- This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 7 months ago by Senzo.
Conversion from Sport to Cruiser
-
AuthorPosts
-
September 20, 2010 at 7:03 pm #4236SenzoParticipant
I put 2000 miles on a Ninja 650R this season and am now looking to go with a cruiser. I am 5’10 and 350 lbs. Is a Vulcan 900, VSTAR 1100 , Honda VTX 1800 too much bike for me to transition to?
Senzo
September 21, 2010 at 1:18 am #28533MunchParticipantId start with the 900. Main reason being that the two styles of riding are night and day. The last thing you need to do is relearn riding with too much torque under you. Most cruisers are set up for low end pulls…..which also means pick too low a gear coming to a stop…let off the clutch too much and you will find yourself in the middle of a bark…slide….ah shit……..please dont highside….type moment.
September 21, 2010 at 1:36 am #28536TrialsRiderParticipantI totally see you on a bike with ABS (AntiSkid Braking System)
September 21, 2010 at 3:08 am #28538madjak30ParticipantBut the other two will be similar…the Star 1100 is an older design that will have similar power to the Vulcan 900, but the VTX1800 can be quite snatchy (real word?)…anyway, it can be quite touchy when transitioning from off throttle to on…the VTX1300 is a more friendly bike, and seeing that you were on a Ninja 650R you should have decent throttle control and have a good handle on the clutch…I test rode a cruiser this year and was surprised at how different you ride the bike…the sport bike seems to be always wanting you to push it and go faster, the cruiser makes you want to sit back and relax…enjoy the ride more than the adrenaline rush of the sport bike…
Just use caution since you will be learning a new type of bike, but I would think it would be more dangerous the otherway around…from cruiser to sport…the throttle respose and the braking on a sport bike are more immediate than the cruiser…you’ll figure it out…talk to your dealer and see if you can take a bike out for a test ride…or if you just want to ride a cruiser to see if you like it, check out the Harley dealers…lots of them rent the bikes out by the day…then you could see what the difference is in the riding style.
Later.
September 21, 2010 at 5:41 pm #28540SenzoParticipantI only mention the VTX1800 because of a great I saw for a sweet looking bike. My bad conciousness whispering in my ear. My uncle has a VTX1300 and I found that to be quite comfortable and ergonomic for me while sitting on it. He didnt let me actually ride it though I’m not keen on floor boards anyway.
What about a Harley Super Glide, Street Bob or Fat boy?
September 21, 2010 at 5:49 pm #28541MunchParticipantall….roughly 1300’s and 1500’s. If it were a second cruiser I would be apt to say go for it. However fresh off a sport bike to a cruiser you are going to be relearning how to ride minus the basics. A tourquey Hd is not much better then your first list.
September 21, 2010 at 8:00 pm #28543SenzoParticipantFair enough. Thank you!
September 29, 2010 at 12:45 am #28580SenzoParticipantMainly because of the deal, 2600 delivered to my door with 1000 in after market stuff. She weighs about the same as my sport and feels quit nimble. Doesn’t feel like much in the power area though. I feel like I down graded in that sense compared to the ninja but its fun just the same. Decided to relearn on a smaller cruiser before I get into a 1300/1500.
September 29, 2010 at 3:03 am #28576madjak30ParticipantLike Munch said…it’s like learning over again…different riding situation…best to take small steps, plus I have heard that the Honda is better on the freeway due to the gearing being taller…don’t know if it is true, but hey, it works in your favor so roll with it…lol
Sounds like a pretty good deal too, and Hondas are dead reliable…so they say…who ever “they” are…
Later.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.