Cruiser being considered.

[Toaster]

Well, I did try...

But mate, rolling a car..... come on - do it in style next time will ya?!

[Edbear]

But mate, rolling a car..... come on - do it in style next time will ya?!

I thought I looked quite stylish actually, a spin to the right followed by a spin to the left, an elegant slam into the curb and a roll to the right... Bloody hurt, but...!

[awa355]

awa355 - if you did not like the handling of a cruiser last time you owned one, why buy another one now? Ground clearance is always more limited with the pure cruiser designs than a sport or touring design.

When I rode my mates Marauder, it was the 1st time on a cruiser for a long while. since the old XS750 lowrider infact. ( now there was a real 'mans' bike).

The 1st 50 odd k's were thru the back roads. and after my KZ250 sports, the Suzi felt like a whale on wheels.

I'm a 90=100 kph rider so a big sports bike would be wasted. The 250's would be too short on passing grunt. The 1600cc up bikes too bulky.

As I said at the start, I'm a few months away from being able to pick up another bike, fianancially, ( want to keep the GB) but will follow the market.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I may upgrade from the old GB to a cruiser about mid year. I would be looking at around 600 - 900cc. Last cruiser I rode was a Suzuki Maurader 800 way back. It was a dog on the corners, back roads, I was searching for reverse to back up to get around. That was a 1st ride Putaruru to NP and back. The return trip I had started to understand the bike better. I know they require a different riding style to lighter, shorter bikes.

I want one that pulls from well down without having to use the gearbox like a 2st racer. Reasonable grunt to pull out and pass. Top speed isn't important.

Are the belt drives a problem? A friend said if they get a decent stone flicked up into the belt cleats, they can cut out and expensive.

I've thought about the Honda 750 and the Suzuki savage, and v twins. My problem with Honda is their parts. They dont seem to stock any, and aren't interested. What are the Kawasakis like? Thanks.

Before you do anything, take a modern Harley Davidson for a spin.

I had never ridden one till last week: rode the demo Sportster "48" (the one with the big front wheel).

I had a ball on it, and I did not expect to. I had expected crude, compromised, and awful, and it was anything but that, really.

when you crank it up, the whole motor shakes back and forth in the frame (rubber mounting) but it is very smooth to ride round town and at sensible open road speeds (up to 120k). It had the best mirrors of any bike I have ever ridden (no joke!) and great front brake as well (as compared to my current bike, a Triumph Scrambler). Beautiful light, neutral steering (again, not what you expect with that front end).

I am unlikely to buy one though*: i scraped the peg feelers on EVERY corner going up to the Sign of the Kiwi (not riding hard, or fast either), and to get them to sit so low they have SFA in the way of rear wheel travel. Hit a pothole and you very soon run out of travel and the roadshock goes up your spine. and cos your feet are out in front, its hard to weight them to take the shock for you. I also dislike the feet way out in front riding position.

I do love that front end "look" (if not the 8.5l tank) but if I owned one it would have longer shocks, midmount pegs, and a well tucked in high pipe. All fixable.

I want to ride a Nightster next. it has midmount pegs, and slightly longer shocks I think.

H-D parts and accessory prices seem to compete very well with the Japanese or British alternatives too. The 48 is $16k brand new: that I think represents great value for money.

In summary: very pleasantly surprised.

[awa355]

Before you do anything, take a modern Harley Davidson for a spin.

I had never ridden one till last week: rode the demo Sportster "48" (the one with the big front wheel).

I had a ball on it, and I did not expect to. I had expected crude, compromised, and awful, and it was anything but that, really

In summary: very pleasantly surprised.

I have to admit, I have bagged Harleys off for years yet never rode one. Not a fair call on the bike ( but then I've never driven a Lada or ridden a chinese scooter and dont have much of an opinion of them either.).

I do like the 883/1200 sportsters, and yes I will look at what is avalible in my price range. When the Japs bought out their cruisers with the radiators in the front, they just didn't look right. Have got used to the cluttered engine compartment since.

If I bought a Harley, do I really have to wear the Johnny Rebs, the Willie & Max frilly sleeves and the live to ride belt buckle? I do have the matt black open face helmet and wrap around shades tho'.


A spine busting suspension is out. Had that with my UZ scooter.

[wysper]

I have to admit, I have bagged Harleys off for years yet never rode one.

If I bought a Harley, do I really have to wear the Johnny Rebs, the Willie & Max frilly sleeves and the live to ride belt buckle? I do have the matt black open face helmet and wrap around shades tho'.

Me too, I bagged 'em big time. Now I own one and am loving it!

On point two. Rebbs are optional as are tassels but you may not be accepted by your local HOG chapter LOL.

I will probably change my dirt rider boots though, possibly look at some engineer type boots, which are similar to the Johnny Rebs.

[awa355]

Me too, I bagged 'em big time. Now I own one and am loving it!

On point two. Rebbs are optional as are tassels but you may not be accepted by your local HOG chapter LOL.

I will probably change my dirt rider boots though, possibly look at some engineer type boots, which are similar to the Johnny Rebs.

God! If I ever bought a Harley I'd hope the local HOG's wouldn't accept me. I called into the Pirongia pub late one Sunday. About 6 Harleys parked on the footpath. One tattooed monkey looked at my CBF250 and said why didn't I get a real mans bike.
I asked him where they were from. He said they'd cruised out from Hamilton. Told him I had almost clocked up 300ks including about 70k's on gravel that day while he had sat on the roadside watching real riders go past.

I know most Harley owners are not tossers like those idiots but why pay thousands just to strut around town and not use the bike?

[Jerry74]

Get a harley only one real way to say it, buy a hog or buy a hog copy.... japs must try to imitate them for that reason alone.
Or a moto guzzi comes a close second.....

[scumdog]

If I bought a Harley, do I really have to wear the Johnny Rebs, the Willie & Max frilly sleeves and the live to ride belt buckle? I do have the matt black open face helmet and wrap around shades tho'.

Fuckin' bro - 'course ya do!

[bsasuper]

Dont do it, I cant believe people buy these straight road things

[awa355]

Fuckin' bro - 'course ya do!

Would they mind if I turned up with the polka dot bandana, wrap arounds, sleeveless vest, studded wrist leathers, Rebs on my Keeway?? It would have the studded saddlebags of course.

Then I could be an 'almost hog' owner.

[scumdog]

Would they mind if I turned up with the polka dot bandana, wrap arounds, sleeveless vest, studded wrist leathers, Rebs on my Keeway?? It would have the studded saddlebags of course.

Then I could be an 'almost hog' owner.

A 'hog-hoper' eh?

Do what ya want, it's a free world............

[ukusa]

Would they mind if I turned up with the polka dot bandana, wrap arounds, sleeveless vest, studded wrist leathers, Rebs on my Keeway?? It would have the studded saddlebags of course.

Then I could be an 'almost hog' owner.

Just remove the Keeway badge & replace it with a Harley one from the wreckers, and away you go. No one will ever know until you start it up coz they look exactly the same!!!.

[Big Dave]

I have to admit, I have bagged Harleys off for years yet never rode one.

At this point BD sits back and smiles knowingly.
The bike you describe wanting however is a Suzuki M90.

[Gibbo89]

Would they mind if I turned up with the polka dot bandana, wrap arounds, sleeveless vest, studded wrist leathers, Rebs on my Keeway?? It would have the studded saddlebags of course.

Then I could be an 'almost hog' owner.

You forgot to mention the assless chaps