So I'm thinking about a cruiser

[Subike]

Cruisers are great but limited to good tarseal. .

Better not hear the boys from stewart island hear you say that
with only 4 km of tar seal, their crusers are fitted with dirt tyres!

[Devil]

I really enjoyed the Triumph America. My favourite all-round cruiser. Not too big, not too small. Perfect ergo's for my size and a really nice engine.
Good ground clearance plus it's a good looking bike.

It's an awfully big temptation!

Then again, I also love the Rocket III, but not quite as practical as the america hehe.

[Cross Rider]

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

You guys ride kiddies bikes, fancy encouraging a new rider to do silly shit just to satisfy your own egos. Say it after me it's just silly.

[Headbanger]

I have no idea what I'm talking about

Correct. Your advise was contested for good reason, By a number of people more knowledgeable then yourself.

[vifferman]

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

Agreed.
The 'more relaxed' steering head angle (less rake) and a front tyre that's less weighted makes them generally better in the gravel. To get around this on a sprotsbike, you have to keep your speed up to unweight the front tyre a bit.
However... the trend to put fatter tyres on bikes makes them not quite as good in the gravel, as the tyres tend to 'float' and not dig in as well as skinny tyres. Maybe that's another reason why a Sporty's good in the gravel?

[The Stranger:Me]

rode a harley sportster around the south island twice

Would a sportster be classed as a cruiser?

[Big Dave]

A Sportster is more of a 'Standard' than a cruiser.

One common aspect of all cruisers I've ridden is limited rear suspension travel.

This is a by-product of the style - which originated to suit urban or American roads.

If you want to use them in conditions here there are 2 options.
HTFU
Slow Down

Both are good options.

[firecrab]

The danger with Harley's on gravel roads is a rock finding it's way into the belt-drive which might snap the belt. Not good. But I've been going on stretches of gravel road quite often - just carefully.


Anyway - there are tons of good cruisers out there that find almost any kind of requirement and budget. I've done lots of travelling on cruisers and never wished I was on another bike.

[Horse]

The danger with Harley's on gravel roads is a rock finding it's way into the belt-drive which might snap the belt.

Please don't mention snapped drive belts.

Thank you.

[moT]

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.......

gay!!!!!!!!!!

[Blackbird]

Not that I'm thinking of getting rid of the Blackbird anytime soon but Mrs B has dribbled over the Suzuki M109 R and with her having a slight hip problem, it may be a future means of riding further together as the 'bird certainly causes her some discomfort. Does anyone know of any reliability issues, standard of finish etc that may have a bearing on my future decision-making?

[retro asian]

I recently rode a sporty upright bike for the first time..... was so much more comfortable to corner at high speeds compared to my Intruder.

But I guess you could say there's more adrenalin rush, and it possibly takes more skill to keep up with the boys on your cruiser???

[Devil]

Not that I'm thinking of getting rid of the Blackbird anytime soon but Mrs B has dribbled over the Suzuki M109 R and with her having a slight hip problem, it may be a future means of riding further together as the 'bird certainly causes her some discomfort. Does anyone know of any reliability issues, standard of finish etc that may have a bearing on my future decision-making?

It's not made for anything that resembles a corner and I wouldn't bother with the back seat if you planned on any distance. Mainly because of the footpeg position I think.

I think the M109C? might be a bit better, or the newer M90? (erm, new model coming out).

You could pick up a second hand Triumph Rocket III for a similar price as a new 109... you need to try one

[Blackbird]

It's not made for anything that resembles a corner and I wouldn't bother with the back seat if you planned on any distance. Mainly because of the footpeg position I think.

I think the M109C? might be a bit better, or the newer M90? (erm, new model coming out).

You could pick up a second hand Triumph Rocket III for a similar price as a new 109... you need to try one

Mmm... thanks for that.

Despite having grown up with Triumphs, the Rocket 3 does nothing for me at all - it's been beaten with the ugly stick a bit too much!

[Devil]

Mmm... thanks for that.

Despite having grown up with Triumphs, the Rocket 3 does nothing for me at all - it's been beaten with the ugly stick a bit too much!

Yeah, but as soon as you open the throttle you wont care

Personally (as previously mentioned), my favourite cruiser is the Triumph America. While certainly not the most powerful, it's just right. Well composed, good ground clearance (really helps with the corners!) plus it's reasonably priced. Recently fuel injected too.