Alright, I've been bikeless for 4 months now. It's been 100+ degrees here, so I really hadn't given riding much thought. Past couple of days, however, it's cooled off enough that I'm getting the itch for riding again. However, I need something that I can feel comfortable on for 3-4 hour rides. My commute is 1 hour each way, and there is a place about 4 hours from where I live that I like to visit every now and then. I was looking into an SV650, but even those are still too uncomfortable for me. (Must be getting old... )

SO....I've been checking out the cruisers. My friend has a VTX1300 and it's a nice bike. I don't know if I'll need something that big. I was thinking of perhaps a Shadow 750. I'd buy it brand new or get an 05-06.

Any other suggestions? The most important thing for this next street bike is comfort. My budget is around $7-8k.

Also, I do realize that they are NOT sportbikes and the road manners and handling will be much different. I'm just looking for comfort during the longer rides. And don't worry, a track bike is already in the works.

 

ugh, no cruisers for me.

i'd go for a nice standard, with comfy ergos, but the performance that's worthwhile.

Speed triple comes to mind OTOH or a monster s4r w/ different bars?

 

Buy a sport tourer.

 

you're looking for comfort and buying a cruiser? not going to happen

Try looking into an ST1300 or the FJR (Yamaha). BMW Makes a nice bike that is near the same (closer to the FJR)

 

look in to naked bikes. Maybe a naked sv650. You can still get 45mpg, as apposed to some cruisers, and it's agile enough that you can mob it in to some corners.
If comfort is really an issue than you may be looking at seats/bars for most any bike you buy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">look in to naked bikes. Maybe a naked sv650. You can still get 45mpg, as apposed to some cruisers, and it's agile enough that you can mob it in to some corners.
If comfort is really an issue than you may be looking at seats/bars for most any bike you buy.</TD></TR></TABLE>

He already said he wasn't a fan of the SV650 for comfort..... thats why I went a step further for the more "touring sport" oriented.

Remember, there is sport, sport touring, touring sport, and touring. Big differences but same words

 

for some reason i assumed he was referring to the sv650s, even though he didn't say so. Because for me the sv650s is already comfortable, and then when you take the naked one with bars it's even more comfortable. Just needs a seat.

 

See my sig... enough said.

 

you might want to look at a ninja 650r. I think they're a bit less sporty than a sv650

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITS_Dunn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you're looking for comfort and buying a cruiser? not going to happen

Try looking into an ST1300 or the FJR (Yamaha). BMW Makes a nice bike that is near the same (closer to the FJR)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Really? Are you saying that comfort is still an issue on a cruiser?? How so? I thought the upright, reclined seating position, along with a custom handlebar would be pretty comfy for long trips...

And I personally cannot get into those touring sport bikes. I think I'd buy a Goldwing before one of those.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">for some reason i assumed he was referring to the sv650s, even though he didn't say so. Because for me the sv650s is already comfortable, and then when you take the naked one with bars it's even more comfortable. Just needs a seat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I was talking about just the regular SV650. Still a bit too uncomfortable for me for longer hauls.

This is the bike that I'm looking at.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

And I personally cannot get into those touring sport bikes. I think I'd buy a Goldwing before one of those.


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sprint ST?



VFR?



i think these bikes look pretty good for old man bikes.

 

What, specifically, did you find uncomfortable about the SV?

 

what's wrong with ST bikes?! Haters

I vote for FJR, more fun that a 'wing.

 

For an hour commute each way, I would look into some sport tourers.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i think these bikes look pretty good for old man bikes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol.... old man bikes. It's amusing that he's asking about cruisers and pretty much everyone is suggesting sport tourers. Just buy a Shadow and be done with it. They're comfortable (after a seat change) and still get ~45 mpg.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

lol.... old man bikes. It's amusing that he's asking about cruisers and pretty much everyone is suggesting sport tourers. Just buy a Shadow and be done with it. They're comfortable (after a seat change) and still get ~45 mpg.</TD></TR></TABLE>

cr00zerz are teh darksyde!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Really? Are you saying that comfort is still an issue on a cruiser?? How so? I thought the upright, reclined seating position, along with a custom handlebar would be pretty comfy for long trips...

And I personally cannot get into those touring sport bikes. I think I'd buy a Goldwing before one of those.
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I am not sure what you mean with that question, hard to sense if its actually a question or a bit of sarcasm

Regardless, a huge misconception among riders is when people say that sport bikes are hard on the back and cruisers are like "laz-y-boys" and so comfy.

Think of it this way, what is easier on your back: sitting straight up hitting bumps compressing your upper body weight (waist up) onto you spine? Or sitting in a similar position just with your body more horizontal. Remember your pegs are back farther not to make you look cool, but to keep a better position on your spine When you hit a bump, only the weight vertical of your spine is on your back, placing some on your hands/front end.

My suggestion to everyone is never buy a bike until you have atleast taken the thing out for a good demo drive. Also remember that each style of bike has different seating position, feet position, rake, handle bars, etc. so they can all be tuned into your comfort zone.

The pic you posted imo would look super duper cool, but i'd hate to get off of that thing after a drive, unless you're a hunch back


Atleast you're on two wheels.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

VFR?



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sweet jesus I love that thing. Lovin' the paint scheme they brought back from the 80's too

 

if you want to ride comfortably for an hour each way, you want your feet underneath you and your back slightly leaned forward. that way your body's arms and legs help become part of the suspension.

cruiser couch position is comfy in the dealership but short throw suspension and vertical back position will not work. why do you think cruisers trailer their bikes everywhere.

amazingly the ninja250 had a pretty great riding position, other than the seat to peg distance was too short and it wasnt good for my long hamhock legs.

the sv650 was tedious on the highway. light and twitchy handling was not as welcome for straight shot commuting.

You want 3-4 hours comfortable, you're in sport touring class. Sprint ST is an amazing machine. VFR is probably up there too but the v4 has lost appeal to me. A used ST is the ticket for your price range if you can stomach the fact that its not omg japanese.

for the record i want a cool cruiser someday too and i'll get one as soon as it makes sense. (not any time soon)

edit- budget option - 99-01 kawasaki ZR-7S

 

I always liked the VFR. Oh, and a single-sided swingarm FTW

 

A lot of people go right from race-replicas to cruisers, when there are soooo many great bikes inbetween.

Honda 919 (0r 599)
Triumph Speed Triple
Triumph Sprint ST
SV650 or 1000
Kawi Z1000
etc...

Naked sports own.

 

i like my 650r for long trips and commuting.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falcongsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">cruiser couch position is comfy in the dealership but short throw suspension and vertical back position will not work. why do you think cruisers trailer their bikes everywhere.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd disagree with that. I've done hours on a piddly 750 and aside from needing highway pegs, it's pretty freakin' comfortable.

 

I've decided on either a 750 Spirit or VTX 1300. I am going to test out 2 750's today, then ride my friend's 1300 and see which I like better. But I will be getting some Corbin seats no matter which bike I get.

Thanks for all the inputs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I've done hours on a piddly 750 and aside from needing highway pegs, it's pretty freakin' comfortable.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess if you don't weigh a lot and live somewhere with smooth roads it can be...