"Which bike?" Thread - Cruiser Edition

[Easy-X]

So straight after passing my theory test last week I've booked in some training for the full bike test next week and already I'm thinking of what bike to get when I pass

I don't want to go too nuts to start with so what one would call "A2 Friendly" bike would be sufficient (~400cc.)

New (i.e. on finance) the Honda Rebel and HD Street 750 look good for the money. But I'm completely clueless (yes, I know I could end the sentence there!) about second hand cruisers.

Vulcans, Viragos, Dragstars and Shadows? Well they all look very nice but I have no idea how well they do long term. Please enlighten me

<addendum>

Needs to be good for the ULEZ... bugger
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[ThatDippyTwat]

Find one that's been ridden very few miles, only in decent weather, by a bloke having a mid-life crisis, and that has the income to have someone else do all the servicing.

They make up a significant portion of the market, you shouldn't have an issue. I'd wait until it's better "buyers" weather though - damp and drizzly will depress prices. Coming into summer, it's generally easier to sell and people will be looking to buy. Cruisers are probably affected more than any other segment.

Only buy new/on finance if you're going to run it to the death. For your first "big" bike, that's unlikely, you'll likely change your mind a few times before you settle.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[P.]

Honest opinion of the 750 Street was that it felt cheap and unwilling to 'make progress' and corner at the same time.

It felt really... Super underwhelming.

Managed to get a go on a pretty new one near Lakeside and I didn't enjoy it at all, even went in with a completely open mind as it wasn't full gayfag cruiser.

[leolion]

pre reg or lightly used honda rebel is a good call.

[Robby]

Prices vary a great deal depending on make. In some cases you may be better off with a brand new bike on PCP instead of a 2 year old one. PCP deals on new bikes can have quite attractive offers, and some bikes (most Harleys) depreciate very slowly.

Also consider the moto guzzi v7 for your list. An early ULEZ compliant one will be around £3k. New they cost too much.

It is the kind of bike where you find a secondhand one which is a one owner, low miles, full service history jobby for a fair price. Very popular among gentlemen of a certain age getting back into riding.

Out of the Japanese offerings, the only one I know anything about from the modern crop is the Kawasaki Vulcan 650, which uses the ER6 engine in a cruiser chassis. A friend at work bought one new, its OK but not great, clearly a budget bike.

If you are seriously looking at the Harley 750, just get an 883. I absolutely loved my 883R and it is one of the few bikes with a huge amount of tuning and customising parts available to get it just how you want it. I got mine just right, then it got nicked.

[linuxyeti]

Fairly restricted on 'new' cruisers these days, although, beginning to see an increased range again.

Looking at 2nd hand, you can't go far wrong with a VT700, however, I had a VTX1300, and a cracking bike it was, stepson, now has 1. Before that he had an XVS650, again, good bike, no real issues to speak of, plus, you can get them 2nd hand in good nick pretty cheaply. You can also pick up a Hyosung ST7, or, if you prefer GV650 relatively cheaply, the ST7, is very reminiscent of the Honda Shadow, it's belt driven, which are expensive come replacement time, but, you can get a plug & play chain conversion set. The ST7, and, I believe, the GV650, are quite nippy machines for 'cruisers'.

I wouldn't touch a Triump America though, based on personal experience
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Beware what photos you upload, or link to on here, especially if you have family members on them

[Easy-X]

The Moto Guzzi V7 looks interesting in "you can't have what you want but you can have this!" kind of way. And the 883 looks very awesome but, along with the V7, a bit out of my price range. Gives me something to letch over at the dealers while waiting for a bargain to turn up

Add to that the Vulcan and I'm starting to see a general theme of cruisers just being "bigger bikes."

The Honda Shadows all look very nice but ULEZ means nothing pre-2016 or have I got that wrong?
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Johnnythefox]

Harley Street Rod 750 - 70 bhp about same as (maybe slightly more hp) than a stock Harley 48 1200cc

[sulphur]

Screw the 400cc thing, go balls deep for a Suzuki M1800R, or a nice Vmaxx.

[Easy-X]

[P.]

[wr6133]

Go to a dealership and see a street 750, they seem comically small.

[Easy-X]

[P.]

[Motorhate]

[Easy-X]

Virago... remind me, when was the last one produced? Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't a bike need to be Euro 4 (or at least a really good Euro 3) to enter the ULEZ for free?

So far I think the valid suggestions are:

Honda Rebel: 33.5kW/44.6Nm, 190kg, £5699
HD Street 750: 43kW/59Nm, 223kg, £6045
Kwak Vulcan S: 45kW/63Nm, 229kg, £6449
Yammy XV950R: 40kW/79.5Nm, 252kg, £8699
HD Iron 883: 38kW/73Nm, 247kg, £8895

Honorable mention:

Moto Guzzi V7 III: 38kW/60Nm, 189kg, £8699

All list prices, obviously it'd be nice to find a second hand one in October on a stormy day for half the price
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Motorhate]

[pompousporcup...]

seems like a lot of money to spend on shit bikes imo, possible exception being the yammy.

Why 'cruiser' out of interest?

[owl]

[Easy-X]

<= Short-Arse
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Easy-X]

TBH I'm really loving my faux-cruiser. Sure, it handles and accelerates like a 3 legged pig, is relatively heavy for a 125 and is as reliable as you'd expect a bike made from Chinesium but I have a disturbing affection for it anyway.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stinkwheel]

Nobody mentioning Triumph?

Bonneville speedmaster/Bobber? Feet-forwards custom-ish type style. Probably way more practical than most.

Is the Thunderbird ULEZ compliant? One metric fucktonne of motorcycle right there.

EDIT: Stop being a pussy and get a fucking Diavel.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[owl]

[stinkwheel]

I'd suggest you go look at and sit on an Enfield Interceptor 650. Have a test ride once you pass.

It's not a cruiser but if you think you like cruisers, I reckon you'll enjoy one. They are narrow so easy to foot-down. Not overpowered, very comfy. Look good. Cheap, you could likely get a new one for the price of some second hand cruisers.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[pompousporcup...]

obvious you gon do what you gon do, despite the advice from any member on here but imo getting a cruiser because you're 'short' isn't an excuse. There are much much better bikes for similar money that wont be as compromised. just my 2p though