Possibly a dumb question

I've been trawling through various bike reviews, trying to get a feel for
what's out there these days.
Over at the MCN site I wandered into their reviews of cruisers, not that I
can see myself riding one, some people like them sure, but they're not
really my scene.

WTF, best to see what's what and all that.

To my amazement I found the Yamaha VMax listed as a cruiser.

What?

Call me Mr Thicky (and perhaps I am being) but I never thought of the VMax
as a cruiser... yet there it is listed right alongside a pair of Harleys.

Damn... I fell in love with the VMax from the very first moment that I ever
saw one. Even the fact that the rider binned it quite seriously about half a
nano second later, also wiping out a pedestrian who steadfastly refused to
show any signs of life immediately afterwards[1], even this didn't put me
off... I looked, I saw, *grunt*, not only that but I saw *grunt* dressed up
real sexy, and I thought "oooh, I'd like one of those".

Yeah maybe they do handle like a pregnant cow but corners are for wusses, I
was always more of a "straight lines only" kind of guy[3]

So is that it? Did I condemn myself to cruiserland all those years ago never
to return?

Not that I can imagine myself hopping aboard a VMax any time soon that is.

[1] Dunno if he was dead or not, but he certainly wasn't moving, he just lay
there in the road doing bugger all[2]. The RTB didn't look too impressed
though I can tell you!
[2] I was on a bus at the time so couldn't stop for a goodly gawp.
[3] As my previous experiences with roundabouts no doubt proves

 

Correct - it's the biggest brother in the XV range. Think of it as a
super Virago.

Okay Mr Thicky

Please don't perpetuate this myth.
1) cruisers /can/ handle
2) Vmax's /can/ handle

It's all about perception y'see. Compare a Vmax to a gixxer thou and of
course it doesn't handle as well in corners. But then that would be like
comparing a supercharged Cadillac with a Ferrari wouldn't it.

Decent tyres on cruisers, and knowing /how/ [1] to ride a cruiser are
the only things needed to make them handle in such a manner to extract
serious grinnage.

It's not a one way street. You can have both.

Was that just to avoid all the "they're gay as ****" comments?

FWIW I like the maxes, a full power black max would be a very welcome
gift. I think however I will more likely be purchasing a B12 when the
opportunity arrives.

[1] in all seriousness, I'm convinced that cruisers are best ridden with
a totally different style to sprot bikes, once you've got your head
round the different riding style, you're sorted. Where's Owen when you
need him? Still riding the VZ? Fancy a blat when I bring the VS down south?

 

Indeed ;-)

 

I've ridden a couple of cruisers and was surprised how well they go
around corners once, as you say, you get the hang of it.

The 2 bikes I've ridden have been the BMW R1200C [1] and Valkyrie [2]

Both have engines with gobfuls of torque and can dap on a bit.

Cornering is disconcerting to begin with. Once you learn to counter the
massive understeer they will get around corners at decent speeds.

I enjoyed riding both bikes but would not want to own either as I don't
really like how they look.

[1] courtesy bike
[2] Honda test ride day

 

wessie wrote

A lot of what you kiddies call cruisers actually aren't, not really.

They are based on the styling concept of the chopper but with modern
chassis and steering bits and different bodywork. In general their
steering set up will be the same as any commuter type bike. My ole
VT500 was nowt more than a VT500E commuter with "custom" styling.

 

Hehe. I don't get called a kiddie very often.

At 41 I'm about 20 years older than most groups I socialise with IRL. [1]

[1] if a University can be described as RL

 

When I had one on loan during a service, I was horrified by how much I liked
it. I'm starting to question my own religion.

 

Just visit a HD dealer. Speak to some of their customers. You will be
cured. Maximum effect will be had if you go on one of the open days.

 

Well I'll be! There was me having always thought of them as sit up and beg
road bikes wearing gangsta clothing and packing some serious heat

Yeah, b-b-b-but, I can't stand Harleys, euwwwwwwww!

Okey cokey, never ridden one, just read the press. What's wrong with making
your own corner anyway though? ;-)

Well I'd not have a Clue[tm] so best left alone for the forseeable future
methinks.

Not without the neighbours complaining about how much parking space I'm
taking up I can't

Sorry no, I didn't know they were perceived as being gay-as-****, and anyway
my sexuality is a matter between myself and the Memsahib only.
Naa, the reason for being wary of them is that I've not ridden a bike in
over 10 years, though I'd like to get back into it and this time I will do
the sensible thing and take my test.

Now I was reading commentary here and there about the B12, cos it's a
possible BikeOfChoice for me (mebbe a B6, insewerance depending), but I keep
reading that it handles like a skittery piece of goo, or summat like that
anyway, so what's the gen with 'em?

TVM.

 

Zobo Kolonie wrote:

taking your test on a Vmax. Heh. now that conjures amusement.

Originally I was set on a Vmax, but they are a tad ugly, and after very
good experiences with Suzuki, personally I feel the B12 is a better
choice. They're equal in grin factor by most accounts round here.

Do a google for me B12 and Vmax plenty of previous threads...

 

But they can't wheelie.

(Runs and hides)

 

Lol... that's why I'm going for the B12

 

Rope said...

I'd always thought the FZX750 was for markets other than USA. The
Merkins got the FZX700 to get round import restrictions IIRC.

 

Okay, so it's a VMX not an XV as my post wording would suggest - my
contextual typo.


by way of apology and maybe of interest to the OP, and yes, I know it's
probably a ginge...

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/eng/papercraft/vmax/

 

Well, that and doing something about the crap suspension.

 

Not around here, sonny.

 

IME the solution is to reduce some of the sprung and unsprung boltons.


The best Harley model I've ridden is the Dynaglide convertible.
No heavy chrome around the forks or fat front tyre [1]


If you like running long distance then a fairing of some sort is
preferred, but you can still trim some fat off most big iron.



[1] consequently 1 inch more ground clearance than the other 1340's and
a quicker front end steering capability. It had twin discs which worked
properly too.

 

tallbloke said...

Is that the one with the detachable hardtop and the 4.7 litre 125 bhp
V8?

 

The only things the Drifter has that weren't fitted as standard are a
Snotoiler and a respectable mileage. However, the rear shock is on max
preload but is still completely floppy, and the damping, as Champ noted a
couple of years ago, doesn't exist.

 

I was referring to boltons the factory bolted on. Like the enourmous
front fender for example.

Ah, well sir need the rear shock overhauling or replacing then.