Sugilite rides a cruiser for 4 hours, and 'kinda' gets them.

**sugilite:Me** · 5th April 2008, 23:28

Anyone that knows me, pick your self up off the floor, anyone that has known me my whole motorcycling career, don't forget to pick up your false teeth and walking sticks while your at it

.

It's no secret, I'm a sports bike fan through and through. Prior to this momentous event, I've only spent 10 minutes on a cruiser in total. That was 17 years ago and just to shut my mate up, that had been begging me to ride his Harley (under braked, under suspended and a hinge in the frame, I understand they are much better now). Anyways, I was asked by the local Honda shop owner to do a test on his cruiser for the paper I write for.

Someone else's gas and tyres, sign me up! So, I threw a leg over the 750 Shadow and after a couple of aborted attempts at finding the foot pegs (Honda mechanics were laughing too, pricks!), I was off. Normally I head straight for the twisties, but thought, nah, horses for courses and all that, so it was off to Hastings up the long and tedious SH2. (but not to bad on a cruiser as it turns out)

I must say, it did feel quite alien to me. After only 20 km's my back was aching, I put it down to me being way to tall for it (1.97 meters), bars coming way back and seat forward had me feeling like I was in dentist chair position with all the torture, but minus the back support!

I noticed some shit, as one does. 1st up, those sports bike riders are blardy snobs! None waved back, whats up with that? Other cruisers waved, except the Harley ones, don't they know you meet the nicest people riding Hondas?

Anyways, I get to Hastings, the fastest I went was about 110 km's. I noticed that I was holding gears longer than usual in 50 km areas, just to listen to the motor/pipes (was too quiet to hear on the open road!) hmmmm

On the way back to the sprawling metropolis that is Dannevirke I noticed that I'd started to slouch backwards, esp when passing other vehicles, HMMMMM!

From Waipukurau to Dvirke my back was so sore I sat of the back seat, ahhhh much better and now I can look down on the cage drivers as I pass them, bonus!

Now back in Dannevirke, I'm sitting on the riders seat, leaning back using 2 gears lower than I would on a sports bike, sporting the start of a curious smirk/sneer on my face and now I'm catching myself checking out my reflection in shop windows!!! Is this cruiser fucking with my DNA or what???

OK, back on my sports bike and normal service is resumed...but I'm thinking. Yes, I do get cruisers now, I quite enjoyed my time on it. I still feel I'll wait till I have a colostomy bag before I would actually feel the need to own one (besides they have cool saddle bags to hold it and those stock truck effluent deposit stations are springing up in larger abundance now). I'm thinking sports tourers in my 50's and maybe onto a cruiser in my 70's, I'm guessing I'll have shrunk down with old age enough to fit one by then.

Anyways, you cruiser guys will know who I am when you see me on the road, I'll be the only sports bike guy waving at you

**Headbanger** · 5th April 2008, 23:45

Sounds horrible.

**sugilite:Me** · 5th April 2008, 23:51

For my height yeah, but that aside, it was quite a nice bike to ride in it's natural habitat. A cruiser rider has just informed me that if I were to reposition the foot pegs, the back pain would be sorted. I'll do write a proper test report for my blog in a few days or so.

**Nagash** · 6th April 2008, 00:00

Bugger..

I'm a die-hard cruiser fan looking at getting a sports bike..

This shit is wack.

**ajturbo** · 6th April 2008, 00:01

you missed 1/4/08.....
bad luck , joke is on you!...

**Meekey_Mouse** · 6th April 2008, 02:56

Lol, that must of been really odd for you! Glad to hear you're not coverting to the dark side... Just yet

**Bonez** · 6th April 2008, 06:15

They have their place mate. Hey if it puts more folks on two wheels all the better eh?

Hmm Just after 6am and the suns coming up over the yard arm.............broom broom broom.

**chanceyy** · 6th April 2008, 06:57

Originally Posted by sugilite

Now back in Dannevirke, I'm sitting on the riders seat, leaning back using 2 gears lower than I would on a sports bike, sporting the start of a curious smirk/sneer on my face and now I'm catching myself checking out my reflection in shop windows!!! Is this cruiser fucking with my DNA or what???

so tell me sugi .. did ya look hot ?

**T.W.R** · 6th April 2008, 08:35

Originally Posted by sugilite

I threw a leg over the 750 Shadow and after a couple of aborted attempts at finding the foot pegs (Honda mechanics were laughing too, pricks!), I was off.

Paddling air finding the pegs is a bitch

I must say, it did feel quite alien to me. After only 20 km's my back was aching, I put it down to me being way to tall for it (1.97 meters), bars coming way back and seat forward had me feeling like I was in dentist chair position with all the torture, but minus the back support!

SHORT ASS try out a meanstreak with risers & T-bars , much more comfy for us lanky buggers

I noticed some shit, as one does.

That's all the bloody dairy farms around Dannevagas that cause that

On the way back to the sprawling metropolis that is Dannevirke I noticed that I'd started to slouch backwards, esp when passing other vehicles, HMMMMM!

Mr Casual huh?

From Waipukurau to Dvirke my back was so sore I sat of the back seat, ahhhh much better and now I can look down on the cage drivers as I pass them, bonus!

So that eliminates the 110kmh only theory :

sporting the start of a curious smirk/sneer on my face and now I'm catching myself checking out my reflection in shop windows!!! Is this cruiser fucking with my DNA or what???

Doing that on the main street of Dannevagas is damn risky , you poser

OK, back on my sports bike and normal service is resumed...but I'm thinking. Yes, I do get cruisers now, I quite enjoyed my time on it. I still feel I'll wait till I have a colostomy bag before I would actually feel the need to own one (besides they have cool saddle bags to hold it and those stock truck effluent deposit stations are springing up in larger abundance now). I'm thinking sports tourers in my 50's and maybe onto a cruiser in my 70's, I'm guessing I'll have shrunk down with old age enough to fit one by then.

And you'll still have the ZXR for blowing the cobwebs out, though dementure will mean you'll have some pretty interesting rides by then

Wish someone had caught all this on camera

**Trudes** · 6th April 2008, 08:38

Ahhhh, I so want to see a picture of that!!!!
Nice one Sugi!

**sugilite:Me** · 6th April 2008, 09:19

Originally Posted by Nagash

Bugger..

I'm a die-hard cruiser fan looking at getting a sports bike..

This shit is wack.

Huh? tis just horses for courses, purely depends what kind of riding/lifestyle you like

Originally Posted by ajturbo

you missed 1/4/08.....
bad luck , joke is on you!...

I enjoyed it though

Originally Posted by Meekey_Mouse

Lol, that must of been really odd for you! Glad to hear you're not coverting to the dark side... Just yet

I am my father luke, no wait

Originally Posted by Bonez

They have their place mate. Hey if it puts more folks on two wheels all the better eh?

Absolutely, tis why I wave lol

Originally Posted by chanceyy

so tell me sugi .. did ya look hot ?

I was aiming for cool, rather than hot. (but failed miserably!)

Originally Posted by T.W.R

Wish someone had caught all this on camera

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Originally Posted by Mrs Kendog

Ahhhh, I so want to see a picture of that!!!!
Nice one Sugi!

Due to wearing race leathers, just imagine a slimmed down chuppa chup on a black bike! I do have a pair of leather jeans, even a black helmet somewhere, but alas, no black jacket. I need to get one really, then I'll be a real biker

**PrincessBandit** · 6th April 2008, 09:31

Cool! Have been tempted by cruisers myself, nice to have my feet level on the road ha ha - looove the look of the Boulevard, but don't think i could ever be seduced away from my Bandit. A distinct possiblity if I could have BOTH!! (Not that I'm greedy or anything)

Looking forward to trying hubby's Burgman when he gets it. Maybe that will help.