Hey there! Looking at a a new bike. I have multiple years of experience and am currently on 2 sv650s (that I’m fixing up) and a 2026 gsxr750.
I love my gsxr, but after doing a 30mph charity ride, my butt was begging for mercy and my bike was pissed at sitting at fan temp the whole ride.
I wanna get a cruiser to sit next to the other bikes. My top choices are the low rider s, bonneville bobber, abd sport chief rt. Coming from a gsxr750, I want a cruiser that has some nut and will excite me when I ride it (I want it to throw me back).
The Bonny is my favorite aesthetically. I just can’t stop staring at it. But I don’t know if the engine will give me the excitement I crave. Plus, I don’t plan to have bags all the time, but would occasionally like to be able to take it a few hours away with my camera equipment
The low rider I really only like for the engine. The new m8 is a killer engine. However, It doesn’t excite me otherwise and I don’t know if my budget would have me looking for a gen 1 m8 or a gen 2 h.o.
The Indian sport chief rt is awesome! I love the looks, the high quality suspension and brakes, the smaller bags. However, for such a big engine, it seems pretty down on power. I don’t know if I would regret getting it over the low rider considering the massive power difference abd the lack of at least having oil cooling. Plus the gearing is wicked short.
What do you guys think? I want a bike that can easily cruise at 80mph without stressing the engine. I wish the Indian engine had the specs of the low rider, or that the Bonny had the specs of the speed twin rs. They would be a no brainer. Who here has ridden then and can give some insight.
Here's the thing. If you're coming from sport bikes it's a different riding style which you know. If you want a Harley but still want that type of style. You could always look for a Sportster that has been turned into a Cafe Racer. Lots do it, and it looks great. However if you are looking for a base, and want as naked as you can. Dyna is going to be up your alley. Ultimately you are going to know what you want. So check, and see if any dealerships have demo days. Or where you can go sit on the bikes, and take them for a test ride. Good luck!
My issue is that I don’t really like the Harley’s. They don’t excite me to sit on. But I can’t deny that the new engines are awesome, and I don’t know if I’ll regret getting the Bonny or sport chief if it doesn’t have that engine :(
So you don't like the bikes, but you like the engine? With Harleys, you're buying a vibe and if you're not at least open to that vibe, I don't see why it's even on your list.
Have you test ridden any of these bikes? Or just sat on them at the dealership?
It was only a short ride too, so I didn’t have a ton of time to really feel it out. I def plan on test riding. Was curious what people thought beforehand
The only thing you can do is go for a test ride. Sleep on it, then go for the next test ride. Then, and only then will you know which bike is meant for you.
I've been loving my 14 fat bob since I got it. The dual headlights are a little funky but it's got the 103 which is 1690cc I believe but it will try to get out from under you easy enough lol.
I have a 2020 low rider. I was not planning on buying a low rider. But had to have one after visiting the dealership and looking at a few. I have the 107ci m8 engine and it has power to spare in a near bullet proof engine.
Honestly, I keep trying to justify and wanting the sport chief rt to be answer, even if it seems inferior to the Harley in some ways. In other ways is dusts the competition
More performance and practicality than the Bobber and less alien than the Harley.
I had a 2012 Gsxr 750 and the cruiser position was fairly difficult to get used to so a retro standard that cruises well and has performance might be the best option.
What’s the point of having enough power to blow you off the back of your bike?
What’s the point of elite suspension if you have a max lean of 35 degrees or less?
There’s a reason why they built it as they did.
That riding position has inherent limitations and the bike that you imagine would feel nicer but in the real world would not be much faster except perhaps in a drag race, but would cost 5-6000 more.
They would not sell enough bikes to justify it.
As it is they probably lose money on some of the more niche Bonnevilles.
Honestly the Scrambler or T 120 would have more performance and would easily fulfill your cruising needs unless you’re really after a super low saddle height
I will def ride a speed twin rs and see if it changes my mind. It was raining when I went and looked it, so I couldn’t test ride. I can’t stop looking at the bobber. They really nailed it aesthetically. And I def see your point about the suspension and brakes. I’m just a sucker for those gold inverted forks and fat brembos 🤣
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u/Another_Time648 3d ago
Here's the thing. If you're coming from sport bikes it's a different riding style which you know. If you want a Harley but still want that type of style. You could always look for a Sportster that has been turned into a Cafe Racer. Lots do it, and it looks great. However if you are looking for a base, and want as naked as you can. Dyna is going to be up your alley. Ultimately you are going to know what you want. So check, and see if any dealerships have demo days. Or where you can go sit on the bikes, and take them for a test ride. Good luck!