The more I look at bikes, the more I wonder why cruisers are so much slower

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Cycle Asylum > The more I look at bikes, the more I wonder why cruisers are so much slower

Militant Lesbian: Oct 3, 2002

Wendigee posted:

I had a Yamaha V-star 650 custom. I loved the riding position, but it sucked at accelerating and doing highway speeds (seemed like it wanted to die at 60, let alone 70 I would need on the highway.

I sold it about 2 years ago after pulling an involuntary Layer Dan at 10 MPH in a sandy patch. No damage to me, had to replace a left clutch handle that it landed on.

My city puts down sand when it snows instead of salt and the poo poo just sits there for 6+ months at every sharp turn.

Anyway, I've been wanting to get back in the game. I got my eye on a V-Strom 650 this time. Seems like it will ride at 115 which is more than enough speed. I would think that the ABS would also help with sandy corners or am I joking myself?

I liked the cruiser but the performance was just poo poo, and I don't want to add another 100+ lbs (and thousands of dollars) to the bike to make it not suck.

Thoughts? Get out's? Shut-up shithead's?

I mostly commute in my 2011 Impreza WRX. Its in the shop for about 3 weeks while they repair it from when I backed into and sideswiped a concrete pillar that was hiding in my blind spot. (please don't ask.. its painful enough already)

My commute is about 3 miles and takes about 5-10 minutes depending on traffic. I was looking at a SVF650 but I don't really like the aggressive riding style.

I bow to your knowledge.

Cruisers are slow because H-D has convinced millions that the 60s was the peak of motorcycle technological development. If you want a better, more powerful cruiser, look at the new Indian Scout; 50% more power than your average Harley w/ a 1200 CC engine, lighter than a Sportster 1200, and about the same price.

Also lol at calling an SV650's riding position 'aggressive'.

# ¿ Aug 25, 2014 22:06

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ May 22, 2024 08:06

Militant Lesbian: Oct 3, 2002

Wendigee posted:

not the SV650.. the SFV650. You can't buy the SV650 anymore.

I just saw the SFV650 and a guy had his legs behind his back.. to me that's a sport bike position?'

No, that was an SVF650 with aftermarket rearsets.

Stock, the SV(F)650 is exactly as aggressive as... a sportster.

quote:

It does look amazing but who would I go to for maintenance and repairs?

I've always found 'wherever I live' and 'my own two hands' to be an adequate answer to that question. :v:

# ¿ Aug 25, 2014 22:18

Militant Lesbian: Oct 3, 2002

Wendigee posted:

err whats a sportster?

http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home.html

J Corp posted:

It's a little disingenuous to call an XR1200 a sportster.

Not really, when the full name of the model is "Sportster XR1200X". Next you'll tell me a forty-eight isn't a Sportster either. :spergin:

# ¿ Aug 25, 2014 23:17

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Cycle Asylum > The more I look at bikes, the more I wonder why cruisers are so much slower