Which cruiser would be for me?

[9danielos5]

Hello guys,

Im new to biking and this forum.
I'm 21 years old, I bought my first bike last year in September which was AJS DD125 and it was just enough to learn how to ride but I want to upgrade when my insurance expires in few months. To be honest I'm not happy with this AJS as it's slow, had few technical issues with it as well.

I'm looking for a bike that would accelerate nicely, look good and be comfortable to ride in the city (I live in London, not central, dont worry)

Currently I have only CBT done but before I get a new bike I want to get A2 Licence.

I was thinking about getting Yamaha XV535 Virago or taking a finance on the new Harley Davidson Street 750.

[mentalboy]

Prepare for the onslaught (we're not very cruiser tolerant on here )

Personally I wouldn't recommend a cruiser for city riding, they are designed for pointing in a long straight line and staying there all day in comfort, not for weaving and dodging Uber/Addison Lee cabs who get extra points for dinking pricey bikes (on top of the gazillion points they get for knocking bikers off)

[stevo as b4]

A nearly new Honda VT750 would be my choice for an every day bike, unless you want an older machine to fettle, in which case I'd look.at things like a Kawasaki Eliminator 1000, or a VF750 magna.

[Bigvern72]

Don't listen to the heathens - nothing at all wrong with cruisers.....well other than their inability to filter well and the turning circle of an A380.

I love my America, but yes I don't ride it for its ability to get me through the traffic, that's what my divvy is for. But on a weekend ride out it's fantastic.

I've not ridden the street 750 but sat on one at the motorcycle show in December and I reckon it's as good a bike as you're gonna get which is from that market. Kind of a hybrid cruiser/naked mix if there is such a thing - but can one be restricted to A2? I have no idea.
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Tracer 700 (66) and Triumph America (65) - current rides
Yamaha xj600 diversion and Honda cb125f (65) - both 'retired'

[alexknight200...]

Cruisers are fine. There are closet gay bikers that bulk at the idea, but they are just of the jealous persuasion

Go for something that has higher pegs, better round corners
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Current stable: Yamaha XVS 650 1996 - Honda Super Magna VF750 1988.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Snowdonia Rider]

Don't go for finance on a new Harley Street 750, you will regret it! The money would be better put to a couple of years old XL883 Iron or a Superlow. The Street 750 from what I've seen and experienced has none of that Cruiser 'charm' people seem to like about them. They sound like a modern/jap V twin rather than what a Harley should sound like. I personally don't believe in jap cruisers, but I'd rather one of them before the Street 750. There's nothing wrong with them apart from if you're a Harley fan you'll be disappointed. As always it's try as many bikes as you can before you buy
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[linuxyeti]

Hi there

I had a Honda VTX1300, and it was awesome, they did a smaller version, a VT750, which was essentially the same bike as the 1300 but with a smaller engine, and chain not shaft. Need to keep an eye out for corrosion on the exhaust brackets, and fork legs. The 1300 has the advantage that it's shaft driven. It was also very comfortable, and on a few occasions, rode over 500 miles in a day on it.

I also had a Triumph America, much more nimble than the VTX, however, appreciably prone to corrosion, although the chrome is good, mine also had issues with stalling, which wasn't fixed with a remap.

My stepson has a 1997 Yamaha XVS650, which having ridden it, I like, it's nimble, shaft driven, fairly heavy though, but will happily sit at 80 all day. He's had it 6 years now, rides it in every type of weather, and it's very reliable.

I had a Lifan Lf400, which essentially has the same frame/dimensions of the XV535, in fact actually based on the Japanese only XV400. Nice bike, but for a cruiser feel, a bit squished up, and very low, so good if you're short. Having said that, very nimble, most nimble 'cruiser' I've ridden, and the missus liked riding pillion !! Plus, it's the only bike I've done the John O'Groats ride on, with my stepson on his, so, will always have a soft spot for one of these.

Based on my own experience, if you can afford a good condition VTX1300, I'd go for that, failing that, I'd go for an XVS650, and you can get them relatively cheaply.

Cheers

Tony
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[Rogerborg]

[faffergotgunz]

The xv535 will be fine for commuting. Nimble for a cruiser, nippy (for a small cruiser) and narrow which is good for filtering. 50 mpg. Shaft drive, no chain maintenance. More upright position than you may think, which is good for communiting in my opinion.

Sits at 80 no problem, all be it revvy. 0-60 in 6-7 seconds. 90-95 top speed (very revvy). Engine sounds best at 55-65, laid back riding. *this is a cruiser before the piss taking begins Carries a pillion fine. Reports are that its comfy enough. Just dont expect to get anywhere quick 2 up.

Something a bit different aswell for day to day riding. Slash cut pipes add a lot of hooliganism.

Bought mine for a grand, spent 400 on it, new tyres and replaced a lot of it for new (battery, plugs, caps, braided brake hose, that sort of stuff). So a cheap runabout. Also made the 'turn in' sharper by adding longer shocks to the rear.

Very pleased with mine. Wanted something sensibly powered for my first big bike.
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[Baffler186]

I would strongly suggest not considering anything until your test is done. If you still want a cruiser after that, then fine, but at least sit on/ride/look at a few in the flesh before making your mind up. Your training bike will at least give you a reference point.

Also consider what you'll be using it for. If it's going to be a weekend toy then there's not as much to consider in terms of practicality. But on the other hand consider where it's going be kept whilst not in use. No point (IMHO) buying a nice shiny bike if it'll be rained on for 6 days a week, or crammed into a shed next to the flymo.

If you'll be using it daily, there are more practical bikes out there but if you're set on a cruiser then buy what you like!
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[nitrosurf]

My advice; try a few things first. I've been fortunate to have been exposed to many different kinds of bikes due to riding pillion with my dad when I was a kid. I hated cruisers at the time, loved sports (that's what dad had). As I've (finally) got closer to sorting out my big boy license this time, I completely discounted sports bikes as I had this (incorrect) idea that they would hurt my wrists and back (problem areas for me now). After my most recent CBT I bought a Jinlun bobber, and had planned on getting a power cruiser like a Magna or Eliminator post test. They look the absolute nuts in my opinion, and I began to think the jinlun rode well. Then I got my lady a gs125 so she could try riding... She doesn't like it, but now I ride that little GS all the time! You can dart around like it's wired into your brain, unlike the Jinlun which was barely attached to my arse on bumpy roads...

Basically, don't make any judgement until you've had a good look around. I've since gone from looking at sport touring 600's to 80's style naked sports.

That said, it you want a 'cruiser' that can be ridden in London without the forks being ripped off by a bus, have a look at a later Honda Magna 700 or the Hyosung GV650.

[mentalboy]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Polarbear]

I wouldn't mind a nice cruiser in my garage. Something along the lines of a Rocket 3. Then again, if I had every bike I liked I'd need a garage the size of Cardingtons airship hangers.
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[stevo as b4]

I'm not totally against cruisers, power cruisers and factory custom bikes, and even tasteful and purposeful hard tail choppers, though could never have one as an only bike.

Hardlys, don't do anything for me both because of the vastly inflated brand pricing, the typical scene, and the primitive technology. The only thing with an old Harley engine,is that they are fairly tunable, in the same way as something like a BL A-series, as any parts you bolt on or modify are going to be better than stock.

Im not into full dress cruisers, chrome, or Japanese wannabe Harleys either.


Stuff I do like would be things like the Honda Nighthawk, Horizon 750, and Yamaha radian etc. Then the proper classic powerful stuff like the Elminator 1000, and V-max, maybe the late 90's Magna 750 too. The triumph thunderbird sport was a missed opportunity though, it should have had no chrome, small mudguards and a 98bhp full power 900 triple or even a Daytona 1200 engine.

I'd also say a well designed chopper with a capable chassis is a better place for a big noisy powerful Air cooled IL4, than a trike or fat touring bike.

[Ichy]

I ride a Triumph Speedmaster. There, I've said it.

Most of the suggestions so far are for older bikes which isn't a problem but you will have to consider the fact that they are likely to need a bit of TLC to keep them going. Of all the cruisers I've owned the Eliminator was the best compromise and I've yet to own anything that matches it. Basically a street drag bike.
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[The Shaggy D.A.]

I would still have the Savage if it had a tank range of more than 120 miles, and the pegs were further back. With the UK's potholes, I like to be able to take some of my weight on my legs - feet forward just doesn't allow that.
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[Ichy]

[Val]

Nothing wrong with cruisers. Nothing right either

IMO Yamaha XV535 Viagra will be the better choice.
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[mentalboy]

[talkToTheHat]

Xv533 is a decent buy as an a2 cruiser. It's a fat pillion less weight than a sportster and will cost you way less than a street. Mine quit unexpedly on me, but i got my money's worth out of it for the miles i did on it. They are all quite old now, so expect a few electrical niggles, but those are easy to sort yourself. The shaft drive means no chains to worry about.

Don't expect a 535 to chug about like a big harley though, they idle best at about 1100 rpm and will potter through traffic at idle with the clutch out, but they need make peak torque somewhere up at about 6000 rpm and peak power at about 7500rpm so they encourage riding with a bit of enthusiasm. Geared quite short and plenty of engine braking so a clumsy downshift will have your balls in the tank.

80's models have a tiny fuel tank that fills under the seat and a fake tank up top, the range is embarassing. Go for one with the filler on the top tank where you would expect it and you will see improved range of 80 to 100 miles to reserve, which kicks in after you use 10 litres. Reserve is solenoid operated and doesn't always work, can be repalced with a manual petcock from a grizzly quad.

The 94 and later models with the twin pot calipers have better brakes and a better range of pad material available, but the limiting factor is the geometry, so brembo ceramic pads on the single pot caliper will stop you as fast as your tyre allows.

Build quailty of the 535 is pretty good, quite corrosion resistant and the bolts arent made of cheese. I loved my 535 and we had a lot of fun together. They will tour two up, although good luggage options are hard to find. You will need to jack up the preload if you take a pillion.

Seriously though, i think a slightly retro naked could be more fun. The 535 outcorners most harleys and i scraped hell out of the pegs on that. Yes, it made 50mph seem fast as all hell, and as such was a fun bike to ride slowly, but anything with 17" wheels, modern radials and proper brakes will let you do so much more. I got a bandit just as winter came in and i've had a handful of moments where I've dropped anchors in the wet and ridden away thinking that i wouldn't be riding away from that on a cruiser.

I think you've got more money than me as you're talking new harley on finance. I would seriously consider the retro and naked markets first, and if nothing floats your boat try a second hand xv535, don't go all out big money untill you reach your A licence and you know exactly what you want. Consider the big muscle bikes like the xjr1300.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[sjc]

So thanks to a work colleagues persuasion, and working a minute away from the HD dealer I have ridden a HD street 750 so thought I'd add so thoughts here,
In comparison to the 883 iron the power delivery feels more urgent and the engine itself is much smoother at idle. It feels quite light considering its 200kg or so. However the riding position makes very small, I'm short and felt cramped pretty quickly on it. The slow speed handling is rather ungainly and the brakes don't have great feel.
I preferred the 883 but I wouldn't spend the money on either of them personally, some of this might be my distaste for cruisers but they don't seem paticularly fantastic value when compared to other offerings.

[Pjay]

We all want a cruiser bike, but we all know how shitty they are in daily use.

Get a nice upright, that can be restricted, like a Hornet/Bandit and buy a project cruiser to work on whilst your 2 years on A2 runs its course.

By then, you'll realise that the cruiser is a pain in the arse, but great for those weekends out of the town and then trade your bandit/hornet in for a GSXR/Striple.

Jobs a goodun.

[talkToTheHat]

The same money that gets you a 20+ year old 535 with 40000 miles or more on it gets you a garage queen mk2 bandit with less than 10k on it. You do pay for the cruiser look. Plenty of nakeds out there that can be taken down to a2 power, or at a2 power to begin with. An I4 naked is thereabouts polar opposite to a harley to ride though. Smooth engines that don't pull below 4000 rpm and are best when screaming near redline, slick gearboxes, agile handling and low force required to operate the controls vs low end punch of a large twin, more agricultural gearboxes, handling designed for stability on long straight roads and heavy brake and clutch actions.

Do your A2 training and have a feel what the riding school bikes are like. I thought i wanted cruisers until I had to live with them.
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Bandit. does. everything.