Cruiser bike for long road-trip -- any of you done it?

[SoloVoyager]

Hey there,

Newb here. Was thinking of buying Kymco Venox 250 for road trip (San Francisco-L.A.-San Diego-Las Vegas-Washington State-Vancouver). Any of you taken a cruiser for a long trip? Please share thoughts!

Cheers in advance,
SV

[Johnj]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I'm not going to say it can't be done, because it has. I will say you'd be more comfortable on a larger motorcycle. Have you taken the MSF course yet?

[SoloVoyager]

Cheers, John, for the reply...these are the tech specs for the cruiser:

Weight: 418.5 lbs.
Wheelbase: 63 in.
Seat Height: 29 in.
Engine: V-twin, DOHC, 8-valve
Horsepower: 28 hp
Displacement: 249 cc
Bore x Stroke: 58 x 47.2
Torque: 14 @ 8,000 rpm
Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gal.
Ignition: Electric
Cooling: Liquid
Transmission: 5-speed
Brakes Front: Single disc
Brakes Rear: Drum
Tires Front: 120/80-17 in.
Tires Rear: 150/80-15 in.
Suspension Front: Telescopic forks
Suspension Rear: Springs

Please elaborate on why you think a larger bike would be more comfortable, or do the above tech specs change your opinion?

Re training course, will be taking it in Vancouver, BC - equivalent of MSF.

SV

[agraebner]

As to touring with a cruiser It works quite well as long as your seat is comfortable. The seat on my VLX is murder on my backside I am fairly heavy and its foam was not strong enough for what 12-16 hrs days on it. The smaller size of your bike means its going to be working a little harder than mine was on its crazy long trips. There are three issues to address. Does the bike fit you comfortably enough that you can spend lots of quality seat time?? Is the bike maintained and in good enough condition for that much driving. Only you know that. The other issue is the ability of that particular bike. I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE of that particular bike so my following comments are something to THINK about only. I have seen many off brands of cheap motorcycles that were in need of parts that couldn't be found or that cost to much to make it worth fixing them. This was on a couple low mileage versions of the CHEAP throw away imports. I would be very reluctant to take one of these far from home where I would have to rely on it. I am making no kind of statement about your bike since I have no Knowledge of it. On another note I would love to do a nice tour on a 250 cruiser just to say I did it. I am sure It would be quite the adventure. Be careful and give yourself lots of time for stops to keep yourself fresh.

[SoloVoyager]

Thanks for the tips...here's a pic of the cruiser:

http://www.skagitpowersports.com/new_ve ... cturer=442

It's supposed to be longer than other types of 250cc bikes. I haven't sat on it yet (will make trip to WA or CA in the early fall to pick one up). I'm 6 feet, around 220 lbs, so thinking I'll be okay. The bike is new (and is from Kymco's 2009 model ranges). Don't know about parts -- but there are plenty of Kymco dealers around many of the states I'd be touring if I needed one for a servicing issue.

SV

As to touring with a cruiser It works quite well as long as your seat is comfortable. The seat on my VLX is murder on my backside I am fairly heavy and its foam was not strong enough for what 12-16 hrs days on it. The smaller size of your bike means its going to be working a little harder than mine was on its crazy long trips. There are three issues to address. Does the bike fit you comfortably enough that you can spend lots of quality seat time?? Is the bike maintained and in good enough condition for that much driving. Only you know that. The other issue is the ability of that particular bike. I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE of that particular bike so my following comments are something to THINK about only. I have seen many off brands of cheap motorcycles that were in need of parts that couldn't be found or that cost to much to make it worth fixing them. This was on a couple low mileage versions of the CHEAP throw away imports. I would be very reluctant to take one of these far from home where I would have to rely on it. I am making no kind of statement about your bike since I have no Knowledge of it. On another note I would love to do a nice tour on a 250 cruiser just to say I did it. I am sure It would be quite the adventure. Be careful and give yourself lots of time for stops to keep yourself fresh.

[Wrider]

Ok let me get this out of the way... Take the MSF class or a similar rider's safety class...
Secondly I do have knowledge of that particular bike. Parts can be found, but they're usually a couple of weeks to order and over-expensive as compared to say a Honda Rebel.
Thirdly the bike can do it, but not if you're taking the Interstate or any road with a speed limit higher than 60 or so, and at your size I'd say don't plan on any roads doing any higher than 55 or so.

As for a cruiser being taken on a trip that long? Look up Blues2Cruise on here, she took her V-Star 650 on almost that exact same trip.

[noobie]

Hiya SoloVoyager,
hopefully I'll be taking a 200 mile (each way) to the beach this weekend - if my bike gets the 'thumbs-up' from my mechanic. I've never toured on a bike before. Mines a 750 Honda Shadow. I'll let you know how it went.

Peace Out,
Noobie

[SoloVoyager]

Re Honda Rebel, as I said I'm 6'0" (with long legs, lol), so the Rebel is kinda short for me. (Excuse the pun if you, Wrider, are under 5'7".)

Peace out,
SV

PS. Thanks for the link.

Ok let me get this out of the way... Take the MSF class or a similar rider's safety class...
Secondly I do have knowledge of that particular bike. Parts can be found, but they're usually a couple of weeks to order and over-expensive as compared to say a Honda Rebel.
Thirdly the bike can do it, but not if you're taking the Interstate or any road with a speed limit higher than 60 or so, and at your size I'd say don't plan on any roads doing any higher than 55 or so.

As for a cruiser being taken on a trip that long? Look up Blues2Cruise on here, she took her V-Star 650 on almost that exact same trip.

[SoloVoyager]

Good luck with the road trip! Post pics here if you can of your journey....

Cheers,
SV

Hiya SoloVoyager,
hopefully I'll be taking a 200 mile (each way) to the beach this weekend - if my bike gets the 'thumbs-up' from my mechanic. I've never toured on a bike before. Mines a 750 Honda Shadow. I'll let you know how it went.

Peace Out,
Noobie

[Wrider]

Re Honda Rebel, as I said I'm 6'0" (with long legs, lol), so the Rebel is kinda short for me. (Excuse the pun if you, Wrider, are under 5'7".)

Peace out,
SV

PS. Thanks for the link.

Ok let me get this out of the way... Take the MSF class or a similar rider's safety class...
Secondly I do have knowledge of that particular bike. Parts can be found, but they're usually a couple of weeks to order and over-expensive as compared to say a Honda Rebel.
Thirdly the bike can do it, but not if you're taking the Interstate or any road with a speed limit higher than 60 or so, and at your size I'd say don't plan on any roads doing any higher than 55 or so.

As for a cruiser being taken on a trip that long? Look up Blues2Cruise on here, she took her V-Star 650 on almost that exact same trip.

Not a problem buddy, I know exactly what you mean, I'm 2 inches taller than you haha.

May I suggest a 650? I started on an 800cc personally (bit of a gray area bike but with my size I was able to manhandle it around when it got out of whack.)