- This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 9 months ago by shaggles.
Cruiser vs Sportbike, which is safer for a beginner?
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July 6, 2008 at 7:11 am #1678Robert4432Participant
I’m thinking about getting a motorcycle and I’m trying to decide on what would be safer to learn on. (250cc or less of course)
My personal preference would be more towards a cruiser (Honda Rebel/kawasaki Eliminator) for overall comfort. But from what I’ve read it seems like sportbikes are tuned for better handling and responsiveness, would that make them a superior platform (safety wise) to learn on?
This would be a commuter for me (mostly city), and I’m more interested in safety, comfort and efficiency rather than performance. I’ve decided against a scooter (for several reasons) and am set on an entry level motorcycle.
Any and all opinions are welcome thanks
Oh I’m 6′ and about 170 if that makes any difference.
July 6, 2008 at 1:09 pm #8426MattParticipantSafety wise, the single biggest issue is You. A sport/standard will turn sharper and brake harder than a cruiser. But in the experienced riders course, I saw people doing emergency avoidance on giant cruisers – and they were able to really lean the bike over hard and fast.
The biggest part of safety is the brain in your head, and to be always paying attention. With that, you’ll be safe, without that, no bike will save you.
July 6, 2008 at 6:02 pm #8431ShannonGParticipantThere seems to be more selection of small displacement cruiser bikes than of sport bikes. That being said, I really don’t know if one is any safer than the other.
July 6, 2008 at 11:04 pm #8444AmorylParticipanta lot of the safety claims I’ve seen about sportsbikes is the way you sit on them, wheras cruisers you sit with your legs a bit forward of you, which makes it a bit more difficult to do sharp low speed turns than on a sportsbike where you’re in a more head forward position. but in the end the bike that you feel comfortable sitting on is going to be safer than the one you’re constantly distracted by being in an unnatural position. in the end the individual quirks of each style of bike (a lot of people say dual sports are easily the safest, best to learn on bar none…) aside, they’re all fairly equally safe/unsafe depending on the rider. as best I can gather. personally I feel the lower seat on the cruiser that makes it easier for me to flatfoot the ground makes me feel safer on a cruiser over a dual sport or a sports bike’s higher seats. choose the bike you want, sit on it to make sure you can sit comfortably, and practice will make it safer thats what I’m planning.
July 6, 2008 at 11:41 pm #8445RupmiscParticipantThe Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles has some interesting opinions. It seems (if I didn’t misunderstand) that the author finds most middle weight cruisers to be acceptable for new riders. He also seems to think that the BMW 800 sport-touring bike is ok for beginners, as is the Harley Sportster (833). He also recommends the Ducati (mini monster).
I’m still planning to go with a Ninja 500R, even though the 650 is more comfortable. I dislike really forward foot controls. I sat on the Harley 833 today and found it uncomfortable because some piece of the engine pressed into my right leg, and stopped me from getting my knee on the tank (too bad because the pegs were OK). Also too bad, the Dyna was comfortable as hell (but also heavy, powerful, and expensive); but i might be able to get used to an extra pair of pegs (“highway pegs”) for leisurely cruising. Maybe on my second bike.
Anyway, I put this here because the Idiot’s guide seems to think that cruisers, being less aggressive, are safer for many new riders. I, myself, have no opinion on safety, but would enjoy comments on some of the “standards” like the small Ducati, the BMW, the Sportster, and the Dyna (the last just because it is so comfortable).
I would also like to know which “cruisers” which would be suitable for a new rider, have more central foot pegs.
July 7, 2008 at 12:17 am #8447RupmiscParticipantJust asking? Is it the pegs that mate it a cruiser. It would be nice if there were a few more standards that might be suitable for a beginner. I don’t have a problem getting my feet on the ground, I just don’t want to feel quite so hunched up.
July 7, 2008 at 3:33 am #8446fotobitsParticipantGround clearance. If you get into a corner too hot, a standard/sport bike has reserves that can help you get through the corner. If you’re on a cruiser you are far more likely to touch hard parts and lose control. Of course, if you’re like me when I was a newbie, you’ll stand the bike up and slow down as much as possible before going off pavement, only to have your friend behind you laugh and say you were holding him up.
Riding position. You have very little leverage on a cruiser because you’re in exactly the wrong position to control your motorcycle. This makes quick transitions more difficult. An addendum to riding position unrelated to safety: When you sit on a cruiser all your weight is on your tailbone, which means every bump is transferred directly to your spine. You’re also sitting upright, which means the wind at highway speeds will tend to push you over backwards. I find cruisers extremely uncomfortable to ride. I also find supersport bikes uncomfortable on the street, but that is as much as reflection of my age as anything else.
Wheelbase. A cruiser’s long wheelbase makes it stable in a straight line, but slow to respond when cornering. Seems a simple matter to slow down going into corners, right? Usually, yes, but what happens if the trailer in front of you hits a bump, the door opens and thousands of ball bearings spill onto the road in front of you? Don’t laugh, it happened to me once. Being on a sport bike I simply steered around the danger. (Hint: Always know where the cars around you are located.)
Some people are more comfortable on cruisers because they can get both feet on the ground. Some people simply don’t like standards or sport bikes. That’s fine with me, just know what you’re getting into so you can be prepared. If you find standards/sport bikes intimidating for any reason, get a cruiser. You’re much safer when you’re relaxed than when nervous.
July 7, 2008 at 3:41 am #8463fotobitsParticipantThe pegs, the high handlebars, the low seat, the fat rear/skinny front tire combo, peanut tank, etc. all define cruisers.
I too wish there were more standards on the market. An SV 450 would be a great street bike and weekend track toy. I would love an updated version of the 1979 Honda CB400F I had long ago. How much would Kawasaki have to charge for a Ninja 450?
July 7, 2008 at 3:47 am #8464RupmiscParticipantYou can say that again. I’d love a nighthawk in a 450. I just want to sit upright, or just a little forward on a naked bike without having my knees higher than my hips. Especially with gas prices so high, and the success of the Ninja 250 in 2008, one would hope for more standards.
Well, I’ll pay my dues on whatever works best-probably a Ninja 500R, but I look forward to the day that I can realistically a larger standard.
July 7, 2008 at 3:26 pm #8494shagglesParticipantNeither one is safer for a beginner. Take the MSF course and test ride a couple different bikes and choose the one that feels right to you.
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