Cruiser or sports?

[ks2847]

Hi everyone,

I'm curious to know the differences between a cruiser and a sports bike, apart from the look of them obviously

I have always preferred cruisers over sports bikes but it seems that cruisers are a little more expensive and perhaps more cumbersome. When the time comes for me to buy a bike I will obviously pick one that fits my body and feels comfortable, whatever that may be.

But what are the fundamental differences between the two types of bikes in terms of riding? I've searched the forum and haven't seen many discussions on cruisers, seems most peeps on here likes their sports bikes and likes to go fast!

Cheers
Kenny

[grotbag]

Firstly, don't be deceived into thinking that cruisers can't go fast, they can! Ask some of the harley or marauder riders!!!


Look at some pictures to see the basic differences. Look for the position of the foot pegs, look at the different hight of the bars.


Cruisers are more of a 'sit up straight' ride, no stretching forwards. Pegs are mostly forwards. On my shadow, I sit upright, don't have to stretch or bend forwards to reach the bars, pegs are forwards so my old legs arnt bent up and it's a real comfy ride.

If I rode a sports type bike, I would be leaning forwards to reach the bars, my legs would be bent more on the 'straight down' pegs and after a short time of being in this position, I would exacerbate an old back problem.


When it comes to riding, the basic difference is bends depending on the position of the pegs, some cruisers scrape as they cant lean as far as sports bikes.

[Spree]

Hi Kenny and welcome mate

The main difference between the two categories is probably riding style, a cruiser is much more laid back to ride and because they usually don't have a lot of ground clearance the handling is affected making it slower in the corners.

A sports type bike is usually loosely based on a track machine with better handling and usually a lot quicker to ride, at the cost of rider comfort. That said there are compromises with some bikes (unfaired in particular) where you have a moe upright position but still giving you some of the handling that you would expect for a sports bike.

My advice would be to try out a few different bikes for size and see what suits you best.

[druidsam]

Originally Posted by Spree

Hi Kenny and welcome mate



My advice would be to try out a few different bikes for size and see what suits you best.

theres a lot of fun to be had trying different things out.



...............................Sam

[papasmurf]

Originally Posted by ks2847

Hi everyone,

I'm curious to know the differences between a cruiser and a sports bike, apart from the look of them obviously

Personally I adore Harley Davidsons

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by papasmurf

Personally I don't like either of those types of motorcycle.

and the question was???????

[lady clara]

Originally Posted by ks2847

Hi everyone,

I'm curious to know the differences between a cruiser and a sports bike, apart from the look of them obviously

I have always preferred cruisers over sports bikes but it seems that cruisers are a little more expensive and perhaps more cumbersome. When the time comes for me to buy a bike I will obviously pick one that fits my body and feels comfortable, whatever that may be.

But what are the fundamental differences between the two types of bikes in terms of riding? I've searched the forum and haven't seen many discussions on cruisers, seems most peeps on here likes their sports bikes and likes to go fast!

Cheers
Kenny

Well speaking only from personal experience....I've sat on a friend's cruiser and to me the centre of gravity seems not right. You're sat too far back with your legs too far forward. But again it's personal choice. Friends who have cruisers say that they prefer the long straight dual carriageway type roads whereas I and my 'sports/tourer' mates much prefer the back 'country' type roads. I think the sports bikes handle loads better but perhaps the cruiser fans may disagree?
Only way is to try all kinds mate....but for me sports win every time. And don't forget you don't have to ride a faired racer. Mine's a naked bike and I'm not leant over the handlebars but still have the handling. Best of both worlds I reckon.

[papasmurf]

Originally Posted by grotbag

and the question was???????

Too narrowly based. But I still love Harleys

[ks2847]

Originally Posted by papasmurf

Too narrowly based.

Perhaps it is a narrow question for someone who isn't a fan of either type of bike, but for me a tourer/naked (in fact any other type of bike) doesn't come in to the equation as I don't like the look of them.

Bottom line is I'm not spending money on something I wouldn't look at twice.

[lady clara]

Originally Posted by ks2847

Perhaps it is a narrow question for someone who isn't a fan of either type of bike, but for me a tourer/naked (in fact any other type of bike) doesn't come in to the equation as I don't like the look of them.

Bottom line is I'm not spending money on something I wouldn't look at twice.

Entirely agree. You have to love it or there's no point.