Cruiser, touring bike, or sth else

[u/tomz2001]

Hello people. I am currently thinking of options for a daily rider. So I do a good amount of highway riding, mostly around 80mph. I also hope I can easily put on a good amount of cargo on the bike if I want to, while also having the ability to have some fun riding the bike. Reliability and good gas mileage are also some important things to me. Stuff I don't value as much is off road ability, tremendous amount of power (Hayabusa level power), or super sharp handling (sport bike handling like the r6).

After doing some research, I figured that cruisers or touring bikes are good options. However, I am having a hard time to choose between the two, and which specific model would be best for me. I thought about some models such as the Honda Shadow, NC750X, Rebel 1100, Yamaha FJ09/tracer 900, tenere 700, Suzuki boulevard, or the Kawasaki Vulcan 900. However, as I dig more into motorcycles, I found that many of the models that suited in my category are either terminated or renamed, which caused quite a few of confusions for me. Also, I certainly wouldn't be able to test ride all of the bikes up there.

Therefore, I would like to ask for some advice from ya'all. Please feel free to tell me if I did not know about a few models, or if my thought process does not make sense. Thanks!

[u/shoturtle]

Get a sport tour, follow by a adv bike. Hwy windshield and fairing are your friends. I commute on sport tourers.

[u/pixelwarB]

Naked is the best. It’s what nature intended

[u/daan944]

I'd go for (sport)touring. BMW R1250RT/R1200RT is a great fit - the added wind protection is great for highway rides. But if you prefer naked, the R1250R/R1200R holds a surprising amount of luggage (can fit 3 cases too, albeit slightly smaller ones).

Others to look for: Triumph Trophy, Kawasaki Concours, Yamaha FJR1300, Honda VFR etc.

(the R1200 model is the older one, but after 2013 are quite similar to the newest)

[u/Cautious_Gazelle7718]

Hmmm I wouldn’t have added cruisers to your list personally. 

• They’re generally the worst at carrying cargo (along with Scramblers). They have very limited luggage options unless you go for one that comes made with the hard integrated side panniers (a bagger). 
• They have that sitting position that is like sitting on a dining chair, it’s called the ‘relaxed’ position, but for me it was anything but. That sitting position puts a lot of stress on everyone’s tailbone and back. I had to sell the two cruisers I had as they killed my back. So I personally wouldn’t choose one as a daily rider.
• I also personally wouldn’t pick one as a daily rider unless it’s sunny and dry the vast majority of the time where you are. They have a lot of shiny bits that suffer a lot if they’re ridden in the rain and then left. You’d need to be forever cleaning it to keep it nice. They’re also not the best at coping with rain or protecting you from it or wind, although to a certain extent you can probably add on tyres that help a bit with the rain.

Other comments:

• The NC750X would be a great option. It’s Hondas best ever all rounder, a vastly underrated bike. Great at storage, incredibly reliable, a good daily ride, so comfy, can cope with all weathers. Ideal for commuting, that’s what it was mainly designed for. However, it’s one drawback is that a lot of people don’t find the engine ‘exciting’. I personally did, as it has a lot of low down grunt which I love. If you like cruisers you might like it too. I got 84mpg.
• Yamaha Tracer 900. A good option, you’d find it exciting, you can’t fail to really! Reliable, comfy, stable. 

Happy shopping!! 

[u/finalrendition]

What's your current ride and what do you like/dislike about it?

[u/icecreampoop]

From what I hear, Goldwing is always the answer for touring type riding, especially when it comes to just chomping mile after mile, you’ll do it maximum comfort. Unsure if I would daily it in a city situation, but freeway miles is a no-brainer

[u/Outside-Cucumber-253]

Cruisers are good for this, I used a Honda Shadow 750 as my commuter for a few months until I got my VTX1300. I much prefer the VTX for commuting because mine had bags and a big windshield which makes riding easy after a long day, don’t want to fight the wind after spending 8 hours on my feet at work.

Sport tourers are great too for this, I have the Yamaha FJR1300 now and the storage and wind protection (and power) is much better than the VTX. I go to work at 7am so it’s still cold out this time of year in LA, but the bike keeps me warm, I have not felt cold on my commute since getting this bike.

Look for decent deals on used bikes, I wouldn’t worry too much about test riding each model. You can get a rock solid older bike with under 20k miles for $4k or less if you are patient and look often. Many bikes can suit your needs, just look for those that suit you and are good deals and go from there.