- This topic has 32 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 6 months ago by Dagger.
fist bike: cruiser/standard or sportsbike?
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October 15, 2008 at 12:11 am #2249djon01Participant
All right, so come the end of this semester I’ll be taking the MSF course and getting my permit, so here’s my question to you: In the experience of someone who ownes or has owned both sports bikes and cruisers, which would you recommend to someone caught indecision between the two? I love the ninja 250, but I’m just as in love with the vulcan 500. Give me some advice! please! something to help sway me either way, even if it’s just your pure unfounded bias!
October 15, 2008 at 12:23 am #13854MunchParticipantEven though I recently had a problem it was not due to the bike(see my other post). I love the Vulcan 500… I have an 09 and for a “small” bike she ruuuuuns when you need her to. I do alot of highay miles and at 80mph ( if your not doing atleast 75mph here in high traffic your a speed bump) you have plenty power left to pass a slightly slower person to keep from getting hit by a moron trying to brake his last record.
I have outpaced a Softail easily at highway speeds…. but I owuldn’t recommend it. I get about 51 mpg give or take depending on the song and the traffic. No vibrations at highway speeds… brakes awork real well even though its Disc drum combo. Shes also small enough that you can easily put her anywhere you want in a parking lot. Great to learn on!!! Good to keep if you never need anything more.
My only gripe…… not enough aftermarket customising options.Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
October 15, 2008 at 12:41 am #13855fotobitsParticipant“Why any cruiser?” you ask. Simple.
Sit on the floor on your butt, with your hands out at about the level of the handlebars on a cruiser. Hold on to a table or chair lightly, as you would grip the handlebars on a motorcycle. Have a friend push your shoulder firmly. See how unstable you are?
Now sit on your knees, resting your hands lightly on the same table or chair. Have the friend apply the same pressure to a shoulder. See how much more stable you are?
That is the reason racers don’t race cruisers. You have much more control on a sport bike or a standard. Cruisers also force you into a seating position that transfers every bump straight through your tailbone to your spine. Standards are more comfortable than cruisers or sport bikes while still allowing you to control the bike in emergencies, and giving you reserves of cornering clearance necessary for accident avoidance and changing your line when you get into a turn too hot of see a hazard in your line while cornering.
I ride a standard.
October 15, 2008 at 12:47 am #13856MunchParticipant“Now sit on your knees, resting your hands lightly on the same table or chair. Have the friend apply the same pressure to a shoulder. See how much more stable you are?”
Wow, how inaccurate of a position…..more close to sitting in a computer chair or the likes with your feet more forward then under…. choppers are more closely to your description.
But….. not wanting to debate as everyone has their opinions….just needed to correct the positioning. The vulcan does not have a sunken seating position. Vstars are more “dropped in” and maybe even the newer Sprortsters… however the Vulcan does not.Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
October 15, 2008 at 12:49 am #13857djon01Participantreally is more of a standard than a cruiser, or so it would seem to someone like me
October 15, 2008 at 1:52 am #13862fotobitsParticipantWhen I posted.
I think Elwood summed it up quite nicely:
“Your bike is a relationship . . . . you in the end have to try each and figure out what YOU think on this one. The two of you need to flow together with true comfort and ease . . . and to me that extends beyond mechanics. (-: Kind of like a woman, the right one is obvious when you find her. ((-: The ride feels natural to YOU. At least that’s how I feel when I ride now, I feel connected to my bike . . . I have eyes only for her right now. LoL”
Great post. And I have to admit my SV1000N feels constrained on my commute. That’s why I plan to do some track days as often as I can afford.
October 15, 2008 at 2:12 am #13864chromium ghostParticipantWhat kind of bicycle do you prefer? If you are more comfortable on a racing bike, go for a sport bike, if you prefer the upright riding position on a mountain bike, go for a standard or cruiser. You can still “tuck in” on a standard, but you are basically forced into that position on a sport bike. If you plan on doing any long distance riding you should definitely buy a standard or cruiser.
October 15, 2008 at 2:14 am #13865bob250ParticipantThe 250 Ninja sits more like a standard than a sport bike. You won’t be “humping” the tank on the 250. I’ve sat on a Vulcan and found it uncomfortable. Legs and arms too stretched out for me, but that’s why they make different kinds of bikes. You are just gonna have to sit on a buch of ’em. Either the Vulcan or the Ninja would make a geat first bike.
October 15, 2008 at 2:17 am #13867djon01Participantnext time i’m in the kawi dealership i’ll see which one i love more
October 15, 2008 at 4:47 pm #13883mochimanParticipantThought I would be a standard or cruiser girl, but the more I read about the Ninja 250r, the more I think it may be the perfect first bike for me. The riding position is more like a standard, but it’s got the nimbleness and fun factor of a sport. I will have to sit on a few bikes to see what feels right, but at the moment I’m definitely leaning towards a Ninja.
October 15, 2008 at 5:04 pm #13885JimParticipantI think it is a personal choice. You have to sit on both types and see what is more comfortable to you. I sat on a cruiser at the MSF and just hated riding with my feet out in front and all. It has always felt perfect to me sitting on my Ninja. Try both types before you buy and see what floats your boat the most.
October 15, 2008 at 6:42 pm #13887Clay DowlingParticipantMy first bike is a Honda Magna. You have to track them down on ebay or craigslist, but they are available. They give the comfort of a cruiser but they have the speed if you want it. Definitely heavier, and some of the stuff that you could slide with in the MSF class won’t fly on the heavier bike.
Just want to point out too that you don’t ride it in that silly legs-forward position. Pegs are under the seat, like you’re sitting in a chair with your feet slightly under the chair. I’ve never felt unstable on it, but I don’t do any real performance riding either.
October 15, 2008 at 6:59 pm #13888mochimanParticipantAnd also, what bike did you end up getting?
October 17, 2008 at 8:12 pm #13966DaggerParticipantThe first time I rode a cruiser I hated it.. Trying to get my balance with my feet not below me seemed like an insane task… Now after having my bike for a month I’m already looking at extension kits to move my pegs another 3″ forward… I’m 6’1″, 185lbs and mostly leg… The forward controls on my bike are set up for your feet to be at an upward angle.. Unfortunately, with my long legs, I end up riding it more like a standard.. So I’m hoping the extensions will allow me to stretch out my legs and angle my feet more properly..
As for what’s a better type of bike.. Like most have said.. It’s what fits you.. You have to get out and sit on bikes.. When you find the one that’s right for you, you’ll know.. I knew the second I saw my bike that it was the one I wanted.. Someday I may move up to the 1100, but for now, I’m very content with her.. I have my MSF’s coming up next week so hopefully soon I’ll be able to take her out on the highway..
Dagger
I just want to make it out of this life alive…
October 21, 2008 at 2:46 am #14113LokiParticipantIm a biker that rides the gs500f but i dont know what a standard bike is.
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