OT: Any road cyclists own a cruiser style motorcycle or a Harley?

[bluesea]

Had my 250 enduro style bike for a couple of months now. and am looking forward to an upgrade next year. The Ducati Hypermotard is at the top of the list, but I'm keeping an open mind for mainly a stylin' around town bike.

[avalonracing]

Had my 250 enduro style bike for a couple of months now. and am looking forward to an upgrade next year. The Ducati Hypermotard is at the top of the list, but I'm keeping an open mind for mainly a stylin' around town bike.

A modern Harley or cruiser shoes lack of imagination. For style go vintage whether it be American, British, Italian or Japanese.

[bluesea]

Yeah I felt silly right after posting. Best to keep those thoughts at the daydream level.

Antique is something I don't want to get into. I'm too meticulous for that. Otoh an opposed twin BMW would be styling.

[SPOKE]

Well, the Hyper or street fighter can be a little "hectic" putsing around town. More so the 1098/1198 super bikes (I own a 1098R). The new 899/1199 a lite easier to work around town. For a relaxing ride I really enjoy a newer model big twin Harley. They're still a little crude compared to the newer sportbike or cruisers from Japan but work for me. Really great for riding two-up!

[jasond]

I ride a Street Glide. Have always rode Harley's. I tried a Ninja once and couldn't see myself riding it much more than down the street and back. I'd much rather a cruiser style. I also rode a Bourgett once, I wasn't a fan of the saddle placement. Although, I liked how you sit down into the frame sort of like a soft tail Harley with a nice silhouette saddle..

[BryanE]

My 2002 Low Rider.
I enjoy it.
Nuthin wrong with dreaming.

[christian]

Sure, if it has two wheels, I've owned it. Never owned a Rokon or a Gold Wing, but otherwise I've covered most of the possible iterations.

New Harleys are awesome. Can't go wrong with a newer Dyna Glide.

I've ridden a Hypermotard too. I liked it for the weekend, and it wheelies like it's its job. Seat is brutal and seating position is a bit odd. Not an "only" bike for me.

[SPOKE]

I ride a Street Glide. Have always rode Harley's. I tried a Ninja once and couldn't see myself riding it much more than down the street and back. I'd much rather a cruiser style. I also rode a Bourgett once, I wasn't a fan of the saddle placement. Although, I liked how you sit down into the frame sort of like a soft tail Harley with a nice silhouette saddle..

Yep...I keep a street glide at the beach and a Road Glide at home. :banana:

[shovelhd]

Used to. 79 FXEF 98ci stroker and a 1991 Buell RS1200.

[pbarry]

^ Now I understand your handle. :hello:

[pinkshogun]

i had a 1978 Sportster set up with period plastic saddle bags, crash bars, beaded windshield, and earlier big tank and buddy seat. nice to look at but not great to ride

[witcombusa]

The dark side :eek:

[VTCaraco]

Very happy with my 2001 BMW R1200CE.
At the time, it was a more sporty ride, although more modestly powered.
They're sort-of rejected by both the BMW and true-cruiser crowd, so can be had for fairly short money.

[Ken Robb]

I have never been to Oahu but my understanding is that there really aren't any roads where a high powered bike or car can be really enjoyed so it sounds like great place for a cruiser or standard. It may not be "styling" but a V-Strom 650 would be on my Hawaii short list.

[Tony]

Test rode a Triumph Speed Triple R last week. Very nice bike!

[bluesea]

Interesting responses. Oahu is indeed small island. Doubt I would ride 60+ mi more than 10 times a year, but you never know.

A friend was kind enough to let me ride a Kawasaki ZX-10R almost 3 mo. ago -- that with about 20min of saddle time in the past 15 yr. I think I'd be comfortable (in a cautious way) with it today. After my accident in 09 (which got me back on road bikes), I doubt my former bike handling is going to come back. Basically sport bikes are out I think.

The BMW R Nine T is pretty cool, but too minimalist in the saddle and tail.

[choke]

The Ducati Diavel has been getting some very good reviews....

[shovelhd]

^ Now I understand your handle. :hello:

:banana:

[shovelhd]

The Ducati Diavel has been getting some very good reviews....

Love Ducatis. It would be so tough to pick just one.

[Ken Robb]

Love Ducatis. It would be so tough to pick just one.
My ST3 is a very practical Ducati. The easy on/off hard bags make it a really practical vehicle as well as a fun toy.

[Ken Robb]

Is the Oahu speed limit 55mph? How about a Triumph Bonneville?

[ceolwulf]

Guzzi Griso might be just what the doctor ordered.

[thirdgenbird]

Guzzi Griso might be just what the doctor ordered.

So much want

[Fixed]

This looks nice to me

Cheers

[choke]

Love Ducatis. It would be so tough to pick just one.It would be a tough choice, though nothing in their current lineup turns me on in the least. But an 888 or 999...http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697878155&stc=1&d=1396328103

Fixed - that's an excellent choice.

[bart998]

I recently sold my Vulcan Nomad, too heavy and slow ... now I'm looking at either a Moto Guzzi Griso, Norton 961, or BMW R Nine T

[bluesea]

Is the Oahu speed limit 55mph? How about a Triumph Bonneville?


Speed limit here doesn't go too high, can't remember how much above 55 and only for a short stretch. I started riding in the late sixties, so I think you'll understand why I haven't paid attention to what Triumph doing now. Old prejudices etc....

Norton: Have spent a good amount of time on a cherry Dunstall Norton. Very cool for its time.

Ducati Diavel: Seen a few at the local dealer, never really gave them a close look see. Image-wise those bikes are definitely above my station ! The smaller Monsters are on the list though.

[mcteague]

Cruisers are for going straight but the fun in motorcycles is the turns. So, no cruisers for me.

Plus, the cruiser style of sitting prohibits you getting up on the pegs for bumps or in moving your body around in tight corners. IMO they are about laying back and posing. Flame on.

Tim

[avalonracing]

Cruisers are for going straight but the fun in motorcycles is the turns. So, no cruisers for me.

Plus, the cruiser style of sitting prohibits you getting up on the pegs for bumps or in moving your body around in tight corners. IMO they are about laying back and posing. Flame on.

Tim

No flames. You speak the truth. And that said, I hope I can get on the moto this afternoon and lean through some curves myself.

[Gummee]

I have never been to Oahu but my understanding is that there really aren't any roads where a high powered bike or car can be really enjoyed so it sounds like great place for a cruiser or standard. It may not be "styling" but a V-Strom 650 would be on my Hawaii short list.

I was vacationing on Oahu for a week a few years back. Was coming back from the North Shore and what did I see?! Goldwing!

When it takes a few hours to go the whole way round the island, a Wing's overkill.

...but to each their own!

Me? Hardleys are great for what they do: cruise. They just don't turn, stop, or go enough for me.

...or off-road. Last bike was a BMW GS-Adv. Took that thing places I had no bidness taking it. It took it like a champ.

If you have an M endorsement on your license, there's about to be 'open houses' where you can demo a bunch of bikes. Try lots and pick the one that calls to you.

My next bike is likely to be on the sporty end of sport touring: Aprilia Futura, Ducati ST3/ST4S, Triumph Sprint, etc

M

[christian]

Plus, the cruiser style of sitting prohibits you getting up on the pegs for bumps or in moving your body around in tight corners. IMO they are about laying back and posing. A Dyna-Glide or Sportster with mid pegs is just a big standard. You know, what we used to call motorcycles. I admit that there's a lot of the pirate baggage, but for low-maintenance, easy riding, a 2004+ Sportster 1200 is a darn good motorcycle.

Thinking about selling my mc to free up room for more bikes though...

[leooooo]

A guy I ride with regularly owns a Harley Streetglide.
He rides it out maybe twice a year to motor pace us. Man, that thing is huuuge

[hokoman]

For around town... Get a mini!!! Honda ct70 and xl70. I am sure some of you owned these as kids... I always get asked about them and people always come tell me about when they were kids cruising around the dirt fields on them. Definite attention getter and fun... The kids might laugh at you though!

[dancinkozmo]

honda cb1100 !!

[norcalbiker]

Get a scooter.

[wooly]

This looks nice to me

Cheers

I had a Norton Commando back int he 90's. Yellow with a yellow fairing. The thing was SWEET! Unfortunately, I laid it down in LA and sold it. I often think about getting another rig. Maybe when the kids are grown.

[commonguy001]

I have an Ultra Limited which is great for traveling on and doing 500+ mile days but doesn't work well(IMO) for anything else unless it's an afternoon on river roads with the wife.
On the cruiser topic my wife had a Suzuki Boulevard S50 a number of years back and I can't tell you how much I disliked riding it, talk about a bike with virutally no use at all (again IMO).

If my longest trip would be 60 miles or even 160 miles I'd get something smaller, lighter and flickable that wasn't covered in plastic. I like the looks of the new Yamaha SR400 for city duty.

Having owned Ducatis I'd probably do one of the sub 1000cc Monsters or motard if I wanted something really fun for track days and I had my heart set on Italian.

[aramis]

For an island with no freeway I'd get a real supermoto. I used to have a bunch of motos, but now I just have a SV650 and DRZ400SM. I think I'm going to sell the SV650 and just stick with the DRZ. The DRZ400SM is Cheap, fairly low maintenance, good mileage, pretty much the easiest motorcycle to ride or wheelie or stoppie, insurance is dirt cheap, if you drop it.. oh well, pick it up.

I figure since I don't ride much anymore or need to use the freeway much the DRZ400SM is my perfect moto.

http://cdn.rideapart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/01-bike-profile-600x400.jpeg

If I wanted something for posing, I'd probably just get a new triumph bonneville though.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201309/triumph-bonneville-7_600x0w.jpg

Now if I was actually riding a bunch like I used to and wanted something insanely fun for hauling ass, trackdays, etc.. I'd either get a KTM690SM or triumph street triple r.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRr05gFym4z-xonRbeEdud9ePtGy6fjF_TZMFwd-alkuaRzxtZh

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0oOhbZebOSNy5KrI8EmTfK093u7woE o8GC3W0Sdq-8kj1WKZbkA

[Louis]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLUn4TbneNXVDthPQ2tQdLJSH8JP2-dPxmhz6lOeivKeEZsVPfcA

[buldogge]

I'd keep it simple and cheap, based on some of the info posted.

Pre-'03 SV650...add some Laverda JOTA bars and a solo seat...

or

400 Dualsport and (2) wheelsets if you have some decent offroad/gravel to explore.

If you want to follow Louis' lead I can set you up with a much better Vespa than that...

-Mark in St. Louis

[norcalbiker]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLUn4TbneNXVDthPQ2tQdLJSH8JP2-dPxmhz6lOeivKeEZsVPfcA

Need I say more?

[bluesea]

Vespa look cool but fear how they might handle in emergencies. Prejudice maybe, but also feel same about lounge-chair two-wheel pedal machines.

[F150]

Candy Gold

[thirdgenbird]

I had a 360 with a modern Kawasaki ninja 250 engine transplant. Wheelie machine.

[Tony]

For an island with no freeway I'd get a real supermoto. I used to have a bunch of motos, but now I just have a SV650 and DRZ400SM. I think I'm going to sell the SV650 and just stick with the DRZ. The DRZ400SM is Cheap, fairly low maintenance, good mileage, pretty much the easiest motorcycle to ride or wheelie or stoppie, insurance is dirt cheap, if you drop it.. oh well, pick it up.

I figure since I don't ride much anymore or need to use the freeway much the DRZ400SM is my perfect moto.

http://cdn.rideapart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/01-bike-profile-600x400.jpeg

If I wanted something for posing, I'd probably just get a new triumph bonneville though.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201309/triumph-bonneville-7_600x0w.jpg

Now if I was actually riding a bunch like I used to and wanted something insanely fun for hauling ass, trackdays, etc.. I'd either get a KTM690SM or triumph street triple r.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRr05gFym4z-xonRbeEdud9ePtGy6fjF_TZMFwd-alkuaRzxtZh

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0oOhbZebOSNy5KrI8EmTfK093u7woE o8GC3W0Sdq-8kj1WKZbkA

A friend has the DRZ400SM, great bike. However, this bike has a very high seat. If you have a 34 inseam or less, you'll barely be able to touch the ground with your toes sitting on the bike.

The Triumph street triple R recommended is a great bike!
http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/triumph/2014-triumph-street-triple-r-abs-ar161574.html
The new Yamaha FZ 09 is another nice triple to consider, the Triumph being the better package overall due to its much better suspension. It was mentioned that the Triumphs were/are not reliable. This Hinckley designed 675cc three-cylinder engine is very reliable, as well as the other three cylinder power plants Triumph offers. They also do well in endurance/24 hour races. The KTM's I have been around have proven to be less than durable, I would not own one.

[aramis]

A friend has the DRZ400SM, great bike. However, this bike has a very high seat. If you have a 34 inseam or less, you'll barely be able to touch the ground with your toes sitting on the bike.


I'm 6' and I don't think I can flatfoot my DRZ with the suspension uncompressed. Not that being able to put both feet down really matters.

Luckily, it's a dirt bike so if you push down on the seat a little the suspension moves a bunch. I even know someone about 5' that rides one (I think it's stock height).

That new yamaha looks awesome.. kind of a new sv650 type bike. I've heard they aren't lasting on dealer floors.

[Tony]

That new yamaha looks awesome.. kind of a new sv650 type bike. I've heard they aren't lasting on dealer floors.

Dealers in my area have a waiting list for the bike, selling it way over MSRP.

[bluesea]

I like the idea of the SV650, but the Monster 696 is close to 40lb lighter. ;)