Author Topic: NGC Which Cruiser?  (Read 6218 times)

Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #30 on: April 13, 2021, 07:48:13 PM »
Have you looked at Indian?

If I was going to buy a cruiser cruiser, I'd think about the new Rebel 1100 as well.
I have not as I want something used and not sure what I'd even look at in the Indian line.
Have you suggestions?
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Offline Shorty

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #31 on: April 14, 2021, 11:52:21 PM »
If possible, take lengthy test rides on  prospective cruiser bikes if you have not owned one before. I bought a Bonneville America that was in very nice shape to alleviate leg pain on longer rides. I found that riding style to be comfortable ONLY when moving in a fairly straight line on flat terrain. Yes, my legs felt better, but the bike felt like it was 'falling" into turns. Red lights and stop signs became a game of either leave the bike in gear, or do an awkward dance to put the bike into gear. No biggie for some folks, but not confidence inspiring for me. I gladly sold it after a few months. Do your homework.  :wink: 

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Offline Stretch

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #32 on: April 15, 2021, 09:52:32 AM »
I like my 2011 Triumph Rocket III Touring.

Very comfortable for 300- 400 mile days.

Stable as hell, even among trucks and with heavy crosswinds.
And the massive torque is addicting!  :cool: No need for downshifts
to pass on the highway - even loaded and 2 up. The California
1400  - while no slouch - is wimpy by comparison. 'Course the
Cali has better handling and better brakes. The Rocket is fine
when it's cranked over, but yer certainly not gonna do anything
heroic mid-corner. Definitely a case of set things up and drive it
through.

Against this, the Rocket is a bit top-heavy at parking lot speeds,
and requires that one pay attention - more so than the California.

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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #33 on: April 15, 2021, 06:42:17 PM »
Quote
Keep em coming guy and gals, great feedback
None of the above.. :evil:



I'm just not a cruiser kind of guy, I guess. Had one. Hated it.
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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #33 on: April 15, 2021, 06:42:17 PM »

Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #34 on: April 15, 2021, 08:53:52 PM »
If possible, take lengthy test rides on  prospective cruiser bikes if you have not owned one before. I bought a Bonneville America that was in very nice shape to alleviate leg pain on longer rides. I found that riding style to be comfortable ONLY when moving in a fairly straight line on flat terrain. Yes, my legs felt better, but the bike felt like it was 'falling" into turns. Red lights and stop signs became a game of either leave the bike in gear, or do an awkward dance to put the bike into gear. No biggie for some folks, but not confidence inspiring for me. I gladly sold it after a few months. Do your homework.  :wink: 


Absolutely. I have owned a few but your remarks still bear heeding.
Thanks
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Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #35 on: April 15, 2021, 08:55:42 PM »
I like my 2011 Triumph Rocket III Touring.

Very comfortable for 300- 400 mile days.

Stable as hell, even among trucks and with heavy crosswinds.
And the massive torque is addicting!  :cool: No need for downshifts
to pass on the highway - even loaded and 2 up. The California
1400  - while no slouch - is wimpy by comparison. 'Course the
Cali has better handling and better brakes. The Rocket is fine
when it's cranked over, but yer certainly not gonna do anything
heroic mid-corner. Definitely a case of set things up and drive it
through.

Against this, the Rocket is a bit top-heavy at parking lot speeds,
and requires that one pay attention - more so than the California.

                                                -Stretch

Hey Stretch,
I had one and what you say is spot on.
The only thing I couldn't get over is it burnt my inner thighs in the summer time.
Cool bike indeed
inditx
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Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #36 on: April 15, 2021, 08:57:43 PM »
None of the above.. :evil:



I'm just not a cruiser kind of guy, I guess. Had one. Hated it.
I hear ya Chuck.
I’m reverting back to a cruiser for 2 up and more slab miles.
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Offline Stretch

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #37 on: April 16, 2021, 07:33:33 AM »
Quote
The only thing I couldn't get over is it burnt my inner thighs in the summer time.

In the summertime in a traffic jam, you'll be few pounds lighter by the time you're
back on the move! There's A LOT of heat coming off that motor when it's sitting still!

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Offline roadventure

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #38 on: April 16, 2021, 08:42:03 AM »
So I wasn't going to reply because I don't know either of those bikes well enough and you already said no Harley.

But here's how I would go about considering them both:

* FIRST - plain and simple - find and ride them see which one fits best. The aftermarket is smaller for both and you don't have nearly the options to make it fit better that you do on Harleys. Both sound pretty big and I might lean toward the Vstar just because it's less "excessive" in engine size (but I don't know actual mass of both so that is probably more important).

* NEXT - find out about maintenance. Valve adjustments or hydro? (I'd go hydro unless the adjustments are easy). Belt/shaft/Chain? Some of the Yamaha cruisers had stupid design issues, like exhausts in the way of the oil filter so you'd have to remove part of the exhaust to change the oil. Hopefully that's a thing of the past on these.

Ironically, the VStar 1100 and VStar 1300 you favor DOES have the design issue of the exhaust blocking the oil filter removal.  There is an oil filter relocation kit available. 
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Offline Kev m

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #39 on: April 16, 2021, 08:45:28 AM »
Ironically, the VStar 1100 and VStar 1300 you favor DOES have the design issue of the exhaust blocking the oil filter removal.  There is an oil filter relocation kit available.

JEEEZ really? God that problem goes back to the friggin Virago in the 90s. For gawd's sake. So stupid.

And this is one of the many reasons why my "cruiser" looks like this!



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Offline roadventure

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #40 on: April 16, 2021, 08:47:26 AM »
You mentioned the triumph being prone to a chirpy belt. Having had a Victory V92 with a squealing belt issue I’d say avoid that one if you dislike irritating high pitched noises. One of the reasons I traded my V92 for a Trophy 900.

Noises the belt makes are largely a matter of adjustment....
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Offline roadventure

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #41 on: April 16, 2021, 09:00:02 AM »
Moto-uno
That’s interesting. So the 1900 was that much more bike or was the 1300 just not that much of a bike?
inditx

The VStar 1300 is an overhead cam design with shaft drive.  The Roadliner and Raider using the 1900 V-Twin is a pushrod belt drive design.  Very different performance characteristics.  Of the two, I chose the Raider as I preferred the styling and I already had experience with Yamaha's predecessor to the 1900 engine, their 1600 V-Twin used in the Road Star.

That said, both the VStar 1300 and the 1600/1700/1900 V-Twins are all exceptionally reliable and easy to maintain (with the exception of the 1300 oil filter "snafu".).
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Offline roadventure

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #42 on: April 16, 2021, 09:04:06 AM »
JEEEZ really? God that problem goes back to the friggin Virago in the 90s. For gawd's sake. So stupid.

Agreed.  I can only think one of the reasons it might have been so popular was that most of the buyers did not perform their own maintenance.
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Online Ncdan

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #43 on: April 16, 2021, 09:13:09 AM »
JEEEZ really? God that problem goes back to the friggin Virago in the 90s. For gawd's sake. So stupid.

And this is one of the many reasons why my "cruiser" looks like this!


Nice King Kev! I really hope Inditx gives HD a look, especially if looking at heavy cruisers in the first place. My neighbor had a black 03 King with low mileage and immaculate and can be had for around 6k. It is carbureted but that would be my first choice anyway.

Offline Kev m

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #44 on: April 16, 2021, 09:41:56 AM »
Nice King Kev! I really hope Inditx gives HD a look, especially if looking at heavy cruisers in the first place. My neighbor had a black 03 King with low mileage and immaculate and can be had for around 6k. It is carbureted but that would be my first choice anyway.

Nah, when it comes to Harley you have mass production, high quality electronics that are highly tested/vetted, and support everywhere in the US.

The single carb on a Harley was fatally flawed at or near idle speed where the turbulence in the narrow-V shared intake would disrupt the idle quality of one cylinder then the other in an almost random fashion.

The early open-loop weber-marelli EFI used on the EVOs (not sure if it was also used on early TC or if that was already Delphi) was the same nearly bulletproof EFI used on early EFI Guzzi Calis right up through the Jackal. It ran leaner than carbs, but richer than feedback systems and worked beautifully and reliably through the range in all ambient conditions. At its introduction people were freaked out at first, why? Because suddenly their Harleys idled steady and smooth like they'd never done with Carbs.

Time marches on and the closed-loop Delphi system on my TC and the current M8s certainly runs leaner and hotter at times, but it's still an excellent and very predictable/rider friendly system. Couple that with the linked ABS and Brembos on that King and nostalgia aside I would never want to return to a non-Brembo, non-EFI, carbureted Harley for other than novelty/toy use.

YMMV but I'm telling ya - no reason to avoid the Harley EFI bikes - they didn't just use tech for tech's sake, they used it to enhance livability.
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Offline Jorg66

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #45 on: April 16, 2021, 01:55:39 PM »
Ohh Man, i admit that I'm not Harley Material,but yours Kev m ,well colour ,That Seat , hmmmm . :bow:
Lol still not a cali 1400  :grin:
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Offline Kev m

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #46 on: April 16, 2021, 02:25:08 PM »
Ohh Man, i admit that I'm not Harley Material,but yours Kev m ,well colour ,That Seat , hmmmm . :bow:
Lol still not a cali 1400  :grin:
Cheers

 :thumb:

I get it though, there's a lot to like about the Calis....

Ride safe!

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Online kballowe

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #47 on: April 16, 2021, 02:36:01 PM »
Ironically, the VStar 1100 and VStar 1300 you favor DOES have the design issue of the exhaust blocking the oil filter removal.  There is an oil filter relocation kit available.

The 1300 VStar has a spin-on filter that is easily accessible from underneath.  They have always been like that.
One need remove nothing to get to it.

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #48 on: April 16, 2021, 02:44:11 PM »
We have owned three Yamaha VStar 1300 motorcycles, including one "tour" model with the fairing and hard bags - and currently still own one.  We're mostly 2-up on this one.

No issues.

After owning more than 100 motorcycles, this is one that we are rather fond of.





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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #49 on: April 16, 2021, 07:54:18 PM »
Closest thing I have to a cruiser. Couldn't resist picking up this almost showroom survivor. 84, v4, shaft drive. it's about half fast for a big pig. Corbin seat came with.


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Offline s1120

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #50 on: April 17, 2021, 05:19:42 AM »
Ohh Man, i admit that I'm not Harley Material,but yours Kev m ,well colour ,That Seat , hmmmm . :bow:
Lol still not a cali 1400  :grin:
Cheers

Ya, you know Im not normally a HD guy myself..  But frankly its really tough to look to other brands when you are looking at a big cruzer. More so if your looking for something a few years old.. Prices are good on used one, parts and service are EVERYWHERE, and frankly the modern ones just keep going and going... 
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Offline kingoffleece

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #51 on: April 17, 2021, 07:20:18 AM »
Funny on the R3.  I had an 09 for one season and put close to 14000 on it.  Never found the heat to be too much.  I sold my 14 Norge a short while ago as it was so flipping hot at the feet I'd park it mid June and never look at it until my Oct ride to WV.  It was just much too uncomfortable in summer below the knee. 
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Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #52 on: April 17, 2021, 09:17:13 AM »
Ironically, the VStar 1100 and VStar 1300 you favor DOES have the design issue of the exhaust blocking the oil filter removal.  There is an oil filter relocation kit available.
That is a pain.
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Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #53 on: April 17, 2021, 09:18:58 AM »
JEEEZ really? God that problem goes back to the friggin Virago in the 90s. For gawd's sake. So stupid.

And this is one of the many reasons why my "cruiser" looks like this!


Nice KevM!
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Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #54 on: April 17, 2021, 12:19:39 PM »
We have owned three Yamaha VStar 1300 motorcycles, including one "tour" model with the fairing and hard bags - and currently still own one.  We're mostly 2-up on this one.

No issues.

After owning more than 100 motorcycles, this is one that we are rather fond of.




Nice!
What year is this one?
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Online kballowe

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #55 on: April 17, 2021, 05:43:27 PM »
Nice!
What year is this one?
inditx

It's a 2014

Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #56 on: April 17, 2021, 08:22:54 PM »
Nice kballowe!
Did you own either of the 1700 or 1900’s?
If so, how did they compare?
My pillion is growing fonder of the idea of a fairing and some type of queen type seat or at least arm rests of a comfy seat.
Now I’ve gone and done it ay?!
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Offline inditx

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #57 on: April 17, 2021, 08:34:26 PM »
The VStar 1300 is an overhead cam design with shaft drive.  The Roadliner and Raider using the 1900 V-Twin is a pushrod belt drive design.  Very different performance characteristics.  Of the two, I chose the Raider as I preferred the styling and I already had experience with Yamaha's predecessor to the 1900 engine, their 1600 V-Twin used in the Road Star.

That said, both the VStar 1300 and the 1600/1700/1900 V-Twins are all exceptionally reliable and easy to maintain (with the exception of the 1300 oil filter "snafu".).
Hey Dave,
Educate me on the differences between the 1700 and 1900.
I had a 1700 Warrior but like the Roadstars and Roadliners.
Also leaning toward a belt drive which is weird because I’ve had so many shaft drive bikes.
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Online kballowe

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #58 on: April 17, 2021, 09:10:48 PM »
Nice kballowe!
Did you own either of the 1700 or 1900’s?
If so, how did they compare?
My pillion is growing fonder of the idea of a fairing and some type of queen type seat or at least arm rests of a comfy seat.
Now I’ve gone and done it ay?!
inditx

I had a Roadstar Warrior, and this 2014 Roadliner.  The Roadliner is a long bike and a lot of room between rider and passenger. 

I made mounts and added custom leather bags. 

It was a mile eating monster, especially with that set of Ultimate seats.
 :bike-037:

« Last Edit: April 17, 2021, 09:16:58 PM by kballowe »

Offline fatbob

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Re: NGC Which Cruiser?
« Reply #59 on: April 17, 2021, 09:26:10 PM »
I have put 49K on my 2010 T-Bird 1600.   I love the bike!   Comfy, plenty of performance, mine has been outfitted for touring.   The belt chirp is easily corrected with laser alignment.  A $100.00 tool.   The 12K service on a T-Bird is cumbersome at best.   I do my own maintenance, if I didn’t I’d have traded the bike years ago.   Dealers get $1,200 for a 12k service if no valves are outa spec, $1,500 if a valve shim needs changed.   I’ve only had to change one shim.   

T-Birds are cheap cause they don’t sell.   Shame because they are great bikes.   
« Last Edit: April 17, 2021, 10:47:42 PM by fatbob »
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