First big cruiser?

[Monkfish]

Hey KB cruisers,

I was just wondering what some of your first "Big" cruisers were.

For example:
You Harley riders out there, did you go and jump straight onto your softail/dyna or did you do the sporty thing first?
Same for the Boulevards, did ya own a C50 or was it straight to a M109R?
Trumpy, was it an America/Speedmaster or straight to the T-Bird or Rocket.

I guess im already planning my first Big bike for when I graduate to my full licence (or slightly before ) and want to know if the jump from a lambs cruiser to a 1500+cc cruiser is too big?

From what I have heard, the price is a big reason that people have done the "middleweight" cruiser thing before jumping on a biger bike. As they have much of the same characteristics.

[Wingnut]

Hey KB cruisers,

I was just wondering what some of your first "Big" cruisers were.

For example:
You Harley riders out there, did you go and jump straight onto your softail/dyna or did you do the sporty thing first?
Same for the Boulevards, did ya own a C50 or was it straight to a M109R?
Trumpy, was it an America/Speedmaster or straight to the T-Bird or Rocket.

I guess im already planning my first Big bike for when I graduate to my full licence (or slightly before ) and want to know if the jump from a lambs cruiser to a 1500+cc cruiser is too big?

From what I have heard, the price is a big reason that people have done the "middleweight" cruiser thing before jumping on a biger bike. As they have much of the same characteristics.

Na go for it. My first real cruiser was the M109. Novelty wore off pretty quickly once cornering came into it. Scraping the shit out of it every corner soon lead to selling that and moving onto a GSXR thou. Besides I figured I am way too young to be riding a cruiser. Funny thing is that now my road stead is a VFR which is a bit of an old mans bike in my opinion.....

[Maha]

First ever cruiser that I have ridden is in my driveway right now, a GZ250 including L plate...
Thank the lord above its a loner.

[iYRe]

personally.. i wouldnt go from a LAMS bike to a 109.. or any other large bike..

I had a few years off riding and came back on an 800 for a year, then sold it and got the zrx1100...

Yeah.. because I do like corners, and I dont like my feet bouncing off the road every few seconds.. and slowing the cars behind me down..

[Monkfish]

personally.. i wouldnt go from a LAMS bike to a 109.. or any other large bike..

I had a few years off riding and came back on an 800 for a year, then sold it and got the zrx1100...

and slowing the cars behind me down..

The thought of going stairght from a LAMS bike to a ZRX1100 is insane, and I would also go Via a middleweight bike. but my question is for cruisers as they are vastly different.

P.S. (not to sure what cruiser you have been riding, but,) Even on my LAMS bike I dont hold up any cagers.

[iYRe]

m50 (well, the cooler earlier version, Intruder).

They go around corners like a housetruck towing a supertanker.. at least, compared to the zrx.
My local roundabout exit (its a big roundabout) was terrifying on the intruder.. often doing 20-30kmh around it. On the zrx (if there is no one about of course) I can comfortably do 60kmh in the wet..

[cynna]

cruiser wsie i went from a xv400 when i was 15, to a a nv750 then to a 1200 sportser then a softail. mainly due to a lack of money

then got sick of cruisers and went back to trail bikes

recently got a speedmaster because i couldnt afford a rocket

[Monkfish]

recently got a speedmaster because i couldnt afford a rocket

How do you find the speedmaster? compared to the sporty?

That is close to my situation, Im either thinking the speedmaster or a T-Bird storm, but I am worried that the T-Bird might me too big.

[cynna]

How do you find the speedmaster? compared to the sporty?

That is close to my situation, Im either thinking the speedmaster or a T-Bird storm, but I am worried that the T-Bird might me too big.

there was 15 years between the 2. physically the speedmaster is bigger and smoother then the sportser - for me the sportster felt too small. i know the t bird would be heavier then the speedmaster but are they roughly the same dimensions?

[Maha]

From an S40 to a T-Bird Storm is a jump but, the Storm is less than 100hp and low seat height making it manageable...engine torque is the key here, and its what you'll get use to (and come to utilise) very quickly.
At 340kg, its a heavy bike but well weighted I would imagine, being a cruiser.
The 650 single you currently ride is a good starter option for stepping up to a bigger bike like the Storm...no real concern there.
I went from a GN250 to a 100hp Yamaha sports bike.

[Phantom Limb]

I bashed about on a VTR 250 for a couple of years after getting my full ticket. My theory was that when I start riding the little machine with 'all the confidence' and start getting pissed off with it's lack of go, then I'd upgrade. Turns out the little thing was just such a trooper, it took me a LONG time to get sick of it, lovely bike she was

So then I went for a test ride on the XJR1300, immediately fell in love.

I guess wht I'm trying to say is, your confidence level dictates what you will be comfortable on. If you've put significant miles on your LAMS machine and are able to chuck it about like a ragdoll, then I say go ahead, get your leg over something big mean and angry, you'll love it and all will be well.
However if you're second guessing yourself and worried about 'over extending' you ability, best you find a middle weight pussy cat and continue to develop at your own pace. Leave the big bore machine as a long term goal.

[iYRe]

I guess wht I'm trying to say is, your confidence level dictates what you will be comfortable on. If you've put significant miles on your LAMS machine and are able to chuck it about like a ragdoll, then I say go ahead, get your leg over something big mean and angry, you'll love it and all will be well.
However if you're second guessing yourself and worried about 'over extending' you ability, best you find a middle weight pussy cat and continue to develop at your own pace. Leave the big bore machine as a long term goal.

what he said...

and.. make sure its proper confidence, not just bravado.

[Big Dave]

I don't think it makes that much difference with any of them once they are going. Middle or Heavyweight.

It's under 10kph and stationary where 330kgs can be more of a handful for the inexperienced.

[Wingnut]

I don't think it makes that much difference with any of them once they are going. Middle or Heavyweight.

It's under 10kph and stationary where 330kgs can be more of a handful for the inexperienced.

Exactly.....

[shafty]

I reckon Phantom and BD hit the nail on the head, but would add that it's not only experience....

My better .5, GoGal, rode an XV1100 which she loved, but had a hankering for something bigger, fell in love with a stunning metallic orange VN1500 Meanstreak, and traded up.

She rode it well too, but came unstuck when stopping, and slow manoeuvres esp in gravel car parks and stuff, tipping it over simply because of her (lack of) height and strength. Got to the stage where her 'freedom machine' was something She couldn't ride unless I was there to turn it around, get it out of the garage etc

At my encouragement She now pilots a lowered SFV650 (google-image it) which She loves.

After so many cruisers, she just loves the handling and how nimble it is!

Good luck

Shafty