Hey guys. So my dad is considering getting a bike since gas is getting so expensive and he has a pretty long commute (Long Beach to Tustin and back everyday). He has ridden before and I believe he has had 2 bikes before (really small displacement though, <250 IIRC). Back in Viet Nam he grew up with the little Honda/Vespa scooters over there, so he has plenty of riding experience, just not on bigger displacement bikes.

He wants to get a cruiser type bike, but I have no idea what would be a good cruiser for him. If he didn't have to go on the freeway I would just tell him to get like a Rebel. He's a pretty small guy (5'2") and getting older, so I'm afraid a much bigger bike might be too much for him, but a 250cc bike will be dangerous for him on the freeway.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

All bikes are dangerous on the highway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8M_7fBR63Y <---this guy seems fine on the highway on a Rebel.

Personally, I was actually considering a Harley Davidson Nightster for a bit after seeing one in person.

Edited - added video of a Rebel at highway speeds.

 

Lol. I meant dangerous as in a 250 cruiser (as far as I've read) doesn't have enough power/speed to get him out of a sticky situation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by silentballer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Lol. I meant dangerous as in a 250 cruiser (as far as I've read) doesn't have enough power/speed to get him out of a sticky situation.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i hear this argument a lot, but honestly, i cant think of one situation ive ever been in or seen that it was better to gun it then slow down and swerve one way or another. if the bike's max speed is 65 then i can understand wanting something that can go 70 or 80 because sometimes you need that just to keep up with traffic, but to say "i need something fast in case i need to time travel out of a bad situation" is just ignorant.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by that one guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i hear this argument a lot, but honestly, i cant think of one situation ive ever been in or seen that it was better to gun it then slow down and swerve one way or another. if the bike's max speed is 65 then i can understand wanting something that can go 70 or 80 because sometimes you need that just to keep up with traffic, but to say "i need something fast in case i need to time travel out of a bad situation" is just ignorant.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree completely. Looking ahead and constantly being aware of your surroundings is going to save a rider from a possibly bad situation.

 

I believe top speed on the Rebel is only ~70. It's interesting you guys say then when all the MSF instructors I've talked to have spoken to the contrary. Speed and manueverability are a motorcycle's greatest "safety features." Not trying to argue with any of you, but that's the first time I've heard that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by silentballer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I believe top speed on the Rebel is only ~70. It's interesting you guys say then when all the MSF instructors I've talked to have spoken to the contrary. Speed and manueverability are a motorcycle's greatest "safety features." Not trying to argue with any of you, but that's the first time I've heard that.</TD></TR></TABLE>w

MSF may say that speed is a good "safety feature", but I would also disagree. The only time speed is really useful at all is when you are at the front fender of a car and it tries merging into your lane. Otherwise, when would you use it?

 

harley sportster. reliable, has a really low seat hight, and has plenty of power for the highway.

 

Good point, I guess. Put you also have to keep in mind that my dad is going to have to commute on arguably the most congested freeway in the country. Slowing down might not always be an option, right? In any case, does anybody have any suggestions for bikes? Does anybody have experience on the the freeway with say a Rebel? So far it's just been everyone bashing me for being "ignorant."

 

They made a 450 rebel, or what about a shadow or magna?

I like having enough power so you don't have to down shift to gain

speed to avoid a car changing lanes next to me or to go up a hill.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by silentballer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good point, I guess. Put you also have to keep in mind that my dad is going to have to commute on arguably the most congested freeway in the country. Slowing down might not always be an option, right? In any case, does anybody have any suggestions for bikes? Does anybody have experience on the the freeway with say a Rebel? So far it's just been everyone bashing me for being "ignorant."</TD></TR></TABLE>

im not bashing you for anything. its the justification i see a lot of people use for more power that i dont like. i just dont think people should justify their decisions with reasons that dont make any sense. i mean if the freeway is congested, thats even less reason to say you need more power, if everyone is stopped or going below 45, where are you going to accelerate to? if you were to say you want more power so you dont ever have to downshift, just put it in high gear and cruise at 3K rpm then be able to get back to speed in the same gear then go for it. im not bashing you, im bashing the argument.
and back to your original question, i dont have any personal experience with cruisers except i think the harley engines make max torque at 2K or 3K rpm so that would seem perfect for freeway speeds and slow lane splitting. to compare my sv650 makes max torque at something like 6k rpm i think.

 

Rebels are horrible bikes looks wise IMO. A dinky 250 twin in a caricature of a Harley looks god-awful.

If he REALLY wants a "cruiser," I'd say get a Sportster.

Show him some pictures of standard older UJMs and see if he likes those. Bikes like the CB350, CB750, GS550, etc.

 

Seems like Sportster is the popular vote for the cruiser segment. I'd skip the 883 and get the 1200 series.

 

IMO? A used Honda Civic, or something similar.

The difference in gas saved is actually not that much. The benefit of driving is air conditioning and safety. Since he's old(er), any injuries that occur while riding a motorcycle will take longer to heal. And no offense to your dad, but if he's like mine, his reaction time has decreased.

The other drawback is time spent stuck in traffic. I lose about 10-15 minutes on my commute, but I enjoy the drive more with some tunes and a/c. Arriving to work all sweaty is sucky.

I know, motorcycle sub-forum, right? I guess he could always get a Vespa or some other scoot to relive his youth and ride around town.

Just my two cents.

And while I'm at it... MSF? Gear? Insurance???

 

shadow, nighthawk, or magna 750 /thread

 

Cruiser... Honda Shadow? How about a Ducati Monster?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Cruiser... Honda Shadow? How about a Ducati Monster?</TD></TR></TABLE>

A Monster is definitely not in the cruiser category. I'm riding more forward than friends on SV650s. Plus at 5'2", even the 30.4" seat height on the Monster might be a bit too high.

 

Ducati Multistrada

 

Just wondering, does your dad know that even a $2k rebel will buy him a lot of gas? Not to be a jerk but buying a bike without selling a car to save money is counter intuitive.

You should figure out his budget, show him some pictures and take him to a dealer or two to let him sit on some bikes. That should get him a feel of what he wants.

 

Yamaha Virago 1100 or 750.

 

If he wants a Harley, my vote goes to 883 Sportster. However, saving on gas is a stupid reason to buy a bike, especially if it is the primary reason for buying it.

 

883's are dogs. But it is fairly easy to bump em up to 1200 cc's.