Japanese Cruisers... In need of a revamp

[fretbuzz]

Originally Posted by Ruger

I'll throw a little gasol.....oops can't use that, it is too expensive and not PC....so I'll throw some ethanol on this fire. I have never been a huge fan of the V twin except for the Guzzi and Ducati setups. I would like to see some metric company come out with a larger version of the Vulcan 500. I would love to have a 1000cc in line twin with more of a cruiser look - sort of a "chopper" Triumph look. I love the old parallel twins, and would buy a Triumph if there was a dealer a little closer to me.

Me too. There should be more Triumph dealerships.

[FL Vulcan Rider]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

And with a smaller tank than the Meanie feeding a hungry 1800, you'll be stopping for gas every 80 miles.

oh well... at least it looks freakin awesome

[Wicked96SS]

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

Me too. There should be more Triumph dealerships.

If there was one more locally to me... I might have a Rocket III right now... I like them!

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by FL Vulcan Rider

oh well... at least it looks freakin awesome

That it does (other than the 'broken' pipes).

The "new" model that I really like is the Skull & Crossbones. I've got a soft spot for Springers.

[Occitiger]

Originally Posted by Surftechuser

I don't agree but of course I'm bias .

X2

[sisooktom]

Originally Posted by ImpactG

I'm sure the Stratoliner is a great bike, but I just can't get past the looks. As far as the V2K goes... not sure where that opinion came from. I've read numerous reports that give it very high marks and I've seen it win shoot-outs with bikes they deemed to put in the same class... including a Rocket III. Don't make me have to spend the time researching and posting links if you don't have justification to the comment. I'll do it... I really will...

You don't need to dredge up links to convince me that the V2K has gotten some good press. But just to show that I'm not pulling stuff out of my butt:


Godzilla Cruisers Shootout
The Biggest V-Twin Motorcycles: Honda VTX 1800N vs. Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 vs. Yamaha Road Star 1700

[meangreen]

Originally Posted by SleekStreak

As many others have already stated: Don't agree with most of that list, but it's a matter of personal preference, and completely subjective. I can't imagine why you would think the VN2000 is the worst 1600+ CC cruiser, while the Stratoliner is the best. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Without specific criteria, words like "worst" and "best" are completely subjective, except for the part about the Stratoliner being the best.

This is kind of like having a conversation on whos wife is ugliest.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by sisooktom

Godzilla Cruisers Shootout

So there you have it; a multi-purpose cruiser that hides that functionality and practicality under a gianormous 2,053cc motor. The fact that is has such a big motor enhances, rather than takes away from its usability, and that's the mark of good engineering, which is why this bike unexpectedly tied for second place. Al said it best (which is rare for Al): "Great-sounding and fun bike overall."

Okay... so it tied for 2nd in a field of 5 bikes.... and considering it tied with the Springer Softtail and the only one ahead was the Roadliner.
That's not bad.

[sisooktom]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Okay... so it tied for 2nd in a field of 5 bikes.... and considering it tied with the Springer Softtail and the only one ahead was the Roadliner.
That's not bad.

Not bad at all. I only posted it because the bike it lost to was the 'liner.

[fretbuzz]

Originally Posted by Wicked96SS

If there was one more locally to me... I might have a Rocket III right now... I like them!

I was diggin' the Speedmaster and the Bonneville Black.

[meangreen]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

And with a smaller tank than the Meanie feeding a hungry 1800, you'll be stopping for gas every 80 miles.

The Yamaha 1800 engine is not all that hungry. I get about 49mpg on the highway on my roadliner (same engine, stock). Given a 4.1 gallon tank on the raider, you could theoretically get almost 200 miles on a tank. Assuming a bit less mileage on the raider and not running the tank dry, expect to go 160-170 miles between fillups on the highway. On my stock meanie, the fuel light came on at around 110 miles (way too early) and the most I squeezed out of a tank was 145miles. Some claimed to get 170 miles by running it dry.

Also, assuming that the Raider has the same fuel tripmeter as the Liner that comes on automatically with .8 gallons left, you can run the Raider closer to empty than the Meanie.

[meangreen]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Okay... so it tied for 2nd in a field of 5 bikes.... and considering it tied with the Springer Softtail and the only one ahead was the Roadliner.
That's not bad.

I think that I am the only Roadliner owner on this forum.. and I have to say that I LOVE THE V2K. (Of course I like mine better ) I don't think the overall stock design of the bike is that innovative because to me it just looks just a bigger generic Kawasaki, but it has that BEAUTIFUL 2 liter Vtwin engine with those BEAUTIFUL pushrods that make it unique. Take that beautiful engine and do some a little bit of custom work on the rest of the bike like many of you have and you have one AWESOME bike! (Custom work is made easier by the fact that your bike starts out significantly cheaper).

THere are differences in weight/speed/handling certainly, which the "shootouts" point out, but if you ride your bike enough you know it well enough where those differences don't amount to squat in terms of what you can do with your bike. I consider the V2K a fraternal twin to my Roadliner, not a competitor.

[jnk]

i would have to disagree about worsh touring bike
i think if you put fairing and bags on a v2k it would probably be the best metric however honda(which i don't like) yamaha , and kawi could get a much bigger market share if they would make a fairinged hard bag bagger out of there big cruisers and offer options like electronic cruise , gps, radio, maybe heated grips ,ect .
you know like harley does and everyone of them has a bigger more powerful stock engine and you don't have to pay 28000-35000 to get it
i for one wish they would because then i probably wouldn't look very hard at harley

[optiato]

Originally Posted by Ruger

...I have never been a huge fan of the V twin except for the Guzzi and Ducati setups....

Allow me to buy you a drink!

[meangreen]

Originally Posted by jnk

i would have to disagree about worsh touring bike
i think if you put fairing and bags on a v2k it would probably be the best metric however honda(which i don't like) yamaha , and kawi could get a much bigger market share if they would make a fairinged hard bag bagger out of there big cruisers and offer options like electronic cruise , gps, radio, maybe heated grips ,ect .
you know like harley does and everyone of them has a bigger more powerful stock engine and you don't have to pay 28000-35000 to get it
i for one wish they would because then i probably wouldn't look very hard at harley

The Yamaha Venture is a nice compromise between a Harley and a Goldwing. It is a 1300cc V4 that makes 98 horsepower (better for touring than a big Vtwin). It is fully decked out for touring (sound system, full fairing, hard bags, trunk, electronic cruise, etc.) all for about 17K.


If I were in the market for a pure touring machine, I would be looking at a Goldwing, Electraglide, Venture, and BMW1200lt. All of them come fully decked out for touring. Given that I can only have one bike for touring and everyday, I'll keep my Roadliner with hard bags and removable windshield. It is a compromise that I can live with.

[kingement]

Originally Posted by insolentminx

the 900 is actually 903cc, so technically it doesn't fit in your 651-900 category

And the Kaw 1600 is a 1552cc.

[trikebubble]

Not innovative?

I'm just not sure how stuffing a 125 cubic inch totally stock liquid cooled belt driven powerhorse of a motor into a Japanese cruiser frame, give it the ability to scare little children and grannys, let it feast on Cooper Mini's for hors d'ourves, and allow it to morph into a bike that handles far better than it's 800 pounds should ever allow it............not to be considered "innovative"?

[kumite]

Originally Posted by Spok

as a conversation starter, its a good list. opinions will vary from rider to rider.

thanks for taking the time to place your mark on the ballot.

Thanks for the input. That is all I was trying to do. I love to think about bikes, ride, do research etc. No harm intended but just an avenue to discuss bikes and their relative merits.

R. Todd

[ImpactG]

Originally Posted by sisooktom

You don't need to dredge up links to convince me that the V2K has gotten some good press. But just to show that I'm not pulling stuff out of my butt:


Godzilla Cruisers Shootout
The Biggest V-Twin Motorcycles: Honda VTX 1800N vs. Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 vs. Yamaha Road Star 1700

Well, reading it I'm seeing good with the bad about the bike, which is typical. I also noticed that it was published April '04 when the then unproven bike was first dropped on the market. I'm sure there were preconceptions and initial 'shock' from such a big bike. Even so, they all raved about the mill... which is difficult to argue. Biggest complaints were it's size and the ill-fitting bags/windshield that were added, which they confirm were 'still in development'.

Here's an article from '05 after the bike had been released for a year (at least).

2005 Bruiser Cruiser Comparo - MotorcycleUSA.com

There are more only a 'Favorite Places' link away, but the real test is to ask the opinion of experienced riders who ride them everyday.