too many people get hung up on the image or (supposed) shortcomings of cruisers, and don't see the wider picture.

Cruiser riding is a state of mind. If you have a closed mind, you'll never get it.

It's like trying to explain the joys of motorcycling to someone who hates motorcycles. Ever been there?

Cruiser riders get it. They love riding, they love motorcycles. Even if they don't like sportsbikes, you won't find them in the sportsbikes forums, spraying scorn and ridicule. That's the difference........

Too many sprotsbikers see a "them and us" division. I don't. But if you want to draw a line in the sand, I know which side I'd rather be on.......
the them and us thing is fascinating .... I picked up a mint fazer fzx750 and have been riding that around rather than either of my hornets at the moment. When sportsbike riders would pretty much always give you the nod - now its very very rare. Suddenly I'm 'different' cause I ride the fazer ... which incidentally corners like rubbish but in town and round the city its bloody easy to ride. <shrugs> I guess even in close knit groups there is a hierarchy .... I just wanna know why sportsbikes are supposed to be 'better'...

[Blue Thunder]

Must be a catching thing! Last run I was on had about 20 bikes and at least half were cruisers, and not all of the riders were yet ready for ZIMMER frames!!!!!!!

[Motu]

the them and us thing is fascinating .... . When sportsbike riders would pretty much always give you the nod - now its very very rare. Suddenly I'm 'different' cause I ride the fazer ... ..

Sportsbike riders are far more ''you are not in my club'' than Harley riders - they say they wave to everyone....what they mean is they wave to everyone on a sportsbike....they don't recognise ''lesser'' bikes.

[terbang]

Hey Crashe,
Your bike does 9000rpm @ 100km/h...
Mine does 6000rpm @ 100km/h

Who's cruising? :lol:

Fark 9000 rpm would see me doing about 270KPH. I guess thats not cruising either. Each to their own I reckon.

[terbang]

Sportsbike riders are far more ''you are not in my club'' than Harley riders - they say they wave to everyone....what they mean is they wave to everyone on a sportsbike....they don't recognise ''lesser'' bikes.

Absolute rubbish. Ride one, ride with a lot that do and there is little credibility to such an assumption. There may be ergonomic issues on some sprots that can make it more difficult to wave and also they are often riding bloody fast. But I havn't seen any obvious elitist attitudes out there. I allways wave regardless of what I ride. When riding my shitty old skinny tyred 400 to work every day, I get equal waves returned from all other bikers.

[Motu]

Absolute rubbish. .

BULLSHIT!!!! I have had members on this site pass me on their tear ups on SH22,they don't wave and will deny they even saw me....but I've seen them,many times - and they DON"T wave.

[Ixion]

A Ducati waved back to me the other day. That was a first. Either that or his electrics were playing up again and he'd just had an electric shock which caused his arm to convulse. Prolly more likely, actually.

[Ixion]

Absolute rubbish. Ride one, ride with a lot that do and there is little credibility to such an assumption. There may be ergonomic issues on some sprots that can make it more difficult to wave and also they are often riding bloody fast. But I havn't seen any obvious elitist attitudes out there. I allways wave regardless of what I ride. When riding my shitty old skinny tyred 400 to work every day, I get equal waves returned from all other bikers.

I was doddling all over your country at the weekend. Only saw two sportsbikes, neither waved back. But a crusier thing did. And a lady on a quad. And the dog on the quad gave me a woof. And a couple of kids. And a big maori walking up the road with his woman and kid. And an old lady. And a guy in an MG.

[Big Dave]

Whatever - get over it. I don't wave any more. I'm practising a Maori nod - upwards type.

[Virago]

Whatever - get over it. I don't wave any more. I'm practising a Maori nod - upwards type.

"Once Were Warriors" is a good training film.......

[scumdog]

Me?
I'm just confused.
My bike looks like a cruiser
But it has "T-Sport" on the airfilter.

Should I wave or not?
And if so who to?

Oh the anguish!

[scumdog]

Hey Crashe,
Your bike does 9000rpm @ 100km/h...
Mine does 6000rpm @ 100km/h

Who's cruising? :lol:

And mine does 2,800rpm @ 100km/h........

[xwhatsit]

Me?
I'm just confused.
My bike looks like a cruiser
But it has "T-Sport" on the airfilter.

Should I wave or not?
And if so who to?

Oh the anguish!

If you're using `Harley' and `Sport' in the same sentence, then I do not think that word means what you think it means :third:

[scumdog]

If you're using `Harley' and `Sport' in the same sentence, then I do not think that word means what you think it means :third:

Pah! That's a pretty big call from the rider of a 250 and who has only a couple of hundred posts!:bleh: :nya:

It's like me looking over a Boulevard and then saying Suzukis don't handle:wait:

[buellbabe]

I'm with you on that one Scumdog...:yes: :Punk:

[Roj]

I'm with you on that one Scumdog...:yes: :Punk:

Me three, While I personally don't want a Harley, they have their place and are loved by their owners, the style is all about personal choice, perfomace and handling are something that is a percieved issue unless you want to travel at very high speeds, in which case go out on the race track where you can do it in relative safety


As I have said in another forum, I ride what I choose when someone appeared to be dispariging my CB.

If I was to replace my bike I may well look at a crusier of some type as I do not have any need to get from one place to another at anything like I used to, once had a 250 twin that I terrified my parents with how fast I got to places, (and my dad used to ride speedway many many years ago)

[Big Dave]

If you're using `Harley' and `Sport' in the same sentence, then I do not think that word means what you think it means :third:


I'll race ya anywhere on one!

[idb]

Me?
I'm just confused.
My bike looks like a cruiser
But it has "T-Sport" on the airfilter.

Should I wave or not?
And if so who to?

Oh the anguish!

Hey everybody!
I've got a great idea!
Why don't we come up with a KB wave that everyone will recognise!!!!!

Why hasn't anyone thought of that before I wonder?

[scumdog]

Hey everybody!
I've got a great idea!
Why don't we come up with a KB wave that everyone will recognise!!!!!

Why hasn't anyone thought of that before I wonder?

You would have had a better chance of hi-jacking the thread if you tried a topic like beer!!!
Waves are so last year.

[idb]

..... if you are an arsehole then no amount of wheels will save you.....

I love this!
For a cynic like me this is just a beautiful summation of human nature!

[idb]

You would have had a better chance of hi-jacking the thread if you tried a topic like beer!!!
Waves are so last year.

What about peeing?
Shall I post the link?

[scumdog]

What about peeing?
Shall I post the link?

I prefer the thread about al-fresco dumps and the hazards of using bush-lawyer leaves for bog paper, far more tasteful imho.

[Ixion]

You would have had a better chance of hi-jacking the thread if you tried a topic like beer!!!
Waves are so last year.

Beer? Why , thanks very much. I'll have a Speights, thanks. Since it's a bit hard to pour it through cyberspace, you can buy it for me when we meet.

[scumdog]

Beer? Why , thanks very much. I'll have a Speights, thanks. Since it's a bit hard to pour it through cyberspace, you can buy it for me when we meet.

Get in the queue laddie, I still owe White Trash a beer.........

[idb]

I have been thinking about getting something a bit cruisier lately.
Not that I'll sell either of the Ducs mind!

I took a new Guzzi California for a ride.
Although I like the look it was just a bit too sedate for me.

Then I jumped on a Rocket 3.
The look doesn't grab me too much but that was WAY more fun!

A Rocket it is for me if I can get the money god to poop in my direction.

[Ixion]

Get in the queue laddie, I still owe White Trash a beer.........

That don't signify, everyone owes White Trash a beer. 'Tis as much as to say that you owe an obolus to the ferryman.