Keen to try a cruiser

[ital916]

I've been reading through the cruiser forums for the last couple weeks and suffice to say I now have a real urge to try one, today I was actually even day dreaming about it at work. My mum loves cruisers too, so I reckon i should take it upon myself to test ride one for her too. Just wondering what the test ride policies are for 250 cruisers, which 250 cruiser is the best to give it a go with. I've been drooling over the virago, nice little piece of kit that. Anyway, excitement abound aye, really looking forward to swinging my leg over one for a half hour or whatever they allow you to ride one for. . Oh also does anyone know of any nice dealers in aucks that will allow me to ride one? This could be a turning point in my biking life as I've only ever ridden my RG150 crotch rocket.


Peace

Drider

[crashe]

Pop over to Henderson Motorcycles on View Rd, Henderson.... have a wee chat to Mike and see if he will let you take one out.....
I know they have a couple of new 250 Virago's sitting on the floor.

Just remember that your feet are forward for when you want to change gears... and to brake.

Yep I will agree with you that they are great bikes to ride.

[xwhatsit]

I don't have much experience, really, but I put a few hundred kilometres on a Suzuki Intruder 250. Nice smooth V-twin (electric start!), good brakes, not hideously obese, went around corners surprisingly well (after you managed to get it to turn in -- excess rake?). Comfortable seat at first, but because you're sitting on your arse, your tailbone gets pretty sore after a longish ride. The bars were a bit too tall for comfort as well, at open-road speeds one tires quickly from being a wind-sock. However these problems are endemic to the breed, so not really a black mark against the bike. Cute little snarl with debaffled pipes, too. Charming motorcycle.

Would be a very useful commuting tool, or for short <200km rides. I believe they're properly known as the VL250 or VL250LC.

[crashe]

Would be a very useful commuting tool, or for short <200km rides.

I cant answer for the suzuki Intruder.....

But I have travelled all the way down to Wellington on my Virago 250 and also all the way up to Russell via the Old Russel Rd.... plus lots of other longish trips.... done the Coro Loop a few times as well. So they are ok for long trips. Also great for around town stuff as well.

Sunhuntin has ridden her Virago 250 from Wanganui all the way down to Bluff for the 'Burt Munro Challenge' twice now.

[MadDuck]

Try giving Kerry Jeffs or Emma a call at KTL Motorcycles. They are based at Motohaus but make sure you get the right Kerry!

www.ktlbikes.co.nz

[sunhuntin]

Sunhuntin has ridden her Virago 250 from Wanganui all the way down to Bluff for the 'Burt Munro Challenge' twice now.

yep, and can attest shes comfy from wellington to chch... any longer than that in one go and you essentially get frozen in position. i know for two days after that, my tailbone winced at the mere thought of getting on the bike, lol. she didnt have a single fault on either trip. i was quite happy and comfortable as well, except towards the end of the day and id get a tad sore in the tailbone, but thats ok.
i have done invers to chch as well in one day... dont recall any pain that day. musta toughened up!!

ive also recently started taking pillions, my currant being roughly 110kg, added to my 100kg. while it takes a fair bit of revs to actually get moving from a stop, once shes rolling she goes fine. could do 100k easy, but with a slightly unwell engine that i cant afford to get looked at, i held her back at 70k. didnt want to push her too hard.
the pillion seat is more for looks than anything... i have to look for a bigger one, as my pillion feels every single bump.

the forward pegs are great for long trips... i often hang my ankles over the pegs for a bit of extra stretch [my knees are fucked, so any extra leg length is a bonus for me. lol]

[Nagash]

You can take my Rebel out whenever you want, it's a Honda but it does the job

I reckon 250 cruisers are great, they really do lack power though and you'll be looking to upgrade to the bigger monsters if you're a bit of a speed freak but they definately do get you around. I'm yet to be caught but a couple of the local cops have come up to me calling me a nutter which is always good to hear.

And yeah.. just watch where you put your feat.. Had a pillion whos used to sprotsbikes and he put his feet back onto the exhaust pipes.. took alot of effort getting melted plastic of my nice chromey exhaust pipes.

But yeah, if you wanna just try one out just drop me a pm, I'm on the only road to Piha beach

[xknuts]

I say try!!! Because on 2 recent rides to rallys I have been impressed with BOTB's 250 Magna. As she sez "Uphill and wind are the killer" on this chunky cruiser but it can clip along just fine at 100 - 120. And a nice riding style for a learner, IMHO.

[McJim]

As a dyed in the wool sportsbike rider I have nothing but respect for those who can balance with their feet out in front. I can't. I fall over if my feet are further forward than my arse.

Respect dudes.

[Virago]

Being in Auckland, you should have no problem finding a variety of 250 cruisers to sit on, and hopefully try out.

What you eventually buy will come down to individual taste and personal ergonomics. Performance of all in the class is fairly uniform, with the Virago having a slight edge, and the Honda Rebel probably being at the bottom end.

Check out the Hyosung GV250 too - it's an absolute stunner to look at. With its full-fendered "fat" styling, it looks more like a 650 than a 250.

Bear in mind that a cruiser is not only a different style of riding, it is a state of mind. If you make the change from your "crotch rocket" - good on ya...!

[Virago]

...I've also recently started taking pillions, my currant being roughly 110kg, added to my 100kg...

Yowsa...! Be aware that the 250 Virago is rated for a maximum loading of 196Kg. That's fully kitted, including any luggage.

...the pillion seat is more for looks than anything... i have to look for a bigger one, as my pillion feels every single bump...

The bumps felt by the pillion will be the rear suspension bottoming out. A new seat won't help much.

Might be time for a bigger bike?

[Bren]

I cut my teeth on 250 cruisers when I first started to ride...the (in)famous range that was the GN...Cruisers are not about speed so dont expect to be able to go flat out everywhere, but they are perfect for a sedate ride where all you care about is the freedom of two wheels...I love the cruiser styles and when I flog off the stingy ninja will probably get another cruiser, although not a 250 and not a GN...
...Anyone got an old XS1100 Midnight Special in their shed?

[ital916]

Thanks for the advice guys, i'll ring up a dealer on monday and go test ride a few bikes. The virago really got my attention. Now havig money to buy one is another matter. They all seem to go for a relatively high amount. One for 3 grand would be wishful thinking. lol

[xknuts]

As a dyed in the wool sportsbike rider I have nothing but respect for those who can balance with their feet out in front. I can't. I fall over if my feet are further forward than my arse.
Respect dudes.

I know from experience riding Meridan Triumphs all my life and now owning a big cruiser that the riding style is learned. And then one realises that your feet are not that far out the front & it is a relaxed style of riding.

[The Lone Rider]

I say try!!! Because on 2 recent rides to rallys I have been impressed with BOTB's 250 Magna. As she sez "Uphill and wind are the killer" on this chunky cruiser but it can clip along just fine at 100 - 120. And a nice riding style for a learner, IMHO.

The white bike Jerms had at the staging post was a magna

I also had one.

IMO, the Magna is the big bad ass of 250 cruisers

The Virago 250 Special wins for out right beauty in 250 cruisers.


I have hit, going to Little River, 125km with me plus pillion and camping gear on the bike. Not shitting you, as I was very surprised. Maybe a tad bit of tail wind I guess.