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Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

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  • Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

    Hi,


    I am Manish from Bangalore. I am of 6 feet and of 80 Kg., with average build. As of now I own Pulsar 180, for last 10 years, and am thinking of an upgrade. Here I am looking forward to fellow riders' and experts' opinion on the same.

    I suffer from upper back pain for few years (taking exercise for the same as well). I have realized that if I am riding for more than a hour or so in city traffic then the trouble starts.

    With upgrade, my typical usage would be, 1 to 2 days of office commute and long highway ride on weekends.

    Budget would be round about 5 Lakh (Still in contemplation mode).

    With above details, please suggest which "category" of bike would be most suitable - Cruiser / Street / Sports?

    Regards,

    Manish Verma

  • #2
    Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

    Query Approved
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    • #3
      Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

      Thanks Mod for approving the query!

      Please let me know if I need to provide any additional info.

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      • #4
        Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

        Cruiser Obviously. Harley Street 750 seems well within your budget, but I am not sure if it is still being sold in the market.

        There are a few cruisers from Hyosung too which maybe comfortable for long rides.
        However, since you're going to ride it in city too, therefore I would suggest a Semi Cruiser with not so high handlebars.
        Bajaj Avenger Street 220 - (Delhi)
        Flickr Profile : http://www.flickr.com/photos/hrishi_sharma

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        • #5
          Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

          Originally posted by Richardson's View Post
          Cruiser Obviously. Harley Street 750 seems well within your budget, but I am not sure if it is still being sold in the market.

          There are a few cruisers from Hyosung too which maybe comfortable for long rides.
          However, since you're going to ride it in city too, therefore I would suggest a Semi Cruiser with not so high handlebars.
          Thanks Richardson for your answers. I have some followup queries:

          1. I did not get Semi Cruiser - could you please tell some example?
          2. If I am not wrong, HD 750 is still sold in India and in new line up they have introduced ABS as well. As I understand handle bars can be adjusted as per my comfort level. Would you put 750 in semi cruiser or cruiser category?
          3. Cruisers are relatively heavier, hence won't it be slightly uncomfortable compared to other types? Please let me know if cruiser would still be better compared to other types in terms of riding stance and conform to back pain.

          Regards,
          Manish.

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          • #6
            Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

            Originally posted by manishv View Post
            Thanks Richardson for your answers. I have some followup queries:

            1. I did not get Semi Cruiser - could you please tell some example?
            2. If I am not wrong, HD 750 is still sold in India and in new line up they have introduced ABS as well. As I understand handle bars can be adjusted as per my comfort level. Would you put 750 in semi cruiser or cruiser category?
            3. Cruisers are relatively heavier, hence won't it be slightly uncomfortable compared to other types? Please let me know if cruiser would still be better compared to other types in terms of riding stance and conform to back pain.

            Regards,
            Manish.
            Semi Cruiser is something that has a laid back and low slung seating position/saddle with easily reachable handle bars but not the completely crane neck types. Slightly longer front rakes, but not too much along with forward kept footrest position for rear brakes and gear shift levers.
            Harley street is a good example of a cruiser that's comfortable in city traffic as well highways. They're easily flickble and comfortable on highways.

            Well if you go for a full blown cruiser they are definitely heavy and torquey. A little difficult to maneuver in city traffic, since they're mostly built to cruise on highways in linear path with high stability.

            I am not someone who can say much about engines in bikes having more than 350/500cc displacement therefore I won't say a word about engines in the segment. However, as far as comfort is concerned looking by your health conditions of upper back/neck, I would definitely recommend you to avoid anything which has forwarded bent or even slightly aggressive posture at all. Biking with problem such as those are difficult and painful, and I am one of those who still do it regardless of it. I too have chronic upper back and neck stiffness and have had chance to try a few bikes. I would definitely say no to sports bikes for someone with this problem.
            Last edited by Richardson's; 12-02-2016, 05:38 AM.
            Bajaj Avenger Street 220 - (Delhi)
            Flickr Profile : http://www.flickr.com/photos/hrishi_sharma

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            • #7
              Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

              Ok Richardson, got your point. Will focus my research ontheae lines.

              One more query: How would you categorize street bikes (KTM 390, upcoming z650 etc.)? as far as I understand posture is straight. How good or bad those will be?

              Regards,
              Manish.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

                Originally posted by manishv View Post
                Ok Richardson, got your point. Will focus my research ontheae lines.

                One more query: How would you categorize street bikes (KTM 390, upcoming z650 etc.)? as far as I understand posture is straight. How good or bad those will be?

                Regards,
                Manish.
                From what I see, he directly told you big No for them because of your back problem and I agree with him. Honestly I have not ridden many bikes, I did learn from other's experiences who did. Richardson gave you best advice, a Semi-Cruiser will be the best for you. Still, you can TD some cruisers too but not many choices in your budget. TD all of them. You could spend few hours searching on google on international forums too because cruiser market is not that developed in India yet. Within your budget you will not much choices in India, read about all of them on forums and check reviews on google for all of whats in our budget but don't get too much into searching, else you will lose contact with real world. Go out, check them offline and TD all of them.

                I love cruisers, they are my favourite, been reading and searching for several months on cruisers (Indian Scout Sixty, Triumph Thunderbird Storm & Cruisers from Victory) but never could get one, way damn out of my budget and how much useful for city riding ? One thing I came to know by reading lot is Cruisers on badly broken rough roads give lot of pain comparing to Adventure Tourers (these have upright position). But that is again just theory, practical experience, test ride, find guys who have cruisers and ask them. TD all of them
                Last edited by arnuld; 12-06-2016, 08:46 PM.

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                • #9
                  Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

                  Try the Mahindra Mojo which appears to be the best for you and is also more affordable. You may also checkout the Thunderbird 500 as its seating stance is excellent.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

                    Originally posted by arnuld View Post
                    From what I see, he directly told you big No for them because of your back problem and I agree with him. Honestly I have not ridden many bikes, I did learn from other's experiences who did. Richardson gave you best advice, a Semi-Cruiser will be the best for you. Still, you can TD some cruisers too but not many choices in your budget. TD all of them. You could spend few hours searching on google on international forums too because cruiser market is not that developed in India yet. Within your budget you will not much choices in India, read about all of them on forums and check reviews on google for all of whats in our budget but don't get too much into searching, else you will lose contact with real world. Go out, check them offline and TD all of them.

                    I love cruisers, they are my favourite, been reading and searching for several months on cruisers (Indian Scout Sixty, Triumph Thunderbird Storm & Cruisers from Victory) but never could get one, way damn out of my budget and how much useful for city riding ? One thing I came to know by reading lot is Cruisers on badly broken rough roads give lot of pain comparing to Adventure Tourers (these have upright position). But that is again just theory, practical experience, test ride, find guys who have cruisers and ask them. TD all of them
                    Actually yes! Cruisers are painful on bumpy roads. Their handle bars and very upright seating position is the reason why you may end up breaking your spinal bones on a bad bump.
                    These cruisers had handlebars and foot pegs in such a position that they do not transfer any pressure on the wrists/hands and legs/toes. Thus results in the entire weight of your body concentrated on the back of your spine. So one bad bump, and you will feel it on your back.
                    If this was a racer, the bumps get distributed evenly.
                    Cruisers are only as good as the road is. This is why I advised for semi cruisers. They have upright position but the handlebar is such that it distributes pressure on wrist too in moment of a jerk/bump.
                    Bajaj Avenger Street 220 - (Delhi)
                    Flickr Profile : http://www.flickr.com/photos/hrishi_sharma

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

                      Originally posted by Richardson's View Post
                      Actually yes! Cruisers are painful on bumpy roads. Their handle bars and very upright seating position is the reason why you may end up breaking your spinal bones on a bad bump.
                      These cruisers had handlebars and foot pegs in such a position that they do not transfer any pressure on the wrists/hands and legs/toes. Thus results in the entire weight of your body concentrated on the back of your spine. So one bad bump, and you will feel it on your back.
                      If this was a racer, the bumps get distributed evenly.
                      Cruisers are only as good as the road is. This is why I advised for semi cruisers. They have upright position but the handlebar is such that it distributes pressure on wrist too in moment of a jerk/bump.
                      Very good reply

                      Coming to the solution, google-ing for semi-cruiser gives this.

                      Click image for larger version

Name:	cruisersterns.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	78.4 KB
ID:	1945047

                      May be you can tell some models because there are not many and hell this is not even a real category , which one you recommend to him ?
                      1. Bajaj Avenger Street (definitely a semi-cruiser)
                      2. Harley-Davidson only got one, Street 750
                      3. UM Renegade Sports S


                      What about Adventurer Tourers ? Wont they be good for back ? They are pretty upright and have read some posts on international forums that where cruiser gave bumpy rides that hurt the back, Adventurer Tourer solved that problem.

                      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touring_motorcycle
                      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_touring_motorcycle


                      Himalayan and Versys X300 (2017 launch) come to mind in his budget.
                      Last edited by arnuld; 12-07-2016, 07:46 PM.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

                        Originally posted by arnuld View Post
                        Himalayan and Versys X300 (2017 launch) come to mind in his budget.
                        Given the requirements - upgrade from 180cc, 1/2 d usage in city, long highway rides on weekend, 6' height, comfy riding position, ~5L budget--> +1 to versys 300 if and when it comes to Indian shores (per mags might be 2nd half 2017).

                        If that's too far and uncertain, my choices would be RE thunderbirds/UM renegades ( I very much like the riding stance of UM but then after sales is unknown).

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                        • #13
                          Re: Which typ of bike would suite me: Cruiser / Street / Sports?

                          Thanks all for so many replies!

                          If versys 300 is recommended then why now 650? - I am assuming versys family would have similar characteristics!

                          I'll do my RnD on semi cruisers, Renegade and HD750. Please do let me know if there is any other particular model / family to keep in focus.

                          Regards,
                          Manish.
                          Last edited by manishv; 12-13-2016, 05:49 PM. Reason: added renegade

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