I have a 2003 VFR. Thinking of moving to a cruiser. I like the Triumph Speedmaster. Am I crazy? I know the cruiser will feel slower, heavier...etc. just looking for folks who've made a similar move and how you adjusted, enjoyed, or regretted...
Who here has made the move from a sports touring to a cruiser?
- Thread starter Varrus999
- Start date
Did you try riding one? It is nice to hear opinion of other folks but no one would know better then yourself. I tried fair number of cruisers this year and it is just not my thing.
suzuki2000
Well-known member
I have considered a few times, mostly when my surgically rebuilt bent knee feels a bit uncomfortable, then I find myself in some twisty sections and I get that smile on my face and I foget just a little about that knee.
I think I need some seat time in some cruisers to sell me on the idea that I'm not sacrificing all of the things that make me smile
I think I need some seat time in some cruisers to sell me on the idea that I'm not sacrificing all of the things that make me smile
Out of all cruisers I tried this year the only one I really liked was Diavel. And it is not really a cruiser in its classic form I think.
Bags of power and torque, stops on a dime, telepathic steering, very comfy standard seating position of classic UJM.
Bags of power and torque, stops on a dime, telepathic steering, very comfy standard seating position of classic UJM.
Johnny5
Well-known member
Never heard of them so i just googled them, kinda cool looking, i'd call it more of a standard bike than a cruiser though since you sit upright and the foot controls are directly down, rather than up front. I had always thought i would want a cruiser before getting my bike license but then when i finally had it i tried several and like others i just don't like the position of feet so far forward, it feels completely unnatural. Also looks pretty silly imo.
I may be wrong but on most cruisers you can get forward controls or standard.
Ducati Diavel is one cool bike in my books!
Knight_Rider
Member
I own a sport bike, have ridden a couple of cruisers, but never a sport-touring. I don't mind the cruisers. I think they're great on long rides when you don't need to constantly change gears, stop and go, or react to other moronic drivers. If I could afford it, I'd keep my sport bike for the city and buy a cruiser for the highway. But like somebody else said, it's about personal comfort. I'm also a big believer in buying a bike that suits your riding style and environment, so I would also consider those two variables when thinking about the switch.
After 30 years of UJM's and sportbikes I purchased my first cruiser last year. Ergos on the sportbike were really starting to hurt, and I was getting tired of the racer look with all the gear, especially at my age. Picked up a new Sportster, threw some decent suspension and brake parts at it and never looked back. It's comfy, handles well, pulls adequately and has a raw, visceral presence to it. Brakes will never be as sweet as the Brembo's I had on my BMW, but they will do for the envelope I'm now riding in.
Also swapped out the forward controls for mids, much better control in the corners as it's a lot easier to shift your weight. I'll never remove all the chicken strips off the tires, but I haven't seen any cruiser locally that has as little as I do.
Also swapped out the forward controls for mids, much better control in the corners as it's a lot easier to shift your weight. I'll never remove all the chicken strips off the tires, but I haven't seen any cruiser locally that has as little as I do.
I moved from a zzr600 to a 650 Burgman--not quite a cruiser, but with similar ergonomics, weight and power. Even an older design like the zx6e kicks sand in the Burgman's face--from a performance perspective. Your VFR will do the same to any cruiser you choose. So the Speedmaster has to bring something else to the table. Does it?
In my case, I was looking for a more practical streetbike and better commuter with some touring capability (on a limited budget of course). The AN650 ticked off more boxes than anything else, and a few more when I started riding one. So I didn't "give up" performance, I traded it for other, more valuable (to me) characteristics. No real regrets. The Kawasaki wasn't a collector's item and I can always buy another sportbike if I really feel the need again.
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Went from SV650S to a Magna VF750. Great cruiser, quite fast but just not for me. Can't really do the same things as on a sport bike. It's superb for relaxed, short range riding but I don't like it on the highway or the twisties. Hence, I put it up on kijiji and bought a VFR800 instead. To me, sport touring bikes are the best.
OMGSelenaGomez
Well-known member
Having been exposed to cruisers early on and then getting on a CBR125 and eventually onto a r6, idk why you'd want to move to a cruiser. So many limitations. If you want to go on a long trip, Sport Touring is just perfect. I've ridden a FJR1300 for a few weeks and it's definitely much more nimble and actually does stuff besides make noise.
Honestly, they generally steer, stop, and accelerate slower than any other class of bike. Why are you looking to change? Comfort? Insurance? Just want something different?
As the "omgselenagomez" stated your really gonna start limiting yourself. Sport touring class is amazing. They do everything well.
As the "omgselenagomez" stated your really gonna start limiting yourself. Sport touring class is amazing. They do everything well.
I went from a SV 1000S to the Diavel. My first opinion was. "Boy this is fugly" Have changed my mind since. Tons of torque and really goes like stink. Just did 1700 kms (5 days) on it running around the twistes. It loves to flick, can get it all the way over. What a pleasure. Not that good on gas, get about 170 kms on a tank before the light comes on.(About a 4 gallon tank) Not gentle on the throttle. Sort of defined as a Sports Cruiser. Not cheap. Lots of fun. Not that heavy. Changed the pipe and battery, Shorai, lost 20 lbs. now weighs around 435 lbs. Engines same as a Multistrada. My problem was I wanted to stay with the sports range, unfortunately, Doctor recommended a new hip from doing too many sports???????????? Choice had to be the Diavel. Comfortable, fast and not too bad on the hip.
RednBlax
Well-known member
I actually have a gsx650f, which falls under sport tourer (Yea, Suzuki says it's a beginner sport bike). Recently, I had the opportunity riding a Stryker (1300cc Cruiser) during a Yamaha demo day. This was my first time not only riding a cruiser but a 1.3L badass chopper. Off the bat I loved the looks and loved the sound of the pipes. Comfort wise, I felt it was hard on my glutes and lower back when I went over bumps and potholes. Chopper based cruiser tend to have stiffer suspensions, so I can’t say about other cruisers
It was powerful, torqy and comfy (as long as the roads are smooth). Not as fun as the Gsx around corners though and accelerates slower.
One thing I found about riding the stryker- People heard and noticed me. As I slowed down at a red light by rev matching, making short bursts of rumble, I caught the attention of all the motorists around me. I am not saying I love attention, but from a safety point of view, other drivers were actually aware of my presence.
Overall…yes I really enjoyed riding it. Would I trade the GSX650 for the Stryker? No, I wouldn’t. But I would get one as a second bike just to get some variety out of riding it.
I honestly and highly recommend you test ride a cruiser during the demo days to find out yourself. I think Suzuki has one coming up in Niagara…check their website. My opinion of cruisers was a result of that test ride. You may find it completely different. So, if you get a chance get to the demo if you can.
Cycling: Wow…your diavel is lighter than my bike!!!!
It was powerful, torqy and comfy (as long as the roads are smooth). Not as fun as the Gsx around corners though and accelerates slower.
One thing I found about riding the stryker- People heard and noticed me. As I slowed down at a red light by rev matching, making short bursts of rumble, I caught the attention of all the motorists around me. I am not saying I love attention, but from a safety point of view, other drivers were actually aware of my presence.
Overall…yes I really enjoyed riding it. Would I trade the GSX650 for the Stryker? No, I wouldn’t. But I would get one as a second bike just to get some variety out of riding it.
I honestly and highly recommend you test ride a cruiser during the demo days to find out yourself. I think Suzuki has one coming up in Niagara…check their website. My opinion of cruisers was a result of that test ride. You may find it completely different. So, if you get a chance get to the demo if you can.
Cycling: Wow…your diavel is lighter than my bike!!!!
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I'm curious as to why you want to make the change.. is it a case of bike lust or a matter of comfort or is there something else that is prompting you to change?
..Tom
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I am so jealous! Even in stock it is not that heavy - it weighs pretty muc the same as my FZ6 and has almost twice the power and bags of torque. When it first came out I thought it looked awesome. Then I saw it on showroom floor and thought it was ugly. Then finally rode it - OMG, drooling everytime I see one.
My exact thoughts.Thank you for your wise comments. Till you ride one it is amazing when you through your leg over it.Not quite the same as humping but never-the-less a pleasant surprise.lol.
IMHO, Diavel is more is a Naked or Standard Bike than a true classic cruiser. One of the key differences between a Standard or Cruiser is the forward controls. Once you start moving them back to a more "standard" position you get into a Standard bike.
