So I'm thinking about a cruiser

[ukiwi]

Stepping up from a 250 and thinking what next. I have to say I like the look of a couple of cruisers, mainly the shadow 750, but have a couple of questions.
How practical are they for daily use, the Hutt to Wellington every day in the busy periods.
What about the twisties, how do they go on the rimatukas or something like the makara beach ride, a ride we do quiet a bit.
What about the long trips around the south island, in the pipeline for next summer.
Like I say I like the look and the idea of a cruiser but.......

[98tls]

Nothing wrong with them at all but theres plenty of other options with +s such as clearance etc,different strokes i guess,if me i would go ride one then ride a Bandit etc and go from there.

[maybe]

Nothing wrong with a cruiser and if its mainly for commuting with the odd long trip thrown in the Honda would be great.

[rainman]

A mid-size or bigger cruiser is a fine thing indeed, but it depends on what you're looking for. You're talking about handling in the twisties etc which IMO isn't really the point of a cruiser (although that's not to say a cruiser can't handle a windy road, just don't expect to get your knee down).

I love my Marauder and when I buy again it'll be a mid-size cruiser, because that's the best option that provides me with commuting and longer distance abilities. It's comfy to ride for hours, has a nice low c.o.g., I like the position of the controls, and it has enough grunt at 800cc to get me comfortably past a truck or whatever, V-twin sounds great... so all good. I'd love a bigger cruiser (C109R, or the Victory Hammer that Big Dave posted a piccie of in his Frustrated thread... ) just for the hell of it, but those are a bit impractical, and there's other things to spend money on.

I do like some of the nakeds and sport tourers, but I don't need the speed - I have no interest in going to the track, I can't ride well enough to go at fcuk off speeds without killing myself, and could do without the fines, which there would be. And I'm an old bugger with a dodgy back and don't like riding bent over the handlebars

I seriously looked at the Shadow before I bought mine. Nice bike. But you need to take one for a ride. In fact, tour the bike shops and test ride the lot.

Good luck.

[Jerry74]

Recommend =

1. Kawasaki VN Vulcan series 900 - 1500 cc
2. Triumph Adventurer
3. Harley Dyna or Softail

Depends what you want....or look at a 600 - 900 cc Sport bike

[Griffin]

Cruisers are awesome for commuting... I ride mine every day to and from work as well as going out for longer rides on weekends.

I have no probs with the Rimutakas although obviously I dont go as fast as our sportsbiker cousins, you dont get the same lean on a cruiser and thats because their not designed for that style of riding.

Cruisers are comfortable, low torque, great sounding bikes (for the most part) and are designed for... well, cruising

Like mentioned above -go out to a few shops and take a few for a ride. You may find they're not for you. But if they are - there are plenty to choose from!

[Pwalo]

As all the others have said there's nothing wrong with any of the cruisers. As long as you feel comfortable on them I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide on.

My only advice is to try a few different bikes and see what you think of the seating position. I still find the crusier position uncomfortable for any length of time, and you may find a more upright position suits you better. There's always something like the Triumph Bonneville as an alernative.

[chubby]

If I can offer my 10c worth.

Forget the make and model for a while and focus on what and how you want to ride. Each bike type comes with its own general advantages and disadvantages so work out what YOU want in your life now.

Then do the rounds of the bike shops, ride and test. I commute on my chubby, I do long runs and trips to the shop. It works for me but you have to make up your own mind.

[Rockbuddy]

If I can offer my 10c worth.

Forget the make and model for a while and focus on what and how you want to ride. Each bike type comes with its own general advantages and disadvantages so work out what YOU want in your life now.

Then do the rounds of the bike shops, ride and test. I commute on my chubby, I do long runs and trips to the shop. It works for me but you have to make up your own mind.

What he said but with one thing know what your budget is as that will have a big part in dictating what you will end up with. personally i like my sporty for my everyday 60kms round trip commute and use the cruiser for other rides, the missus hops on the back of the cruiser but wont get on the back of the sporty. two different styles of riding and both as enjoyable as the other in my book

good luck in your choice

[slimjim]

speed and leaning are the couple of factores with a crusier..try before buying...

[Irontusk]

I know my 'cruiser' (is it really? ) is tiny, but I don't think I'd want to lean any more than it can.. feels pretty far over sometimes and I havn't touched ground yet.

A medium-large cruiser wouldn't be too good for commuting if you're into lane splitting I don't think.

And I'd say mine has an upright seating position, it's lame.

[Cross Rider]

Stepping up from a 250 and thinking what next. I have to say I like the look of a couple of cruisers, mainly the shadow 750, but have a couple of questions.
How practical are they for daily use, the Hutt to Wellington every day in the busy periods.
What about the twisties, how do they go on the rimatukas or something like the makara beach ride, a ride we do quiet a bit.
What about the long trips around the south island, in the pipeline for next summer.
Like I say I like the look and the idea of a cruiser but.......

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal. South Island riding gives you a huge amount of riding options, especially when tar becomes gravel slightly off the beaten track. Perhaps you should take 2 cylinder dual purpose bike for a ride. They give you more travel options and great handling as well. I have both types of bike, but if I had to pick one as an everyday bike it would be a dual purpose.

[vifferman]

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal.

Why? [insert :spudwhat: emoticodweebicon here]

[Headbanger]

Cruisers are as good off-road as any other road bike. I ride mine on gravel whenever I come across it, No drama.

I once took it across a paddock at a great rate of knots, granted it was by accident, and I only stopped when I crashed into a ditch, But she was a hell of a ride....hell of a ride.

[popelli]

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal. South Island riding gives you a huge amount of riding options, especially when tar becomes gravel slightly off the beaten track. .

since when??????

rode a harley sportster around the south island twice, including gravel roads and some unclassified four wheel drive dry weather only roads

no problem at all

cruisers are far more adaptable than a sports bike when it comes to non tarseal roads

for my money I'd buy a sportster for a first cruiser, they have phenomenal resale value and a generally bullet proof motor and their handling is generally as good or better than other cruiser type bikes