ladies: sport bikes vs. cruisers?

[Ninja_Wendy]

Originally Posted by NCDave

Tony,
You haven't ridden with my friend and I on our Vulcans!

I liked your discussion, but not sure if I agree with you about riding position being most important though. How much of a paradigm is it that the seating postion is what it is between cruisers and sport bikes? I know some have put V's in sport bikes, but I don't know if anyone has tried a "layed back" position for a sport bike. In theory, it seems like it would be better cornering if you would work out steering geometry and such because it would put the rider lower which would improve center of gravity, therefore handling.

Just something to make you say Hmmm...

Dave, you have both so how do you feel on one versus the other. I definitely find my 250 is much easier to keep upright than the little cruiser in the MSF class. Also, it felt heavier even though I think it's about the same weight as my little ninjette. Maybe it's the distribution of weight that is making it feel different.

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by Ninja_Wendy

Dave, you have both so how do you feel on one versus the other. I definitely find my 250 is much easier to keep upright than the little cruiser in the MSF class. Also, it felt heavier even though I think it's about the same weight as my little ninjette. Maybe it's the distribution of weight that is making it feel different.

That has more to do with steering geometry than riding position. My VX felt much heavier and harder to steer at low speed than my 650R. That was due to the rake of the VX. The weight difference was less than 50 pounds between them, but it felt like a LOT more.

I don't disagree with Tony. I was just asking the question about seating position as a thought. The weight of a person is easily 25% of the bike's overall weight. Lowering that much weight has a huge effect on the bike's handling. I'm just wondering what the effect of that would be along with a better steering geometry like a sport bike.

Basically, just spouting off to read myself talking!

[lilredridingliz]

Wendy, I also found the MSF Eliminator very hard to maneuver. When I got my ex500, I could easily make tight u-turns, and that is the one area during the course that I couldn't master!

Dave, I will copy your question to Tony, as he is not often on this forum (not yet, anyway—just wait until he gets his ZX10 running!).

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

Wendy, I also found the MSF Eliminator very hard to maneuver. When I got my ex500, I could easily make tight u-turns, and that is the one area during the course that I couldn't master!

Dave, I will copy your question to Tony, as he is not often on this forum (not yet, anyway—just wait until he gets his ZX10 running!).

Believe it or not, I was thinking about this question last night when I went to bed and couldn't get to sleep. Trying to think of a motorcycle design "different" than the sportbike style, but with handling comparable.

IMO, the sportbike isn't necessarily the most efficient style for speed. What I mean by that is the rider has to use his weight leaning off the sides in order to corner better. I'm wondering if a different design with the rider lower would be more effective...ie...the rider doesn't have to move around as much. Who knows. I'm sure smarter minds than me have pondered this question before!

[Ninja_Wendy]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

Wendy, I also found the MSF Eliminator very hard to maneuver. When I got my ex500, I could easily make tight u-turns, and that is the one area during the course that I couldn't master!

I definitely feel more stable on my 250.

[mz meanstreak]

hey kitten - i started with a suzuki boulevard 800 cruiser and after about 3000 miles on it the smaller vibrating v-twin was about to drive me crazy! i had outgrown the bike and now am happily in love with my 2002 kawi meanstreak 1500. the bike is smooth and powerful and a head-turner. sure - it took some getting used to (but so did that 800 after taking my bike course on the little 250's the school had)...it all came. i have also ridden my husband's honda valkyrie (6 cyl) - which is a huge bike and feels and sounds like you're riding a CAR. and i've also rented a harley electra glide ultra classic and taken a passenger with me. oh yeah and i almost forgot about my husband's bmw k1200rs sport tour, which he sold to get the valkyrie - i loved that bike!

i love the bigger bikes, but i really get the itch to put a sport bike in the garage too (i should have kept that bmw when i had it within my grasp).....gotta dream, gotta dream. good luck out there and stay safe!

[Ruh Roh]

cruiser 800 A. After riding an standard, antique Honda for a while (and crashing it - cant find icon for excessive crying, but you get the idea lol ) tried out some at local dealers that had LOTS of used bikes. I picked out an 800, and got one off ebay. Didnt know there was 800 A or B. Little tought for quick uturn on mine, but ok. It weighs a LOT less that those 1970 s all - steel bikes.

Wonder that the new generation is more going for sport bikes that cruisers? thats what seems to be popular these days

[V2K_CCTX]

I couldnt do the stupid figure 8 worth a s...t on the little GZ250 we had....

give me a sport ride anyday, one I can get my weight shifted around on.

[Da_Honest_Truth]

Well i'm currently crusing the city streets with an Eliminator 125. Its not much but it gets me around town, back and forth to class, and to work. Next month planning on upgrading to a Ninja 250. I don't need much power like everyone keeps telling me. I've seen road rash and its not cute.

[maximum_babe]

HI Chelle,
You're right about not giving in to outside opinions on what you should or shouldn't ride. It's your comfort level and safety that matters, which you are responsible of yourself. Besides, what's all that power for if you don't feel the need for it anyway. If u're going uphill and the bike refuses to go with you, then maybe u hv a problem there. ehehehehehe.... But in the meantime, it's just you and 'Ellie' cruising down the road

[ZeroDown!]

I'd been off bikes for about 15 years or so, and looked hard at what I'd be doing with one once I got it. Cruiser or gixxer?

My old '82 GS650 Suzuki was way too tall, even with the lowering kit. Tip-toe on one side only. Dropped the puppy a few times....

I'd probably kill myself on a gixxer at the moment. I'm too much of a speed / G force freak not to run around hard on it, even though I'm of the age I should know better!

The Vulcan 900 Classic for me pretty much has it all - low seat height (both feet flat on the ground mostly no matter where I stop - gotta love that!), comfy, normal seating position that doesn't aggravate a screwed up cervical disc, and plenty of power for where I'll be running it. Add some saddlebags and the windshield and I'm good to go.

Sport bike? Maybe down the road a bit, but for now the VN900 is the ticket. I'm still having a blast on it no matter where I go with it.

[mertle]

I have a Vulcan 900, it's a big cruiser, but not my biggest, My favorite bike I had was a Vulcan 1500, that was a beauty, and a very regretful sale.

I like the naked bikes and had a Suzuki Bandit 250 which was an excellent city bike, but I like to do longer distances now. But if the chance arose I would buy another naked bike or even Kawa zzr or something as a second bike to play with!

[flamingo]

It's real simple

have one of each!

I have the 900 lt cruiser and a sweet little ninja 250 for fun in the twisties and to travel with

[mertle]

Now, that sounds like a great combo Flamingo!!!

[kawnine]

Started out on a 600 Honda. Valentines 2008 my loving husband gave me a new lime green Kawasaki 900 Custom. But I've been druling over a little 250 Ninja. I'd really like one, but I'll have to modify it to ride it, as my legs are a little short.

[flamingo]

honestly, I think you'll be fine. the 09 ninja 250 I bought used (500 miles on it) was from a girl who was about 5', maybe 4'10", not sure but she was shorter than me. she had the shock set down and was almost flat footed. anyway you can always buy some lowering links, aka dogbones. the 250 is a blast to drive

[CaribooRyder]

Hi there. I am a sportbike rider to the bone. I own an '82 Kawasaki GPz550 and '95 Ducati 900SS CR. I have also owned an '83 Yamaha RZ 350. I'm not a big fan of the cruiser style bikes. It's just my taste. I would still associate and give a nod to any cruiser rider.

[maggie47]

I have a lil Ninja. I love it. I rode a V-star in MSF, and I hated it. I think I'd like the sport-tourers though. I just don't like my feet forward.

[07KAWIGIRL]

I chose the Vulcan 500 figured it was a little of both, classic cruiser style with a piece of Ninja motor. A sportbike cruiser..lol I like them both.
I ride dirt bikes a lot too.

[swann2b]

I got a 400 CMA Hondamatic (I know not a Kawasaki ) and I love how safe it feels.