R6 to Harley - am I crazy?

[nhs]

Greetings guys and gals,

I used to post a fair amount on the "old" GSB, but since the crash/makeover have been fairly silent. But now I'm back (with a new logon - used to be nhs156) - with an odd question.

I currently ride an R6, which I love. But I've recently become smitten with HDs - test rode the XR1200 (great), Fat Bob (not so great) and Cross Bones (like it, though it's very slow and heavy) over the weekend. Am contemplating making a switch at some point, though I'm not wildly keen on becoming one of the "those" Harley riders (ref: South Park). I like the idea of taking it slow, taking in the scenery and being comfortable. And I love the look of the Cross Bones (minus the mini apes).

Anyone made this transition? Perhaps the key is not to exchange one bike for another, but simply to add a cruiser? Would appreciate any and all opinions - particularly from those who made the switch or ride both types of bikes...

Oh, and while the XR1200 is without a doubt the best handling Harley, I'm not sure I want a standard, so it's really down to a cruiser...

Thanks!

[Eagalicious]

It's two wheels and a motor bud... Two wheels and a motor. I hope you enjoy it if it makes you happy. It's all about you and what makes ya happy. :)

John

[Snafu484]

Disclaimer: Extremely biased opinion from an R6S rider below

Yes your crazy :up: Ok with that said I dont think it would be so bad to add a cruiser to the stable... but to get rid of the Six for a cruiser ?? Yeah.. that would be crazy. :nono: lol

Joking aside... like its been said... whatever floats your boat man :D

[Derrick]

Go for it...

[bigb996]

i made the switch from a 636 to a vulcan cruiser back in 08 and needless to say i jumped back on a sportbike short there after. However do to some minor back issues im probably going to switch to a cruiser as my next bike and stay there, unless i can get the new z1000 used for a good price when im ready to switch. I recomend a cruiser as a good second bike if you can afford it. If you cant afford to do it i think the harley is a good switch. I really like the new nightster S, and the whole bobber look. the crossbones is sweet too. I think if i make the switch ill do a nightster or a vrod midnight. although as far as jap bikes go the yamaha warrior is sharp and so is the suzuki m109r.

[ramm]

To each his own. :up:

[redbeard]

i made the switch from a 636 to a vulcan cruiser back in 08 and needless to say i jumped back on a sportbike short there after. However do to some minor back issues im probably going to switch to a cruiser as my next bike and stay there, unless i can get the new z1000 used for a good price when im ready to switch. I recomend a cruiser as a good second bike if you can afford it. If you cant afford to do it i think the harley is a good switch. I really like the new nightster S, and the whole bobber look. the crossbones is sweet too. I think if i make the switch ill do a nightster or a vrod midnight. although as far as jap bikes go the yamaha warrior is sharp and so is the suzuki m109r.

Those warriors are nice looking bikes arent they! Is the new Z1000 comfortable? I was really surprised to find out the Triumph is as comfortable as it is. Aside from a hayabusa that I just sat on its the most comfortable bike Ive been on. Even more comfortable than my buddies old V65 magna and CB500



And for the OP I know a guy that went from an 05 ZX10 to a kawi cruiser to a can-am spyder and now to a big kawi super cruiser (voyager I think) Just get what tickles you.

[petrel800]

To answer your question, yes. Absolutely crazy, but if that's what you enjoy and the those types of vibrations are what tickles your fancy, than have at it.

Just make sure to stay right, and make some room when the sportbikes want to come through.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I've always said that while I prefer the ride on my SV to a cruiser, if I could afford to do it responsibly, I'd add a second bike to the stable, and it would definitely be a cruiser of some sort. Like you said, there's something nice about going slow, taking in the scenery, and still being on a bike. I personally would probably buy a metric cruiser over a Hardley, but do your thing man!

[Duck]

If you don't try you won't know.

[eersfanpilot]

i made the switch from a 636 to a vulcan cruiser back in 08 and needless to say i jumped back on a sportbike short there after. However do to some minor back issues im probably going to switch to a cruiser as my next bike and stay there, unless i can get the new z1000 used for a good price when im ready to switch. I recomend a cruiser as a good second bike if you can afford it. If you cant afford to do it i think the harley is a good switch. I really like the new nightster S, and the whole bobber look. the crossbones is sweet too. I think if i make the switch ill do a nightster or a vrod midnight. although as far as jap bikes go the yamaha warrior is sharp and so is the suzuki m109r.

I love the look of the 109. I almost went the cruiser route and was looking at the M109's and M90's.
http://www.bguoe.com/images/upfile/20094620455934832.jpg

[TLR67]

Its a very very heavy bike.... I would like one....

[jlcnuke]

Might want to also look at the sport tourers. Cruiser-like comfort for those long meandering rides yet still a bit sporty. Friend (Invader) is probably picking up a ST1300 this week to add to the garage. I'm planning a sport tourer as my next bike then a supersport after that. The whole legs kicked out in front of me isn't very comfortable to me personally but some people love it so it's all about personal choice.

[Wheedle]

Whatever tickles you fancy. I personally dont think supersports make good street bikes anyway. Go try out a standard bike, maybe a sport or adventure touring bike too. might surprise yourself.

[petrel800]

If you don't try you won't know.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I got hit by one of my girlfriends when I said that.

[bigb996]

Those warriors are nice looking bikes arent they! Is the new Z1000 comfortable? I was really surprised to find out the Triumph is as comfortable as it is. Aside from a hayabusa that I just sat on its the most comfortable bike Ive been on. Even more comfortable than my buddies old V65 magna and CB500



And for the OP I know a guy that went from an 05 ZX10 to a kawi cruiser to a can-am spyder and now to a big kawi super cruiser (voyager I think) Just get what tickles you.
yea i do like the warrior, but i like the raider a little bit better.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3511758482_da810ddd1f_o.jpg


As for the new Z1000 i got to ride a friends the other day for about 25 miles or so and fell in love with it. You could ride it all day like a cruiser, but still be able to play in the mtns or hit the track. Very well made motorcycle.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

Nice approach to riding, however I would put it along side what you currently have. That way you have different rides for different days. You want fast then you ride the R 6, if you want scenic riding then you get on the cruiser. Now I have a sport tourer, I get the speed with the scenery and can go long distance comfortably. I would like to add a dual sport to what I have, hopefully by summer.

[likestoride]

The issue with going from a sport bike to a cruiser and back periodically is that you may end up riding the cruiser a bit too agressively - and thinking you are not. The ground clearance sucks on a cruiser and something easy on your R6 can be a wreck on the cruiser. Your experience may vary of course but I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up trying to ride your cruiser like an R6 - and it won't. You may be better with an FJR, Concourse, etc - comfortable bike that can still haul the mail.

[s.ga.rider]

I sold my fz1 about 4 months ago and bought a harley softail. I was surprised by how the harley handled and accelerated. I expected it to be awful but it ended up being pretty cool. It was very comfortable and harley has the marketing down. It will suck you in and you will be buying all kings of stuff. lol I was not ready for the change so I kept it for 3 months and had to sell it. I bought my zx14 and really missed the i4. Maybe I will buy another when I am in my 50-60s but I have a while for that. Most people you see here on them are older.

[invader]

The raider is a very comfortable bike, but suffers from the same fate as most of yamaha's cruisers. Air Cooling. When I rode one, the fins just weren't enough to keep the 1300 cool enough to where it didn't want to cut off.

[Musicman]

If you insist on getting a Hardley the XR1200 would be a better choice for comfort. Cruisers are comfy on the showroom floor but with all the weight on your buns, uncomfortable in the real world. I actually think a sport tourer like the ones mentioned would be a better all-around choice.

[robb86]

I made the switch last year and couldn't be happier.
I don't ride much, I ride mostly to work (3.2mile commute) and just for a quick breather from everything else in life.

I picked up a Sportster Iron 883 and the dealer gave me a killer deal on some louder (Vance & Hines) pipes installed, so couldn't resist.

I love riding it. I had a '04 600RR and '07 R6, liked sport riding but never got time for mountains or track and they're just not comfortable for putting about locally. I haven't ridden very far on the Sportster, maybe ~160miles round-trip at max and I've never felt uncomfortable or experienced any grief from the added weight of the bike.

I find that I am able to enjoy my surroundings a little more on it than when riding a sportbike. Feeling more relaxed when I get back from a quick ride.

Now at 80mph, its not comfortable at all as I don't have a wind deflector/shield and the wind tends to push you around a bit. Since I didn't buy it to do long highway trips the above issue with wind doesn't quite concern me much and if I was to start doing more highway riding, I would simply invest in a windshield of some sort.

It's not a slouch either, you'll be surprised how quick they are. Not like I speed much anyways, I am enjoying the slower pace much more.

Hope my experience is of some help, just shoot me a pm if you have other questions....

[nhs]

Thanks for all the opinions! It's a tricky dilemna, as the wife would be very unhappy with me adding a bike to the garage. So in all likelihood, I'd have to replace the R6 with the Cross Bones. I do like the latter, but worry it'll be a decision I'll come to regret (did I mention that I've owned 2 bikes in the past year?).

Yes, the Cross Bones is big, heavy and relatively slow. But it'd look great in silver with a stubby black exhaust and narrow beach bars. I think I could pull that off without appearing like I'm trying to look "bad ass" - an image I neither want to portray, nor one that I can carry off successfully! Half the challenge is a mental one - I'm worried of being perceived as one those riders we (or at least most of us) love to hate. South Park portrayed them well in a recent skit. But then again, I think Harley's look fantastic.

But then again, so does my R6. And it's less than a year old with only 5.5K miles on the clock and absolutely immaculate. I rode it up 400 to Dawsonville today (just because), and it really can "haul ass" as they say. So much fun. But then the palm of my hand starts to hurt a bit, and my feet start falling asleep... which makes me think of the Harley.

Oh, and btw - the XR1200 is a great bike; it really does handle well - nothing like a regular Harley. Could see myself being very happy with that, if I wasn't head-over-heals with the Cross Bones (btw - what a stupid name for a bike...).

[redbeard]

Now at 80mph, its not comfortable at all as I don't have a wind deflector/shield and the wind tends to push you around a bit.

Ive heard this so many times, but I have yet to understand what in the world yall are talking about. Ive never ridden a bike with fairings or a windshield and Ive never been uncomfortable because of it.

[redbeard]

But then again, so does my R6. And it's less than a year old with only 5.5K miles on the clock and absolutely immaculate. I rode it up 400 to Dawsonville today (just because), and it really can "haul ass" as they say. So much fun. But then the palm of my hand starts to hurt a bit, and my feet start falling asleep... which makes me think of the Harley.



There is nothing wrong with riding/wanting a Harley. But if you want to be able to have some go fast fun and be comfortable on the same bike you might want to check out the naked bikes.

[GEORGIADAWG]

I still have my R6 which is just for race and track only and last oct i bought my first cruiser which happen to be a Harley (and i definately don't consider myself a Harley guy) Been loving the slow riding through that back roads that i never got riding a sportbike, which is why i also have it up. The link is my Harley build and the pic is obvious
http://www.georgiasportbike.com/showthread.php?1380-Harley-old-school-Bobber-build

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/georgiadawg/racebike002-1.jpg

[bigb996]

i always wondered what makes a cruiser "highway friendly". I owned a vulcan 900 for a short time and when you got to highway speed it felt like you were overruning the motor to me. heavy vibration and such. I figured the only solution is buying something with a much larger motor? any input?

[GEORGIADAWG]

i always wondered what makes a cruiser "highway friendly". I owned a vulcan 900 for a short time and when you got to highway speed it felt like you were overruning the motor to me. heavy vibration and such. I figured the only solution is buying something with a much larger motor? any input?

yeah highway friendly has to be a cruiser with 6 gears and a tranny built for cruising at 75mph. My bike isn't best on the highway because it only has 5 gears and sounds like im scolding it if i go over 70mph. It'll go faster for sure just makes me feel like im tearing it up. But my bike on the backroads is where im glad i bought it. Just cruising enjoying the scenery is something i've never done.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Ya know, I still haven't seen one in person, but the review I read in rider when they first came out had me intrigued, I liked the look, minus the mini-apes, that just doesn't appeal to me. Doesn't look comfortable or practical. Hope you enjoy whatever you get, and if you do get the crossbones, PICS and review, please!

Edit: No offense JT, your Hardley's still badass!

[robb86]

Ive heard this so many times, but I have yet to understand what in the world yall are talking about. Ive never ridden a bike with fairings or a windshield and Ive never been uncomfortable because of it.
Its hard to explain. Up to about 70-75mph... the wind is there, just like with any other motorcycle and the bike still feels great. Once you get to 80mph its as if the wind becomes solid and you are thrust about. Almost feels as if you cannot control the bike at all.

I think it has to do with the Sportsters seating position, quite possible just too much wind hitting you straight in your gut/crotch.

[hefftone]

The issue with going from a sport bike to a cruiser and back periodically is that you may end up riding the cruiser a bit too agressively - and thinking you are not. The ground clearance sucks on a cruiser and something easy on your R6 can be a wreck on the cruiser. Your experience may vary of course but I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up trying to ride your cruiser like an R6 - and it won't. You may be better with an FJR, Concourse, etc - comfortable bike that can still haul the mail.

I recently worked at a Harley Store, and the above is good advice... The harley's are fun bikes...Comfortable, unique.....a different feel., the bike feels alive. I knew absolutely nothing about Harleys the day I walked in. Granted I only worked there for a few months, but I learned a lot about the models...and rode quite a bit of them.

The crossbones (FLSTSB) is a neat looking bike, but as far as function....it ends there. It has the attitude. Personally I was a fan of the dyna's and thought the Fat Bob was one of the Better handling Harleys....but like the guy said....it does not compare to a sportbike, so you should just throw handling (and for the most part braking) right out the window.

[redbeard]

Its hard to explain. Up to about 70-75mph... the wind is there, just like with any other motorcycle and the bike still feels great. Once you get to 80mph its as if the wind becomes solid and you are thrust about. Almost feels as if you cannot control the bike at all.

I think it has to do with the Sportsters seating position, quite possible just too much wind hitting you straight in your gut/crotch.

Ive been much faster than 80 on a naked SV and up to about 90 on my speed triple without any issues. The only time it ever really comes up is when traveling in a fast moving pack of mixed cars/trucks/suvs on the interstate I get some helmet buffeting. But even then all I do is relax and let my head do its own little thing making sure not to let the buffeting run down my arms and its no big deal.

[John]

I made the transition and never looked back. Went from an FJR1300 to a Ducati ST3 and ended up buying a Scarlett Red Road King Classic based mainly on the look of the bike. As time went on I found myself riding the Harley more often than the Ducati to the point the Ducati sat for 1 year without being ridden. It since has been sold. I find the Harley incredible comfortable and once you get used to it not bad handling at all. It teaches you smoothness. I have only scraped floorboards once and still maintain a pretty good pace.

[A&A Motorsports]

Cruisre bikes are great but I personally would get a "import" cruiser bike just because it costs less and many Harley guys told me that their Harleys spend more time at the shop
than on the road. But then again thats just a couple of guys I know.

The Vulcan 900 CUSTOM is a great bike, Suzuki M109R or even the Yamaha Warrior make great cruiser bikes and plenty of room for custom add-ons.

To everybody their won though.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

[hefftone]

For anybody who is considering a getting a cruiser, if you look at the metrics, without looking at HD....you are doing yourself a dis-service. Up at Harley, if you have a license, they'll let you demo anything.... Ride a harely then ride a metric cruiser. They are different.....yes, harley's are expensive,...but they would'nt be selling so damn many of them if they were'nt doing something right.

Honestly, I had no love for HD,...but after working there for a couple months, I certainly have a new respect for them, and they is even a couple of models that I would like to have.

[John]

My Harley has been very reliable. Fuel Injection as good as anything out there. As far as price, many of the Japanes cruisers are close to Harly prices. Harley has some cool bikes near $12,000. Look at the Super Glide. Take the above advice. Go test ride one and keep an open mind. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised

[KTM Rider]

I would happily take many different Harleys they currently offer and was very close to buying a Fat Boy not too long ago. As it is for now I am off the pavement indefinitely but my next street bike will probably be a HD. I rode sportbikes for the high....I would ride a HD for everything else.....camaraderie, the ride, the destination, comfort, touring, seeing the sights, etc. Plus IMO, a HD is fun at 65 mph. The only place a sport bike is fun at 65 mph is on a road marked with 25 or 30 on the sign....everywhere else they are very boring, uncomfortable and can easily get somebody into trouble with the ground or the law.

[mackja]

I worked for a Harley dealer many moons ago, I have owned 9 new Harley's and one 62 XLCH I restored. I just traded an XR1200 for my Buell 1125r, got a lot of cash back and a great bike. If I had the extra cash I would have kept the XR, it is a great bike, I even took it to the track and out ran a Ducati monster, that was fun. For the record I have over 100,000 miles on Harley's and I have never carried a single tool with me and none of them ever let me down. To own a Harley is cheap if you can do some of the work yourself, they are easy to work on, and don't need much maintenance. If you want a curiser go for the Road Glide, they handle great for a big bike, good fairing also.

[nhs]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think I've had a change of heart. While I enjoyed the HD test rides, I think I'll get a standard next or a slightly more comfy sport bike. Have my eye on a Triumph Speed Triple and a Ducati Sport 1000S Biposto (with clip-on risers!). So as you can see, I have no idea what I really want. The real issue is that I'm lovin' my R6 - there's no sane reason to switch. It's actually quite enjoyable to ride at a slow pace also - for a short amount of time...

[bigb996]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think I've had a change of heart. While I enjoyed the HD test rides, I think I'll get a standard next or a slightly more comfy sport bike. Have my eye on a Triumph Speed Triple and a Ducati Sport 1000S Biposto (with clip-on risers!). So as you can see, I have no idea what I really want. The real issue is that I'm lovin' my R6 - there's no sane reason to switch. It's actually quite enjoyable to ride at a slow pace also - for a short amount of time...
what did you not like about the harleys you test rode?

[redbeard]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think I've had a change of heart. While I enjoyed the HD test rides, I think I'll get a standard next or a slightly more comfy sport bike. Have my eye on a Triumph Speed Triple and a Ducati Sport 1000S Biposto (with clip-on risers!). So as you can see, I have no idea what I really want. The real issue is that I'm lovin' my R6 - there's no sane reason to switch. It's actually quite enjoyable to ride at a slow pace also - for a short amount of time...

Ive got no experience on a Ducati, I can say that I love my speed triple. If you are patient you can find a good deal on one and if you decide you dont like it sell it for what you paid. I actually think I could make money selling mine!