I started out riding cruisers and really enjoyed the three that I owned. My last was a Yamaha VStar 1100 Custom, which was a really nice bike--plenty of power, very well-balanced, a pretty white, and affordable.
I had been introduced to riding motorcycles by some cruiser rider friends, and at that time I'd had no exposure to the sportbike world. From time to time I saw a few sportbikes at various motorcycle venues, but I had already been conditioned to think they were for "squids" who rode like maniacs and weren't "real" motorcycles.
Well, ladies, I'm here to tell you that as Lennon said: "Instant karma's gonna getcha!" One day I just decided, completely out of the blue, that I wanted to try a sportbike. I looked for an entry-level sportbike and chose the Kawi EX-500. It was a wonderful bike on which to make the transition. And it was the beginning of the end of my cruiser days.
To me, sportbikes seem so much faster, so much more maneuverable, just plain so much more FUN to ride, that there can be no comparison. I sold my Ninja and bought, in succession, an R-6 Yamaha, a Ducati 999, and a Suzuki GSX-R 1000. Yeah, buddy, what rides they give compared to a cruiser! And I don't want to hear anybody say: "What about that uncomfortable riding position? " I say, "What uncomfortable riding position?" You don't have to tuck all the time, and I personally find it more comfortable than sitting upright--the better to move with the bike instead of perching on it. I'm 45 and my back doesn't give me any more problems sitting in this position than it did sitting bolt upright on the VStar. I can ride the two I have now all day.
My sportbikes can go slow enough for me to look at the scenery when I want--they have great gearing for both fast and slow. They make decent sport tourers. And when I want to hit the twisties hard, I have the geometry for it that would leave any cruiser wiggling at those speeds. I have a Beemer that carries lots of stuff for long trips, but I don't know that I'll be keeping it--it just seems like such a slug to ride compared to the sportbikes--I'd rather just fill my tail and tankbags on the other bikes and have the power and speed to have FUN on a trip! I lived a large part of my life in the fast lane, too--flying jets. It's part of why I like riding--speed and manueverability--that feeling of wheeeeeeeeee!
But, though I'm horribly prejudiced now, I say "to each her own." If a big, throaty cruiser is what you love, go for it. Like to fly off the dirt? Buy that two-stroke dirt bike! Stylin' on a Vespa? It's all good.......
Charlie