Why did you buy your cruiser?

**White trash** · 5th May 2004, 09:33

There seem to be a few more cruiser riders joining which is great.

I'm interested as to why you bought yours. I get alot of coments at work from Japanese cruiser buyers that it's an interim step to getting a Harley Davidson later on.

I'm sure not everyone feels this way but I'm curious.

**duckman** · 5th May 2004, 09:45

Originally Posted by White trash

There seem to be a few more cruiser riders joining which is great.

I'm interested as to why you bought yours. I get alot of coments at work from Japanese cruiser buyers that it's an interim step to getting a Harley Davidson later on.

I'm sure not everyone feels this way but I'm curious.

I have to wonder if people say that it's an interim step just so they don't get shit from poeple who consider harleys the only cruiser to own.

**James Deuce** · 5th May 2004, 09:47

If I could afford two bikes, one would be a sporting twin, and the other would be one of the Japanese mega-cruisers that have popped up of late.

**Holy Roller** · 5th May 2004, 09:52

I've noticed a signature "Who dares Bins" Sport bikes just go to fast at least with cruisers one knows that there is a lower rideability limit and it seems that IMHO and some experience one is less likely to bin on a cruiser (only bike I have not binned on) may be just that I'm getting older and it takes longer to recover. Or that I know my limits and don't need to push them so much these days. I've always liked choppers right back when easy rider came out and the local boys chopped their bikes. Not really interested in a Harley (takes too much looking after

) A Jappa Harley is me.

**jrandom** · 5th May 2004, 09:53

Originally Posted by duckman

I have to wonder if people say that it's an interim step just so they don't get shit from poeple who consider harleys the only cruiser to own.

Well, my FXR is an interim step to an F4-1000, but I still get shit from people who consider anything above 599cc the only sportbike to own...

Oops. Sorry. 'Sportbike'. I'll just go wash my mouth out then.

Uh...

Sissy bars! Ape hangers! Loud pipes! Bandannas! Yeah!

As you were.

**Motoracer** · 5th May 2004, 09:53

I thought the 2004 Valkerie with dark blue/purple colour with shit loads of chrome at the Honda stand in Paeroa was very tasty. Wouldn't mind owning one of them beasty things, money permiting.

**Hitcher** · 5th May 2004, 11:44

At 5'2" dripping wet, Mrs H has few options for riding bikes that aren't cruisers. Adventure bikes -- forget it. Sports bikes -- not a chance. Tourers -- Unlikely. Bikes really are quite discriminatory when it comes to the vertically challenged! It's not just seat height or width issues either. Tank shape and bar grip location is also a consideration.

**jrandom** · 5th May 2004, 12:11

Originally Posted by Hitcher

5'2" dripping wet

Your posts and my gutter-like imagination seem to be working well together recently.

**Ghost Lemur** · 5th May 2004, 12:27

Originally Posted by Hitcher

At 5'2" dripping wet, Mrs H has few options for riding bikes that aren't cruisers. Adventure bikes -- forget it. Sports bikes -- not a chance. Tourers -- Unlikely. Bikes really are quite discriminatory when it comes to the vertically challenged! It's not just seat height or width issues either. Tank shape and bar grip location is also a consideration.

That's one thing that still puzzles me. All these bikes are built by the Japanese. I mean hello, these guys aren't exactly the tallest in the world. So why is there still such a problem with bike size?

**toads** · 5th May 2004, 15:27

Well I've just come back from an awesome blat on my bike and have to say I just love everything about cruiser bikes, low seat height, all the chrome and that lovely noise!!, forgot to mention the apehangers, it's not even age related, I sold my gn 250 last nite to a 16 yr old who loves the look of them. I have to say I appreciate having the 400 tho, so nice around corners

**Jackrat** · 5th May 2004, 15:40

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

That's one thing that still puzzles me. All these bikes are built by the Japanese. I mean hello, these guys aren't exactly the tallest in the world. So why is there still such a problem with bike size?

I always wondered about that too,but I think it's because the American market it what they target an some of them folks ain't small.
As to the question at hand I know my inlaw bought his because of seat hight
and style.Anybody calls my XS a cruiser even if it was one of the first custom type bikes,, I am going to get upset.As far as I'm concerned they should of left them as they were but that's that USA market thing again.

**Hitcher** · 5th May 2004, 16:06

Originally Posted by jrandom

Your posts and my gutter-like imagination seem to be working well together recently.

Funny that, I'd noticed the same thing...

**Big Dog** · 5th May 2004, 17:25

Originally Posted by Hitcher

At 5'2" dripping wet, Mrs H has few options for riding bikes that aren't cruisers. Adventure bikes -- forget it. Sports bikes -- not a chance. Tourers -- Unlikely. Bikes really are quite discriminatory when it comes to the vertically challenged! It's not just seat height or width issues either. Tank shape and bar grip location is also a consideration.

You wanna try 6'3" then. all bike designers seem to model their bike on 5'6" 65kg (if you differ from this expect to have to modify your ride.)being a good compromise. This is more exagerated in sports bikes as they are often modeled on the current number one rider for the team.

As to accessories try and buy a quality helmet over 63"

or Pants over 3xl that allow enough room for the tadger let alonme a wet badger

Jackets are no problem in fact they are often cheaper in larger sizes due to lack of demand x easier to make.

**Hitcher** · 5th May 2004, 17:27

Originally Posted by Big Dog

You wanna try 6'3" then. all bike designers seem to model their bike on 5'6" 65kg

As to accessories try and buy a quality helmet over 63"

*Sigh* Rock on brother! The only sports bike I've sat on recently where I can easily read the instrument cluster is the ZX10 (That's at 6'1". BD may find this a bit constrained). On a Honda CBR1000RR it's easier to sit a bit taller and read the display THROUGH the screen, rather than try and limbo dance under it...

As for helmets (said the cranially challenged 64"er), all that can be said is "God bless you Mr Shoei" (even though you only get a Henry Ford choice), the best helmet maker in the world!!

**Big Dog** · 5th May 2004, 17:30

For my old xs I would have voted cos it cost $5k less than the equivilent sports bike (turned out to be more bike than I was rider at the time, lucky I couldn't afford a r spec then eh?)but you did not include cheaper cost price as an option (in my experience maintenance is just as frequent but costs more as lower spec parts are usually lower quality too.