Cruisers And Sportbikes: which are better for wet weather and highway?

[Mr Skid]

Get a dual purpose and put good street tyres on it - then you get better visability and much better low speed handling...no wobbling like you get with sportsbikes or cruisers.

Yep, those are some of the reasons I got an XT.

Dual purpose tyres aren't as good as dedicated road tyres in the wet from my experience. If I were using it on road only I'd run Metzeler ME33/ME55 on it. The tread pattern looks like it'd be the shizzle in the wet. Also the ergos on a dual purpose (whatever the tyre) give you more control over the bike if it slides in the wet.

[Motu]

Actually, that is the best bet. Forgiving with the weather and also quite forgiving with mistakes aren't they Motu?

m,m,mistakes!??? How would I know?.....

[Sniper]

m,m,mistakes!??? How would I know?.....

The stutter for one thing could be a by-product of accidents

[Vilicus]

Put it this way. If you buy a sportsbike, you will be adored and have a girl every night for weeks.
If you get a cruiser lots of people will poke fun at you but BUBBA will POKE you.

Runs away quickly while giggling

Haha, i am thinking the exact opposite: the only reason a sportbike attracts me is its performance: acceleration, ability to handle coners and smaller width which means more agility .

but if i only wanna look cool and ride comfortable, i will certainly get myself a manly cruiser like V-Star, Harley sportster or triumph rocket III (if i have nerve to sell my car) and i am pretty sure i will be adored and have at least two differnt girls every week.


so basically that is why it's so damn hard for me to decide (i wanna both comfort and resonable speed), everyone is giving me completely various opinions: guys from that New market bike shop told me to get a naked sportbike like GT250, VTR250... but shops in takapuna encouraged me to get a cruiser...

[Sniper]

Harley sportster

Mate, noone is cool on a Harley. Except scumdog

[RiderInBlack]

Just My two pence here. IMHO the following is more important than the type of bike when it comes to riding in the wind and rain.

Things that most effect you bike in the rain and wind (please add to this guys and gals):

1. Rim type. Mate of mine had solid custom rims on his HB. Bad misstake. It made the bike very hard to haddle in even moderate winds.
2. Blade/sheild. The right blade/sheild will push the wind and rain over your body making it easoer to ride. Too big and it's like pushing a brick wall. Too small and it doesn't push the shit over you.
3. Tyre/bike match. The right tyre for you bike with enough tread on it, set at the right pressure, makes one hell of a difference. Unfortunately, it's a real headache going through all the tyres and playing with the pressure to get the right combo going for your bike. Until you get it sussed, it best to stick with what the manufacturer recommends.
4. The skill of the rider. I find that because I've riden lots of wet and windy days, I seem to go better on those days than riders who are normal faster than me who haven't (and I am no great rider as some of these dudes will tell you). Like they say: "practice makes purfect". Just take is easy in the wind and rain while you are learning until you can easily reconise the extra hazzards. I often found the best bet is that if the bike feels uneasy underneth you, then easy up and ride in you own comfort zone. Sometimes the bike is trying to tell you something. Don't try to kept up with the faster riders.

[Waylander]

but if i only wanna look cool and ride comfortable, i will certainly get myself a manly cruiser like V-Star, Harley sportster or triumph rocket III (if i have nerve to sell my car) and i am pretty sure i will be adored and have at least two differnt girls every week.

Mate unless you're 7ft tall and about 280lbs you wont fit on a Rocket III. Better off going with a V-star. But you're a ways away from that decision yet. Just go with what you think is best for you. Compare comfort and affordability then you can start talking about power and speed.

[Skyryder]

I'd be looking at tyres for wet riding more than a sports or cruiser.

Skyryder