How the golly gosh darn flip do you ride a cruiser?

**avgas** · 2nd April 2012, 16:07

I blame the Government.

**The Pastor** · 2nd April 2012, 16:38

i was going to upgrade the exhaust 1st, but now i think i'll upgrade the forks and shocks 1st, get them going pretty sweet.

Any good suspension guys in Auckland that know how to set up cruisers?

**Big Dave** · 2nd April 2012, 16:42

You can do it. The only adjustment most of them have is rear pre-load anyway.

You don't need high performance components - just working ones.

**Edbear** · 2nd April 2012, 16:46

Originally Posted by Big Dave

'95 huh. It probably still has the original fork oil, needs a wheel alignments and the shocks are munted.
Steering head corroded and swing arm bushes shagged too.

But on a positive note... Oh...

**Big Dave** · 2nd April 2012, 16:50

Originally Posted by Edbear

But on a positive note....

....it runs.

**The Pastor** · 2nd April 2012, 16:54

steering head bearings are ok, i'll check out the swing arm at some point in time.

going to need better springs at least in the forks. Gotta set it up for some hard and fast riding.

**awa355** · 2nd April 2012, 17:04

Originally Posted by renegade master

So i recently bought a 95 virago 1100.

WOW

What a shit house bike. How do you go around corners.

Can Robert Taylor or someone improve the suspension on cruisers?

So wobbly at high speed in corners.

And WOW dose the front twin discs feel like the rubber brakes on an old moutain bike!!!

Impressive rear brake tho.

There's a KB'r , name of Kevie,( Waikato LOR), has one of these for sale, ( unless it's his, you have just bought, in which case, I dont know his name), He might be able to help.

Bought my first cruiser after 40 years riding every other style, and had to re learn to ride. Piece of cake now, They were better bikes than you make them out to be. Persevere, you will get to like it.

**mossy1200** · 2nd April 2012, 17:12

Take the handle bars off and fit t bars and slide your arse from one side to the other.It shouldnt go fast enough to need brakes.

**varminter** · 2nd April 2012, 19:55

Christ on a crutch, and I was thinking of getting a 1500 one of those things, now you've put me off.

**Madness** · 2nd April 2012, 20:00

What the fuck were you thinking?

Originally Posted by renegade master

Gotta set it up for some hard and fast riding.

Right. You're planning on rooting your boyfriend on it. I get it now.

**Pogo2** · 2nd April 2012, 20:07

Originally Posted by iYRe

yeah I just replaced the front pegs on my Volusia 800 cuz I keep wearing down the edges..

They _do_ go around corners, you just have to attempt them at a more sane speed. I can keep up fine with my mates on their sports bikes.. Its just roundabouts that cause me grief

There is one roundabout I go through and I feel like I'm steering a aircraft carrier. Other than that they are all good.

**Subike** · 2nd April 2012, 20:12

DONT brake hard into a corner with the front, you will end up on your ass
use the brakes together, more rear than front,
start your braking earlier for the corners
Dont use the countersteering movement of pushing on the bars, which all KB"ers promote to the max
that just upsets the front end by putting your weight on the front wheel,
instead pull on the bars, taking the weight off the front wheel.
but its still countersteering, just a different way.
Try this at a slow speed, and if it works for you then....
use the whole lane to take a corner, longer lines,
in other words from the side of the road to the center line then back to the side.
Make sure your tire pressures are right, can make a huge difference,
and lean back, relax , enjoy the ride....