Cruiser v Tourer

**DougieNZ** · 8th June 2006, 12:29

Hi All,

I'm looking for another bike. Havde owned a CBR1000 for 12 years now, but want to find something a little more comfortable to ride over long distances.

I generally travel with a few mates, and we do 3-400km per day 2-3 times per year.

I am looking at the following:

Honda
ST1300
VTX1800
Suzuki
M109R

The ST as a package comes probably with more than the cruisers. I would be interested to know other's points of view re the cruiser/tourer thing from the comfort point of view...

Regards

**Blackbird** · 8th June 2006, 12:58

If you're a Honda fan, what about a Blackbird as it allows you to tour AND blast if you haven't got a speed limiting partner on pillion

. I've done 1600 k in a day on mine but not with the stock seat! I'm surprised that your CBR 1000 gives you grief over 400 km in a day. Talk to Rider in Black - he does long hauls with his CBR 1000 with an aftermarket seat.

**Hitcher** · 8th June 2006, 13:06

It all depends on the distances you want to travel while out riding.

Cruisers are limited by things like tank capacity, luggage carrying and pillion comfort. And you've got to really like fiddling around cleaning them. On the pros side, they are shit hot fun to ride and are real head-turners. They are synonymous with many people's view of what constitutes a "real" motorcycle.

The ST1300? What can I say. Easily over 450km to a tank. Good roomy, removable panniers, with the ability to fit a topbox or tailbag when required. Pillion comfort that can only be bettered by a Goldwing or big BMW. They eat the highway, hour after hour after hour. They're pretty sharp handling too, for a bike that weighs over 310kg with a full tank. Honda's linked brakes are great. On the cons side, the screen is a bit sub-optimal. I don't know if the newer models with the electric screen are any better because I haven't seen a demo anywhere that I can take for a spin or a dealer that wants to flirt. The ST also looks a bit huckery with its panniers off -- about the only area where it is outdone by the Yamaha FJR1300.

**sels1** · 8th June 2006, 13:31

Welcome aboard the site
Looked at Triumphs? I've got a Tiger that is a comfortable 2 up tourer but handles well enough to be fun in the twisties. Its great on gravel roads and backroads and can criuse around town at low revs in commuter mode. Its a great all rounder but does tend to suit taller riders.
The new Sprint ST is a nice sport tourer is you prefer that style. Hop into to WMCC and have a sit.
Or look at : www.triumphnz.co.nz

**TONO** · 8th June 2006, 18:34

I have just got a GSX1400 and it is bloody comfortable, miles of torque & share grunt if you want it and gets around corners pretty well.
Just returned from a round trip from Rotorua-Taupo-Napier-Wairoa-Gisborne-Opotiki-Rotorua over Sat/Sun on the weekend. Sunday was wet & wild had my pillion and panniers on and still come through the gorge at a good pace.
The other bike I looked real close at was Triumphs new Sprint ST with the 1050 triple motor, very nice and comfortable to ride. But $20,000 is a lot.

**terbang** · 8th June 2006, 18:58

Good trip there Tony so when ya bringing the new machine up to Auckland..

Now back to the origional thread get a Busa..! What will do a lot will also do a little and at 1.82m tall I find mine fits like a glove and is also comfortable on a long trip.
Those GSX1400's, like Tony says, are also an awesome as well and look real nice.

Personally I don't like cruisers that much, they look OK but don't perform too well and I find the suspension technology seems to let most down as well. But hey they are bikes and each to their own..

**Hitcher** · 8th June 2006, 19:26

I don't see how a Blackbird, Hirebus, ZX12 or similar can be reasonably called a "tourer". If you've had all the vertebrae in your lower back and bones in your wrists fused together, had a higher or double-bubble screen fitted so you can read the instruments and see the idiot lights, your pillion doesn't mind being hammered by hour after hour of wind blast, and you don't need any more than a change of jocks and a toothbrush for luggage, then I guess they may be "tourers".

A big naked is closer to meeting my definition of tourer.

**terbang** · 8th June 2006, 19:48

Each to their own I guess. But I was serious about the Busa it has surprised me as to how comfortable it actually is though I agree its not a pillions bike. I currently have a big naked and have previously owned a more modern one for 8 years and without a doubt the Busa wins hands down on a long trip, done a few long ones like across Australia and Europe, so I roughly know the ins and outs of long trips. It does carry a good load with Ventura luggage fitted though thats costs an extra couple of hundred and is a very warm bike to ride. ST 1300 could be good as well but I wont speculate on something I havn't ridden much.

**James Deuce** · 8th June 2006, 19:53

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Pillion comfort that can only be bettered by a Goldwing or big BMW. They eat the highway, hour after hour after hour. They're pretty sharp handling too, for a bike that weighs over 310kg with a full tank. Honda's linked brakes are great.

I'll confirm that. Hitcher took me up to Inlinefour's to wrest the CB400 from his sweaty grasp, and I literally felt like nodding off a couple of times. The only thing that woke me up was glancing over Hitcher's shoulder and seeing the speedo.

**beyond** · 8th June 2006, 19:55

For the money and as a good all rounder, you can't go past the GSX1400.
Excellent two up bike but still plenty of fun in the twisties. I've ridden to Napier and back in one day. Could have done it again, easy.

Here's my review:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=26613

**NUTBAR** · 8th June 2006, 20:25

Hey guys
iv just come back on to the bike scene after 18 years from my last bike (kids etc) I brought a Suzuki M50 cruzzer because i liked the style of it. Iv clocked up just over 13,000 ks since dec 05. im looking at up grading my self in a few months, I have looked at the 05, honda st 1300. also at the st90 boulivard the big brother to my bike. both bikes have pros & cons. both are comfortable, the st1300 has abs, a good safety feature. one is a cruzzer, the other a sports bike. i guess it comes down to wether u want to get from a to b in a hurry or see the country side on the way.

**Mr. Peanut** · 8th June 2006, 23:33

Get the VTX, that looks like the shizz

**DougieNZ** · 27th September 2006, 09:04

Hi Guys, Just to update this thread, I ended up getting a 2004 ST1300 with ABS and electric screen. What a great bike it is! I rode all the way from Auckland with the screen up and helmet visor up! This bike has an incredible range and absolutely "eats" kms!

Thanks to everyone for their help with and thoughts on this subject.

Regards

**Hitcher** · 27th September 2006, 09:23

Originally Posted by DougieNZ

Hi Guys, Just to update this thread, I ended up getting a 2004 ST1300 with ABS and electric screen. What a great bike it is!

They are indeed a great ride, until you're tried an FJR...

Just watch out if it decides to spontaneously mate with a RAV4.

Also order your next set of tyres now so you can have what you want (well, a comparatively limited selection really) when you need them, rather than having to suffer the competent but uninspiring OEM Battlaxes any longer than you have to. I recommend the Metzeler Roadtec Z6. I ran two consecutive sets of these on my ST and loved them. Continental don't do a 120/70 18" Road Attack. Avon does an 18" front on a couple of their sports touring ranges but the distributors don't routinely stock these. And I wouldn't recommend the Dunlop choices at all -- again, the distributors don't routinely stock 120/70 18s.