Cruisers for midget commuters?

shor_tass · L Plate Warrior Joined: 14 May 2015 Karma :

Hey guys. Could really use some advice. After years of my girlfriend being adamant that she didn't want me riding a motorbike as she thinks they're dangerous (her sister had a bad crash years ago and almost lost a leg), she's been swayed since going to the BMAD Festival in Devon a couple of weeks back. Excellent news as I'm sure you'll all agree.

However, it's on the condition that it's not a sports bike (what her sister crashed on) of any sort and basically must be a cruiser. I don't have a problem with this as I've always loved Harleys and that style anyway.

I'm 34 so would be looking at getting a full unrestricted license as it seems like the sensible option to be able to ride anything once I get going.

My possible problems however, are:

- I'm only 5'2" so I'm going to be limited as to what bikes I can have due to standover height.
- I'm potentially looking to use it for transport to work in central London when we soon move out of London.

Any helpful suggestions on decent cruisers for midgets who want to commute?

Thanks in advance. Smile

RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

You have just defined the defacto 'My First Cruiser' the Yamaha 535 ~~Viagra~~ Virago...
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shor_tass · L Plate Warrior Joined: 14 May 2015 Karma :

Doovy · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Karma :

I've been riding bikes for 10 years. No serious injuries. Owned a sports bike for the past year and a half.

A friend of mine spent half an hour on a quadbike yesterday and broke his hand.

Make of that what you will.
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

A 34 year old man asking his girlfriend for permission to spend his own money...

Have you considered growing a pair and buying whatever the hell you want? Do it, it's liberating.

shor_tass · L Plate Warrior Joined: 14 May 2015 Karma :

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

Alpineandy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :

Put your height & inside leg numbers on this and have a browse;
https://cycle-ergo.com/
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talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

Virago riding position isn't all that cruisery, similarly the engine feels gutless if you keep the revs low. Peak torque is at 6600, peak power at 7500 and there's some kind of limiter at about 8000. If you like thrashing the hell out of a slowish bike they're a lot of fun. Surprisingly agile and quick turning around town. Pegs scrape too easily.

Shaft drive means no messing about cleaning chains. If you can find a 535 that isn't fucked then they're a great little commuter.

Renntec rack will take a Givi topbox, you'll have to improvise if you want side panniers, but filtering with a Givi E45 on each side makes me feel uncomfortable.

If you have more money, there are all kinds of crazy bikes out there that pass as cruisers, suzuki m1800r, Yamaha V-max, Hardly Movinson V-rod

I get it that significant people get to impose rules. I'm not allowed a goldwing, and not allowed to ride when it is icy. I'm not allowed to talk to her about near misses.

What about retroey nakeds like Yamaha XJ1200, Honda CB1000, (modern) Triumph Bonneville?

Safety gubbins to reassure you missus: ABS, traction control, wheelie control and the like

Personally if I had a pile of cash and wanted a safe bike I'd pick up something with Cornering ABS. 1190 Adventure, Multistrada, HP4 etc.
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Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

R1200GS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRFyw57o_Ic

Who are we talking to here, you or your girlfriend?

I'd suggest something like a Bonneville or W650/W800 rather than a cruiser.
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RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

andymach23 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 16 May 2013 Karma :

Hi

Kawasaki Vulcan S is just out and it has three ergo fit options of bars pegs and seat to suit smaller (and larger) riders.

https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/01/22/2015-kawasaki-vulcan-s-abs-cruiser-motorcycle-review-first-ride-photos-specifications/

Cheers.

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

If I had to settle for a cruiser or no bike, I'd go for the latter.

There is no reason to not get a sports bike, my friend died in front of me on a cruiser... so unsure why that would matter.

I'd suggest growing a pair, fireblade. Don't want fatherless kids, drive rather than ride.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I'd like a modded Gen1 V-max, so suggest that IMO!

A poor second choice would be a late 90's Honda Magna VF750.

A V-rod, well id have a go on one, but don't really like the brand.
The Honda VT750 Shadow is 10x the bike that the XV535 Virago is, if you have a bit more budget than old Virago money.

But ultimately I'd be looking at a big naked, and I suppose you could say to your OH that a ZRX1200, XJR1300 is kind of cruiser in that it's not a sports bike. or If you've got really big balls, get yourself a tuned 1402cc big bore kitted Z1300. But do that and I will be one jealous bastard! Laughing

Val · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Karma :

Snod Blatter · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 Nov 2014 Karma :

https://i.imgur.com/xhGRIXB.jpg

CB250 Two Fifty is commuting nirvana. Anyone who disagrees is incorrect and should be ignored. They're also midget nirvana. Never mind the missing mudguard, I was still looking for one after bending the original in a crash..

Got me to work through the snow too, and then on a snowy joyride to Buxton with a mate for no reason at all. Who needs a trail bike?

https://i.imgur.com/I0qUH5S.jpg

80MPG, 25K out of a front tyre, negligible chain wear, and gear whine so loud it makes small children cover their ears. Are you man enough to deal with the sneering derision though?
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Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

Vulcan S is probably a lot of fun in the same way the old 535 is, small, light, and with an enthusiastic engine that can be given a good workout on a public road. Probably significantly more so than a 535.

I can't say I wan't one because if I change bikes I'm getting something that is more bike an less fashion statement. But if I had to get a recent cruiser, it's near the top of the list.

And becasue its' not been said yet, the giant scooter that is the NM4 Vultus might pass for a cruiser if you're that way inclined. I'd rather have a Deuville
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I've never ridden an XV535, but for the same reason you say it could be fun, (in terms of being able to work the engine hard a lot of the time on the road at sensible speeds), then I think the VF750C would also be good for the same reason.

80-90bhp and being able to be spun round to 11'000rpm through the gears without ever really topping much over 120mph, but having the overtaking power to pass car's easily, sounds like reasonable fun.

Of course you need reasonable handling and braking to allow you to enjoy it more of the time, and enough ground clearance for it not to throw you off on every 70mph sweeping bend etc.

I will one day ride a full fat V-max and see if I like them at all? If it really is too much engine and not enough chassis for anything, I might drop my interest in them. But style wise they still have an appeal, but it's also the V4 VFR sound with over 75ib/ft and a fairly nice top end kick for a 1200cc that sounds like some fun, and makes me want to try one.

Style wise my beloved Z1300 dream has it licked and then some, as it does the IL6 scream, but it's just too damn heavy for a 12.5stone weakling.

Pigeon · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Sep 2012 Karma :

.Chris. · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Karma :

I have a Honda Rebel 250, which probably has one of the lowest seat heights of any factory bike at 26 inches. Definitely a good one for those with short legs, though perhaps not the ideal bike if you plan on doing too much motorway/dual carriageway work due to having only about 18bhp. As with any cruiser, the wide handlebars are a disadvantage in town as it makes it more difficult to filter through traffic.
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1985 Kawasaki Z550F

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Actually, your first hurdle (ho ho) is getting a license. You'll have to ask around the local training schools and see if they have a 'A' bike that's low enough for you to get on with.

Absent that, your only real route is to do it on your own suitable bike.

XV535 is A2, not A. Whatever you get, you'll need to insure it through (e.g.) Bikesure on your provisionaL and then either be very careful in how and where you practise on it, or get an instructor to swing by your place.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

For years my aunt's father wanted a piano, he had played a bit in the army and really enjoyed it, for 50 something years he had brought up the subject with his wife who point blank refused. It almost became a joke he would ask she would tell him off. She died a some years ago, 3 days after he bought a decent Roland Keyboard probably 4 figures worth! He would play it all the time, and considering he hadn't played since he was a lad he wasn't bad! He still remembered a few songs, and although obviously he wasn't perfect but he could get a tune out of it, he loved playing that keyboard. I can't remember the exact time but it was less than a year later he died. The keyboard went to my sister who can play and she uses it now though not with the joy he did.

I don't really know what the moral of the story is, just always thought it was sad he listened to her for so long, but at least my sister got a keyboard out of it, every cloud eh?
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