Jap cruisers

**marty** · 14th May 2004, 22:21

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

Too numerious to list

But remember Keith (one of the BOP CC) saying he feel like a real HD owner after having to take his new HD to the shop to get repeared not long after replacing the Hyabusa with it (felt it was time he slowed down)

replacing a busa with a HD? what was he thinking?

**RiderInBlack** · 15th May 2004, 08:06

Originally Posted by marty

replacing a busa with a HD? what was he thinking?

Getting old and didn't want a ugly old Gold Wing

**rodgerd** · 15th May 2004, 16:49

Originally Posted by jrandom

Is it just me, or is 'Intruder' the most homo-erotic motorcycle model name EVER?

Nope.

But then I ride a Bandit.

(When I was shopping for my first road bike I said to my wife, "You know, all these names sound like they were designed to go with some sort of butt-related term. Anal Intruder. Bum Bandit. And so on.)

**pete376403** · 15th May 2004, 17:53

trail bikes used to be referred to as mud pluggers but I suppose that's beyond the pale now

**Mongoose** · 13th June 2004, 09:53

do you want chain, belt or shaft? Given that shaft effects are more pronounced on a cruiser (thanks to shaft length and softer suspension), you need to think carefully as to how much brown you want in your pants when throttling off in corners that you're already leaned over in...[/QUOTE]

Best you modify your riding style if you have to throttle off in corners, always thought of this as a big *No No* at the best of times. The torgue pull, or push depending on throttle on/off position, is in my opinion always way over rated, mainly by people that ride chain driven bikes.

**Posh Tourer :P** · 13th June 2004, 10:55

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Originally Posted by ???

do you want chain, belt or shaft? Given that shaft effects are more pronounced on a cruiser (thanks to shaft length and softer suspension), you need to think carefully as to how much brown you want in your pants when throttling off in corners that you're already leaned over in...

Best you modify your riding style if you have to throttle off in corners, always thought of this as a big *No No* at the best of times. The torgue pull, or push depending on throttle on/off position, is in my opinion always way over rated, mainly by people that ride chain driven bikes.

True. It certainly forces you to guts it out and throw the bike in a bit further. I've been very surprised by how far the beemer can go, just because I threw it in harder cos "one shouldnt throttle off". Having said that, riding the beemer makes all dangle angles seem small compared to the ZXR400 which feels like I'm already in knee down territory whenever I corner. Perhaps this efffect is even more pronounced in cruisers? You just dont feel the dangle angle?

**Mongoose** · 13th June 2004, 14:18

. Perhaps this efffect is even more pronounced in cruisers? You just dont feel the dangle angle?[/QUOTE]

Could be quite true with that, I dint consider I corner hard, in fact I have been known to be has on about it, but then again others have also commented with the likes of "Fark you lean that big thing over a loooong way!" So maybe the size does count?

**moko** · 16th June 2004, 07:14

What you want is one of these,big enough for you?

http://www.bmoaonline.com/images/odd...03/rocket3.htm

The BMW Cruisers are pretty neat as well,saw one on Sunday,custom painted with a kind of blue and white chequered paint job.It was parked next to a harley V-Rod which hardly got a look in.

**wari** · 17th June 2004, 07:10

Originally Posted by moko

What you want is one of these,big enough for you?

http://www.bmoaonline.com/images/odd...03/rocket3.htm

The BMW Cruisers are pretty neat as well,saw one on Sunday,custom painted with a kind of blue and white chequered paint job.It was parked next to a harley V-Rod which hardly got a look in.

My brothers mate hasgot one of them rocket III's on oreder ...

Prison wardens must be overPAID .. ? :eyepoke:

**Dr Bob** · 18th June 2004, 10:26

Originally Posted by rodgerd

Nope.

But then I ride a Bandit.

(When I was shopping for my first road bike I said to my wife, "You know, all these names sound like they were designed to go with some sort of butt-related term. Anal Intruder. Bum Bandit. And so on.)

I have an XV750 SE, therefore it isn't a virago. I guess this was the model before it was called this name. The sticker on the back that tells you tyre pressures says XV750 Special - my bike is special

However; if it was a virago it would be "1. a load, violent, and ill tempered woman; scold: shrew. 2. Archaic. a strong, brave or warlike woman; amazon. [Old English, from Latin: a manlike mainden, from vir a man]"

**vifferman** · 18th June 2004, 12:11

I've ridden only two cruisers - a VT1100 just for a laugh (didn't do much laughing, as it was just too awful), and a VT750, which I was considering as a replacement for my VF500. A mate of mine has a Honda Shadow (after owning all sorts of bikes including an FJ1200, GSXR750, etc.) and he suggested that a cruiser was a more relaxing way to travel, after I said that the temptation to hoon was too strong.
I tried the VT750 as it was a very good price, and found the seat very comfortable, but it just felt too weird riding it, too dorky. The handlebars felt like I was steering a wheelbarrow, and I couldn't get the thing not to go CLUNK!!! into second every friggin time I changed gear (probably because the chain was seventeen thousand metres long, due to the stretched cruiser wheelbase). And then the silly saddlebags with the fringey things on caught on fire while I was riding it.

On the VT1100 I scraped my boot on the first (gentle!) corner I went around, and the gearbox seemd to be there solely for the purpose of dialing in varying levels of vibration. (It didn't seem to make much difference to the acceleration or speed).
Incidentally - many of the "Jap" cruisers are actually designed in the US, if not built there. Same with some of the big tourers.

**Bob** · 24th June 2004, 00:27

I've only ridden a couple of cruisers as well - the 250 Virago and the 650 Dragstar.

I can see where 'jrandom' comes from with his comment that the 250 Virago "feels like it is only putting out 10bhp" - initially at least. The way it just, well, doesn't move when you first open the throttle is a bit disconcerting! And it helps, once used to it, to know it doesn't so much accellerate as build up speed!

Once you are used to it though, it is a lot of fun.

I've blown someone away on my wife's one - heading uphill at 75! The handling is excellent - my wife can give me a hard time keeping up with her on single lane country roads (she has an advantage there though - she is a country girl and I am a townie).

Definitely an aquired taste though.

As for the 650 Dragstar - I found it was also utterly gutless from standstill (maybe it is something about Yamaha cruisers?) - on the move though, it was silky smooth and a really enjoyable ride. It felt like I could have ridden forever without wanting to stop. Being so wide it is also a so-and-so when you have to paddle it manually and it is hard work for low-speed riding.

If I had the space, I'd be happy enough with a Dragstar as a "weekend" bike - SV for general work and when I want a proper hoon, with the Dragstar for longer work and when I feel like a more laid-back ride.