Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Which is easier to learn on, a cruiser or sportbike?

It seems like it would be easier to learn how to handle the slicker, sharper sportbike.

I'll be purchasing in the next few months and, up til now, I've been looking at cruisers because I'm not into the whole street-racer thing.

The Ninja 500 looks like a great beginner, as many have suggested. Would it be easier to learn on this, then buy a cruiser once I've got some experience? I'm just not sure a laid-back, heavier cruiser like the M50 or Shadow would be the best thing to put my first miles on.

Why buy either when you can get a used UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) to tune your skills on and resell in 6 months for close to what you paid? There are GOBS of them on ebay and at craigslist.org plus cycletrader and other places. Used will be cheaper to insure as well.

What I'm trying to say is, until you've really begun to get comfortable with riding, you can't ascertain what kind of riding you're likely to spend the most time doing, and THAT is what should dictate which type of motorcycle to buy as your NEXT bike.

P

You might end up like me, a UJM fanatic. My bike changes moods to suit the situation. On the boulevard, it's a cruiser. In the twisties, it's a sportbike. Wearing leather, the Harley guys wave...wearing Joe Rocket, the sportbike guys do. Yes, I would like a sportbike. No I don't want a cruiser. Actually, I think I'll just ride my UJM and snicker at how little I've spent on it.

I couldn't agree more. I've been riding UJMs since they were universal . They offer a compromise between the laid back, feet up cruiser and crouching over the tank of a sportbike. They're quite comfortable for both long highway cruising and hitting the twisties. A good all around bike.

I remember when the bikes started splitting into the cruiser/sportbike categories back in the early 80s. One guy in my crowd bought an early Shadow which we all thought was not up to keeping up with the crowd on our fast rides through the mountains. The cruiser riding position just wasn't suited for dragging pegs through tight bends at high speeds. Another guy bought one of the first Honda VF750 Interceptors. That thing was born to straighten out bends, but it was really uncomfortable on the long, straight highway rides (100 mile each way) that we had to make to get up to the cool mountain roads.

Another thing about UJMs. They don't look like everything else, anymore. Yes, they used to. Now they really carry a unique look, if you make a few mods. Superbike bars, or clubman. Windshield, or faring windscreen. Sissy bar or backrest, or not. Stretched swingarm, upside down forks from another model, cafe racer mods..."Universal" really makes a good starting point for something unique!

I've looked into the UJMs a bit. Seems like most of the revered ones are pretty old. I'm far from a mechanic and really do not want a 20 year old bike. As far as relatively recent "standard" type bikes, what is there?

Suzuki SV650, Ducati Monster 620, and some Triumphs. That's what I've found so far. I love the Monster, but I'm not shelling out that kind of dough for a first bike.

These are sweet bikes, kind of retro looking which I like. Seem to be light, maneuverable, and relatively powerful which is right up my alley too. Any other suggestions? I'm really leaning this way.

I had the similar quandry...fresh after the MSF class, I was anxious to get a bike and get riding and was set on getting a used cruiser. But, to be quite honest, when I took the MSF class, I was saddled with a Suzuki 250 cruiser thoughout, and although the laid back position was comfortable, it took me a while to get used manuevering it in that position, especially at low speeds. When I sat on a SV650 at a local dealer, it felt more natural to me (I'm an avid cyclist, mountain and road), and decided to throw caution to the wind and bought it...new. It would have been nice to go used for many of the reasons already mentioned (price, insurance etc.), but being a noob, and not knowing anyone that is an experience rider, I didn't feel too terribly comfortable buying a bike that "might" have issues. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Good luck!

UJM all the way.... don't get hung up on images until you know what style of bike you prefer. UJM's will allow you to get the skills and experiance needed to make your decision. And, as has been mentioned, you may end up deciding a UJM is the style for you.

Actually that's a fair question. I found that taking the DMV riding test on a sport bike was alot easier then on a cruiser (I've done both a few times). I think it's due to the different relationship the rider has with front wheel when in a sport bike riding position, along with the shorter wheel base. But really I feel it's only those types of manuvers that it is easier. In everyday riding the cruiser is alot more mellow and forgiving. Your lower to the ground, you can flat foot the cruiser and in that case better for learning. Sports bikes due hold the edge in emergency situation where you may need to stop as fast as you can accelerate. There are alot of variable. Your best bet is to decide what kind of riding you want to do. If just cruising around and enjoying alot of good scenary is what your after learn on a cruiser. If you think you want to really carve some turns and drag a knee everyonce in awhile you need to learn on a bike that will do that for you. just take it slow until you learn the limits of the bike.

As far as what's on the market, I haven't seen anything new that really fits the UJM description (air cooled, inline 4, standard riding postion). What they call "standards" now are sport bikes with a toned down engine and more upright riding position. The SV650 is a good example as is Kaw's new Z750. Good bikes.

For true UJM, you have to go back a few years. Kawasaki finally quit production of the ZR750 Zephyr / ZR-7 recently. It was the final iteration of the original KZ750 four cyl. that they introduced in 1980. The air-cooled, 8 valve, inline, 738cc four was basically the same as the 1980 offering. Thankfully, Kaw upgraded the suspension as the technology improved. Honda reintroduced the UJM with the Nighthawk in '91. It was modeled on the original early 80s nighthawks. They stayed in production, mechanically ungchanged through '03. Suzuki's Bandit series was also an excellent nod to the modernized UJM.

Most of these retro style UJMs were originally priced at the low end of the market in their class, because they weren't the latest technology in bikes. As such, it's pretty easy to find fairly new, low mileage examples for a lot less cash. You can still buy a UJM that isn't a musuem piece (but you better hurry!).