The perfect cruiser

Jeff10236 · 07-16-2012, 11:36 PM

I've been pretty back and forth about what bike I'm going to buy to replace my C50, and I've been thinking about it for some time.

I want a bike suitable for touring. I want a bike that handles well around town and on back country roads. I want a bike with some power. I want a bike with good mileage. It almost seems I'd be best off to get a smaller sportier bike (an adventure bike or Sportster) plus a touring bike (but I can't really afford 2 bikes right now), give up on the cruisers and do an adventure bike or sports touring bike (but they never feel like they fit when I sit on them), or get something that is OK for everything but doesn't do any of it as well as it could.

Well, I was thinking about it and I finally figured out what my ideal bike would be:

Take the engine from a 1200 HD Sportster, put it on my C50 frame (now that I have the Mustang seat and it is finally comfortable on trips), and top it off with a smooth shifting 6sp.

A guy can dream

LadyVTXRider · 07-17-2012, 12:03 PM

I've toured on my Honda VTX1300R. I just added Leatherlyke saddlebags and trunk and turned it into a mini-bagger. I average 42 mpg and it has plenty of power.

Tankhead · 07-17-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff10236

A guy can dream

You answered your own thread. Perfect for who? You, yes but not me. Very few if any perfect MCs off the production line. With the right mods you can make it perfect for you though. So dream all you want cause you can make it a reality if you really wanted to.

Dadinator · 07-18-2012, 07:59 PM

V2K.
I ride it in all conditions. Back country roads are my favorite.
Gets 42mpg 2 up.
Plenty of power. Is a bit bulky when in parking lots, but you get used to it quickly.

Great bike.

Biker Dash · 07-25-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadinator

V2K.
I ride it in all conditions. Back country roads are my favorite.
Gets 42mpg 2 up.
Plenty of power. Is a bit bulky when in parking lots, but you get used to it quickly.

Great bike.

For some reason, the one V2k I had the pleasure of being on felt like a twin to my ACE as far as balance goes. It even FELT light to me. Now, I have to wonder, could this bike actually handle a lot like the ACE at low speed?

The V2k is one of the few non-Honda bikes I would want for a big cruiser.

Badlands-4-2 · 07-25-2012, 02:32 PM

An older Evo powered Softail with a 6 speed conversion?

dwatson636 · 01-10-2013, 11:18 AM

I went from the C50 to a Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe. Much bigger bike and great power for touring. Big V4. If you want the C50 size with the bigger engine, go with the C90. Same size frame. I almost did that until I saw the RSTD. The C90 has a different transmission than the C50. 5th gear is a decent overdrive.

distantThunder · 01-15-2013, 06:21 PM

look around the cruisers in the 1200-1500 cc range. there is bound to be one that works well for you. you might want to look at models with hard bags attached ... would be good if you do a lot of touring. you're going to have to decide realistically how many touring miles you will actually do each year. buy based on needs, and not on dreams :-)

dT

jrswanson1 · 01-16-2013, 09:48 AM

Find a good running Magna. That 750cc V-4 is no joke, and since it's a 750, it's not huge. I have an older, 1983 version, that's got some serious pull, and the seat is pretty low.

Dewman · 01-18-2013, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrswanson1

Find a good running Magna. That 750cc V-4 is no joke, and since it's a 750, it's not huge. I have an older, 1983 version, that's got some serious pull, and the seat is pretty low.

What he said! I've got a '97 that I found on Craig's List. 1,400 miles for $2,200! Fits like a glove, runs like the proverbial stripped a$$ ape, gets great gas mileage and handles like a dream. It could be improved upon somewhat, but it's about as close to a perfect cruiser as you can get.

thx997303 · 01-23-2013, 08:09 PM

I agree with those guys. My 94 magna is great. The only thing is you generally can't fit bigger saddlebags on them because of them having 4 pipes.

gcbengal · 01-27-2013, 11:59 AM

Roadliners/Stratoliners have the power and size of the a big bike, but it handles like a small bike. Can easily tour on it with a Mustang seat.

jerry786 · 03-27-2013, 01:03 PM

completely agree with gcbengal, i have had c50 and softail in the past but roadliner is what i am in love with.

07-16-2012, 11:36 PM	#1
Jeff10236 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Odenton, Maryland Posts: 736	The perfect cruiser I've been pretty back and forth about what bike I'm going to buy to replace my C50, and I've been thinking about it for some time. I want a bike suitable for touring. I want a bike that handles well around town and on back country roads. I want a bike with some power. I want a bike with good mileage. It almost seems I'd be best off to get a smaller sportier bike (an adventure bike or Sportster) plus a touring bike (but I can't really afford 2 bikes right now), give up on the cruisers and do an adventure bike or sports touring bike (but they never feel like they fit when I sit on them), or get something that is OK for everything but doesn't do any of it as well as it could. Well, I was thinking about it and I finally figured out what my ideal bike would be: Take the engine from a 1200 HD Sportster, put it on my C50 frame (now that I have the Mustang seat and it is finally comfortable on trips), and top it off with a smooth shifting 6sp. A guy can dream Last edited by Jeff10236; 07-16-2012 at 11:39 PM..

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07-17-2012, 12:03 PM	#2
LadyVTXRider Verified Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 82	I've toured on my Honda VTX1300R. I just added Leatherlyke saddlebags and trunk and turned it into a mini-bagger. I average 42 mpg and it has plenty of power.

07-18-2012, 07:59 PM	#4
Dadinator Verified Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KY Posts: 82	V2K. I ride it in all conditions. Back country roads are my favorite. Gets 42mpg 2 up. Plenty of power. Is a bit bulky when in parking lots, but you get used to it quickly. Great bike.

07-25-2012, 02:32 PM	#6
Badlands-4-2 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Badlands of North Dakota Posts: 9,662	An older Evo powered Softail with a 6 speed conversion?

01-10-2013, 11:18 AM	#7
dwatson636 Verified Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 26	I went from the C50 to a Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe. Much bigger bike and great power for touring. Big V4. If you want the C50 size with the bigger engine, go with the C90. Same size frame. I almost did that until I saw the RSTD. The C90 has a different transmission than the C50. 5th gear is a decent overdrive.

01-15-2013, 06:21 PM	#8
distantThunder Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,156	look around the cruisers in the 1200-1500 cc range. there is bound to be one that works well for you. you might want to look at models with hard bags attached ... would be good if you do a lot of touring. you're going to have to decide realistically how many touring miles you will actually do each year. buy based on needs, and not on dreams :-) dT

01-16-2013, 09:48 AM	#9
jrswanson1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 946	Find a good running Magna. That 750cc V-4 is no joke, and since it's a 750, it's not huge. I have an older, 1983 version, that's got some serious pull, and the seat is pretty low.

01-23-2013, 08:09 PM	#11
thx997303 Verified Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 57	I agree with those guys. My 94 magna is great. The only thing is you generally can't fit bigger saddlebags on them because of them having 4 pipes.

01-27-2013, 11:59 AM	#12
gcbengal Verified Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ms Gulf Coast Posts: 88	Roadliners/Stratoliners have the power and size of the a big bike, but it handles like a small bike. Can easily tour on it with a Mustang seat.

03-27-2013, 01:03 PM	#13
jerry786 Verified Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 18	completely agree with gcbengal, i have had c50 and softail in the past but roadliner is what i am in love with.