So I'm thinking about a cruiser

[ukiwi]

Stepping up from a 250 and thinking what next. I have to say I like the look of a couple of cruisers, mainly the shadow 750, but have a couple of questions.
How practical are they for daily use, the Hutt to Wellington every day in the busy periods.
What about the twisties, how do they go on the rimatukas or something like the makara beach ride, a ride we do quiet a bit.
What about the long trips around the south island, in the pipeline for next summer.
Like I say I like the look and the idea of a cruiser but.......

[98tls]

Nothing wrong with them at all but theres plenty of other options with +s such as clearance etc,different strokes i guess,if me i would go ride one then ride a Bandit etc and go from there.

[maybe]

Nothing wrong with a cruiser and if its mainly for commuting with the odd long trip thrown in the Honda would be great.

[rainman]

A mid-size or bigger cruiser is a fine thing indeed, but it depends on what you're looking for. You're talking about handling in the twisties etc which IMO isn't really the point of a cruiser (although that's not to say a cruiser can't handle a windy road, just don't expect to get your knee down).

I love my Marauder and when I buy again it'll be a mid-size cruiser, because that's the best option that provides me with commuting and longer distance abilities. It's comfy to ride for hours, has a nice low c.o.g., I like the position of the controls, and it has enough grunt at 800cc to get me comfortably past a truck or whatever, V-twin sounds great... so all good. I'd love a bigger cruiser (C109R, or the Victory Hammer that Big Dave posted a piccie of in his Frustrated thread... :love:) just for the hell of it, but those are a bit impractical, and there's other things to spend money on.

I do like some of the nakeds and sport tourers, but I don't need the speed - I have no interest in going to the track, I can't ride well enough to go at fcuk off speeds without killing myself, and could do without the fines, which there would be. And I'm an old bugger with a dodgy back and don't like riding bent over the handlebars

I seriously looked at the Shadow before I bought mine. Nice bike. But you need to take one for a ride. In fact, tour the bike shops and test ride the lot.

Good luck.

[Jerry74]

Recommend =

1. Kawasaki VN Vulcan series 900 - 1500 cc
2. Triumph Adventurer
3. Harley Dyna or Softail

Depends what you want....or look at a 600 - 900 cc Sport bike

[Griffin]

Cruisers are awesome for commuting... I ride mine every day to and from work as well as going out for longer rides on weekends.

I have no probs with the Rimutakas although obviously I dont go as fast as our sportsbiker cousins, you dont get the same lean on a cruiser and thats because their not designed for that style of riding.

Cruisers are comfortable, low torque, great sounding bikes (for the most part) and are designed for... well, cruising :)

Like mentioned above -go out to a few shops and take a few for a ride. You may find they're not for you. But if they are - there are plenty to choose from!

[Pwalo]

As all the others have said there's nothing wrong with any of the cruisers. As long as you feel comfortable on them I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide on.

My only advice is to try a few different bikes and see what you think of the seating position. I still find the crusier position uncomfortable for any length of time, and you may find a more upright position suits you better. There's always something like the Triumph Bonneville as an alernative.

[chubby]

If I can offer my 10c worth.

Forget the make and model for a while and focus on what and how you want to ride. Each bike type comes with its own general advantages and disadvantages so work out what YOU want in your life now.

Then do the rounds of the bike shops, ride and test. I commute on my chubby, I do long runs and trips to the shop. It works for me but you have to make up your own mind.

[Rockbuddy]

If I can offer my 10c worth.

Forget the make and model for a while and focus on what and how you want to ride. Each bike type comes with its own general advantages and disadvantages so work out what YOU want in your life now.

Then do the rounds of the bike shops, ride and test. I commute on my chubby, I do long runs and trips to the shop. It works for me but you have to make up your own mind.

What he said but with one thing know what your budget is as that will have a big part in dictating what you will end up with. personally i like my sporty for my everyday 60kms round trip commute and use the cruiser for other rides, the missus hops on the back of the cruiser but wont get on the back of the sporty. two different styles of riding and both as enjoyable as the other in my book

good luck in your choice :headbang:

[slimjim]

speed and leaning are the couple of factores with a crusier..try before buying...

[Irontusk]

I know my 'cruiser' (is it really? :p) is tiny, but I don't think I'd want to lean any more than it can.. feels pretty far over sometimes and I havn't touched ground yet.

A medium-large cruiser wouldn't be too good for commuting if you're into lane splitting I don't think.

And I'd say mine has an upright seating position, it's lame.

[Cross Rider]

Stepping up from a 250 and thinking what next. I have to say I like the look of a couple of cruisers, mainly the shadow 750, but have a couple of questions.
How practical are they for daily use, the Hutt to Wellington every day in the busy periods.
What about the twisties, how do they go on the rimatukas or something like the makara beach ride, a ride we do quiet a bit.
What about the long trips around the south island, in the pipeline for next summer.
Like I say I like the look and the idea of a cruiser but.......

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal. South Island riding gives you a huge amount of riding options, especially when tar becomes gravel slightly off the beaten track. Perhaps you should take 2 cylinder dual purpose bike for a ride. They give you more travel options and great handling as well. I have both types of bike, but if I had to pick one as an everyday bike it would be a dual purpose.

[vifferman]

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal.
Why? [insert :spudwhat: emoticodweebicon here]

[Headbanger]

Cruisers are as good off-road as any other road bike. I ride mine on gravel whenever I come across it, No drama.

I once took it across a paddock at a great rate of knots, granted it was by accident, and I only stopped when I crashed into a ditch, But she was a hell of a ride....hell of a ride.

[popelli]

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal. South Island riding gives you a huge amount of riding options, especially when tar becomes gravel slightly off the beaten track. .

since when??????

rode a harley sportster around the south island twice, including gravel roads and some unclassified four wheel drive dry weather only roads

no problem at all

cruisers are far more adaptable than a sports bike when it comes to non tarseal roads

for my money I'd buy a sportster for a first cruiser, they have phenomenal resale value and a generally bullet proof motor and their handling is generally as good or better than other cruiser type bikes

[Subike]

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal. .


Better not hear the boys from stewart island hear you say that
with only 4 km of tar seal, their crusers are fitted with dirt tyres!

[Devil]

I really enjoyed the Triumph America. My favourite all-round cruiser. Not too big, not too small. Perfect ergo's for my size and a really nice engine.
Good ground clearance plus it's a good looking bike.

It's an awfully big temptation!

Then again, I also love the Rocket III, but not quite as practical as the america hehe.

[Cross Rider]

since when??????

rode a harley sportster around the south island twice, including gravel roads and some unclassified four wheel drive dry weather only roads

no problem at all

cruisers are far more adaptable than a sports bike when it comes to non tarseal roads

for my money I'd buy a sportster for a first cruiser, they have phenomenal resale value and a generally bullet proof motor and their handling is generally as good or better than other cruiser type bikes

You guys ride kiddies bikes, fancy encouraging a new rider to do silly shit just to satisfy your own egos. Say it after me it's just silly.

[Headbanger]

I have no idea what I'm talking about


Correct. Your advise was contested for good reason, By a number of people more knowledgeable then yourself.

[vifferman]

cruisers are far more adaptable than a sports bike when it comes to non tarseal roads
Agreed.
The 'more relaxed' steering head angle (less rake) and a front tyre that's less weighted makes them generally better in the gravel. To get around this on a sprotsbike, you have to keep your speed up to unweight the front tyre a bit.
However... the trend to put fatter tyres on bikes makes them not quite as good in the gravel, as the tyres tend to 'float' and not dig in as well as skinny tyres. Maybe that's another reason why a Sporty's good in the gravel?

[The Stranger]

rode a harley sportster around the south island twice

Would a sportster be classed as a cruiser?

[Big Dave]

A Sportster is more of a 'Standard' than a cruiser.

One common aspect of all cruisers I've ridden is limited rear suspension travel.

This is a by-product of the style - which originated to suit urban or American roads.

If you want to use them in conditions here there are 2 options.
HTFU
Slow Down

Both are good options.

[firecrab]

The danger with Harley's on gravel roads is a rock finding it's way into the belt-drive which might snap the belt. Not good. But I've been going on stretches of gravel road quite often - just carefully.


Anyway - there are tons of good cruisers out there that find almost any kind of requirement and budget. I've done lots of travelling on cruisers and never wished I was on another bike.

[Horse]

The danger with Harley's on gravel roads is a rock finding it's way into the belt-drive which might snap the belt.

Please don't mention snapped drive belts. :crybaby:

Thank you.

[moT]

stepping up from a 250 and thinking what next. I have to say i like the look of a couple of cruisers, mainly the shadow 750, but have a couple of questions.
How practical are they for daily use, the hutt to wellington every day in the busy periods.
What about the twisties, how do they go on the rimatukas or something like the makara beach ride, a ride we do quiet a bit.
What about the long trips around the south island, in the pipeline for next summer.
Like i say i like the look and the idea of a cruiser but.......

gay!!!!!!!!!!

[Blackbird]

Not that I'm thinking of getting rid of the Blackbird anytime soon but Mrs B has dribbled over the Suzuki M109 R and with her having a slight hip problem, it may be a future means of riding further together as the 'bird certainly causes her some discomfort. Does anyone know of any reliability issues, standard of finish etc that may have a bearing on my future decision-making?

[retro asian]

I recently rode a sporty upright bike for the first time..... was so much more comfortable to corner at high speeds compared to my Intruder.

But I guess you could say there's more adrenalin rush, and it possibly takes more skill to keep up with the boys on your cruiser???

[Devil]

Not that I'm thinking of getting rid of the Blackbird anytime soon but Mrs B has dribbled over the Suzuki M109 R and with her having a slight hip problem, it may be a future means of riding further together as the 'bird certainly causes her some discomfort. Does anyone know of any reliability issues, standard of finish etc that may have a bearing on my future decision-making?

It's not made for anything that resembles a corner and I wouldn't bother with the back seat if you planned on any distance. Mainly because of the footpeg position I think.

I think the M109C? might be a bit better, or the newer M90? (erm, new model coming out).

You could pick up a second hand Triumph Rocket III for a similar price as a new 109... you need to try one :D

[Blackbird]

It's not made for anything that resembles a corner and I wouldn't bother with the back seat if you planned on any distance. Mainly because of the footpeg position I think.

I think the M109C? might be a bit better, or the newer M90? (erm, new model coming out).

You could pick up a second hand Triumph Rocket III for a similar price as a new 109... you need to try one :D

Mmm... thanks for that.

Despite having grown up with Triumphs, the Rocket 3 does nothing for me at all - it's been beaten with the ugly stick a bit too much!

[Devil]

Mmm... thanks for that.

Despite having grown up with Triumphs, the Rocket 3 does nothing for me at all - it's been beaten with the ugly stick a bit too much!

Yeah, but as soon as you open the throttle you wont care :D

Personally (as previously mentioned), my favourite cruiser is the Triumph America. While certainly not the most powerful, it's just right. Well composed, good ground clearance (really helps with the corners!) plus it's reasonably priced. Recently fuel injected too.

[bmz2]

It's not made for anything that resembles a corner and I wouldn't bother with the back seat if you planned on any distance. Mainly because of the footpeg position I think.

I think the M109C? might be a bit better, or the newer M90? (erm, new model coming out).

You could pick up a second hand Triumph Rocket III for a similar price as a new 109... you need to try one :D

well i must just have to hop off when riding corners then , hang on, that's right i have to get off to wait for the other cruiser to catch up . m109r corner very well if set up correctly will out run c90's in the twisties many due to the power out of the corners . the pegs are fine for the rear . or change them to wing boards for a very little money. M90 WHY WOULD YOU.

[Cross Rider]

Correct. Your advise was contested for good reason, By a number of people more knowledgeable then yourself.

Spelling mistakes bright boy. Say it after me, it's just silly.

[Devil]

. m109r corner very well if set up correctly will out run c90's in the twisties many due to the power out of the corners ..

Why should you have to modify a cruiser to go round corners?

Have you ridden any other cruisers? The 109 is a barge in the twisties compared to most others.

[popelli]

You guys ride kiddies bikes, fancy encouraging a new rider to do silly shit just to satisfy your own egos. Say it after me it's just silly.

and exactly what is silly about riding a bike around the south island, one of the greatest places in the world to ride a bike?

[jafar]

well i must just have to hop off when riding corners then , hang on, that's right i have to get off to wait for the other cruiser to catch up . m109r corner very well if set up correctly will out run c90's in the twisties many due to the power out of the corners . the pegs are fine for the rear . or change them to wing boards for a very little money. M90 WHY WOULD YOU.

Your memory is failing old man :lol:
As I remember it was ME waiting for YOU after you were given the learn by the VTX.:buggerd:
M109R & VTX1800 are power cruisers & should be able to beat up a C90 bagger. :beer:

[bmz2]

Your memory is failing old man :lol:
As I remember it was ME waiting for YOU after you were given the learn by the VTX.:buggerd:
M109R & VTX1800 are power cruisers & should be able to beat up a C90 bagger. :beer:

not now dude , you have not been around to see her new configuration , rake and trail changed suspension, running 157hp with the test cam out of the States, we will push the hp to 170hp in the next 6mths and we will still not be where Real McCoys black beast is at 198hp, he is sending more mods to me , rims and exhausts plus the new cams , air intakes. and it corners very very well. Almost scary . The new brake system will arrive soon .

But what i was saying to Devil was , that you need to set up a cruiser to the rider, such as bars ,seating position pegs and anything that makes the rider more in tune with the bike. To ride a bike on a test ride will never give you the full feel of the bike,it helps with the buying decision. , Cruisers need to be setup for their riders

[Jiminy]

Stepping up from a 250 and thinking what next. I have to say I like the look of a couple of cruisers, mainly the shadow 750, but have a couple of questions.

As already mentioned by others, shop around and try them all. I personally didn't like the Shadow 750 because I was scraping the pegs without even trying. I finally opted for an M50 that can take much more cornering. However, it feels rather wide for commuting or lane splitting (which I don't do).

After borrowing my sister's Sportster 883 for 2 weeks, I was happy to be back on my M50. Felt smoother, gruntier, easier to handle (except at walking speeds), more comfortable, just better. But well, I'm biased ;). Just try a few, you'll know which one is best for you.


I once took it across a paddock at a great rate of knots, granted it was by accident, and I only stopped when I crashed into a ditch, But she was a hell of a ride....hell of a ride.

Oh, I see, you were showing your mates a shortcut, right? ;)


or the newer M90? (erm, new model coming out).

Wahooo, so there is an M90 in the pipeline? Can't wait to see it in the flesh. Rock on! :Punk:

[Kiwibacon]

Just remember this ,,,, If ur 250 was a sports bike an u want a crusier u gotta take it careful 4 a while until u get to now the bike. some stats say if you changing from a Sports bike to crusier u up to 80% chance of dumping the new bike. Its the same changing from crusier to sports bike. take care and stay uprite.:sunny::sunny:

[Jerry74]

I like the Suzuki VL 800 too... nice handling