OOH! ANOTHER VIRGINAL BOARD! CRUISER QUESTIONS, Y'ALL...

jaeger · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 4 Location: Baltimore, MD, USA

ha ha! yet another forum i get to deflower. tee hee.

ok, folks -- who can talk to me about the honda shadow 750s vs. the 1100s? i bougt my first cruiser recently -- a little shadow vlx 600 -- and it's a hoot, but it's a little small and a little anemic. (mybetter half, though, fits it perfectly).

i usually ride an SV650, which has plenty of power for my tastes. would the 750 cruiser engine be enough, or would the 1100 be better?

also, who can talk to me about the bonneville america?
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jaeger...

<< jaeger@hell.com >>

bster13 · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 11

Why are u going from a sporty bike to a cruiser? Usally it's the other way around....as people want more performance, not less. And also if people go from sporty bikes to more touring orientated riders usually move towards a sport-tourer or touring bike....hrmmmm
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94' Kawi ZX-11D
97' Katana 750

Hermit · Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Posts: 13 Location: yosemite, CA

Jumping from your SV onto a cruizer has got to be a little frustrating! But I like both as well. I ride a sportbike but I like cruizers too. I think a 750 will be way too small for you. They don't make much more power than the 650 cruizer motors. If you're talking about the Honda 750 Spirit I think it would be dissapointing, though it looks neat. I haven't ridden one though. But I have ridden an '02 Honda Sabre 1100 that I liked quite a bit. Deceptively quick and good handling. I think you'd be happier with one of these, but that's just a guess. I really prefer the Honda to the few Harleys I've tried.

Dave

Tourmeister · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 39 Location: Huntsville, Texas

Howdy,

Aren't the Sabre's a tad top heavy? Kinda like the Nighthawk 750's? As for cruisers, I would always go with the larger displacement. Typically the geometry of the smaller displacement cruisers is near identical to their larger bretheren. Take the VStar 650 and 1100's for example. Basically the same bike with different motors. With the low CG's the larger engine really does not change the perceived bulk of the bike, especially once you are moving. But that bigger engine can make a huge difference in acceleration. Also, the added weight will usually give the bike a smoother more plush ride and make it a little more resistant to wind blasts from other vehicles on the highway. Gas mileage is usually about the same for both sizes, but sometimes the larger bike may get one or two fewer miles to the gallon.

I love the look of some of the cruisers. However, I've yet to ride one that has comfortable ergonomics compared to my beloved VFR's. Wink

Cruisers are very hard on your lower back. But they look and sound so cool hehe.

Adios,
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Scott Friday
98 & 01 VFR 800's
Sfriday.com
BackroadMotorcycleTours.com

Hermit · Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Posts: 13 Location: yosemite, CA

You must be thinking of the '80s Sabres which were not cruisers (though the Magnas were). Those things were seriously top heavy. I had a 80 something 1100 Sabre, big power, bad manners, very tall. The new Sabres are a full cruiser bike with a very short seat height, I'm guessing around 26 or 27 at most. I've got a 29" inseam and I sit a Shadow Sabre with both feet flat on the ground and knees bent. It is not top heavy at all. It doesn't even have the typical cruiser bad handling manners. I'm impressed with that bike, but it's too much money and not very comfy. Taller people might like them better, but like Scott says they are hard on your lower back. When riding the smaller cruisers I think you'll find yourself in lower gears revving the motor up just to keep up some speed. The 1100s do it all with torque. Less shifting more nice cruising. Worth the cost? Not to me.