Cruiser vs sport bike

May 3, 3:37 PMTampa Motorcycle Lifestyle ExaminerJannice Cameron-Chapital

Previous Next

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Tampa Motorcycle Lifestyle Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

It is probably the most asked question in the motorcycle world.  What do you ride Cruiser or Sport?

So here's my answer, Cruiser.  Why because it's MY preference. That's it!  There is no right or wrong, better or worse answer.  Some of us have been guilty at some point when answering our preference with a biased point of view.

Last week, when asked this question,  I was the one to answer quickly and protect my favorite brand; Harley Davidson.  I was shot down a few notches after about ten emails of going back and forth with William Kenefick.  I jumped in immediately to say how great the new XR1200 is and that it could go up against most GXSR's.  I know how great the new XR1200 is and as William was quick to point out  "it is a great bike for Harley Davidson".  However, what I didn't know were all the facts about the GXSR's and other sport bikes.  Why?  Because it's not my thing.

After going back and forth with William, and being pretty much put in my place by him, (deservedly) I decided that I wanted to see what all this passion for the sport bike is about.  My own experience thus far has been driving on the Florida Turnpike, sun shining, as I look in my rear mirror, it confirms that noone else is on the road this early.  When, out of nowhere, a loud noise goes flying past and scares the hell out of me.  It was so fast, I had no idea what it was until it was in front of me.  It was one of those damn "crotch rockets" as I call them.  If you are from Florida, you will know that this has happended to you at least once.  These machines are just like riding a rocket except instead of going vertical it flies horizontal. 

So my first stop to find out why such passion for the sport bike was a close friend from Miami Danny Bittle.  Danny is young kid who has been riding a sport bike, since he was twelve.  From the old Yamaha 50cc to his latest GXSR, Danny loves the sport bikes.  Danny is also a stunt rider, who banged his gas tank in and replaced his rear sprocket with a "dinner plate".  As I sat there with a blank look, I found out these additions help in performing "wheelies" and stunts.  Danny has been seen on US 27 going for miles on his back tire, as he does various stunts on the motorcycle.  "Why?" I asked him.  "Isn't this just plain dangerous?"  Danny looked at me dead in the face and said, "Yes, but it is the greatest feeling in the world."   "You have to do it to understand the rush you get."  "It's not something that any rider can or should go out and try, but those that do it, know exactly what I am talking about."  "It also takes years of practice and experience, remember," Danny tells me, "I have been riding since I was 12."   Danny concluded our meeting by saying. "Everyone has a passion, and this is mine." 

Danny also has a Super Motard which is fully customized to enhance his handling and increase his speed.  He invited me along to see him ride this machine at the Opa-loka Race Track.  This confirmed my "crotch rocket" theory.  My god, how fast can one bike go?  As I watched, I was surprised I had a definite thrill of excitement.  As the motorcycle took the corners with ease and the bike looked as if it was going to fall on one side, Danny would quickly bring it right back up and take the next turn. He offered to take me for a ride, but since I didn't have the proper equipment, I declined.   Will I ever try this "speed machine"?  I don't think so, I probably don't have the courage, if I do, I will never ride it the way it should be ridden.  There is something to be said about experienced sport bike riders.

So starting with William's comments and  sharing his knowlege with me, I opened my eyes to this "speed passion" and have a new found respect for the sport bike.  In addition, to being able to hang out with Danny and experience the "rush", although from the sidelines, was admittedly still a rush, I have to say, I understand why these riders love the sport bike. 

For me, I still love the cruiser.  Whether I am on the back of my husbands 100th year anniversary Heritage Softtail Classic, photographing the sites in complete comfort, or riding the Sportster, I love riding and being out there on the open roads.  There is nothing better in my opinion than packing up those saddle bags and heading out on the road.  Whether its riding through the Valley of Fire in Las Vegas, down to Key West for the weekend or riding for a week to Tennessee, just for the 11 mile Deals Gap ride, it makes it  all worth it, while sitting in the comfort of a cruiser. 

My conclusion: whether, you are riding on a race track at full speed, or doing hand stand stunts on US 27, or "cruising" through the dessert on the long journey to the four corners, we are all riders on two wheels and at the end of the day, there is no other sport that I know of that has such great camaraderie and respect for complete strangers.