Anons who have switched from cruisers (primary talking Harley’s) to sport bikes or vice versa- why did you switch and was it worth it? What do you consider fun? How do you compare the experiences?I’ll admit, I like cruisers myself. In fact I’ve been thinking about getting an old shovelhead, but recently I’ve been entertaining the idea of like a CBR or something.
I went through "all" of the big name jap sports bikes and settled on an Ural, best decision I've ever done.The Ural can barely get up to 80kmh/55mph without blowing up, it's incredibly heavy and cumbersome to ride, the ergonomics are awkward at best and you'd be lucky to make it 100km without something breaking, it's a fuel hog and it leaks oil from every single possible place.I guess the experience is comparable to an old Harley, like a really old one, think a WL or such.The thing manabes ro make me smile every time I take it out for a spin, I never felt such joy with my jap sports bikes.It's not always about spec sheets or such shit, sometimes you just havw to go with something you actually enjoy even if it is objectively inferior in every way possible.
I’ve sport bikes, nakeds, dual sports, cruisers, all of em…I sold my Harley Street Bob two years ago and currently ride a 2024 Suzuki DR650Harleys are… strange. They suck on paper, they kinda suck in practice too. Never had a full on bagger which I hear make excellent touring bikes but my street bob was just fun to ride. I’d say it’s a bit more raw of an experience. You also just feel cool riding it, at least I did. It was decently comfortable, decently powerful, and stopped pretty well. It wasn’t really special in any way performance wise. You CAN build them to be whatever you want, but that adds up quick. My biggest gripe was the price. It wasn’t worth it to me to keep building and dumping money into a bike that’ll never really perform as well as I wanted it to. Which, performance isnt the point of a Harley but when I bought it, I thought that wouldn’t be as much of a priority. My Suzuki does everything my Harley did and more, cost a third, and I don’t feel bad beating the shit out of it
if you like taking the scenic route and being comfy for long rides then get the cruiser. it's literally built for cruising.if you're addicted to speed and adrenalin and then get the sports bike. it's literally built for speed and thrills.but if you're an alpha male and you'd rather attract lots of women and have lots of sex then you should buy a scooter because it's literally built for sex.
>>28930663>>28930682>it's incredibly heavy and cumbersome to ride, the ergonomics are awkward at best and you'd be lucky to make it 100km without something breaking, it's a fuel hog and it leaks oil from every single possible placeI can understand the appeal. Honestly I wanted to have something like pic rel except a shovel. I’ve got no desire to go fast, but at the same time I am somewhat curious about a CBR. I guess I just wonder if I’m somehow missing out.Am I actually missing out on anything with not having a plastic bike anons? I’ll admit, they’re pretty, but old bikes are just so classic.
>>28930581i went from a 90s super sport to a sportster 1200. it's not for me. I don't like forward controls and the way the Evolution engine sounds. Everything is too soft and flimsy. the vibrations are annoying and I find myself fatigued on longer rides compared to Japanese sport tourers I've owned in the past. I'll be going to a V4 standard, muscle, or super sport next. Japanese or Italian, whatever the budget allows.
>>28930696I've had sport bikes, cruisers, and scooters and of them all the one i think about the most is the maxim 550 rat bike i used to have. It's was a piece of shit but it was super fun to ride. Just sold my Vulcan the other day now all that's left is the vino 50 and the manco minibike I've had since i was a kid.
>>28930748>maxim 550Nta, but out of curiousity- why was it the most fun to you?How did it differ from your Vulcan?Am I missing anything by not having a sport bike as a v twin owner?
>>28930740I had 2 CBRs and while they're fun to ride fast and I do admit they take a beating like a champ, they're absolutely soulless bikes.Aside from going fast, they lacked any kind of emotion for me.
Started on an R6. Sports bikes are fun and I was young. Switched to a naked bike, not as fun, feel the wind, slow, but great gas mileage. Practical commuter. Recently bought an R1, and I must be getting old. My wrists were hurting after riding for more than 30 minutes. Not practical for commuting, power range is too stronk. My commute lately has been lane splitting in rush hour traffic, so I can't even open up the R1.I was thinking of switching to like an XSR for the aesthetic as I get older. Maybe it is true.
>>28930760Honestly, sounds like a based take to me. I think that’s all I need to know. I’m probably gonna get myself a shovel. Thanks anon.
To add, I've also changed power size. From 600cc, to 700 (2 cylinder, 60 hp), to 1000CC.>600cc was fun, good power. But you have to wind it up.>700, slow, but good torque throughout the powerband>1000cc crazy fun power. But might be a bit too much for the street. At least on a sports bike.Doing the goldilocks thing, but I'm looking to get a 900cc next and see if that is a happy medium.
>>28930764Thanks for this take as well anon. It kinda confirms what I was already thinking.
>>28930762This was for you.>>28930767
>>28930764Yeah, for me and many others a motorcycle is a toy or a hobby, so there's no point in spec sheet racing and such, just go with the one you like the most.I also oove working on shit, so the Ural or an old Harley is perfect for me, every modification you make feels like an improvement, because it probably is and leaves you with a sense of achievement.
>>28930581I've had two Honda standards, two Ninjas, a TW200, and a Sportster 1200 (current bike). Planning on adding a ZRX1200 when I find a good Eddie Lawson near me.
>>28930757It was low and small and light and really easy to maneuver around. It was like a bicycle that could go on the highway. Plus it had no fairings so it was easy to work on road side when it broke which was fairly often. The Vulcan was a lot bigger so it felt too cumbersome for what on paper should have been a smaller motorcycle. The skinny front tire made it feel a little unwieldy and it didn't corner that well so it was best in a straight line which is boring. The sport bikes were fun but i didn't like the wrist pain on long rides. I rode between San Diego and Las Vegas on my fz6 a couple times in my 20s but wouldn't do that anymore. Go ride one if you haven't
>>28931770>skinny front tire made it feel a little unwieldyCan you elaborate? I'm curious because in my experience it's been the opposite. I test drove the nightster and the sportster s and the fat front tire on the sportster s made the handling feel more sluggish. Kind of a shame as it looks cool and I like the liquid cooled 1250
