Musings on Cruisers

[SlashWylde]

I've been thinking lately about the often disparaging views sports bike riders take when considering cruisers and choppers.

The following quote was made here in relation to the 2007 HD lineup:

I dont get it, every year they look the same, look at the harley in terminator 2 and its the same as this.. dont you harley guys get bored with the same thing every year?

Well, from an outsiders perspective that is a perfectly valid question. I happen to appreciate (and ideally would like to own) examples of most styles of motorcycles.

Like many things in life, the differences are in the details, which may not be apparent from breifly veiwing a couple of two dimensional pictures on the internet. It's about being there and seeing the machine in the 'flesh', viewing it from all angles. Motorcycles are objects which involve almost all the human senses whilst experienced in a static context - all of the senses when they are ridden, which is the main point of their existence.

Many non-cruiser riders tend to "not get" cruisers and choppers because they see only the issues of weight, lack of performance, HP, cornering clearance etc relative to their own machines where these concerns are of utmost importance. The way I view cruisers, choppers and in fact most motorcycles is that they are objects of Kinetic Art which can be experienced in an abstracted context (in pictures); in the first person sense (standing next to the machine); or by actually riding the bike. This for me is a large part of the appeal of being a motorcyclist - the multifaceted way in which we interact with our chosen passion and the way we share it with other like minded folk.

Your thoughts...?

[zadok]

Get this: Eight bikes on the last work ride I went on and seven of them were cruisers! They are getting popular.

[MSTRS:Me]

.....

Your thoughts...?

I could be in trouble if I put my thoughts in print...

[yungatart]

I could be in trouble if I put my thoughts in print...

You don't need to put them in print - I can read your mind and you are in trouble!!!

I love my cruiser - she is easy to ride, handles really well, is comfortable - no sore arse for me, not like those sprotbike riders, and she is pretty to look at!!
What more could you want?

[crashe]

"Easy Rider"

What more can one say about the cruisers in that movie...
Tis pure art form those bikes.


I just love cruisers... there is just something about them...
The weight, the balance, the handling, apehangers, the whole dimension of the cruisers just do something for me... sitting on them with your feet forward and just cruising out there on those open roads mmmmmmmmmmmmmm


I love cruising/riding in the summer... HD boots, blue jeans, black t-shirt, leather jacket, fingerless gloves, full face helmet and dark sunnies... cruising out there on my black and white cruiser..... mmmmmmmmmm




Now sportbikes pffffffffffffffffft They ALL look alike...

But I dont criticise sportbikes either...
Afterall we are all motorbike riders.


PS: It is my choice to wear fingerless gloves.... so no picking on me for it.

[Mr. Peanut]

Tell you what, I had a look at a few cruisers the other day (japanese ones mind) and I'm pretty sure I could handle one in my garage.

I'll ride anything and cruisers look like great fun. Low stress v-twin, shaft drive...
Yes please
I'm just not into the "culture" or those silly accessories, ape hanger bars....

[Virago]

I could be in trouble if I put my thoughts in print...

Why? If I read SlashWylde's post correctly, all opinions are welcome, but closed minds are not. Do you have an opinion, or a closed mind?

If you don't like cruisers, no problem. As is often said, you either get them or you don't.

As Slashwylde said, too many people get hung up on the image or (supposed) shortcomings of cruisers, and don't see the wider picture.

Cruiser riding is a state of mind. If you have a closed mind, you'll never get it.

It's like trying to explain the joys of motorcycling to someone who hates motorcycles. Ever been there?

Cruiser riders get it. They love riding, they love motorcycles. Even if they don't like sportsbikes, you won't find them in the sportsbikes forums, spraying scorn and ridicule. That's the difference........

Too many sprotsbikers see a "them and us" division. I don't. But if you want to draw a line in the sand, I know which side I'd rather be on.......

[yungatart]

Why? If I read SlashWylde's post correctly, all opinions are welcome, but closed minds are not. Do you have an opinion, or a closed mind?

MSTRS rides a sprotbike - and I ride a cruiser - he'd be in trouble with me if he was disparaging of my choice of ride - it is all about maintaining domestic harmony, you see....

[Virago]

MSTRS rides a sprotbike - and I ride a cruiser - he'd be in trouble with me if he was disparaging of my choice of ride - it is all about maintaining domestic harmony, you see....

Ah, now it makes sense. Like most of us married men, he's perfectly entitled to his own opinion, just not allowed to express it?

[MSTRS:Me]

Why? Do you have..... a closed mind?
.......

Who said anything about my thoughts being about the merits of cruisers, sprotbikes. Each to their own....it's more about the rider's attitude than the bike type.... As to my thoughts, well......

[Mr. Peanut]

Hey Crashe,
Your bike does 9000rpm @ 100km/h...
Mine does 6000rpm @ 100km/h

Who's cruising?

[Karma]

It's all about choice surely?

I ride a sports bike because I like the ability to flick it around and dart here and there... that's the way I do things.

I've also ridden a cruiser (if a GN250 counts) and found this to be a very relaxed method of transport.

I can see the merit in cruisers, it's just those stupid loud harleys that piss me off, and no matter what anyone says, sports bike riders are usually quite friendly, even when I'm on a cruiser, but 90% of all cruiser riders I see around look at you like you're shit.

[Virago]

.......but 90% of all cruiser riders I see around look at you like you're shit.

More of the "them and us" scenario, I find that the scorn comes the other way, but more like 95%.........

You've only got to read throught the cruiser threads to see where the hate and scorn come from. Every thread started about cruisers seems to draw in the sniggering morons, who will gleefully piss all over the discussion.

Now look, I'm all upset now. Must be time for a ride.........

[Karma]

I got no problems with cruisers, it's all good in my book. Scooters on the other hand...

[Mr. Peanut]

Are good fun ^_^