Cruisers vs. Sport

[Hoon]

The big question is your intended use of the bike. If you plan to go on frequent long trips at a relaxed to moderate pace, get a standard or sport touring bike.

I rode a motard for a season and it was awesome in the city, but i'd never ride it longer than 45 minutes at a time and keep the long highway trips to a minimum.

Over the winter i bought a ZZR600 and it was not for me. I put 1,500 miles on it in 3 weeks, was bored with it and sold it. I'd rather be uncomfortable during boring sections of fun rides than bored during fun sections.

My GSXR on the other hand is awesome. I've taken it to Loudon, new england dragway, and done plenty of street racing and aggressive street riding with it.

It's not at all comfortable so i bought a $250 trailer to bring it to the tracks, but it's well worth it IMO. Any open road i'm going to ride aggressively, so i want the right tool for the job. While it's true that it is very difficult and extremely irresponsible to get to the limits of a current super sport on the street, i'd rather ride a super sport at 80% then be restricted or bored with the capabilities of a sport touring. That's just me.

If you're a more civilized rider than i am and plan to log more long trips than i do, then a standard is probably the right choice.

Originally i wanted a more comfortable bike also, but after riding a few naked bikes and a couple super sports there's no question i want the race replica for the 7K miles a year i ride.

I do miss my motard though.

[OreoGaborio]

(Oreo was my MSF instructor... on many occasions I thank myself for taking that class, and to top it off have a great instructor)

OSNAP! What's up, Shaun? How's the SV treatin ya?

(I'll pay ya later for the compliment)

[maxim_X]

I've had a fair share of bikes (11) in my short time riding (8 years). I owned an 80's UJM 'cruiser' a supermoto, multiple supersports, zx14 ect. My most recent purchases have been an sv650 and a Ducati Streetfighter. Both of them are upright standards with a sport background. I was looking for something that would satisfy my sport bike cravings but also be able to commute and go on longer weekend rides as well as possibly take to the track if my dedicated track bike was down or stuck in the basement like it is right now. Though I haven't actually ridden the SV any sort of distance yet I'm sure it will become my primary bike for commuting and possibly track days. It has enough power to keep you entertained, dirtbike upright ergonomics and a windscreen. It goes without saying that the aftermarket support for the bike is about as good as it gets.

Personally I think jumping on a sport tourer or a supersport as a new rider isn't the best bet. Really you have to start riding before you truly know what you want. But it would be alot easier to learn to ride and be comfortable and confident on something smaller and lighter than most sport tourers.

[e30addict]

Everyone buys image and wants a SS bike to go "fast". Reality is most people who buy them don't even use half of what those bikes are capable of, especially on the street. I personally think it's more fun to ride a "slow" bike fast than be forced to putt around on a "fast" bike.

If you refuse to learn on something like a Ninja 250 or GS500 get something like a the FZ6, Ninja 650 or SV650. The middle weight standards/sport bikes are still extremely sporty, comfortable and cheaper to maintain and insure. They certainly offer enough performance to be a blast on the street, especially for a new rider.

They are cheaper to buy than a full on sport touring bike and are easy to flip after you gain experience and decide you want something else.

[BostonShaun]

OSNAP! What's up, Shaun? How's the SV treatin ya?

(I'll pay ya later for the compliment)

Love it man... my truck doesn't move from the driveway anymore. Awesome commuter, awesome in the twists, crazy fun. Waited on the first one I found for 5k and found another for 4500 with only 30 miles on it (guy dropped it in his driveway the day he bought it, never touched it again... some minor cosmetic stuff, but only the left side of the upper fairing... nothing to hard to fix.)

[OreoGaborio]

[D.Brown]

I wouldn't exacty say I am a "new" rider persay. Although I have only been riding for a short period of time (2 Years) this won't be a first bike for me. I'm coming from a Ninja 750 and an 06' CBR F4i. I have no trouble riding the F4i for hours at a time and was really just wondering the difference between cruisers and sports. It seems to me that my best move would be to acquire the 06' CBR600RR and sell the Harley in trade for a sport-tourer that I can take on long trips comfortably and achieve a better mpg effectively. I've learned a lot from all the responses, I would just like to thank everyone. Hoping to get the CBR soon so I can't start riding with some of you.

[Kenn157]

In my experience, most sport-minded riders who decide they don't like the riding position of a true sportbike end up moving to a sport-tourer, sporty naked, or adventure bike. Cruisers are almost an entirely different sport, with a different mindset -- no less valid, but I haven't met many people who can comfortably cross between the two.

Interestingly, the one bike that I feel does sort of bridge both worlds is the Triumph Bonneville. It's got the classic looks to hang with the cruiser crowd and is a pleasant bike to just take it easy on and enjoy the scenery, but it's also got the handling and performance to be ridden aggressively and achieve impressive lean angles in the twisties.

Personally, if someone gave me a Harley, I'd sell it and buy something else. Probably a Street Triple.

--mark

Owned a lot of bikes over the years. 86 GSX-R750LTD, 88 GSX-R750, RF900 for the Sport/Sport Touring... A Harley in 1975... Not going to list all the bikes.
Getting the Suzuki Gladius (SFV650) aka The Stinger.. Was a joy! Loved that bike.
Bought the 2011 Speedd Triple and its go so much more power then I'll ever use. Bought a Triumph Thruxton Cafe Racer style bike. Now the Adventure Bike being the Explorer
So I got the Sporty Naked, Adventure bike and sorta Best of both worlds with the Bonneville Thruxton...

So I guess what I'm saying is dont limit yorself to only one bike.

[D.Brown]

If money allows me I will certainly have a bike for every occasion. All in all it definitely looks like the Harley will be getting a new home as soon as I get it. I'm sure my stepfather won't be too happy, but he never rides it anyways.

[jwm2k3]

My 1st bike was a Honda Hawk GT. A naked bike with a 650 vtwin engine. I knew I was going for a fully faired sportbuke next. Learned on the Hawk, then bought a GSXR750. Four bikes later I bought an MV Agusta Brutale. Another naked bike with more upright riding position. I loved the look and the power of it, but I just couldnt get past the body position. I thought it was for me, it wasnt. After about 500 miles, traded it in. I test rode the new bike and knew instantly that the leaned forward body position was what I wanted. Best decision ever. Is it uncomfortable? Hell yes. Do I care? Not in the least. It rails around corners. Love it!