School me on what a cruiser is.

[Chuck in Indiana]

What handling issues are you talking about?

You don't get a defacto handling issue (not for anything remotely street riding) just because your feet aren't behind you or the handlebars aren't clip ons.

Trust me when I say this instructor had no problem outriding everyone on a Guzzi that day:

http://572creations.zenfolio.com/p944128457/e799ca53b

Yeah, you do. The farther your hands are from the forks, the less feed back the front end gives you.
When you sit on the roamer, your feet are in front, and your hands are high. That makes it impossible to get weight forward, needed for "good" handling. You sit back far enough that your knees can't grip the tank. I can get my calves on the throttle body covers, but that's about it.
So. You are sitting back with little feed back from the front end, and can't get proper weight distribution. I call that handling issues. <shrug>

[Kev m]

Yeah, you do. The farther your hands are from the forks, the less feed back the front end gives you.
When you sit on the roamer, your feet are in front, and your hands are high. That makes it impossible to get weight forward, needed for "good" handling. You sit back far enough that your knees can't grip the tank. I can get my calves on the throttle body covers, but that's about it.
So. You are sitting back with little feed back from the front end, and can't get proper weight distribution. I call that handling issues. <shrug>

You didn't bother looking at the photo then.

My point was that didn't have to limit the bike's handling for any remotely real world riding.

Now the fact the YOU don't like it, that's fine, but it's not an actual problem with what the bike can or cannot do.

[Cool Runnings]

Ten years riding a big heavy cruiser, oh my aching back. 

[pete roper]

A 'Cruiser' is the fantasy of people who don't want to own a motorbike of what a motorbike actually is.

YOMV. IGNAS.

Pete

[pikipiki]

To your question kind of like a herley although possibly more so if lacking the HD badge.

but what do we think a Guzzi is?
I'd probably be even less successful I answering that, for what it's worth i think Luigi needs a check list:
something thike this:

Motorcycle blue print:
Fuel tank: big enough for 200 mile range.
final drive: shaft
engine layout: longitudinal obviously (as dictated by shaft drive)‎
Instrumentation: one dial for speed, one dial for rpm always worked fine.‎
Seat: Generously padded with room for pillion.‎
centre stand: at least the option to fit one.
ground clearance: Why does this even need mentioned, it should not be an issue.‎
Styling: not to detract from function.
luggage: should not be an issue to fit if required.‎
riding position: neutral�
Maintenance: should be relatively simple.
wheels: conventional sizes please, so there's some choice of rubber.‎
bits that snap off: no thank you.
bits that might shake off: I've learned to deal with that.‎
‎
‎
‎

[Kev m]

A 'Cruiser' is the fantasy of people who don't want to own a motorbike of what a motorbike actually is.

YOMV. IGNAS.

Pete

So does that include Calis?

[pete roper]

'Fraid so. The Cali 14 is a great 'Cruiser' but it's not what I consider a motorbike to be.

I tried to like it. I really did. But at the end of the day it was still an evil handling, chromed whore's purse. Expensive mistake. Not one I'm going to make again.

Seems though that as far as Piaggio is concerned Guzzi is going to be condemned to making these things and dross like the V9's. At least with the V9's it looks like there might be something interesting engine-wise in the pipeline.

I don't reckon they'll be able to get the big block compliant without the 7SM and all the extra munt on the 'Cruisers' so any new Stelvio or other similar bike will have to be small block based or a clean sheet design. Where's the money for that going to come from?

Pete

[Cool Runnings]

The problem with cruiser bikes is beginning in the 1990's frames were lowered along with seat height because they look cooler. The trend continues today. Most people that don't know any better think this is the proper riding position when it's not. Highway pegs are required due to lower back/ butt hurt after a spell of riding, foot/ leg position must continually be adjusted to fight the pain. Also, corner control of these monstrosities is painful as they are unwilling to change direction easily with the scrape, scrape noise. 

[Cool Runnings]

'Fraid so. The Cali 14 is a great 'Cruiser' but it's not what I consider a motorbike to be.

I tried to like it. I really did. But at the end of the day it was still an evil handling, chromed whore's purse. Expensive mistake. Not one I'm going to make again.

Seems though that as far as Piaggio is concerned Guzzi is going to be condemned to making these things and dross like the V9's. At least with the V9's it looks like there might be something interesting engine-wise in the pipeline.

I don't reckon they'll be able to get the big block compliant without the 7SM and all the extra munt on the 'Cruisers' so any new Stelvio or other similar bike will have to be small block based or a clean sheet design. Where's the money for that going to come from?

Pete

The MG reps told me the Norge/ Stelvio engine can't meet the new Euro 4 emissions?

[Tom]

The 1400 Eldorado is better than the Cal 1400 Touring and Custom for handling and a non-cruiser.  The Griso is a "power cruiser" bike. 

[pete roper]

No, the Griso is a motorbike. The Cali's are fashion accessories or two wheeled equivalents of invalid scooters for people who don't want a motorbike or haven't grown up.

(That should get 'em going! )

Pete

[Tom]

 

[oldbike54]

 Yeah , but some folks think that riding an over sized scooter from Aprilia is the epitome of motorbiking 

 Dusty

[Dharma Bum]

I have to go with the "toes up" definition as to what a cruiser is.  While I won't classify my 96 Cali as a sport bike, it sure as heck isn't a "cruiser",  just a good handling (albeit overweight) standard.  If every motorcycle with pegs that are forward of your hips is considered a cruiser, where does that leave the classic Bonneville?  Never, ever heard of them referred to as cruisers!

[LowRyter]

Had a 20 something refer to the beater /5 as a cruiser ???? Previous owner of the Jackal calls it a sport cruiser . Dunno , maybe I should buy a full face that mimics a doo rag and start drinking PBR .

 Dusty

PBR is the official beverage for SPORTRIDERS!!!   .... something you /5 riders obviously wouldn't understand. 

[LowRyter]

You didn't bother looking at the photo then.

My point was that didn't have to limit the bike's handling for any remotely real world riding.

Now the fact the YOU don't like it, that's fine, but it's not an actual problem with what the bike can or cannot do.

<shrug>

[Cool Runnings]

I have to go with the "toes up" definition as to what a cruiser is.  While I won't classify my 96 Cali as a sport bike, it sure as heck isn't a "cruiser",  just a good handling (albeit overweight) standard.  If every motorcycle with pegs that are forward of your hips is considered a cruiser, where does that leave the classic Bonneville?  Never, ever heard of them referred to as cruisers!

They became 'choppers'. 

[Hymes Inc.]

The picture you are calling a V65SP is not an SP at all. It's a V65C. (Cruiser)

The middle bike is an SP without the fairing. The bottom bike is the V65C

[Chuck in Indiana]

You didn't bother looking at the photo then.

My point was that didn't have to limit the bike's handling for any remotely real world riding.

Now the fact the YOU don't like it, that's fine, but it's not an actual problem with what the bike can or cannot do.

Ok. I was on the Snake one day, and came upon a Harley something or other. (They all look the same to me.) But it was a big booger with bags, etc. The rider decided he should show me something.. and he did. He was going through the Snake throwing serious sparks from the floorboards on left and rights. His wife/girlfriend/ significant other was beating on his back with both hands. :)
He was a *very* good rider, but totally hampered by the bike he was on. I just don't understand why you think a cruiser will handle perfectly well in "real world" riding. They don't. We'll just have to agree to disagree. :)

[LowRyter]

<shrug>

[Tom]

There are motorcycles that handle and those that don't.  Found that out that my Reconstruct Shovelhead doesn't.  My Eldo did.  This was in the late 70's.  I used the Recon for around town and short hauls with friends and the Eldo for serious touring by myself.

[lucian]

A cruiser is a lazy boy with a big fart trapped in the cushion.

[yellowheader]

Forgive a Newbie for butting in, but having just come from the "cruiser" end of the spectrum, I thought I'd put in my .02... I became the proud owner of an '04 Stone about a month ago. Before that I was on an Intruder 1400 with stock footrests and low, wide handlebars - I'd say a fairly representative example of a Japanese cruiser. Now I know the extremes in cruiser ergonomics - waay forward controls, ape hangers and thinly padded solo seats - are totally style over comfort, but I really liked the seating position on the Intruder. My feet were in front of me, shins vertical and with a comfortable reach to the handlebars. The pressure points on the seat were the bones inside my butt (ischium - I just looked it up), not my tailbone. It wasn't like sitting in a Lazy Boy, more like a good boardroom chair, if that make sense.

My first impression on the Stone was surprise at how un-cruiserlike it felt. The higher ground clearance, steeper rake, conservative handlebars, and the skinny (to my eye) back tire all made it feel closer to a Bonneville than a Fat Boy. For me, it finds that perfect middle ground between cruiser and standard. I find the riding position ideal for around town, and I didn't have any major comfort issues on the 3-hour ride home from where I bought the bike. However, at my age (52), the joints are starting to stiffen up a little, and I think the bend the Cali puts in my hips would get pretty uncomfortable after a full day in the saddle. I definitely want to find some highway pegs before I take on any serious road trips.

All in all, superior suspension, brakes and steering geometry make the Guzzi a much easier bike to handle and to ride fast than the old 'Truder, but there's something to be  said for sitting back with your legs unfolded from under you, yes, cruising down a long stretch of highway.

[Bulldog9]

IMO, a cruiser is when your feet are anywhere even with or in front of your knees. A Standard is when feet are under your hips out to your knees, and Sport is when your feet are from under your hips or Behind. 

[rboe]

I tend to classify cruisers in two types: style bar cruisers for in town "posing where you are going for looks and perhaps making a statement. The second type; a touring cruiser that works very well on the big slab and eating up miles. I'd say like Easy Rider but I consider choppers to be the style bike but some riders may prefer them for touring.

Neither bike are for the Snake or scraping bits in the corners. To complain that a cruiser can't corner like your sport bike is kinda like complaining the Miata can't carry your new stove home from Lowes.

Oddly enough I've had folks call my Griso a Cruiser and I just don't see it. Near as I can tell we all have a different idea of what a cruiser is, ask ten guys what a cruise is and you'll get eleven answers. :)

[Shorty]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxo7V2HyYS4

[ScepticalScotty]

Cruiser - an independant warship designed to protect sea lanes, commerce raiding, and scouting. Only the USN, Peruvian, and the Russian Navy operate them today.

My favourites are the Alaska class. 

[Kev m]

Meh...

[El Pescador]

Blah Blah Blah not a real motorbike.  Blah Blah Blah can't go around a corner with all that chrome and seating position.  I'm going to push my Cali off in a ditch.

[Rich A]

The March 1998 Cycle World had an article called "Lucky 13" which compared thirteen "Ameri-cruisers," including a Titan Gecko, Harley Dyna Low Rider, Big Dog, Triumph Thunderbird,  BMW 1200C, Vulcan 1500, etc. The Guzzi V11 EV won!

Rich A