Confused, Cruiser vs Touring. Help!!!

[Bamaboy]

Scenario: I have owned about 15 Motorcycles from Honda CT 70 up to a Yamaha XS 750 and some dirt bikes. I have done some long distance traveling. Nothing over three days. My current bike is an XT600.

In one year from now I plan to spend about 6 months on the back of a motorcycle traveling the Mid and Eastern United States for my business. I will be carrying a projector, laptop, a small display, 1-2 suits w/tie, everyday clothes, etc.

I am looking for a good used bike that I can travel comfortably on. I have been looking at the Honda ST1100, Kawasaki Concours, Suzuki Bandit 1200, etc. (These big bikes seem to be less expensive, I am looking for something in good condition for $4,000.00 - $7,000.00)

My question: I have noticed that there are oodles of Cruisers for sale at some good prices. I have never owned one of these type of Bikes, how do they compare to a touring bike? If I fit one up with luggage bags, tank bag, etc. Would it get the job done? Would I wish that I had bought a Touring bike?



vs

[St_rydr]

Buy a touring bike.

[tbirdsp]

I just can't stand the "feet forward" riding position of a "cruiser". A slight forward lean with your feet under you is much better IMHO. I ASSume you are going to want some decent weather protection so I would say ST1100 or Connie. If I was going to do what you say I would pick the ST1100 hands down. Of course, I'm biased, I just turned over 68,000 miles on mine

[Bamaboy]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

I just can't stand the "feet forward" riding position of a "cruiser". A slight forward lean with your feet under you is much better IMHO. I ASSume you are going to want some decent weather protection so I would say ST1100 or Connie. If I was going to do what you say I would pick the ST1100 hands down. Of course, I'm biased, I just turned over 68,000 miles on mine

That is a sharp looking bike! That bike is on my wish list.

[vortexau]

You need to borrow a cruiser for a full day ride to determine if the two (bike and YOU) are okay at the end of the day.

My last long distance was on a Yamaha YP400 which has a usable saddle covering 60Lt storage space, and fair weather protection.
http://home.people.net.au/~vortexau/pics2/Inspect'nTour07.png
(Two day route - April '07)

My present mount, a Shadow VT750C1 with bags & screen, doesn't offer the same protection . . . leading me to feel that a similar distance would now leave me more fatigued.


Disclaimer- Not my pic or machines, but will serve to illustrate the difference.

[bostonsr]

cruisers are meant to be "cool"

touring bikes are built to a riding purpose...many miles, in comfort, and capable of real handling (for fun and emergencies.)

if you're going to be on the road for 6months you'll wear the cool right off a cruiser and be left with...a big heavy lump that's not good at anything other than looking impressive while parked.

touring all the way.

abe

[a1fa]

Please put Sprint ST on your list.

[Steve G.]

The riding position is the major thing to think about when looking to riding long distance. Cruisers, particularly their riding position, is not 'it'.
The key is a position where there is a sharing of your body weight among the contact points to the bike, seat, hand and feet. Ultimately, the sitting position found on big dual sports like GS Beemers is ideal
The only advantage I can see to cruisers is the use of the engine layout, usually a v-twin, and only because this kind of engine does not give the rider a frenzied feedback, which would speed up fatigue. So, a bigger engine with strong but casual power output is ideal.
Steve

[achesley]

You can tour on any bike you want to. It's all up to you and what fits you. I've met people with over 100K touring on Fat boys, Shadows, Sportsters, etc. Even met a lady school teacher on a Ninja 250 on a month vacation covering the whole USA at about 400 miles a day. Just as happy as a lark. Last summer on my round trip to Calif on my DL1000 I saw a big increase in 3 wheelers out west. Also many cruisers with packed up on the road traveling. I'd say, 9 for 10 bikes I crossed paths with were cruiser types with the next going to Gold Wings and BMW's. Then a splattering of others.

What you have to do is be honest with yourself. How many miles a day do you want to run a day? What kind of roads do you want to run? What kinda shape are you in? How's your lower back? Do you want to camp or just motel it? Are you gonna run solo or 2 up. This will lead to what luggage you want to carry. Seems the more I travel , the less I carry.
AT present I'm attempting to get my new '07 Bandit to fit my old worn out body. That takes seats, risers, luggage racks, windshields, etc for me. And , my body won't let me do a feet forward bike any more. ;-(. Or any thing kin to a crouch rocket. ;^ ( ...

[McB]

+1

Definitely find a way to spend at least 3-4 hours on a cruiser first. Some folks are way more comfortable on a more upright touring bike, but there are those who swear by cruisers as being most comfortable for them. Some of the large cruisers can be outfitted pretty nicely for long distance duty.

A nice 'tweener is the Yamaha Royal Star Venture, which can be had in full touring kit, has a time-tested V-4, and a lower, more laid-back riding position.

[Bamaboy]

Thanks for all the advice! If Cruisers make you keep your feet forward the whole time, I do not want one. From what I have read, seems like the Touring Bike is best for me. With days in the saddle, I want the most comfort that I can get.

[McB]

Originally Posted by Bamaboy

Thanks for all the advice! If Cruisers make you keep your feet forward the whole time, I do not want one. From what I have read, seems like the Touring Bike is best for me. With days in the saddle, I want the most comfort that I can get.

I agree, but the last time I did 800+ days on the V-Strom, I was having moments of floorboard envy.

[Bamaboy]

Originally Posted by achesley

You can tour on any bike you want to. It's all up to you and what fits you. I've met people with over 100K touring on Fat boys, Shadows, Sportsters, etc. Even met a lady school teacher on a Ninja 250 on a month vacation covering the whole USA at about 400 miles a day. Just as happy as a lark. Last summer on my round trip to Calif on my DL1000 I saw a big increase in 3 wheelers out west. Also many cruisers with packed up on the road traveling. I'd say, 9 for 10 bikes I crossed paths with were cruiser types with the next going to Gold Wings and BMW's. Then a splattering of others.

What you have to do is be honest with yourself. How many miles a day do you want to run a day? What kind of roads do you want to run? What kinda shape are you in? How's your lower back? Do you want to camp or just motel it? Are you gonna run solo or 2 up. This will lead to what luggage you want to carry. Seems the more I travel , the less I carry.
AT present I'm attempting to get my new '07 Bandit to fit my old worn out body. That takes seats, risers, luggage racks, windshields, etc for me. And , my body won't let me do a feet forward bike any more. ;-(. Or any thing kin to a crouch rocket. ;^ ( ...

How old are you if you don't mind me askin? It is encouraging to hear when older folks are still hitting the road. One of the reasons I am going to do my trip on a Bike instead of a car is because I am 46 yrs. old and I want to do these kind of things before I get too old. My wife thinks that I am crazy. She will be with her mom and with the family car while I am cruising/touring around the U.S.

[Bamaboy]

Originally Posted by McB

I agree, but the last time I did 800+ days on the V-Strom, I was having moments of floorboard envy.

800+ is too much! I did that once when I was 21 yrs. old on a CB650. I was a Zombie when I arrived at my destination.

How do you like the V-Strom as a Touring bike? I have thought about that bike and decking it out with luggage. Is the fairing adequate?

[Bamaboy]

Originally Posted by vortexau

You need to borrow a cruiser for a full day ride to determine if the two (bike and YOU) are okay at the end of the day.

My last long distance was on a Yamaha YP400 which has a usable saddle covering 60Lt storage space, and fair weather protection.
http://home.people.net.au/~vortexau/pics2/Inspect'nTour07.png
(Two day route - April '07)

My present mount, a Shadow VT750C1 with bags & screen, doesn't offer the same protection . . . leading me to feel that a similar distance would now leave me more fatigued.


Disclaimer- Not my pic or machines, but will serve to illustrate the difference.

Cool! I met an older couple here in Brazil doing touring on one of those 400cc Scooters.