How difficult to switch from sport tourer to cruiser?

[ohiorider]

I've been into sport tourers since buying my K100RS in 1986.  I tried to switch to full faired bikes like K1100LTs and found the switch not a happy thing.

Now, after riding my MG 1200 Sport for 58,000 miles (all good,  I might add,) the good press on the new Guzzi 1400 format has me wondering '.....could I make the switch to floorboards and foot-forward riding?'  Or do I want to make the switch?

The Guzzi 'cross the frame', shaft drive v twin format is as good as it gets, but I'd love a more conventional bike surrounding this engine.  One close to the 1200 Sport, but with more 'retro' seating position, and more conventional or retro appearance.

However, if Guzzi isn't about to do a new 'standard' with a BB engine ..... is the Guzzi cruiser format something I should consider?

BTW - I'm so happy at the age of 72 that these are the type of questions I'm asking.

Bob

[fatbob]

It's real easy, just jump off one and on another. It's nice if you have several to choose from! 

[Kiwi Dave]

Now, after riding my MG 1200 Sport for 58,000 miles (all good,  I might add,) the good press on the new Guzzi 1400 format has me wondering '.....could I make the switch to floorboards and foot-forward riding?'  Or do I want to make the switch?

BTW - I'm so happy at the age of 72 that these are the type of questions I'm asking.

Bob

I originally started riding Moto Guzzi on California 1100s before switching to CARC bikes and especially the 1200 Sport.  So I did what you did, but in reverse.  My favorite CARC is the 1200 Sport and I have rode a similar amount to you (across three bikes) plus a lot more on a 1100 Breva.

But now I have switched to the Cali 1400 Custom, and already have clocked up over 21,000 miles.  I guess I have a new overall favorite.

BTW, I'm around four years younger than you, and intend to keep riding until I drop.

[Scud]

Maybe you should rent a cruiser for few days - take it out on your favorite roads and see how you like it.

I rent cruisers sometimes when I travel. They're generally pleasant to ride, but I miss the crisp handling of a sporting bike. It takes me a few minutes to get acclimated to the riding position. I cooked the front brake (singular) on a rented Kawi Vulcan 1500 once - that was very exciting.

I want to have your questions when I'm at 72 - good on ya. 

[rocker59]

I've been into sport tourers since buying my K100RS in 1986.  I tried to switch to full faired bikes like K1100LTs and found the switch not a happy thing.

Now, after riding my MG 1200 Sport for 58,000 miles (all good,  I might add,) the good press on the new Guzzi 1400 format has me wondering '.....could I make the switch to floorboards and foot-forward riding?'  Or do I want to make the switch?

The Guzzi 'cross the frame', shaft drive v twin format is as good as it gets, but I'd love a more conventional bike surrounding this engine.  One close to the 1200 Sport, but with more 'retro' seating position, and more conventional or retro appearance.

However, if Guzzi isn't about to do a new 'standard' with a BB engine ..... is the Guzzi cruiser format something I should consider?

BTW - I'm so happy at the age of 72 that these are the type of questions I'm asking.

Bob

I have a similar dilemma to yours.  I love the look and feel of the Cal14, but the FF riding position has never agreed with me.  My Bassa was fun for short trips, but killed my back and hips on longer rides.  My body is just "set" to the sport-touring seating position, and the forward lean is good for my lower back.

Personally, if I was in the market for a big block Guzzi, I'd wait until November to see what is shown at Milan at the big show.

Rumor has it there will be a couple new things to show.  Maybe even something that would interest riders like you and I.

On the other hand, there are some screaming deals out there on Cal 14 Customs.   

[ohiorider]

I originally started riding Moto Guzzi on California 1100s before switching to CARC bikes and especially the 1200 Sport.  So I did what you did, but in reverse.  My favorite CARC is the 1200 Sport and I have rode a similar amount to you (across three bikes) plus a lot more on a 1100 Breva.

But now I have switched to the Cali 1400 Custom, and already have clocked up over 21,000 miles.  I guess I have a new overall favorite.

BTW, I'm around four years younger than you, and intend to keep riding until I drop.

Thanks, Dave.  The more I look at the Cali 1400 format, the more I like it.  Maybe the age thing doesn't play into it as much as where we want our riding to take us.  Ride 'til we drop? ........ Absolutely!  And like you, my favorite CARC bike is my 1200 Sport.  I think I can say that without having ridden the other (aside from my Griso 8vSE.) CARC bikes.  The 12S just does it for me.  And I'm referencing the archiac 2v version, since the 8v model never  made it here.

[segesta]

Too funny--I really like my California 1400 but just bought a 2010 K1300GT, which is easier on my back. So our tales are 180 degrees from each other...

[John Ulrich]

Your body will tell you what it wants.   I demo'd a V11 Sport back in 2000 and barely made it around the block.  I have a "sit up and beg" type of body. With my bad knees they need to be out front on highway pegs.  I even sold my 10 speed bike for a high handlebar cruiser bicycle.

[canuck750]

On Sunday I rode my Eldorado for a couple hours, Monday I took the V7 Sport out for the afternoon, other than switching from RH to LH shift its as simple as changing shirts.

[Kev m]

I'm the opposite.

Started on UJMs and Harleys that more or less had the same feet in front of you (mids) not under you riding position.

I wanted to like something more sport touringish with the feet more directly under me and could enjoy them for while, like my R1100RS,  Breva 1100, or Buell S3T, but those bikes usually stayed around for maybe half the miles that the others I bought did.

No it's not just the comfort per se. Those bikes are all pretty comfortable for a couple hundred miles at a stretch. Though by the second stretch of 200 miles in a day I'd generally find some knee cramping from being in one position. It was something else that kept bringing me back to something more feet slightly forward in design.

Bikes with feet in front of you (Jackal, Sportster, Road Kind, etc.) tend to sit lower to the ground and have a more relaxed feel to me. I don't know if it's just the ride height or seating position, but I feel like I can slow down and still enjoy the ride where on the others I mentioned I always felt like I had to push faster, pass this next guy, take that corner quicker and quicker.

And for comfort the feet slightly forward bikes allowed me to move my feet around more on long rides. Highway pegs and/or passenger pegs made a bigger difference than just moving my feet from under me to further back on the passenger pegs for the other more sport touringish bikes. If my knees were already cramping, then moving my them to a tighter bend really didn't help.

I think airheads and the V7 fall somewhere in between, maybe closer in riding position to the sport touringish stuff, but still "relaxed" enough in nature to fit me better.

I dunno, but after 20+ years of trying to like the "other" I think I'm finally ready to face the facts that I prefer mid mount and more cruiserish or at least standard bikes. And if I ever need to remind myself or scratch that itch, I just have to take Jenn's Duc out for a fun, but relatively uncomfortable 50-100 miles.

Not sure how that helps. I think it means "know thyself" but then again, you might feel different and like both. And I guess the only way to really know yourself is to at least try the other.

Man a rental for a week would sure help.

But then again, I liked the others on demos and rentals to buy them and live with them usually for years and tens of thousands of miles.

<shrugs>

[Zoom Zoom]

A very subjective question Bob, which of course varies by person. FWIW, Phil does have a new Eldo that is a demo bike should you desire to take it for a spin.  You are of course welcome to ride mine, or just sit on it if you like. I mention Phil because I know you like going for a ride, not to mention I see you up this way from time to time. (That was you on your GS the other day, right?)

On a personal note, I am in the same boat as JU. With a hip that gives me trouble and bad knees, a more relaxed riding position works well for me. As an aside, I find the Eldo very comfortable. Sort of like a lounge chair in a den. I could be comfortable on this bike for an extended period of time. Certainly further than the fuel supply. But again, others might find it intolerable.

John Henry

[Murray]

The lack of ground clearance and depending on which version you get lack of wind protecting will drive you up the wall. Seen people do it, sometimes they stick with it for up to a couple of years inveitabely the cruiser gets dumped onto the next sucker and they move on.

[Aaron D.]

Well, I spent my years on Italian sport bikes (and still have the most radical one) and now own a Scout..

But the California 1400 Custom is an amazing bike, try one of them and see. Handling is really nice, the bars have you a lot more over the front than other cruisers, power is lovely.

You will adjust to the clearance issues.

[Kev m]

The lack of ground clearance and depending on which version you get lack of wind protecting will drive you up the wall. Seen people do it, sometimes they stick with it for up to a couple of years inveitabely the cruiser gets dumped onto the next sucker and they move on.

I wonder how often it's because they bought the wrong "cruiser" and not just the wrong type of bike.

Actually, I hate the term "cruiser" because I don't LIKE CRUISERS.

To me "cruiser" means all form and no function - It means true forward controls (legs straight, toes pointed up), it means apes, it means no suspension or so little it doesn't matter, it means WAY too fat a tire in the back and usually way too skinny up front with no enough brakes etc.

But that's NOT the type of Harley, or Indian, or Vic, or Triumph, or Guzzi to which I'm drawn.

I may not prefer the feet under me riding position, but I do like the standard, sitting in a chair, feet in front of me but RIGHT BELOW (or slightly in front of) my knees position.

And yeah, I like a bike that makes form a priority too (I don't care HOW functional some JAPanInc. or even some Triumph/BMW products are, if they look like an insect, I don't want to own them).

But I also want a bike that functions.

I may not need the hp or lean angles of a SS bike, but don't castrate it either.

Give me classic lines, a decent looking and performing bike, good brakes, reasonable tires (bias-ply's are fine, I don't need radials).

A Sportster that isn't lowered, a Triumph Bonnie, a V7 or something like it, are perfect for me.

A Cali 1400 would do the trick too, an RK, maybe an Indian Chief or Scout.... though the first 3 are really highway/2-up bikes more so than the Scout or the Sporty/Bonnie/Smallblock.

All of those bikes more of less fit my description of form AND function. They can turn, maybe the Cali or RK will never hang with even a V7 or Bonnie ridden in the twisties at 10/10ths and forget them staying with a Ducati at 7/10ths... but who cares, that's NOT why I ride.

Anyway, my point is that we sometimes paint with too broad a brush. There's a whole world between what I like in "cruisers" and what say the jokers at OCC used to produce. A WHOLE WIDE WORLD... almost as wide a gap as there is say between a supersport and scrambler, maybe more.

[Aaron D.]

Yes, Kev hits it on the head-the word "cruiser" is perhaps the wrong word.
I wanted a bike that was comfy, fun and easy to just get on and explore. Something like this..

Scout-what year? by xfolkboat, on Flickr

I don't think you would be so concerned with clearance!

[mjptexas]

I've been into sport tourers since buying my K100RS in 1986....
.....Now, after riding my MG 1200 Sport for 58,000 miles (all good,  I might add,) the good press on the new Guzzi 1400 format has me wondering '.....could I make the switch to floorboards and foot-forward riding?'  Or do I want to make the switch?

I was 'anti cruiser' for decades and then I bought the Cali Custom - First cruiser, first bike with floorboards, first bike over 700 lbs. (Actually, first bike over 550 lbs).  After 18 months and over 10,000 miles it's become my favorite bike.  The 'forward controls' on the Cali aren't very radical, more standard old-school touring position.  I was pretty skeptical about the floorboards, but after pulling the heel shifter off I found I could move my feet around quite a bit. 

Getting the right seating position (feet to butt to bars) has always been a bit of an art form for me.  Interestingly enough the Cali Custom is a perfect 'off the rack' fit for me.  (I'm anxious to see if the Corbin seat I ordered will screw that up).  I like the slight leaning forward riding position the Custom bars put me in.  Keeps most of the weight off my tailbone. 

You've had big bikes before so you understand the weight issue.  I grew up with sub-400 lb Triumphs so I've always considered anything over 450lbs as excessively heavy.  I don't know that I'll want to push that much bike around when I get a few years older.

If you haven't ridden one do it.  I'd strongly suggest a testing the Custom or the Eldorado over the Touring version.  IMHO the non-touring versions will give you a better feel for the bike.

[Kev m]

The 'forward controls' on the Cali aren't very radical, more standard old-school touring position.  I was pretty skeptical about the floorboards, but after pulling the heel shifter off I found I could move my feet around quite a bit. 

That might be a great description for the type of riding position I'm talking about.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Everyone's different.. that's why they make all kinds. If MY feet aren't under me, I'm not interested.

[toaster404]

Switching around has never been an issue for me initially.  I would probably have run to VFR and the like if my hips would do it (have been dropped heavily a number of times).  Turns out the Tourer is very versatile for me, although if I was to do it over, I'd be going with a more stripped down version.  Not fond of the bags and all that junk in front.  Useful, though. 

Stock, the bars were too far forward for me, the heel shifter prevented moving around, and the seat pushed me forward too far.  Now I have foam on the seat to get a nice pocket for my rear (not so much that I can't slide left or right a bit for cornering), the bars back 2", and the heel shifter off.  If I pull my feet back so the ball of my foot is at the rear of the floorboards and choke up on the grips, I'm really in a nice cornering position, and vice versa.  Really gives me lots of position alternatives.  Not locked in as I tend to be on most bikes.

The weight is something to get used to.  Gave me trouble before the engine loosened up a bit, now much easier to get the throttle to hold the bike up in corners.  Certainly steady.

My DL1000 VStrom should be back on the road next week, and I'm looking forward to swapping back and forth - see how that feels and how adaptable it is.

Might find someone to swap with on a ride - back and forth for a couple of hours really highlights things.

[Travlr]

If floorboards are an issue, the Audace has foot pegs.  Should be an easy swap.

When I bought my Road Glide my intent was to switch to foot pegs.
But I never did.  It's just not that big a deal.

Mike

[Kev m]

If floorboards are an issue, the Audace has foot pegs.  Should be an easy swap.

When I bought my Road Glide my intent was to switch to foot pegs.
But I never did.  It's just not that big a deal.

Mike

 

I'll say this, if you're going to use a bike of this style of touring the floorboards are a HUGE plus with regards to being able to move your feet and legs around to different positions. I don't really LIKE highway pegs, they take your feet away from the controls and lean you back on your tailbone if you weren't already there. But floorboards give you the ability to straighten your leg more for a bit, then move it around, turn your foot at different angles etc. all in the name of preventing cramping or discomfort on longer hauls. They work...

[oldbike54]

 Damn tough to do while moving .

  Dusty

[nunzio]

Everyone's different.. that's why they make all kinds. If MY feet aren't under me, I'm not interested.

+1

[wrbix]

Damn tough to do while moving .

  Dusty

Thaz wuz I wuz thinkin too - best be ATGATT

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Audace

[Daleroso]

It's easier than you think. Yes, each style bike has it's niche but it's rarely the bike that makes the dif. It's always the rider. A group goes out on dif bikes, the riders switch bikes, once, twice, the same riders are in front, the middle & the rear. I go from a H-D Switchback to a semi cafed R65, to a Centauro, to a Ural & do fine. Guzzi "cruisers" have more ground clearance than any other & with a sport/sport touring background you will surprise a lot of riders if you choose. I do on the FLD & it's fun to surprise the typical cruiser pack when I work my way through. You'll be fine!

[Daleroso]

Oh yeah, I forgot. I'm 65 with double hip transplants 2 years ago Novenber 1 month apart which the Doc did NOT want to do but I told him I NEEDED to be healed by April. He asked why. I replied riding season starts & "Oh BTW, do the right one 1st cause that's the one I put over the bike to mount up."  He shook his head, agreed, prayers were prayed, prayers were answered! I rode by March during a mild winter.

[Lcarlson]

I've had mostly standards & sport tourers over the years (with the exception of a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Nomad Fi bought new in 2000 & kept for a few years).  A recent week-long tour in Utah on a rented Road King reminded me of the unique laid-back pleasure of riding a cruiser (of which there are indeed different favors).  Although I liked the RK, I didn't want to buy a Harley.  On returning, I discovered that we had a new Guzzi dealer about 5 miles away. A test ride on a Cali 1400 Custom, and it was good bye to my (slant) K1200 GT and Ducati Diavel. The Cali 1400 Custom is a remarkable ride, which does just what I want these days. I recommend you test one, and see if it does that for you too.

[Kiwi Dave]

I was 'anti cruiser' for decades and then I bought the Cali Custom - First cruiser, first bike with floorboards, first bike over 700 lbs.

You've had big bikes before so you understand the weight issue.  I grew up with sub-400 lb Triumphs so I've always considered anything over 450lbs as excessively heavy.

Me too.  But try going back and riding one of those lightweight Triumphs at a reasonable speed.  You'll wonder how you managed to keep them on the road.

[ohiorider]

I really appreciate everyone's' comments about the 1400 series bikes.  And yes, JH (ZoomZoom), I was poaching your roads and lovely towns in your part of Ohio.  I often stop at the coffee shop just north of the Burton Square, and had the GS out there a few days ago.  Looking forward to seeing your new ride at breakfast.

R59's comment jumped out at me ....... I do wish MG would put either 8v engine (1200 or 1400) in a conventional frame with classic bodywork  ..... I know, retro has been done to pieces, but I'd still like a Guzzi with conventional ergos, similar to the 'new' Triumph T100.  Maybe at the Euro bike shows this fall(??)