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1. What is the Best Cruiser Motorcycle for Beginners?
Short Answer: When it comes to new riders, the best cruiser motorcycles for beginners can be Harley Sportster, Yamaha 250, Vulcan S, Rebel 300 & 500 and more.
The long answer? For that, we’ll have to dive into the idea of what a cruiser motorcycle is and how it differs from other motorcycles. From its name, it’s obvious that a cruiser isn’t a sportbike or something adventurous or fancy used for stunts. Rather, it’s for easy riders who’re looking for a daily commute companion or something for long-distance traveling with or without partners and/or luggage.
1.1 How Many Motorcycle Types are There?
There are almost 6 types of motorcycles that you can choose from:
Although there are some distinctions that are agreed upon by all, some people like to consider cruisers and touring bikes as one and the same.
2. What is a Cruiser Motorcycle?
In cruiser motorbikes, comfort is prioritized over everything else. There are various styles of cruiser motorbikes available in the market but they generally all have a laid-back riding position in common.
You will find most of the cruiser motorbikes to have the same engineering design as those of American motorcycles with their air-cooled V-Twin engine and massively aggressive design such as the Harley Davidson and Indian.
The seats of cruiser motorcycles are placed at a low height and they are greatly cushioned to provide comfort. While sitting on one of these motorbikes you will find your feet to be placed in a forward position while you lay your hands on the high and wide handlebars. This gives you a relatively relaxed and comfortable riding position which is a unique feature of these bikes.
To understand what makes a cruiser unique, you have to understand how it differs from other bikes. That is to say, if you’re an absolute beginner, you have to know what makes a cruiser bike different from other kinds of cruisers:
3. Different Kinds of Cruiser Motorcycles:
Though there is a wide variety of cruiser motorbikes available, we have listed down the top five categories that you should know about.
3.1 Entry-level:
Motorbikes with an entry-level cruising style have relatively smaller displacement engines that can be easily managed by beginners. Though you would not find a lot of style options in the market with this sort of motorbike, it is, however, a fairly ideal bike for beginners that are on a short budget.
3.2 Tourer:
Weighing heavy with a large engine and a long wheelbase, tourer cruiser motorbikes are one of the most stable bikes available in the market. If you are planning a road trip or long-distance travel on the open road then this bike is the most appropriate and safe option for that. Though this bike is specifically designed for travelers it can still be utilized if you want to commute to work in style.
3.3 Bagger:
Because of their large fairings and hard luggage, these sorts of motorbikes are commonly known as bagger motorbikes. However, in some parts of the world, you might hear people referring to them as ‘dressers’. They are suitable for long-distance traveling because of their cruise control, heated grips, and onboard infotainment.
3.4 Hyper-Cruiser:
Hyper-cruiser motorbikes are specifically designed in a manner that allows them to perform a lot better than any other average cruiser motorbike. With a lean angle, these motorbikes provide better acceleration and cornering.
3.5 Electric:
Electric motorbikes were only recently introduced in the market so there are still not a lot of models available but we can say that without an inch of a doubt that they are going to be the future of their kind. Manufactured by using cutting-edge technology these motorbikes provide an ample amount of torque and also do not produce the loud rumble which is commonly found in motorbikes traditionally powered with petrol.
4. Frequently Asked Questions About Cruiser Motorcycles
4.1 What's the best motorcycle for beginners?
A complete beginner motorcycle rider shouldn’t go for anything above 250-300cc as you’d be increasing the risks and decreasing the chances of learning how to balance and bank left and right. Since you’ll not have a grasp on how fast bikes can go in general, even a 250cc bike will be able to satisfy your need for thrill.
However, when it comes to cruisers, many people have had an easier time controlling a cruiser because of its amazing control, traction and overall ergonomic performance. Therefore, the best motorcycle for beginners would be a cruiser bike, some of which have been mentioned below. Not only do they satisfy the equation of being stylish and powerful, but they also boast great control and comfort.
4.2 Could a 650cc motorcycle suit a beginner?
Ideally, this would be a bit too much power for a newbie as even just a little rev down the accelerator will send you flying through the road at incredible speeds. With experience, riders learn how to control the initial acceleration of the bike and balance it out with the clutch as well as the weight of the bike. Otherwise, especially if you’re riding a lightweight enduro or sportbike, you’re likely to put yourself and others on the road in harm’s way.
4.3 What are the pros and cons of driving a cruiser motorcycle?
The pros of driving a cruiser motorcycle include the ability to drive at long distances comfortably and with adequate motorcycle luggage options, the ability to carry a significant amount of storage along with you. Though some might say that a cruiser bike isn’t as reliable in speedy situations, others will just argue that a cruiser isn’t supposed to be speeding down the roads. They’re known for their elegant class and luxurious comfort and most of the top manufacturers provide incredible features with their cruiser motorcycles.
Also Read: Thinking of Buying the Best Cruiser Motorcycle for Yourself? Read This
5. Best Beginner Cruiser Motorcycles 2020-2022
5.1 Honda Rebel 500
Honda Rebel 500 did not take much time to become one of the most popular and loved cruiser motorbikes for beginners when it was first introduced in the market back in 2017. Knowing that sport bikes and cruiser bikes have performed within similar percentage ratios in sales, Honda decided to go with the formula of simplicity to fetch a higher number of riders to the cruiser market. And this is the reason why it became the favorite motorbike among amateur riders.
Honda Rebel 500 is not an aggressive bike with a loud roaring 1800 V-Twin engine nor is it a lousy timid scooter that can barely stand its ground. The bike comes right in the middle of the two extremes where it has the most relaxed setup for beginners. Its gentle throttle, assist-and-slipper clutch, brilliant gearing, and gentle breaks make it relatively easier for riders to maneuver around. The seat of this bike is placed in a way that gives you a more comfortable and stable riding position.
The Rebel 500 incorporates machines from the top-tier segment of cruiser bikes in a way that it remains beginner-friendly. People who start their cruiser journey with the Honda Rebel 500 can easily take whatever path they want, regardless if it's a sports cruiser or continent touring cruiser, on the cruiser motorbike spectrum later on.
5.2 Kawasaki Vulcan S
Bikers seem to have contradicting opinions about the Kawasaki Vulcan S. Some people think that this bike does not have a particular aesthetic build. They think that the seat of the bike which is slightly high and the relaxed handlebars give the bike a fairly unpleasant look. A lot of other people tend to complain that because the bike utilizes a parallel-twin engine instead of V-twin therefore it does not sound quite right.
However, the properties of the Kawasaki Vulcan S that are disliked by the more experienced bikers are what make it a perfect cruiser motorbike for a beginner rider of any body shape. Therefore, owing to the relaxed and open setup of the bike, it becomes the best fit for you regardless of how much you weigh or how tall you are.
The Kawasaki Vulcan S has a 649cc parallel-twin engine which is not just thoroughly bulletproof but has also stood the test of time as it was already used in Z650 and Ninja 650 sportbikes.
46 lb-ft and 54 HP of torque are sufficiently adequate for the 500 lbs wet weight of the bike. Since the seat of this bike is slightly higher it gives the rider an adjustable and safely grounded stance to properly handle the bike with. This is great for beginners because it allows them to lean against or with the bike while making turns on the road while making sure that they are not tossed off the bike and remain stable.
If you have enjoyed riding the Vulcan S then it would not be a surprise if you end up finding yourself gravitating towards a muscle cruiser or sports cruiser down the line.
5.3 Indian Scout Sixty
The Indian is considered “the other American company” after Harley Davidson. We have listed Indian Scout Sixty as one of our favorite beginner cruiser bikes here because its machinery gives it the perfect entry point into the premium cruiser segment.
Is an Indian motorcycle a good first beginner bike? Indian Scout sixty can be considered as sort of a fusion between a sports cruiser and a bobber cruiser. It has a 1000cc V-Twin engine, pipped in between two exhausts, which produces a satisfying growling sound.
The bike provides 78 HP and 65 lb-ft of torque. Since it is made up of premium leather, the seat is quite comfortable and the paint on the bike is applied with great care. All of these features combine to make the Indian Scout Sixty a fairly capable and reliable premium option for cruisers.
Though the engine power and torque might seem too much for you at entry-level, being a mid-weight with 544 lbs of wet weight, this bike helps you flawlessly surge down the road with absolute ease. The throttle gives a classic V-Twin rumble that we all love to hear, and then the bike seamlessly glides on the ride in a stable linear fashion.
If you grow to love that Indian cruiser you are soon going to find yourself running towards the premium cruiser market, which is not an issue considering that Indian creates premium cruisers of all types.
5.4 Yamaha V-Star 250
Yamaha V-Star 250 is a fairly lightweight cruiser which makes it ideal for riders who are just starting. You might not break any land records with this and the bike probably won’t last 400 miles between fuel stops, but it is a good option for you if you are looking for an inexpensive bike that is both stylish and easy to ride.
While weighing 324lbs wet, the Yamaha V-Star has an air-cooled 250cc V-Twin which provides around 15 lb-ft of torque. The seat is a cinder block placed at a low height consequently giving the bike a low center of mass.
All of these properties combined make the Yamaha V-Star a fairly easy bike for newbies to navigate. However, since the bike is incredibly lightweight it isn’t able to handle a lot of body weight, so in case you weigh over 200 pounds you might want to consider other options.
The bike has its limitations with speed, performance, and design, but those with a smaller budget and little to no experience usually find this to be a very appropriate option.
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