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Original Article:
2011 World Cruiser Shootout

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2011 World Cruiser Shootout in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

 

[seruzawa]

Unfortunately HD did not invent the chopper or the cruiser and before the 70s HD made pains to distance themselves from what were perceived as outlaw bikes. Choppers were invented by users, returned WWII servicemen who had ridden Britbikes and decided that they'd had enough of HD's overweight sleds. They removed parts and bits and drilled things out... anything to reduce weight. Their demands forced HD to finally put on a mousetrap so that users could shift by foot.

What could be done to Harleys could be done to other bikes and by the mid-60s you saw chopped Triumph and BSAs all over SoCal as well. Eventually HD produced the Superglide and they've successfully bamboozled millions of people into believing that HD invented the "cruiser".

 

[Duken4evr]

HD vs. Triumph. Some things are timeless.

Funny to see the HD outpowering the Honda. How exactly does Honda get 53hp out of a 1,300cc engine? A factory installed rag stuffed in the intake snorkle?

One thing I like about the Guzzi - the 90 degree twin, like all engines of this configuration, sounds awesome when allowed to exhale through free flowing exhaust plumbing. My pal has an old 70's era Guzzi. It is a complete trip to ride, but it's exhaust note is sweet indeed.

 

[seruzawa]

How exactly does Honda get 53hp out of a 1,300cc engine? A factory installed rag stuffed in the intake snorkle?

Same way they get 44hp out of a 750. And it's not a rag it's a "torque improvement device".

 

[sarnali2]

Same way they get 44hp out of a 750. And it's not a rag it's a "torque improvement device".

An "Intake Resonance Reducer" ?

I'd have shoehorned the T-bird engine into the Speedmaster if they'd asked me. A lot better looking bike IMO, either that or just buy a Rocket and be done with it. Kinda' makes me wonder why they even bothered with this bike to start with since between the Bonny America, Speedmaster and Rocket 3 they seem to have a pretty good cruiser line-up already.

As to the other bikes the low seat height is a deal killer for me, there's too many other bikes that fit better and are much more usable for me to consider them such as the XR1200 Sporty, Bonneville SE or Speedmaster or the M-G V7, all are "classically styled" bikes that actually work in the real world. One of those would be my pick.

 

[zrx4me]

I think the harley fat bob would have been a better bike for you to put up against the thunderbird.103 engine and dual discs up front.JMO

 

[Kevin_Duke]

I think the harley fat bob would have been a better bike for you to put up against the thunderbird.103 engine and dual discs up front.JMO

The Fat Bob would've put up a better fight, but we left it out because of its $15,349 base MSRP. We built this comparo around a $13K MSRP zone.

 

[seruzawa]

One more thing. When you consider how much any Harley costs the substandard brakes are inexcusable. If you are going to use a single front disc then at least use a good one like the caliper on the old ZRX1200. Those brakes were quite good and not expensive. Even one of those calipers on the front would be a good upgrade from HD's current flaccid one. In this day and age there's no excuse for it any more.

 

[Dr_Sprocket]

Out of this group, the Harley has the look but the Triumph gets my vote. As a tall guy with long legs, I simply cannot tolerate the crazy seat-to-peg relationships the Superglide and Guzzi offer.

 

[Dr_Sprocket]

Kudos to the authors for putting these four bikes together! It was an informative comparison in a well-defined market segment. Bravo!

 

[Duken4evr]

Agree with Dr. Sprocket about the ergos.

Another factor me me. Took a spin on a late model Harley. The low seat does keep the CG low and the considerable weight easy to manage, but I felt "low" in traffic and, compared to what I am used to, a bit dangerous. I am used to sitting up higher and being able to see. The low seat on the HD took that line of sight away. Just did not feel I could see as well, and the riding position was not one of control either. I don't want to lead with my head, sport bike style, but also don't want to lead so much with the feet either. Enjoyed the charismatic nature of the Harley engine though. Sure it is not fast, but it has solid torque and the exhaust note just speaks of adventures associated with drunk and disordely conduct

A BMW GS probably has the perfect riding position. It is tall, but who cares. It is a roomy and offers a commanding riding position. I ride dirt bikes too, so the big BMW I rode instantly felt familiar and good. Did not love the BMW engine though. It rolls out good power, but somehow manages to be boring to my taste. My FZ1 is pretty good, but a bit tight on leg room. My crash bars have forward "highway pegs" on them, which offers up a good approximation of an old Suzuki GS1000 riding position, with the feet just aft of directly below the grips. Works pretty good when my 49 year old knees start to complain, which generally occurs about 1.5 hours into the ride. Back to the future!

Thinking the functionally "perfect bike" for me would be the Duc Multistrada. They are just so darn ugly though.

 

[Kevin_Duke]

Out of this group, the Harley has the look but the Triumph gets my vote. As a tall guy with long legs, I simply cannot tolerate the crazy seat-to-peg relationships the Superglide and Guzzi offer.

The good thing about the SGC (and any Harley) is that H-D and the aftermarket have many ergo options, especially in footpeg placements. Harder to change the location of the seat, but at least legroom can be altered fairly easily.

 

[Kevin_Duke]

Kudos to the authors for putting these four bikes together! It was an informative comparison in a well-defined market segment. Bravo!

Glad this unusual concept was appealing. It was interesting for us to use each OEM's bike as a window into its philosophy about cruisers. Definitely not a cookie-cutter shootout!

 

[Kevin_Duke]

Agree with Dr. Sprocket about the ergos.

Thinking the functionally "perfect bike" for me would be the Duc Multistrada. They are just so darn ugly though.

As a sportbiking ex-dirtbiker, I'll bet the Multistrada is right up your alley. It's one of our fave all-'rounders, able to slice up a canyon road while comfortably touring to far-away places, and it also performs well in commuter roles with a commanding riding position you enjoy.

 

[sarnali2]

Agree with Dr. Sprocket about the ergos.

A BMW GS probably has the perfect riding position. It is tall, but who cares. It is a roomy and offers a commanding riding position. I ride dirt bikes too, so the big BMW I rode instantly felt familiar and good. Did not love the BMW engine though. It rolls out good power, but somehow manages to be boring to my taste. My FZ1 is pretty good, but a bit tight on leg room. My crash bars have forward "highway pegs" on them, which offers up a good approximation of an old Suzuki GS1000 riding position, with the feet just aft of directly below the grips. Works pretty good when my 49 year old knees start to complain, which generally occurs about 1.5 hours into the ride. Back to the future!

Thinking the functionally "perfect bike" for me would be the Duc Multistrada. They are just so darn ugly though.

I agree, the GS riding position is just right for me with some minor adjustments. The nice thing is there's tons of factory and aftermarket support for them. Just like the Harley you can custom fit one to your needs. That's the real selling point for me about HD, even though I snivel about the low seats and what-not if I wanted one I would buy it and just make the nessecary adjustments so it fit me as I have done with my HD's in the past.

The sh*tty brakes are another thing though and inexcusable in this day and age, especially considering the excellent triple disc ABS Brembo's they use on the touring line up.

 

[Buzglyd]

Ya put yer fancy eyetalian breaks on that HOG and you'll go over the bars!

It ain't no rice rocket.

 

[seruzawa]

I agree, the GS riding position is just right for me with some minor adjustments. The nice thing is there's tons of factory and aftermarket support for them. Just like the Harley you can custom fit one to your needs. That's the real selling point for me about HD, even though I snivel about the low seats and what-not if I wanted one I would buy it and just make the nessecary adjustments so it fit me as I have done with my HD's in the past.

The sh*tty brakes are another thing though and inexcusable in this day and age, especially considering the excellent triple disc ABS Brembo's they use on the touring line up.

The Tiger is similar. All I needed was some bar risers and it's an excellent fit for all day riding or exploring fire roads. Could stand for the footpegs to be a tad lower though. As JB once said the best position for riding is like you are on a horse. They never put highway pegs on saddles.

 

[Dr_Sprocket]

The Tiger is similar. All I needed was some bar risers and it's an excellent fit for all day riding or exploring fire roads. Could stand for the footpegs to be a tad lower though. As JB once said the best position for riding is like you are on a horse. They never put highway pegs on saddles.

True enough!

 

[sarnali2]

I have adjustable Touratech desert pegs on my GS which are much wider and serrated for grip. I use them on the standard position but they adjust down and forward 40mm if needed. They may make some to fit the Tiger.

I have Touratech 1 inch risers and the Russell seat and it's about as comfortable a riding position as I've found, an added benefit with the Russell is the cut-out of the saddle shape is handy for gripping the bike when you're standing on the pegs when riding through the Starbucks parking lot.

 

[AustinHunt]

Nice comparo. The photos of the Triumph are just gorgeous and your review didn't help. Now I have a bike lust that can't be cured until I go to Triumph dealer and ride it. Hopefully, for my bank account's sake I find some flaw when I ride it, otherwise I'll have a nice shiny bike in my garage. The Triumph looks so classic and well proportioned and you can't beat the price.