Advice on big cruisers?

[Tonyg1987]

Hey guys, just about to get rid of my current bike(bandit 1250 sa) and I'm looking at something larger and more comfortable for long distances.
Going down to Cornwall in July all the way from Liverpool, I'll be riding 2 up with the girlfriend.
Hoping to go abroad at some point too, so looking for something that's gonna be reliable enough for that.
Im after something that's 1499cc or above for easy overtakes and cruising at 75-80ish without stressing the motor.. Weight and height also probably play a factor too, I'm only 5 foot 9 but I weight 15 stone (or 210 lbs) so I'm on the larger side. Gf has a small frame but I suppose it adds up when there's two of you.
Bikes I've been looking at are:

Kawasaki Vn1600 or vn1700 classic or nomad, I like the look of both.
Suzuki intruder 1800(I've heard the 1500 is lacking in power)
Yamaha xv1700
Triumph Thunderbird storm
And finally the Honda vtx1800.

If anyone can offer up some advice, maybe some pro and cons if you own or have ridden any of these.
Even if you have a better suggestion of something that may suit me a little better.
I'll be buying used probably, budget is about £8,000.
Thanks in advance.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

is the vn et al really comfier for a pillion than the bandit 12? And for the rider too, for that matter? I mean, if you've got good experience of both and can vouch for cruisers like the vn, fine - but i'd be amazed if a pillion thought it was better, and i'd be pretty surprised if a normal rider would.

summarily, and generally, roadster ergos > cruiser ergos
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[ThunderGuts]

I was actually going to make this comment myself; I don't have personal experience of cruisers, but what I've heard suggests their ergos are not really good for long journeys as you're slouched and don't have the ability to move around in quite the same way.
____________________
TG.

[Zen Dog]

Well if you want the ultimate big burly cruiser, Triumph Rocket 3?

The only big cruisers I've got direct experience of is Victory, and they're no longer in production (replaced by Polaris with the Indian brand). Great bikes, though quality (paint especially) suffered in the last few years of production.
____________________
Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[WD Forte]

the obligatory BCF response

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.giphy.com%2Fmedia%2F3o6Ztk4wEkrKEyfOmY%2Fgiphy.gif&f=1&nofb=1
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[Polarbear]

I rode the Valkyrie for a while as a courtesy bike while my Goldwing was in the dealers for a few days. My Goldwing was much comfier. There are only 2 cruisers I'd rather fancy though, the Rocket 3 and the V Max but that's nothing to do with them being comfortable.

Saying that, I have a friend who has spinal damage and says the only bikes he can ride comfortably are cruisers so go figure.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[martin734]

If you want long distance comfort, forget a cruiser. The feet and arms forward with all of your weight on your arse and lower spine are really uncomfortable after a surprisingly short amount of time. I would suggest something like the BMW tourers or a Honda Goldwing. I'm only 5' 7" and can ride these easy enough.
____________________
Current bike: ST1100 "Big Red"

[Tonyg1987]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[P.]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[UncleFester]

Wasn't it OGR who bought himself a new Honda Goldwing Bagger?

Appreciate it's not 8k but then if something is worth doing ....

https://cdn-0.totalmotorcycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-Honda-Gold-Wing3-1024x768.jpg
____________________
2017 Z1000SX

[Zen Dog]

[jeffyjeff]

You want a bike for a long distance trip, get one made to munch miles. Pan European. Your pillion will appreciate it as well.
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[gbrand42]

Pan European will tick all the boxes. I have one for exactly this.
____________________
Yamaha RD50M, Honda C90, Yamaha RS100, Yamaha RD125LC, Honda XL125 V9 Varadero, Honda NT700VA, Honda VFR800X, Honda CRF1000L, Honda ST1300 Pan European

[Polarbear]

No, get a Wing. At least then you can play 'Born to be Wild' loudly on the stereo to convince yourself you are riding a chopper.

As for pillion comfort. I had so many people fall asleep on the back of my wing it it was stupid, and you can't fall off so they're safe.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Evil Hans]

I have ridden my brother's XVS Dragstar, and I honestly don't think I could bear it over any distance.

If you want to tour, get a tourer.
____________________
Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[c_dug]

I did 8 solid hours riding a Harley around in Oz a few years back and fuck me was it uncomfortable. A couple of days later I did a similar (actually longer) day on an S1000R and it was miles better, night and day.

I'd fancy a K1600 personally if I wanted a pure touring bike, but I suspect any bike of that style to be more than adequate. Given your concerns about height maybe see if you can try a few bikes for size at some dealers.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Zen Dog]

[Shaft]

[Tonyg1987]

May have to try get a test ride or two.
Or at least sit on a few different types of bikes and get a feel for them. Not gonna rush into it because I don't want to make the wrong decision.
My experience on bikes is all on sports and sports-tourers.

[WD Forte]

Done a fair bit of long rides and found a comfy seat, neutral sitting position (well set up bars for your height, arm length etc) and
good screen can make long rides very bearable.
Some of these cruisers seem to have woeful little seats for the poor old passengers too.
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[P.]

[A100man]