Sporty or Cruiser!?!

tk123

What do you guys think - I can't decided between a cruiser or something sporty looking?! At 5'1 seat height is a major factor for me but some cruisers are well, boring where as something like a Buell xb12s is just SO cool...what would you recommed for me - budget will be abt 10k i reckon... ps I don't like NSRs!

KTRIC

In my honest opinion there is nothing sexier than a woman on a cruiser.

Garibaldi

Of those options, I'd definitely tend towards the sportier side, if only for the better handling.

KTRIC

Insurance on a sports bike is alot higher.

Idleater

Depends on what you are after really. Noise or speed or a bit of both.
Seeing as you mentioned Buell, you could look at the Streetfighter bikes like the Ducati Monster (noise) suzuki GSX1400 (speed) or the kawasaki Z1000 (bit of both). Some of these are quite mean looking, yet are that bit more practical for commuting/driving in traffic than sports bikes and cruisers. Better turning ability and better balance respectively.

L.

galwaytt

...tbh, I think the seat height will sort out most of that issue for you. I'm not small, and I have to say the seat height on sports bikes has gone off the wall in recent years. Sit on an old GPz600 vs a ZX-6 and you'll see what I mean....

There was good article in MCN recently on this issue and there are lowering kits available for a lot of bikes.

Personally, I don't think you'll end up on a GSX1400 or Z1000, but how about an SV650/1000? The Duc's are lovely, if you can live with the maintenance.

And you may laugh, but my wife who's also small, can ride my R1150RT without too much bother - the seat height is adjustable. Also available on R850's etc.....a really good idea.

My wife's favourite bike is my old RGV250K.........to her, it has the presence of a 750, size-wise. There's rumours Aprilia are bringing out a 400cc sports bike which'd be good.............

tk123

Thanks for the replies guys!! I'm going to head to some bike shops and try out some bikes for size - anyone know where I could try some Buells? Even if it's too big I want to see it in real life!!

KTRIC

tk123 wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys!! I'm going to head to some bike shops and try out some bikes for size - anyone know where I could try some Buells? Even if it's too big I want to see it in real life!!

The Harley shop in on Mountjoy Street. I think they are on a corner, you can't miss them, ,loads of lovely big Gahey Harleys outside.

Eye

hard to say really which would be best, personally i prefer my cruisers over sports bikes. I'm about 6ft tall so riding a sports bike would'nt be a major problem for me, i just prefer the low down, sitting back with legs stretched out, and extra stabilty that cruisers give. Some people will have you believe that filtering is impossible on a cruiser but it's not, you just have to be a little bit more responsible with the wider bars and mirrors the last thing you want to do is run it along the side of a merc

another damn good reason to go with a cruiser too is the insurance, i've got a 650 yamaha dragstar and it's only a group 6 insurance. My brother had an 1100 dragstar which was in group 7 and if i'm not very much mistaken i do believe the 1600cc road star is in group 6 also.

tk123

Do you guys think an F650 would be too big for me at 5-1 - I read that you can get lower frame options. There was a guy on one beside me at lights the other day and it looked really cool - he wasn't much bigger than me either...

saobh_ie

Seeing as you asked the question, 'sporty or cruiser!?!'. I'd say none of them, go for something in the middle ground. Just get a standard/naked bike. A Hornet, Bandit/Fazer or something of that ilk.

The F650's are nice, it might be a little bit of a stretch for you in stock but if you can get the seat lowered it should be the business. Drop into a BMW dealer and have a look.

I had my eye on a Dakar, only difference being longer suspension than the F650, but couldn't find one that I could legally ride while I've got my restriction on my license. Definitally couldn't have afforded a new one.

Benefit is even if you are slightly to short for the f650 the only time this will be a worry is when your taking it on/off stand or stopping. In which case the thing is designed to be dropped, presumably as its supposed to be taken on limited off roading.

batman_oh

sports bikes do almost everythin infintely better(handle,brake,go)
but the latest ones are a bit of a pain in heavy traffic and not good after about an hour driving
depends on what u want tho
generally some1 prefers one style over another and wont even consider both
maybe a street fighter is the best option

galwaytt

tk123.....my wife's first proper big bike after year's of big old noisy leaky Triumph's etc was an F650 Strada. A very very good bike. Cheap too. The Strada or ST as it's known (!!) is lower than std.
If you aren't looking for a new one....then there was a series of them done in silver and they came with panniers, heated grips, hand gaurds etc etc. all as standard.
Why blow your whole budget when you need just blow half of it??

tk123

Cheers guys! I had a look in Bikeworld at the weekend and didn't really see anything that took my fancy - I'm going to have a look in a BMW dealers at the weekend...