Cruisers - why the stereotype?

[map]

When people say cruiser (in respect to motorcycles, rather than that other sort) is it always the Harley style bikes?

I ask as something like the VMAX is (according to the Wikipedia oracle) classed as a cruiser. Personally I think it's more muscle bike. Perhaps it represents a cross-over/fusion of the two?

Likewise is the Honda DN-01 a cruiser or, because of the variable transmission, a new take on the scooter? Would you call the Aprilia Mana 850 a take on the scooter then?

If cruisers are the gay pride carnival of bikes are muscle/naked bikes the Venice Beach look-at-me-bodybuilders of the biking world?

Should we just ditch the biking stereotypes and just appreciate all things with 2 wheels and an engine?



P.S. Yes I do know a scooter is supposed to have a 'step-through' frame where you sit with feet together on a footboard. Yet cruisers have footboards and most people associate scooters with twist-and-go transmission (i.e. CVT).
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[chris-red]

The way I see it I doubt cruisers are anymore homosex than the rest of the biking community.

The main issue people have with them is the superior attitude that comes with owning an inferior bike. Cruisers are posey and compromise practicality for aesthetics. However riding one is no worse than riding an R1 with inch wide chicken strips. It me have the go and the performance but if you ain't remotely exploiting it you are just posing.
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[fatjames]

Maybe something to do with the tassels and twisted subframes?

[Rogerborg]

Has anyone else noticed that cruiser riders don't nod? Is this normal? And here we go.
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[yambabe]

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[ocatoro]

[Sako]

'Tis purely for teh lulz

[-Matt-]

[Lord Percy]

I got nods off all bikers, there's no particular category that does it more or less than any other.

I think modern cruiser riders are often going more for the poser mid-life crisis thing. This may be because they had their day a few decades ago. They're just not cool any more, pop-culture has spat them out.

Older blokes, such as my uncle, who have been riding them since they were legally allowed to, are probably more entitled to their choice. But how can you tell the difference?

It's all just fashion really. Cruisers might be friggin awesome in ten years time, BCF will be full of em . Won't bother me anyway. The choice of machine isn't what makes a rider into a wanker.

[keggyhander]

[Suntan Sid]

Here's my worth!

Cruisers, in particular Harleys, like to trade on their so called "bad ass", "outlaw" image.
The problem, for the people who buy and ride them is that the rest of us see "Wild Hogs" while they're thinking "Sons of Anarchy" or "Easy Rider".
Style over substance!
Having said that you could put up a similar argument for any given genre of bike, with the owners buying into a particular style.
In fairness to race reps and offroaders most could go to the track and put a good show. Buying a Harley, however, does not make you a Hells Angel!
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[Mario_Kempes]

Quite like the bikes. Wouldn't be my choice but I quite like a stripped down, bobber style cruiser.

Whatever you're into.

[Sid_The_Sloth]

When it comes to the Vmax and Diavel I class them as power cruisers. Diavel especially looks like a cruiser with some proper street body work.

I've recently got myself a Shadow 750. I went for the black spirit version because of the minimal bodywork and matte paint with very little chrome. I can't be arsed cleaning and polishing it all the time. Have been riding the bandit a bit recently but don't enjoy it nearly as much for an every day ride. The only thing I want different on the shadow is a bigger engine.

In terms of gayness I don't understand why they have such an image and why everyone here tends to judge cruiser riders instantly.
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2013 Honda Shadow VT750C2B Black Spirit, 1994 CBR600 f2

[Blau Zedong]

Cruisers have a bad name because fucking morons paint Excalibur murals all over them.

HTH
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[Lady Phoenix]

[Sid_The_Sloth]

[keggyhander]

[Ste]

It's a well known fact that Harley riders are fags. Then there's the bike curious cruisers who want to be Harley fags.

[keggyhander]

[Blau Zedong]

[keggyhander]

[Kradmelder]

I never associated cruisers with fags until BCF. Never saw them as fag bikes. Poser yes. People buy into that outlaw image, which is the image I dislike about biking. In reality they are just not good practical bikes and don't do anything well. Don't corner, slow Uncomfortable, road bound.

Its rare to see them on weekdays, since most cruiser posers are weekend warriors. Its not a good commuter either.

But you could apply much of this to sports bikes. There are many posers with knee sliders who never really dip into a corner. Never use the speed and keep in the speed limit. They are also not comfortable and are single application bikes not the best suited for day to day travel..

With DS bikes, even here with all our dirt, BMW will tell you over 90 pct never see dirt. Must be far higher in europe. Yet you see posers in charlie and ewan rallye twat suits and panniers. Some even have knobblies that only see tar. Wtf???

Any bike bought for pose value and not its design application you can call gay. It becomes a fashion accessory. Cruiser costumes are just as ridiculous as power ranger get up in town, or rallye suits. Granted the latter 2 are at least functuonal.

Cruiser riders aren't the only ones who can be accused of buying into an image..

I'm so glad my bikes see lots of dirt and I don't own a branded rallye suit. Phew. I'm not a faggot
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[-Matt-]

To be honest i don't see any less rossi-wannabe posers on sport bikes than i see hells angels wannabes on cruisers etc.

I think every 'genre' of bike has is little clique of look at me i'm billy-big-revs, vast majority are normal bikers most of the time, nodding to all, riding with whoever.

[pepperami]

All cruiser riders are benders
All sports bike riders are Power-Rangers or wanna-be Power-Rangers .
All super moto riders are wanna-be bad boys who cant afford a proper big bike
Anyone who rides a commuter bike is a pussy who is scared of proper bikes!

I think that about covers it
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[Blau Zedong]

[quote="keggyhander"]