(This isn't pointed at any one person)
Why are cruisers more popular than STs?
Attitudes like the one that some of you are displaying right here.
I'm from Sturgis (yeah, that Sturgis), and have met thousands of bikers, riders, and poseurs over the years. I've ridden a Yamaha Radian 600, a CBR600, a Suzuki Intruder 1500LC, a BMW R1150RT, and now a Harley Ultra Classic. I loved every one of them, and they all did something different for me.
MOST Harley riders - true riders - could give a flying leap about what or how you ride. I personally drag the floorboards on my Ultra every chance I get, and love to try and chase sportbikes down the canyons. Sure, I can't keep up, but it's fun to try.
The latest trend is that "cruisers are cool", and that's where alot of this bullshit attitude is coming from. TV like American Chopper, Biker Build Off, etc., have got people thinking that motorcycles aren't for trash - they're for yuppies, too! Another status symbol. Just like a new BMW, boat, or Hummer. It has no real bearing on a real rider or biker.
They buy these bikes because they see stupid antics on sportbikes. Yeah, yeah - we all know the difference between an FJR and an R1, but can most of the sportbike/ST crowd pick out the differences between a Dyna, Sportster, Softail, or Road King? How about between a Road Star and a Vulcan? You see where I'm going. They see lots of plastic and the canted-forward position and assume "crotchrocket" - and they're intimidated by it, or they sit on one and don't care for the pressure on the wrists or the tilt of the neck.
Riding my Ultra is like sitting on your favorite easy chair. It's easy, it's comfortable, and it's fun. You can go slow (mostly, it *is* a Harley), but after 500 miles, you'll still be comfortable when you get there. My summer rides are regularly 350-400 mile days; my annual "boys trip" is usually 1200-2000 miles in 4-5 days.
You're stereotyping based on a small cross-section of the cruiser riders that are loud and visible. For the same reasons you condemn them, they condemn 'them damn crotchrockets'.
Yeah, some of them are dickheads. I know that on my Intruder, the "new Harley riders" would give a rash of shit about "eh, it ain't a Harley". People who DIDN'T EVEN RIDE would crack wise. Old-school Harley riders would check it over, ride the LC, and come back saying "damn, that's a nicer bike than mine."
I can appreciate any motorcycle, and in fact, my next bike may well be an FJR1300. I bought my Ultra because it was the most comfortable bike for my wife, and it was fun to ride by myself, as well. I - and most of the Harley/cruiser riders I know - don't give a shit WHAT you ride, but THAT you ride. Where's breakfast?
Seriously. If the 'riders' - and you're mostly slamming HD owners here - are that insecure, upset, and remorseful over their purchase, just be satisfied that you like what you like, and you RIDE your motorcycle.
Otherwise, it's just a depreciating asset in your garage that happens to have a motor and looks sort of like a motorcycle, and you don't really remember what the big deal was in the first place. I hope you're not that guy or girl.
), we want them for hundreds of various reasons. Iceman has it fairly accurate:
