Got bit by the cruiser bug- help me decide

There was a Victory demo day locally and I test rode a few bikes. Lots of yawn factor. They all look the same and the ride is meh!

Then I rode the High-ball. Something clicked. I began smiling and couldn't stop. It HAD to be the ape hangers.

(Stock photo below)


Now I find myself on a quest. There is NO way I'm shelling out stupid bucks for old technology.

But for 2-3k I think I can get a nice older (mid-90s) cruiser.

Can anyone give some insight?

My requirements are:
That it makes my knees happy (I'm 6'1").
I can lean it pretty well without scraping.
It's reliable.
Parts available.

I'd prefer to stay with Honda, but I'm open to anything except kawasaki. For some reason I can't stand the Jetson mobile whining sound from the engine internals.

Also: is there such a thing as height adjustable bars? I saw Victory made them for awhile as a stock item. I'm thinking the apes will be fun for shorter cruises but when I'm packing on 2-300 miles my back and forearms will tire.






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VF750/1000 Magna maybe ??? that way you stick with the V4 and have some fun too..........

 

I recommend suicide.

 

Maybe not so drastic an end but one could die of boredom, then be the first to be propped up on a Japanese cruiser and planted in one of those steel and glass boxes. Come to think of it, the view has to be really boring from inside..

 

I am with Rainbow on this one. Last royal star I road reminded me that walking is really not that bad of a way of getting around.

 

Ducati Diavel Carbon . 162hp and colossal 96lb-ft of torque and it will out handle any other cruiser .

 

You could go for a mid-2000s VTX1300. Nice big motor in it, and there is a ton of aftermarket stuff available for that bike. I used to have one before my VFR. 3 years ago I sold it for $5k with all the custom stuff I put on it. That was the going rate for that bike then. So I figure you could easily find one for less than $3k now. There are also a couple of really good forums (not as good as this one obviously) that have a following for the VTX.

 

I'm not selling the VFR, I'm looking for something with relaxed ergos and less high strung for 200+ mile days taking in scenery. Chill!


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If you liked the Victory power you will be badly disappointed in a VTX1300. I've ridden both and the power is day and night! With a cruiser there is no replacement for displacement!!

 

VTX and Valkyrie would be my pick

 

I rode a new victory, it had so much torque it felt like I was rippling the pavement as I powered out of corners. Most fun I have had on a cruiser. Looks hard, too. It would be my choice. Don't go magna, girls bike.

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Find one of the older Goldwings. Turn it into a sort of Valkyrie.

 

... I agree. I should edit my statement to "decent sized motor". The VTX 1800 has way more power, but doesn't sound all that nice with the dual pin crank.

Going the Valkarie route (as mentioned by others) IMO starts to sway away from the point of having a cruiser.

 

IMO a "power cruiser" is kind of an oxymoron. I recently purchased a cruiser to complement my viffer and while it's nice to have some power, if the chassis is not up to it (1st gen vmax) then it's useless. I've ridden many different cruisers and in my case I had to adapt my mentality or I would find myself all busted up, lying in a ditch. To me, the whole point of a cruiser is to CRUISE. Call me crazy. If money weren't an issue, I would look seriously at the new Indian or a couple of the Victorys. The Valk as mentioned above will freakin roast you in summer, so take things like that in consideration as well. The last gen magnas were pretty stout for a 750 and not girly at all. I also think the Honda chopper thing (Fury?) rides pretty good as well, but I didn't get a whole lot of seat time on that. Whatever you decide, it's nice to have the option. Plus, you can buy you a snazzy leather vest and go crazy with the patchesirate:

 

Run from the Victory's. Styling is .... bleh

Diavel's are sweet bikes. However I'd suggest taking a look at the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom

 

If I was to buy another cruiser I'd look into the guzzi's as well.

 

Guzzis are gorgeous. But not sub 3k


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Funny you should mention it. There is one I've been eyeing locally already set up like that- BBQ painted chrome, no trunk, no front/handlebar faring.

But what is the lean angle on those things? And aren't they super heavy?


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Didnt see the sub 3k... uh old VMAX maybe?