Perfectly Sane or Massively Unrealistic?

[ScaredyCat]

I'm just starting out on my journey, learning to ride. I did ride about 30 miles a day for about a year, but that was 25 years ago. Now I'm older I thought I'd actually go the whole hog and take my test.

Since I'm older I'll be going the DAS route. I'm sure my driving experience is going to help my confidence a bit, since I know what signs mean, where I should be when using roundabouts etc. I know there's bike specific stuff to learn, I'm watching a lot of youtube videos etc just to get some pointers.

The DAS course I'm looking at is run by CamRider - a couple of friends used them and gave them the thumbs up, but as I understand it they are a franchise so I'm unsure. The course takes place over a series of sessions from CBT through using a 500cc bike the last 2 sessions culminate in module 1 and then module 2 (although I understand they deliberately push the last session further (8 days?) into the future just in case you have module 1 issues.

Anyway, that's the background... here's the question

I really do not like 'sport bikes' they hold no interest for me at all, if I wanted to ride one that looked like that I'd take up racing - can you tell I'm older? I appreciate others may have a different view

I am however quite keen on cruisers I like the look of the Yamaha XVS950 (apart from the plastic chrome) and also the Triumph Speedmaster - I like the bigger seat and the lowered seating position on these - however, looking at these two bikes, they both have engines above 500cc (950cc and 865cc) - I know after I pass my test I can ride anything of any size - but is it sane.

From what I understand of cruisers they tend to be slower and heavier and that's why they need a bigger engine. ie engine size increase isn't going to result in speed and acceleration increases.

Is this right?

Does it make sense to do this?


Opinions appreciated...


Andy

[Efes123]

Hi Andy, welcome to the forum.

Cruisers tend to have a larger cc for the same return. So, no you're not insane to be considering a higher cc than 500. One thing to be aware of though, is that they are a completely different beast than what you'll learn on, especially cornering. Like you, I'm what you could call an older biker, and whilst I appreciate the newer bikes, I tend to graviate to older 80s & 90s machines. I currently ride a 1984 Honda VT500; I found it a good compromise as I didn't fancy a sport, or a cruiser.
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Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[Alex_B]

Cruisers 'cruise' I guess.

You have a big engine, lots of torque and low revs at 80 mph.

Can't corner worth a damn so watch out for roundabouts, but that is just the nature of the beast.

1000cc is not overly "big" after a test on one of these monsters really. It's all about Power delivery and they deliver it fine, in a nice sedate manner.
You ever see many Cruisers whee-lying down the High Street? No, there ya go

Damn heavy though and not my cuppa tea (can ya tell) Just make sure you get your chaps and tassels and all will be good!
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My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[blito]

I wonder if a Hyosung GV650 might be of interest to you? Its A Korean built bike with a low seat position, hybrid cruiser/dragster looks and a punchy 80bhp from the 650 V-Twin. All for just £5000 Bit of a bargain I reckon
https://www.hyosung.co.uk/detail.php?id=20#
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2012 Zontes Monster

[Derivative]

[ScaredyCat]

[ScaredyCat]

[ScaredyCat]

[moppy]

[Derivative]

[ScaredyCat]

[Quornholio]

Though I am unsure, I would imagine the GV700 being introduced is due to emissions regulations, and the 650 struggling to meet them, rather than any other reason.

[toby1]

I could never decide between a cruiser or a sportsbike either..........so I got one of these

https://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/john201144/ASIDSC01318.jpg

[Quornholio]

[ScaredyCat]

[map]

[Ribenapigeon]

Get round the dealerships and have a look at a few bikes in the flesh

[dungbug]

[toby1]

These are always mistaken for the Vmax.

It's a Yamaha MT-01 1700cc of V twin with a R1 racing frame. loves twistys and cruisers in comfort.

[map]

[ScaredyCat]

Went to a local bike shop today and had a look at what was available. The owner was a nice bloke and so was the customer who was in there too.

The customer, clearly a friend or the owner, let me sit on his Triumph Speedmaster (no not a euphamism ) Totally fell in love with it. Wider in the saddle than I expected but not as low as I was worried about.

There was also a Triumph Bonneville T100 and a couple of Kawasaki W650 A-1's there too.

They told me that 2up on a cruiser wasn't so much fun in the UK with the roads being too twisty to really enjoy it.

Nice to finally get some scale on the size of bikes too.

[Baisemontchou]

Triumph Speedmaster tried to kill me week before last!

Actually all my fault really, grabbed the very powerful front brakes on a gravelly, muddy corner.

Very nice bike, seems tough, side stand is miles away as are the foot controls. Seat is extremely comfortable.
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Current Carz: Jeep Liberty, Kia Sorrento Diesel
Current Bikz: '06 Honda Shadow 750 Custom, '02 Sachs Roadster 650, '10 Yamaha R125, '12 Derbi GPR 50, '04 Yamaha TZR 50.

[EazyDuz]

[Sherwood Bambi]

Scaredycat - have you considered the retro bike route rather than a cruiser ?

Triumph Bonneville / Thruxton, Moto Guzzi V7, or the Jap equivalent - is it Kawasaki W650 ?

Naked bike, retro looks, as comfortable as a cruiser and will handle much better.

My Bonneville is a 865cc engine, pulls and accelerates well, does around 48 mpg.

It's also low enough for a short arse like me, has a comfortable seat, plenty of dealer support and easy to work on. Plenty of scope for customising to your own preferences as well.

[Efes123]