Total Motorcycle Community Forums

scanevalexec wrote:Forget the cruisers and forget the sportsbikes. You can have the best of both worlds in a standard. Upright riding possition instead of laying back or laying forward. Tour accesories, including wind protection and hard bags can be added to a standard.

My bike, although far from ideal for beginners, is comfortable for long trips and rips through the twisties like a sports bike. There are many old and new standards that meet the needs of a touring rider, handle sporty, and are great for cruising around the neighborhood.

Let's hear from all the standard riders here! Let our collective voices of "the right bike" be heard from the hilltops! Or at least let us know what's worked for you. Like the post from BMWTech above.

Can't say it any better. I have made mods to my bike to get closer to scanevalexec's in concept. I can't match the horsepower, but can say I have plenty of smack for every traffic situation, and plenty of handling for exhiliration in the twisty back roads of southern Missouri, down by the lakes. Wheelies...yes. Burnouts...yes. Leaning it over...yes. And comfort? Unbeatable! Standards rock!

ronboskz650sr wrote:

scanevalexec wrote:Forget the cruisers and forget the sportsbikes. You can have the best of both worlds in a standard. Upright riding possition instead of laying back or laying forward. Tour accesories, including wind protection and hard bags can be added to a standard.

My bike, although far from ideal for beginners, is comfortable for long trips and rips through the twisties like a sports bike. There are many old and new standards that meet the needs of a touring rider, handle sporty, and are great for cruising around the neighborhood.

Let's hear from all the standard riders here! Let our collective voices of "the right bike" be heard from the hilltops! Or at least let us know what's worked for you. Like the post from BMWTech above.

Can't say it any better. I have made mods to my bike to get closer to scanevalexec's in concept. I can't match the horsepower, but can say I have plenty of smack for every traffic situation, and plenty of handling for exhiliration in the twisty back roads of southern Missouri, down by the lakes. Wheelies...yes. Burnouts...yes. Leaning it over...yes. And comfort? Unbeatable! Standards rock!

Definitely agree. I've never had a bike other than a standard, so hard for me to compare really. To me though, you can't beat performance and the comfort of the standard. Plus, standards can be usually found naked, which I love naked, especially bikes and people.

I also have to agree with the others that you need to buy the bike you want. Who cares what other people think is cool. When it comes to buying something that costs so much money, why not get exactly what you want. Try a cheaper used bike first, and if you don't like that style, you can always sell it and try another.

I like the suggestion of riding the standard style bike to figure out what you like. I personally found some advantages of the sport bike over the cruiser.

1. back doen't hurt after 45 minutes of riding. ( I tend to slouch on a cruiser)
2. a mist of rain doesn't soak your legs on a sportbike, must be because your legs are under you, instead of in front of you.
3. you don't have to man handle a sportbike, they react better to body positioning.

You won't realize a difference until you spend a little time on both.

You may want to look into test drive days before you buy. Every manufacturer has these events. Ride before you buy is thier moto.

As others have said: ride what your comfortable with. Don't let your peers decide for you cuz they think it's cool.

Good Luck and safe ridin.

Like said above buy what you are comfortable with and you think feels and looks nice. In the end your the one thats going to enjoy it and no one else. I made the mistake of letting someone elses opinion influence me and I'm in the process of trading bikes again because of it. I had pretty much decided on a standard bike last spring a SV650 naked but bought a cruiser instead because the wife thought it would be better for riding on the back of so I bought a Marauder 800. Its a great bike and I had a blast riding it but it just wasn't what I wanted and going to buy either a sv650 or FZ6 instead (luckily my wife is very understanding i'm lucky). My dad wanted a classic looking cruiser but mom wanted him to get a goldwing he got a intruder and absolutely loves it and mom is coming around after a few changes to the back seat. So I say buy what you like its your money and your ride.

I'm riding cruiser but still dream of sportbike sometimes. I used to be on standard but I feel Cruiser give me the most comfortable for the long ride. Take MSF course first, then sit on all the bikes. Pick one that you feel most comfortable.

Thanks for all the advice. I had planned to wait until after the course to pick a bike, but a friend of mine offered me a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim in excellent condition for only $400.00. It has a cruiser look, but he thought it fell more into the standard category since the pegs were not foreword of the riding position. If after riding it for a while I decide it is not for me, I should be able to sell it for at least what I paid for it and change bike styles.

Fropa wrote:Thanks for all the advice. I had planned to wait until after the course to pick a bike, but a friend of mine offered me a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim in excellent condition for only $400.00. It has a cruiser look, but he thought it fell more into the standard category since the pegs were not foreword of the riding position. If after riding it for a while I decide it is not for me, I should be able to sell it for at least what I paid for it and change bike styles.

You got a great deal and a great bike Im sure you will be very happy with it. your right that you will be able to sell it too, are you any where close to Calgary, Id even buy it off of you Have fun with it.

Saying there is only one way to enjoy a bike is like saying there is only one way to dress yourself. Look around at all the people in the world. Very few people are dressed exactly the same. You are an individual with your own tastes and desires, go with what you like. Not what someone thinks you should like.

Personally, I do not like the feet forward, laid back slouch of most of today's cruisers.
The riding position puts your weight right at the tail bone area and will quickly become uncomfortable. If you're looking for a bike to ride within a few hundred miles of home or a couple hundred miles per day, a cruiser will be fine. If you're looking for a bike to really put on the miles, then I'd be looking at something more toward the seating position of a standard.
There are still some cruisers that have the standard position such as the HD Sportster and Yamaha V-Max. These are more comfy due to their better distribution of your weight. Foot pegs under you instead of in front of you.
I'm , eeek, nearly 40 and my preferences lie more toward the sporting end of the spectrum.
Like the others have stated, try out many and choose the one that fits.
Ultimately, you're the one that has to look at it sitting in the garage every day, and if the bike you choose does not stir your emotions, you're not gonna be happy with it. Bike choices are a very personal thing...kind of like finding the girl of your dreams sort of thing.
Have fun with the search!