Need Help Switching from Sportbike to Cruiser?

Question

IM switching from sportbikes to a cruiser. In hopes i wont speed as bad on the cruiser. Im looking at a 02 vulcan 800. Its got 3K miles and the guy only wants $3250. Is this a good bike to start out in cruisers on? What other options do i have in this area? i need some help...

Answer 1

cruisers isnt much of a speed bike, but they're the best choice to do 3, 4, 500 mile rides in a day with ease. no cruiser will have the lean angle of a sport bike, some cruiser's have less lean angle than others. if u still want manuverability to have a ball in the twisties, cruisers with floorboards generally have the least amount of lean angle.
sportsters have a 32/34 degree lean angle, wide glides have a 35 degree angle. most of the big touring bikes wont have more than 30 degrees, like road kings or ultra classics.
a gold wing is considered a crotch rocket on steroids, and with a capable rider, can take corners faster than some would consider to be sane for a big rig like a gold wing.

a vulcan 800 would be a good starter, but the bigger 1500 would be a better choice for very long range. the bigger the bike, the heavier it will be, and the added weight will soak up bumps alot better. be advised.....cruisers will not have the extreme take off power or the razor sharp response time of a crotch rocket. they will flick alot slower than what ur used to on a rocket. best to plan everything out way in advance when in traffic.

Answer 2

One of the suggestions that jkc6229 would be a better choice then a Vulcan 800. The Honda 750 Shadows. The Vulcans had some occasional problems with the coils and pick up coils.
Repairs on the Vulcans are very difficult and will cost more in labor than the Hondas.
Unless you're an experienced mechanic, don't even attempt to do any work on the carbs. Carb work is a once a year job if you don't properly winterize your bike.
To do something as simple as changing the stator (charging system), the motor has to be unbolted from the frame.
The Hondas, everything is right out in the open.
The Shadows are no rocket ships, but they have plenty of power and speed to get you out of any panic situations.
I'm only familiar with the performance and maintenance of these two models so I can't comment on the others.

Answer 3

You didnt say what type of sportbike you were coming off of. First off if you are only switching because of speed, you are making the wrong choice. Second...the sportbike is much lighter and easier to handle then a heavy clunky cruiser. Riding a cruiser is way different. When you turn on a cruiser you use "counter steering" and the lean angle is much different. As far as an 800 Vulcan....Dont do it brother. At least test ride one somewhere first. I will bet you $$ that if you ride one first you wont buy. Thirdly, how old are you?? if you are under 40 keep rippin on the lighter faster and cooler bikes. Bottom line.....my favorite quote "I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive at death safely"

Answer 4

My husband rode sportbikes for years and just recently decided to try out cruisers. I got my license last year and so he wanted to get a bike that was good for me to drive as well. We went with a Honda Shadow Aero 750. It doesn't have enough power to make him happy but I love it. We did go to a Victory dealership and my husband fell in love with them! He said that it has the power that he loves (actually he said something to the effect of when you twist the throttle it feels like your arms are going to be pulled off). He wanted to switch to a cruiser because he was havinga really hard time keeping both wheels on the ground.
My step father had a Vulcan. It's big and heavy, but if you like it that's all that matters. The price on it sounds pretty good.

Answer 5

The Kawasaki Vulcan cruiser's have been rated on the top for many years now by editors.

I owned a 2000 Vulcan 1500FI Classic and now own a new 2000cc (belt driven) Vulcan Classic.
I have rode a few of my friends big Yamaha and Suzuki cruiser's but, mine rides much smoother and they also agreed after riding mine.

It's a good choice.

Answer 6

Yes, it's a good bike to start on. It's the bike that was winning all of the motorcycle magazine middleweight shootouts until the Suzuki Volusia came out in late '01.

Other options is this range are, as stated above, Suzuki Volusia. Also, Suzuki Intruder 800 (kinda cramped riding position) Yamaha V-Stars (this one, in the price range you are looking, would be a 650cc, a bit small and wheezy) Honda Shadow 750's (either of the two 750 styles would be outstanding choices as far as reliability).

In this middleweight category, there really is no "best" choice, each bike has its own pluses and minuses. As far as your direct question goes, as I said, The Vulcan 800 is a very good bike to start out on and shouldn't disappoint you.

Answer 7

A cruiser ain't for speed, it's for takin' a nice little ride on. You don't tease a cruise bike! Need for speed!? Don't cruise. All you need to do is put your arms up and heels in the wind. The Vulcan is OK, but a little behind the times. I wanted a Kaw way back when, and the Vulcan was my choice, but I ended up with a Yammie instead.

Take your time, get the right bike. Takin' your time is what cruisin' is all about! (Unless you got some bunghole in a Mustang in the right lane that thinks he can pass you. Then twist twist the wick and go like hell!)

Need more info? Drop me a line. Ride safe!

Answer 8

It's a good bike.
Make the switch, if that's what you want.
I see a whole lot of options listed already.
Just keep in mind that a "cruiser" can also go fast.
It's going to be how you ride, not what you ride, that slows you down.

Going from a Mustang to a Maverick won't keep you under the speed limit, staying off the gas does.