First Time Sitting on a Cruiser

[RhadamYgg]

So, I went bike shopping and I sat on a few bikes:

1) 2007 Interceptor
2) 2006ish 919
3) 2007 VTX 1300
4) newish Triumph Bonneville

I could have sat on more, but when I was there I was saying to the sales person I was a Honda person. And at least with cars that is definitely true.

So, the sales person held the bike straight up - the VTX 1300 and I went to put my feet on the pegs. Even with him holding the bike I kinda freaked and lost balance as my feet got to the pegs... Oh, and I never realized how low to the ground those cruisers are...

Is this normal? I felt like a freak after sitting on the best positioned bike I've ever sat on - which was the 919...

How in the world do you guys ride cruisers?

RhadamYgg

[follow]

Love my cruiser, Love my Honda too......you get use to the cruiser and I have to have my Highway pegs. But don't forget you were just sitting there you weren't moving, you have to test ride.

[Brackstone]

I hate it when people hold the bike up. They never seem to hold it up right anyway. Just let me take it for a test drive

[RhadamYgg]

Love my cruiser, Love my Honda too......you get use to the cruiser and I have to have my Highway pegs. But don't forget you were just sitting there you weren't moving, you have to test ride.

I was wondering if it had something to do with not moving at all. Honda Cruisers are sure a lot cheaper than the Interceptor.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

I hate it when people hold the bike up. They never seem to hold it up right anyway. Just let me take it for a test drive

Bleh - it was nasty weather that day and they have a lovely gravel parking lot to start off any test ride.

I do think you may be right. They think they are helping by holding the bike up, but it may not help as much as one would think.

RhadamYgg

[jstark47]

Hmmmm....... Hondas and Triumphs....... where did you go, Freehold?

[AlphaZed]

So, I went bike shopping and I sat on a few bikes:

1) 2007 Interceptor
2) 2006ish 919
3) 2007 VTX 1300
4) newish Triumph Bonneville

I could have sat on more, but when I was there I was saying to the sales person I was a Honda person. And at least with cars that is definitely true.

So, the sales person held the bike straight up - the VTX 1300 and I went to put my feet on the pegs. Even with him holding the bike I kinda freaked and lost balance as my feet got to the pegs... Oh, and I never realized how low to the ground those cruisers are...

Is this normal? I felt like a freak after sitting on the best positioned bike I've ever sat on - which was the 919...

How in the world do you guys ride cruisers?

RhadamYgg

I've ridden a couple and came to the conclusion! How in the world do you guys ride cruisers?

Recently, I switched bikes with a friend and in my first turn -- not even going fast -- I hit some hard parts on the under carriage. After 10 miles or so, I'd scraped so many pieces I was afraid to ride it any longer! And it wasn't scary to ride -- I had to ride SOOO slowly -- but I was afraid I was going to damage his chrome parts! It TOTALLY took the fun out of riding!!!

Conversely, my friend, on my Z1000 Kawasaki, LOVED IT!!! He had SO much fun, the same day, he put his Harley up for sale!

I don't get it?

[RhadamYgg]

Hmmmm....... Hondas and Triumphs....... where did you go, Freehold?

Yep, my parents live in Howell, so it is just a quick ride, my parents watching the kids and my pregger wife sleeping in the car.

She did ask me if I bought something when I came back in the car... With a menacing tone...

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

So, I went bike shopping and I sat on a few bikes:

1) 2007 Interceptor
2) 2006ish 919
3) 2007 VTX 1300
4) newish Triumph Bonneville

I could have sat on more, but when I was there I was saying to the sales person I was a Honda person. And at least with cars that is definitely true.

So, the sales person held the bike straight up - the VTX 1300 and I went to put my feet on the pegs. Even with him holding the bike I kinda freaked and lost balance as my feet got to the pegs... Oh, and I never realized how low to the ground those cruisers are...

Is this normal? I felt like a freak after sitting on the best positioned bike I've ever sat on - which was the 919...

How in the world do you guys ride cruisers?

RhadamYgg

I've ridden a couple and came to the conclusion! How in the world do you guys ride cruisers?

Recently, I switched bikes with a friend and in my first turn -- not even going fast -- I hit some hard parts on the under carriage. After 10 miles or so, I'd scraped so many pieces I was afraid to ride it any longer! And it wasn't scary to ride -- I had to ride SOOO slowly -- but I was afraid I was going to damage his chrome parts! It TOTALLY took the fun out of riding!!!

Conversely, my friend, on my Z1000 Kawasaki, LOVED IT!!! He had SO much fun, the same day, he put his Harley up for sale!

I don't get it?

Having not ridden one yet I'm not going to cross it off the list, but on the other hand, I do know that I'm more comfortable with the pegs straight down - like a standard.

I even like the Bonneville (which I didn't think would happen) but the width of the seat (in the front) annoyed me in the 10 seconds I was on it - but the pegs were in a good place and so were the handlebars.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

I hate it when people hold the bike up. They never seem to hold it up right anyway. Just let me take it for a test drive

You know - I was just at a Honda dealer today and they said that for sport bikes - no test drive - too much liability for insurance. They'd consider it for a Sport Tourer such as the ST1300 (which they have one in stock, 11,999 for a new '08).

I sat on it, fell in love with it (seat height is just a bit lower than the Interceptor), ran the numbers and realized I can't afford it, or a new Interceptor.

But in my search I noticed there is a Honda over on Long Island that actually has lower than retail prices on their site for the Interceptor. Possibly, low enough to bring them in to an affordable range. They are over in Hicksville, NY. But I don't know about these web listings.

Hanover Honda had some '09 Interceptors listed as if they were there on CycleTrader.com, but they didn't have any Interceptors in stock.

I did sit on a Gold Wing... That was different.

I also sat on a used CBR900RR, which didn't seem too bad, but I have concerns on it having too much throttle.

Or maybe I'll get use or just stick with the Ninja 250.

RhadamYgg