The Shadow and Vstar deserve a mention. 40 years in production, these bikes are more bulletproof than Superman. Modesty priced, great looks, can't go wrong.
@@WeAreOne-31 Congratulations! They are gorgeous bikes, just super awesome. I for myself prefer a destroyer to a battleship. Where you riding? I'm beating the traffic in Boston.
I bought a used 05 shadow 750 for 1700.00 in 2021 New tires, windshield, saddlebags and a top case. Ran poorly, flushed carbs with brake clean thru drain screws, 4 new plugs and it's mint. Best value for money ? Honda shadow 100%
I owned a Kawasaki VN900 Custom (light sparkle blue 😁😆😁👍) for several years. I looked at a H-D Sportster 883 at the time of purchase; the new Sportster had RUST in several places, sitting in the dealership! The Kawasaki NEVER gave me a moment's concern over five years of ownership - a great bike!
I'm thinking of looking into an Indian Bobber. I driver for UBER and had a food delivery to a residence and the owner had an Indian Bobber with the Indian red and gold trim paint job. It stoled my heart. I watch and Read reviews of the Indian Bobber and they said they like the Motorcylce, but due to the riding position it's not recommended for long trips because your back will hurt after just 3 hours.
Bought a Triumph Speedmaster just about a year ago. Man what a great bike. Seat height and center of gravity are low so it feels light under you and is really maneuverable. The forward coot controls felt a little weird at first but create a very comfortable ride position. The 1200CC engine is torquey as hell and sounds great. You have to ride this beautiful bike.
Yeah. Looking at a Harley but if it falls through, I’ll get the 1100 Rebel. As I like the bags, windscreen, etc. Great price. Cruise, ABS, does it for me.
I have a 2016 Indian Scout and I LOVE IT. I have ridden Hondas my entire life, but found this bike for a sweet deal and couldn't pass it up - and I am extremely happy with it. It's fast as hell, I love the ergonomics (I have bad knees so the forward controls are nice, and I'm short, so the low heat height makes it very easy to handle), and it is definitely a head turner. I've added a better air filter and pipes, so mine's putting out about 110HP. It's one of the most enjoyable bikes I've ever owned.
Never owned a cruiser, but I've started looking at them more closely. I like the ergonomics, and lower seat height. The Rebel 1100 is a bargain with cruise control, and has optional DCT.👍😺
My favorite cruiser was my 1984 V65 Magna, 120+ horsepower. My current bike is a Triumph Bonneville America 950 which is exactly the same as my old Fat Boy except for not being a soft tail. I still have my Bandit 1200S in the backyard. Next, I'll get a hyper naked like an H2 or Street Fighter.
I have the new Rebel and love it. The DCT allows you to enjoy the ride without bothering to shift manually. (But, you can shift manually if you want to.) I'm not a Harley fan-boy, so this bike, with the boatload of options as standard at a crazy low price, is the best for me. You can cruise slowly all day, or click a button and turn it into a rocket-fast monster. I usually keep it in Standard mode and only throw it into Sport mode occasionally. With a few mods, I've made it perfect for me. Listen to this video around the 8:00 to 9:00 mark. That explains it all. Good video brother.
Bought my first bike a year and a half a go, a Suzuki C50. I've ridden a couple of other bikes, but I like the comfort and reliability of my C50, so I'm sticking with it for a while. Not to say that I wouldn't buy a different bike for different uses, but for my daily commute to work and a little running around on the weekends, it's perfect for me.
I had a C50 for years and I'm a good size guy I'm 6 ft 235 and I can tell you right now I thoroughly found the bike to be comfortable it did everything I needed it was extremely low maintenance and damn near Bulletproof
I have a 2018 Triumph Speedmaster. I checked out most of the ones you mentioned and made my decision. I keep watching videos because I love bikes but I am very happy. The Triumph has Old school looks but modern technology and plenty of power for me at least. Keep the great videos coming.
One cruiser that definitely would’ve been on here was the 2017 Victory Octane. Basically an Indian Scout but with more power, torque and handling. I hate Victory discontinued; I’d love to see what it would’ve become if they continued.
Indian scout 100 HP 72 ftlb, victory octane 104 HP 76 ftlb. That's honestly so close you will NEVER notice it. That's just the top numbers, both engines rev above 8000rpm, they're so close it could depend on which Dyno theyre using and which calculations they're running!
@@trainisawsm123 actually the Indian dynos stock at 60-70hp. Indian at 80-90hp. But a greater airflow exhaust and air filter puts the octane at 105-110 after tube. The scout with same changes I don't believe hits 100
I own an Octane, thing is an absolute unit off the line and can hang with the best of them. Highway pulls seamless, well past 120mph if you need it (no one does) 😂
I have been looking into buying a middle weight cruiser. I agree with most of the comments in this video except about the Triumph bibber being more expensive than the HD and Indian competition. Triumph bobber comes in one trim and the tech and specifications on it is matched only when you custom the HD and the Indian bikes. Triumph boober might look expensive but it is the most value giving bike along with long service intervals and the most authentic retro looking bobber styling. By the by, great video on covering so many bikes in all together. Keep the good work going!
I'm riding a 2017 Harley Sportster Custom 1200. I rode a Honda VFR 750 back in the 80's and 90's, but sold it in '96, when I moved (and had a young family). As a retirement present to myself, I decided to get a Cruiser. I looked at several different brands and models and decided to get a used '17 Sporty Custom 1200. It's wonderful for bopping around town and some half-day rides, but the suspension will beat you to death on longer rides. Coming from a serious sport bike background, I've grown to hate the wimpy lean angle of my Sporty. It really unnerves me to be taking a pretty serious curve with some speed, and have my foot-peg feelers scrape the pavement. I love the colors on my Sporty and don't think that I'll ever trade or sell it, but I will soon be getting a better bike, now that I better understand the style of riding I want to do. I'm thinking that I'll move into a Road King. Much bigger, I know, but much more capable and comfortable, too.
I have an 01 solid mounted Sportster S. Triple discs, 2 plugs per cylinder, fully adjustable Showa Suspension front and rear. Handles amazingly well and stops hard
Thanks. I will say, the new Sportster S & Nightster have definitely made Harley very competitive in this class and no longer relevant on just some sort of tradition. I think they’re both a step in the right direction for Harley in the middle weight class.
Very nice bikes at absolute crackpot prices. You have to WANT a sportster to pay as much as a big twin for the base model Nightster. Handed the W to Scout in my books.
And I own a 48 for reference, and I do like smaller bikes- but the new softail bikes are light enough for around town and still have big cubes. Chief meets the criteria as well. Can't see why I'd buy a Niggtster over a Chief or Standard.
They had to revolutionize and modernize the Sportster line because Indian was eating their lunch with the Scout. I really like what I'm seeing, but I haven't ridden one yet for comparison to my Scout. Hopefully I can hit a demo day soon near me.
I bought my daughter a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 because she is small size. We have taken several long cross country trips and really enjoyed the N.P."s on the western side of the country. She graduated college, took a job halfway several states away so our trips will not happen as they did before. I keep the 900 here and maintaine. I really enjoy riding it as long as its not a 400 + mi. day. Its not the best at anything but its good at everything.
Indian is my favorite as Made in America is strong. I am a former Harley Soft tail Custom rider that likes the lower CG and handling of that model. Appreciate the evaluation!
If money is not a problem then I'd like to own a Ducati Diavel any day of the week. But since the reality is a thing, Honda Rebel 1100 is currently my dream bike. I also love the Harley Forty-Eight but the Japanese price tags are just too attractive.
The problem with the new liquid cooled sporties is, by the time they hit the market, there's already another bike there that'll do everything they do, often for less money. Want a Nightster, the Rebel 1100 and Scout already do that. Want a Sportster S? You probably already have an FTR 1200.
You're missing an important fact, here. Many people love the Sporster for its looks. This is a deal maker for me. I simply want nothing else. Others look nothing like a Sporster. The Nightster, while costly as hell, is very appealing due to its technological advances and it is being designed so closely like its predecessor. Therein lies the magic for Sporster people. I don't know if you have seen them on UA-cam, but there are Sporster riding clubs in the UK and Australia. They often get together with hundreds of other riders for weekend rides. Everyone is invited.
History and Legacy of a brand, matters to some, many people, across the world. Especially one no other American brand can touch. They may not always be perfect..but what brand is, it's still the greatest brand to me, HD. I will be headed to Poland/Eukrane end of May, humanitarian efforts, only thing i will ask for myself in that trip, a visit to the Harley Davidson Dealer in Krakow, Poland...thats real love of, and world scale brand loyalty Harley has earned from me. God bless.
Love the fact you took a section for the older generation of japanese cruisers. I've always dreamt of an Harley but I'm super fond of those lines of bikes. Seen many back in Italy and they were all beautiful. I think I will get one before finally getting an Harley, but for now I'm practicing in my small Chinese 125 cruiser 😅🤣
Bought my -95 Vulcan in 2012 for 20 000sek (now about 2600 canadian) and it is, and has been a great bike to ride and own. Every winter I look at bikes with replacing it in mind and every spring after the first ride I decide to keep it for one more season. It had only 16 000km on the clock when I bought it and was in every way in mint condition. Still is even though there is now considerably more on the clock. And if I sold it I would get at least my money back, maybe even a small profit. No faults, just normal maintenance. Shaft drive so no bother with chains. Cheap to insure. And I mostly ride with some Harley guys and never do they have to wait for me. On twisty roads it is the other way around as my bike is shorter and there is more air between ground and foot pegs. There is a lot to be said for japanese cruisers as first or last big bike, they are all great bikes in different ways. Often overlooked by young guys but that really is why they can be great bikes to buy. And they ride well enough for most of us, for normal riders out there in the traffic there really is no need for a Hayabusa. Good video and I hope it influences some youngsters to choose cruiser.
I have a 97 vulcan 1500 classic stripped all the way down. Only basic maintenance issues. As old as it is, I've changed out old hoses a couple times, the thermostat twice, the radiator once. Tune ups and batteries and tires and that's it. A bunch of miles and lengthy trips and it's still strong. I agree with ya man. Underrated but as owners, I guess it's our secret ha. Be safe out there brothers.
My ‘22 Honda Rebel CMX1100 DCT is absolutely awesome imo, and it’s so damn versatile, cool looking, great sounding and comfortable after a little dressing up! It’s amazing how I leave a lot of “Harley’s” still sitting at the 🚦 light!!! 👍
I've test ridden a Rebel 1100 with the DCT transmission and it is severely underrated. I feel like I have a little ghost of Rossi doing all the shifting for me, 100% focused on maneuvering. very cool and fun
One other advantage for me anyway is the belt drive and no maintenance valve adjustment the Harley-Davidson Nightster offers. Yes it is still hard to make up for $ on the Rebel but it does help.
Just bought my Honda 1100 DCT today and love everything about it so far. Will know more when I get my Two Brothers pipe on and rack up a few more miles.
Suzuki 800cc C50 with Windshield. Its a med weight bike. Cheaper price. Easy to maintenance in Indonesia. A small country in South East Asia. Which has many Japanese Moto Bike service centers. (While 95% motors here are range from 100cc to 150cc)
I looked at a few of the bikes on this video but I ended up going with The Vulcan S 650 and I couldn't have been happier. This bike does everything I want it to do and it is extremely comfortable. I think Kawasaki was smart by taking the engine out of the 650 Ninja and dropping it into a cruisier frame. This bike with the Ninja engine will not disappoint!
My cruiser is a 95 Vulcan 750. I've owned it 22 years, 57k miles, shaft drive, hydraulic lifters, and, stock sportys can't even come close to it's performance - especially when compared to a 95 883. You can pick up nice used VN750's well under $2k these days. BTW, if I had the cash, I'd buy a Royal Enfield 650. I know it's not a cruiser, but good value for the money.
I've been riding a Yamaha Bolt for a few years now but have the itch for something new/different. There are a ton of bikes that look and sound like great replacements, like the Diavel or the Bonneville Bobber but everything cost so much now. Also considering the Honda Fury as I don't see a lot of them. Might just take the hit and sink some money into changing the Bolt up a little.
Even a Sportster 1200 lacks power on a freeway , though they are cool looking bikes and fun around town, you will likely outgrow them fast.The T100 is worth buying a smooth running bike no trans clunk like the 48
The most practical bike for me is the Vulcan S . Quick , nimble and no matter how hard I romp on it , it still gets over 50 mpg . The only thing I don't like about it is the chain drive . The performance is awesome ( that is , up to about 100 to 105 mph ) . If I was going to buy another new bike it would still be the Vulcan S .
I'm a firm believer in the American made motorcycle, and I come from a long line of Harley-Davidson loyals, so the very first motorcycle I bought myself was a brand new Sportster Iron 883. It's not the quickest or most powerful vehicle I own, but I can sit at 75 mph comfortably.
@@DifferentSpokesTV aye I rode the 1260S Diavel, it’s faster and more agile (more sport bike) and a hooligan when on it, great bike and lots of similarities in riding triangle to the R but even Ducati felt limp in terms of twist of throttle roll on torque compared to the R3, 🚀 love mine despite being a 600lb bruiser or maybe because of it 🤷♂️ 😎 the SporsterS feels tiny by comparison, a baby XDiavel and a good bike, agile, reminded me a lot of my old Victory Octane 😊
The prices are so different depending where you live in the world. So you have to consider value for money also when buying. If you pay twice the cost you expect to get twice the bike but in fact that's not the case a lot of the times.
I'm surprised that the Yamaha Vstar 1100 isn't on this list. I bought mine in 2003, new, and haven't regretted in for one second. I think I'll go for a ride right now. See ya'...
I have the 2003 650 with 53k miles on it... still runs. Fast? No. Nimble? No. Reliable? Certainly. Old man bike, but I'm 55 and it does exactly what I need.
Idk, I really like the looks and cool effect of cruisers but, riding demo on whole bunch of them has been bust for me every single time. One bike that surprised me and it was completely off my radar and interest was Yamaha Bolt. I only tried it because it was the only one available to demo at the moment. It felt surprisingly good in comfort, ergonomics, sound, power. The only thing bad beside looks was that it was sliding like on ice rink. Almost crashed into lead guy when he decided to stop on yellow at quite high pace and I locked both front and rear brakes. In last moment I opened throttle and squeezed within inch or two in between two bikes. It was sliding earlier too at very low speeds. I tried that day MT-10, Tenere 700, Tracer 900 and maybe another one before I tried Bolt.
The Yamaha v star definitely needs to be talked about it’s genuinely fantastic, literally the only issue I have with it is the fact it only has 5 gears but I really couldn’t care less, it’s an absolute joy to ride and very comfortable, also loud as hell, sounds much better than a Honda rebel. The Honda rebel to me sounds so feeble it’s literally a dirt bike shaped like a cruiser lmao
The Nightster is not a Rebel in any way! It doesnt look cheap. Its a premium bike, period. If you cant aford it, doesnt mean its bad. Then just get the Rebel. But if you can, just go for the Nightster.
love your vids nicely, IMHO ,presented. For me were I to be in the market it would be an Indian scout possibly a bobber love the looks and certainly here in England, yes I'm English not British lol,you don't have to do loads of mods to make it a proper tool.
You're right. For some reason I thought Yamaha dropped it but it turns out I was wrong. It's under the Sport Heritage heading on their website because they don't have a cruiser tab.
I have a Vulcan 900 = 2012 LT with 2 tone blue/black. I upgraded with Vance Sport pipes, NICE SOUND/faster performance. triple head lights, mustang seat with backrest for driver, super grips upgrade, boards for passenger, temp gage, and more. I live in Florida, and LOVE driving it, because the center of gravity is very low and weighs only 600lbs this is my 5th bike ive owned and my favorite. Safe Rides, God bless, mate. - sorry I dont think the Ducati is a cruzer.
The roadster you got, & iv riden is what I want to add to my garage .. Rode the nightster in sturgis 2 wks ago. I think I might prefer it over the sportster S..
I like several of these bikes but none of the Japanese. Always feels like I’m looking at an imposter. The Harley Nightster is a great looking bike but I’ve read about the Rev Max engines being a headache with many people having quality issues. The Triumph lineup is really solid. The Indian Scouts are too. Checked them out and I really like the Rogue.
I chose the Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Why? Because I got it for $2400 with just 10,000 miles on it, and the previous owner ( who I know) took perfect care of it. It is slow, a bit heavy, and old fashioned. but it hauls me, my wife, and 80 pounds of camping gear down the highway all day long in relative comfort at around 50 mpg (if I don't exceed the speed limit by TOO much). It is not my favorite bike, but it is certainly a practical and economical one.
I have a boulevard M50 and its looks great and is comfortable. However up around 65 it gets vibey so im looking around at stuff to upgrade before next season
I worked at a Harley factory up until recently and I test drove the Sportster S. And holy shut is that thing a BEAST. This was months ago but I still think about saving up and getting it…
I had 2 ultra Harleys that I bought spanking new, I test ride a 1200 and all of them are incapable of competing to any bike over 1000 CCs out there. Harleys are almost a scam. Made in China and assembled in Mexico. What a fu..shame. I bought a 2014 Honda CTX 1300 for $6200 that beats the hell of my 2016 $33k ultra. Never buy a Harley again!!! What a f..waist of $$
@@enriquehenry8025 honestly yeah. That’s my issue with Harley as well. You’re paying hella extra money for a bike that will get dusted by bikes thousands of dollars cheaper than itself. The Pan Americas are cool, but there are straight up better options if you want an adventure touring bike. For a while, the only Harley I wanted was the Sportster S. It looked unique and I had memories with it. But my buddies that still work at the factory say that they’re very unreliable. So even if I had the money, I’d never buy a single Harley
I guess I am old school I love my life my 2006 Harley Davidson Sportster it looks like the GC 1957 model and I was born 1957 so I think it's cool and I'm riding one
If only Honda would make the rebel with a shaft drive that would be sweet. Oh, and you didn't mention anything about the Honda Shadow. wouldn't that be a midweight cruiser?
My '09 1200c Harley sportster was more neutrally balanced and handled very well on nice pavement. It was this that kept me alive, though I can no longer ride. If the rear shocks were more vertical with a little more wheel travel it would have handled much better on the asphalt that seems to get no attention and expansion joints in the road. Sub 2" travel made it easy to bottom out the rear, especially with even my 95lb passenger. That is what made me upset, but you could easily build a whole sportster out of a catalog and if you were to be able to do the work yourself, probably come in under new bike prices. I'm waiting for a friend to jump on a new Sportster S and give me feedback. If I were to buy today, it would be either a sportster S, one of the Indian muscle cruisers, or a Honda. Got a friend that has a full collection of Buell bikes and I rode that little 500 for a month while I got a car fixed. I can't say it was powerful, I was just over 200lbs and 6ft tall, but it handled 60mph easily, cheap to ride and insure, so I'm gonna say the 900 kawasaki is probably a great choice for someone that's got a bit of a lack of thrill on a 750cc but wants a good all around bike, and isn't built too big, and a fair amount of support for a passenger is there too
At this very moment most manufacturers are making cruisers with parallel cylinders and I hate it so much. I wish it was still possible to get a Shadow from last year
I love the Scout and the classic Harley style. But I think the best cruiser ever was the Honda VTX1800. And ye, I am aware this is a middle weight video. Just saying.
@@gigi9467 Agree to disagree. Was comfortable, fast, at the time handled better than any Harley, for me at least. Had a nice rumbling without being too vibrational. And 2000s cruisers were all pigs. Remember the Suzuki M1800? Awesome machine but that rear tire was a pain to turn.
@@dmaxcustom i had the m109r, that thing… it was soo cool But man i took it for 5 hour ride once and that rear suspension beat me up so bad that i traded it in for my first harley the day lol at the time i had thr harley and the vtx1800 and vtx was quicker but the harley street bob was soo much nimbler maybe thats why the sentiment of feeling like a pig stuck with me since i would compare those two back to back, not fair though the vtx1800 was an old design by the in 2007
@@Rob-lj1jl i think the best bike amd value that harley makes is the street bob, i had 3 street glides after my dyna street bob and they were great on long rides but dogs around town
Great video but just a reminder: " We're not approaching a 2,000 cc motorcycle".... (maybe Harley is). We're already there!! And we've far surpassed it. * See the Truimph Rocket III. It's in a class by itself @ a whopping 2,500 CC's !!!!
@@DifferentSpokesTV I never liked them until the 2022 update. Cleaned up the lines, made things much more proportional, gave the tank the proper shape for one's thighs and knees, and doesn't need the upscale suspension to get cruise control.
The Shadow and Vstar deserve a mention. 40 years in production, these bikes are more bulletproof than Superman. Modesty priced, great looks, can't go wrong.
Thank you! I'm about to purchase a V Star 1300.
@@WeAreOne-31 Congratulations! They are gorgeous bikes, just super awesome. I for myself prefer a destroyer to a battleship. Where you riding? I'm beating the traffic in Boston.
The shadow is mentioned
I don’t think they are in production anymore though 😢
I bought a used 05 shadow 750 for 1700.00 in 2021 New tires, windshield, saddlebags and a top case. Ran poorly, flushed carbs with brake clean thru drain screws, 4 new plugs and it's mint. Best value for money ? Honda shadow 100%
The vulcan 900 has always been the best kept secret in the middle weight cruiser. 👍
I think so too! Those old Japanese V-Twins get no respect.
Kawasaki in general makes great bikes.
Still got my old 2010 Vulcan custom 900.
Cheap , reliable & super comfortable for all size riders.
Thumps away all day and never has missed a beat.
I owned a Kawasaki VN900 Custom (light sparkle blue 😁😆😁👍) for several years. I looked at a H-D Sportster 883 at the time of purchase; the new Sportster had RUST in several places, sitting in the dealership! The Kawasaki NEVER gave me a moment's concern over five years of ownership - a great bike!
30k miles on my vn 900. Not a single issue. Feel like the real winner compared to reliability when comparing to friends bikes 😁
Thanks for sharing! Those bikes bring me way back to my old Suzuki Intruder 1400 which never gave me any problems.
Love my Vulcan Classic..❤Turned me into a cruiser rider from the sport bike life,my next one will be a Vulcan as well ..
I'm thinking of looking into an Indian Bobber. I driver for UBER and had a food delivery to a residence and the owner had an Indian Bobber with the Indian red and gold trim paint job. It stoled my heart. I watch and Read reviews of the Indian Bobber and they said they like the Motorcylce, but due to the riding position it's not recommended for long trips because your back will hurt after just 3 hours.
Bought a Triumph Speedmaster just about a year ago. Man what a great bike. Seat height and center of gravity are low so it feels light under you and is really maneuverable. The forward coot controls felt a little weird at first but create a very comfortable ride position. The 1200CC engine is torquey as hell and sounds great. You have to ride this beautiful bike.
Nice! Glad you're enjoying it.
You picked a great bike.
I'm picking my Speedmaster Gold Line in a few days. Hands down one of the best looking cruisers on the market today
I’m very close to buying a 2022 Speedmaster.
Own my beautiful 2005 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100cc. Flames and all. Got her for $2,500 with 8k miles on it. Great deal. She's mine forever
Getting the Honda Rebel 1100 this month! Tech and price works for me. Also the reliability of a Honda.
Yeah. Looking at a Harley but if it falls through, I’ll get the 1100 Rebel. As I like the bags, windscreen, etc. Great price. Cruise, ABS, does it for me.
I have a 2016 Indian Scout and I LOVE IT. I have ridden Hondas my entire life, but found this bike for a sweet deal and couldn't pass it up - and I am extremely happy with it. It's fast as hell, I love the ergonomics (I have bad knees so the forward controls are nice, and I'm short, so the low heat height makes it very easy to handle), and it is definitely a head turner. I've added a better air filter and pipes, so mine's putting out about 110HP. It's one of the most enjoyable bikes I've ever owned.
Thanks for sharing! That sounds like an awesome bike!
Never owned a cruiser, but I've started looking at them more closely. I like the ergonomics, and lower seat height. The Rebel 1100 is a bargain with cruise control, and has optional DCT.👍😺
Good choice!
Highly recommend 👌 I have a 2022 vulcan 650
My favorite cruiser was my 1984 V65 Magna, 120+ horsepower. My current bike is a Triumph Bonneville America 950 which is exactly the same as my old Fat Boy except for not being a soft tail. I still have my Bandit 1200S in the backyard. Next, I'll get a hyper naked like an H2 or Street Fighter.
Always wanted a magna, had a v65 Sabre for years. Miss those old v4s, sneakily quick
I just bought my first bike. 2022 Indian scout 60. I love it. ❤️ perfect for me.
I have the new Rebel and love it. The DCT allows you to enjoy the ride without bothering to shift manually. (But, you can shift manually if you want to.)
I'm not a Harley fan-boy, so this bike, with the boatload of options as standard at a crazy low price, is the best for me.
You can cruise slowly all day, or click a button and turn it into a rocket-fast monster.
I usually keep it in Standard mode and only throw it into Sport mode occasionally.
With a few mods, I've made it perfect for me.
Listen to this video around the 8:00 to 9:00 mark. That explains it all.
Good video brother.
The MBs and the LG Stylo is not far from the last one. BGA
Although the BDSFG makes up for any other shortcomings.
Love the PWG 😂
Tbh shifting never ruined a bike ride for me....
Bought my first bike a year and a half a go, a Suzuki C50. I've ridden a couple of other bikes, but I like the comfort and reliability of my C50, so I'm sticking with it for a while. Not to say that I wouldn't buy a different bike for different uses, but for my daily commute to work and a little running around on the weekends, it's perfect for me.
Please disassemble and inspect the Shaft Drive (including O-Rings’ Gaskets).
I had a C50 for years and I'm a good size guy I'm 6 ft 235 and I can tell you right now I thoroughly found the bike to be comfortable it did everything I needed it was extremely low maintenance and damn near Bulletproof
I have a 2018 Triumph Speedmaster. I checked out most of the ones you mentioned and made my decision. I keep watching videos because I love bikes but I am very happy. The Triumph has Old school looks but modern technology and plenty of power for me at least. Keep the great videos coming.
Thanks! I'm glad you made the right decision for you.
One cruiser that definitely would’ve been on here was the 2017 Victory Octane. Basically an Indian Scout but with more power, torque and handling. I hate Victory discontinued; I’d love to see what it would’ve become if they continued.
Indian scout 100 HP 72 ftlb, victory octane 104 HP 76 ftlb. That's honestly so close you will NEVER notice it. That's just the top numbers, both engines rev above 8000rpm, they're so close it could depend on which Dyno theyre using and which calculations they're running!
@@trainisawsm123 actually the Indian dynos stock at 60-70hp. Indian at 80-90hp. But a greater airflow exhaust and air filter puts the octane at 105-110 after tube. The scout with same changes I don't believe hits 100
Definitely trying to decide between an octane and Mt-07. Honestly best bikes
Polaris owns both (Indian and Victory), they just went "all-in" on the Indian
I own an Octane, thing is an absolute unit off the line and can hang with the best of them. Highway pulls seamless, well past 120mph if you need it (no one does) 😂
I have been looking into buying a middle weight cruiser. I agree with most of the comments in this video except about the Triumph bibber being more expensive than the HD and Indian competition. Triumph bobber comes in one trim and the tech and specifications on it is matched only when you custom the HD and the Indian bikes. Triumph boober might look expensive but it is the most value giving bike along with long service intervals and the most authentic retro looking bobber styling.
By the by, great video on covering so many bikes in all together. Keep the good work going!
Diavelisn’t a cruiser IMO - it’s a naked muscle bike. The XDiavel is the cruiser.
I'm riding a 2017 Harley Sportster Custom 1200. I rode a Honda VFR 750 back in the 80's and 90's, but sold it in '96, when I moved (and had a young family). As a retirement present to myself, I decided to get a Cruiser. I looked at several different brands and models and decided to get a used '17 Sporty Custom 1200. It's wonderful for bopping around town and some half-day rides, but the suspension will beat you to death on longer rides. Coming from a serious sport bike background, I've grown to hate the wimpy lean angle of my Sporty. It really unnerves me to be taking a pretty serious curve with some speed, and have my foot-peg feelers scrape the pavement. I love the colors on my Sporty and don't think that I'll ever trade or sell it, but I will soon be getting a better bike, now that I better understand the style of riding I want to do. I'm thinking that I'll move into a Road King. Much bigger, I know, but much more capable and comfortable, too.
I have an 01 solid mounted Sportster S. Triple discs, 2 plugs per cylinder, fully adjustable Showa Suspension front and rear. Handles amazingly well and stops hard
I will test ride the new Sportster and the Nightster. Have test ridden the Indian scout and absolutely loved it.
Thanks. I will say, the new Sportster S & Nightster have definitely made Harley very competitive in this class and no longer relevant on just some sort of tradition. I think they’re both a step in the right direction for Harley in the middle weight class.
Very nice bikes at absolute crackpot prices. You have to WANT a sportster to pay as much as a big twin for the base model Nightster. Handed the W to Scout in my books.
And I own a 48 for reference, and I do like smaller bikes- but the new softail bikes are light enough for around town and still have big cubes. Chief meets the criteria as well. Can't see why I'd buy a Niggtster over a Chief or Standard.
Yep, Harley definitely needed this line. Hope they continue to expand it.
They had to revolutionize and modernize the Sportster line because Indian was eating their lunch with the Scout. I really like what I'm seeing, but I haven't ridden one yet for comparison to my Scout. Hopefully I can hit a demo day soon near me.
@@RockneOliver they also couldnt pass euro 5 emissions is the real reason as the were still selling very well
dude, you are wayyyyy more impressed with Harley than most of us
The best thing about the Nightster is having a decent motorcycle that everyone constantly cries about.
I have a 2007 Suzuki C50T Boulevard, absolutely love it. Only paid $3000 for it. Low maintenance and easy to ride.
I bought my daughter a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 because she is small size. We have taken several long cross country trips and really enjoyed the N.P."s on the western side of the country. She graduated college, took a job halfway several states away so our trips will not happen as they did before. I keep the 900 here and maintaine. I really enjoy riding it as long as its not a 400 + mi. day. Its not the best at anything but its good at everything.
Indian is my favorite as Made in America is strong. I am a former Harley Soft tail Custom rider that likes the lower CG and handling of that model. Appreciate the evaluation!
If money is not a problem then I'd like to own a Ducati Diavel any day of the week. But since the reality is a thing, Honda Rebel 1100 is currently my dream bike. I also love the Harley Forty-Eight but the Japanese price tags are just too attractive.
the Rebel is definitely a ton of bike for the price. And the Bolt which I forgot.
"Does it handle? Yes... Badly" Lol made me laugh
The problem with the new liquid cooled sporties is, by the time they hit the market, there's already another bike there that'll do everything they do, often for less money. Want a Nightster, the Rebel 1100 and Scout already do that. Want a Sportster S? You probably already have an FTR 1200.
You're missing an important fact, here. Many people love the Sporster for its looks. This is a deal maker for me. I simply want nothing else. Others look nothing like a Sporster. The Nightster, while costly as hell, is very appealing due to its technological advances and it is being designed so closely like its predecessor. Therein lies the magic for Sporster people. I don't know if you have seen them on UA-cam, but there are Sporster riding clubs in the UK and Australia. They often get together with hundreds of other riders for weekend rides. Everyone is invited.
History and Legacy of a brand, matters to some, many people, across the world. Especially one no other American brand can touch. They may not always be perfect..but what brand is, it's still the greatest brand to me, HD. I will be headed to Poland/Eukrane end of May, humanitarian efforts, only thing i will ask for myself in that trip, a visit to the Harley Davidson Dealer in Krakow, Poland...thats real love of, and world scale brand loyalty Harley has earned from me. God bless.
@@russmode Pozdrawiam z polski! (Greetings from Poland) Have a good time while in Krakow, thanks for coming to help.
The badge on the tank still counts for something so the Sportster will continue to be one of the top brands, but may no longer be the highest seller.
ftr is a tracker the sportster s is not, two totally different types of bikes, weird comparing those two together
Love the fact you took a section for the older generation of japanese cruisers.
I've always dreamt of an Harley but I'm super fond of those lines of bikes. Seen many back in Italy and they were all beautiful. I think I will get one before finally getting an Harley, but for now I'm practicing in my small Chinese 125 cruiser 😅🤣
Bought my -95 Vulcan in 2012 for 20 000sek (now about 2600 canadian) and it is, and has been a great bike to ride and own. Every winter I look at bikes with replacing it in mind and every spring after the first ride I decide to keep it for one more season. It had only 16 000km on the clock when I bought it and was in every way in mint condition. Still is even though there is now considerably more on the clock. And if I sold it I would get at least my money back, maybe even a small profit. No faults, just normal maintenance. Shaft drive so no bother with chains. Cheap to insure. And I mostly ride with some Harley guys and never do they have to wait for me. On twisty roads it is the other way around as my bike is shorter and there is more air between ground and foot pegs. There is a lot to be said for japanese cruisers as first or last big bike, they are all great bikes in different ways. Often overlooked by young guys but that really is why they can be great bikes to buy. And they ride well enough for most of us, for normal riders out there in the traffic there really is no need for a Hayabusa. Good video and I hope it influences some youngsters to choose cruiser.
Nice! You can pretty much do anything on a Vulcan 900 that you can do on a Harley without the monthly payment.
I have a 97 vulcan 1500 classic stripped all the way down. Only basic maintenance issues. As old as it is, I've changed out old hoses a couple times, the thermostat twice, the radiator once. Tune ups and batteries and tires and that's it. A bunch of miles and lengthy trips and it's still strong. I agree with ya man. Underrated but as owners, I guess it's our secret ha. Be safe out there brothers.
My ‘22 Honda Rebel CMX1100 DCT is absolutely awesome imo, and it’s so damn versatile, cool looking, great sounding and comfortable after a little dressing up! It’s amazing how I leave a lot of “Harley’s” still sitting at the 🚦 light!!! 👍
For me, the clear winner is the indian scout bobber/twenty/rouge in terms of looks, technology and value for money.
Love everything about the Bobber except the rear shock. 100hp is nice!
I've test ridden a Rebel 1100 with the DCT transmission and it is severely underrated. I feel like I have a little ghost of Rossi doing all the shifting for me, 100% focused on maneuvering. very cool and fun
One other advantage for me anyway is the belt drive and no maintenance valve adjustment the Harley-Davidson Nightster offers. Yes it is still hard to make up for $ on the Rebel but it does help.
Just bought my Honda 1100 DCT today and love everything about it so far. Will know more when I get my Two Brothers pipe on and rack up a few more miles.
Suzuki 800cc C50 with Windshield. Its a med weight bike. Cheaper price. Easy to maintenance in Indonesia. A small country in South East Asia. Which has many Japanese Moto Bike service centers. (While 95% motors here are range from 100cc to 150cc)
Honda Magna is another good used option, you'd think a revvy V4 in a cruiser frame shouldn't work but it really does!
Yep, Honda should bring that one back.
I looked at a few of the bikes on this video but I ended up going with The Vulcan S 650 and I couldn't have been happier. This bike does everything I want it to do and it is extremely comfortable. I think Kawasaki was smart by taking the engine out of the 650 Ninja and dropping it into a cruisier frame. This bike with the Ninja engine will not disappoint!
Beautiful machines, great video 👍
Thank you very much!
My cruiser is a 95 Vulcan 750. I've owned it 22 years, 57k miles, shaft drive, hydraulic lifters, and, stock sportys can't even come close to it's performance - especially when compared to a 95 883.
You can pick up nice used VN750's well under $2k these days.
BTW, if I had the cash, I'd buy a Royal Enfield 650. I know it's not a cruiser, but good value for the money.
I've been riding a Yamaha Bolt for a few years now but have the itch for something new/different. There are a ton of bikes that look and sound like great replacements, like the Diavel or the Bonneville Bobber but everything cost so much now. Also considering the Honda Fury as I don't see a lot of them. Might just take the hit and sink some money into changing the Bolt up a little.
Even a Sportster 1200 lacks power on a freeway , though they are cool looking bikes and fun around town, you will likely outgrow them fast.The T100 is worth buying a smooth running bike no trans clunk like the 48
Always thorough and thoughtful 👍
I appreciate that!
I am getting a rebel 1100. I just like the look I rode my friends and love it .
The most practical bike for me is the Vulcan S . Quick , nimble and no matter how hard I romp on it , it still gets over 50 mpg . The only thing I don't like about it is the chain drive . The performance is awesome ( that is , up to about 100 to 105 mph ) . If I was going to buy another new bike it would still be the Vulcan S .
Yamaha XVS 950 is a great looking bike.
Do they handle ….. yes ,badly bahahah classic!!! Stay epic and keep the good vids coming
Always!
Great break down of the market. I love the new sports S, but it is at least 5k msrp overpriced or 12k if you consider current insane street prices. 🤦
I'm a firm believer in the American made motorcycle, and I come from a long line of Harley-Davidson loyals, so the very first motorcycle I bought myself was a brand new Sportster Iron 883. It's not the quickest or most powerful vehicle I own, but I can sit at 75 mph comfortably.
From my experience the newer years HD beat a lot of other bikes in quality parts, just my opinion, perfect hell no.
Harley is absolute shit always has been
I'm leaning toward the Honda Fury. 1300cc, shaft drive, chopper style, Honda reliability, $11k.
I wish they had the shadow in Australia. looks awesome.
Appreciate the Rocket 3 not a ‘middleweight’ but you mentioned the Diavel so have to throw it in 😊 love the HD 1200 Roadster
Thanks! Yes, the Rocket 3 is pretty much as big as they get. Sitting on one feels like sitting on a literal rocket to the moon.
@@DifferentSpokesTV aye I rode the 1260S Diavel, it’s faster and more agile (more sport bike) and a hooligan when on it, great bike and lots of similarities in riding triangle to the R but even Ducati felt limp in terms of twist of throttle roll on torque compared to the R3, 🚀 love mine despite being a 600lb bruiser or maybe because of it 🤷♂️ 😎 the SporsterS feels tiny by comparison, a baby XDiavel and a good bike, agile, reminded me a lot of my old Victory Octane 😊
The prices are so different depending where you live in the world. So you have to consider value for money also when buying. If you pay twice the cost you expect to get twice the bike but in fact that's not the case a lot of the times.
I'm surprised that the Yamaha Vstar 1100 isn't on this list. I bought mine in 2003, new, and haven't regretted in for one second. I think I'll go for a ride right now. See ya'...
I have the 2003 650 with 53k miles on it... still runs. Fast? No. Nimble? No. Reliable? Certainly. Old man bike, but I'm 55 and it does exactly what I need.
Idk, I really like the looks and cool effect of cruisers but, riding demo on whole bunch of them has been bust for me every single time. One bike that surprised me and it was completely off my radar and interest was Yamaha Bolt. I only tried it because it was the only one available to demo at the moment. It felt surprisingly good in comfort, ergonomics, sound, power. The only thing bad beside looks was that it was sliding like on ice rink. Almost crashed into lead guy when he decided to stop on yellow at quite high pace and I locked both front and rear brakes. In last moment I opened throttle and squeezed within inch or two in between two bikes. It was sliding earlier too at very low speeds. I tried that day MT-10, Tenere 700, Tracer 900 and maybe another one before I tried Bolt.
Yeah, I should have included the Bolt but I thought it was discontinued. Turns out it's not.
I subbed once I heard you have a Roadster. :) But I've been watching your vids for a long while.
The Yamaha v star definitely needs to be talked about it’s genuinely fantastic, literally the only issue I have with it is the fact it only has 5 gears but I really couldn’t care less, it’s an absolute joy to ride and very comfortable, also loud as hell, sounds much better than a Honda rebel. The Honda rebel to me sounds so feeble it’s literally a dirt bike shaped like a cruiser lmao
Would the 2022 Suzuki Boulevard C50T be a good beginner motorcycle?
I got lucky and found a 18 forty-eight for 5k with only 2k miles. Loving it so far.
You forgot about the yamaha v star....
Great video and tons of information! I don't hate I just appreciate all the bikes that are out there! Hasta luego!
Thanks! Much appreciated!
The Nightster is not a Rebel in any way! It doesnt look cheap. Its a premium bike, period. If you cant aford it, doesnt mean its bad. Then just get the Rebel. But if you can, just go for the Nightster.
SportsterS for me....
Lots of love to that awesome lookin cruzer
-from India
love your vids nicely, IMHO ,presented. For me were I to be in the market it would be an Indian scout possibly a bobber love the looks and certainly here in England, yes I'm English not British lol,you don't have to do loads of mods to make it a proper tool.
You never mentioned the Yamaha Bolt.
You're right. For some reason I thought Yamaha dropped it but it turns out I was wrong. It's under the Sport Heritage heading on their website because they don't have a cruiser tab.
I have a Vulcan 900 = 2012 LT with 2 tone blue/black. I upgraded with Vance Sport pipes, NICE SOUND/faster performance. triple head lights, mustang seat with backrest for driver, super grips upgrade, boards for passenger, temp gage, and more. I live in Florida, and LOVE driving it, because the center of gravity is very low and weighs only 600lbs this is my 5th bike ive owned and my favorite. Safe Rides, God bless, mate. - sorry I dont think the Ducati is a cruzer.
The roadster you got, & iv riden is what I want to add to my garage ..
Rode the nightster in sturgis 2 wks ago. I think I might prefer it over the sportster S..
I like several of these bikes but none of the Japanese. Always feels like I’m looking at an imposter. The Harley Nightster is a great looking bike but I’ve read about the Rev Max engines being a headache with many people having quality issues. The Triumph lineup is really solid. The Indian Scouts are too. Checked them out and I really like the Rogue.
I like all of these machines. But I got the CMX 1100 because it will go round corners. And it sounds great even with stock (ugly) exhaust.
Great value!
Yes, the AT engine sounds nice stock and awesome with a slip on.
270 or not.. I’m happy with my Vulcan S which itself is priced at 10K USD here in India !
Beauty bike and the most reasonably priced one in the bunch.
I also have a vulcan s, I have a ceramic delkevic exhaust on it and it sounds like a cruiser. You wouldn't know it's a parallel twin when you hear it.
Where's the yamaha bolt?
Thanks for all the info and i have a 04 sportster 1200 c and i love the sound and the way it rides and i don't think the evo can be beat for sure!
Good choice!
I chose the Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Why? Because I got it for $2400 with just 10,000 miles on it, and the previous owner ( who I know) took perfect care of it. It is slow, a bit heavy, and old fashioned. but it hauls me, my wife, and 80 pounds of camping gear down the highway all day long in relative comfort at around 50 mpg (if I don't exceed the speed limit by TOO much). It is not my favorite bike, but it is certainly a practical and economical one.
Love my 2022 Indian scout bobber.
Honda Rebel 500 is more than enough for crusing and it looks good.
The 975 looks great just hope they have some equipment to modify
They already have lots of accessories and the aftermarket is probably already geared up for it judging by all the customs in the intro video.
I have a boulevard M50 and its looks great and is comfortable. However up around 65 it gets vibey so im looking around at stuff to upgrade before next season
Indian scout bobber my favorite,, because it's simply classic
Yep, I've ridden it and like everything but the rear shocks.
@@DifferentSpokesTV yes,but i think indian offers an customized shockes better than the stock
If the Rebel 1100 was belt- or shaft-driven, I’d own one.
exactly!
Sportster S isn't a cruiser, it's a naked sport bike.
I worked at a Harley factory up until recently and I test drove the Sportster S. And holy shut is that thing a BEAST. This was months ago but I still think about saving up and getting it…
But the exhaust is next to your thigh. Will that be too hot to ride on?
@@leonjohnson7224 maybe… that thing will absolutely cook your leg
I had 2 ultra Harleys that I bought spanking new, I test ride a 1200 and all of them are incapable of competing to any bike over 1000 CCs out there. Harleys are almost a scam. Made in China and assembled in Mexico. What a fu..shame.
I bought a 2014 Honda CTX 1300 for $6200 that beats the hell of my 2016 $33k ultra. Never buy a Harley again!!! What a f..waist of $$
@@enriquehenry8025 honestly yeah. That’s my issue with Harley as well. You’re paying hella extra money for a bike that will get dusted by bikes thousands of dollars cheaper than itself. The Pan Americas are cool, but there are straight up better options if you want an adventure touring bike.
For a while, the only Harley I wanted was the Sportster S. It looked unique and I had memories with it. But my buddies that still work at the factory say that they’re very unreliable. So even if I had the money, I’d never buy a single Harley
Nice vid🎉. Thanks😊. I ride a Sportster XL 883 L...you forgot me 😢.
I guess I am old school I love my life my 2006 Harley Davidson Sportster it looks like the GC 1957 model and I was born 1957 so I think it's cool and I'm riding one
If only Honda would make the rebel with a shaft drive that would be sweet. Oh, and you didn't mention anything about the Honda Shadow. wouldn't that be a midweight cruiser?
The Indian Scout Bobber should be on this list.
Torn between the speedmaster and the Indian scout. Will decide by Thursday, wish me luck for my next marriage lol
So which one did you pick?
@@vincentbeijing6926 I went with the Indian Scout. :)
@@Beastius24 cool!👍🏻
The prettiest bikes on the road today are the Triumph modern classics. 😊
My '09 1200c Harley sportster was more neutrally balanced and handled very well on nice pavement. It was this that kept me alive, though I can no longer ride. If the rear shocks were more vertical with a little more wheel travel it would have handled much better on the asphalt that seems to get no attention and expansion joints in the road. Sub 2" travel made it easy to bottom out the rear, especially with even my 95lb passenger. That is what made me upset, but you could easily build a whole sportster out of a catalog and if you were to be able to do the work yourself, probably come in under new bike prices. I'm waiting for a friend to jump on a new Sportster S and give me feedback. If I were to buy today, it would be either a sportster S, one of the Indian muscle cruisers, or a Honda. Got a friend that has a full collection of Buell bikes and I rode that little 500 for a month while I got a car fixed. I can't say it was powerful, I was just over 200lbs and 6ft tall, but it handled 60mph easily, cheap to ride and insure, so I'm gonna say the 900 kawasaki is probably a great choice for someone that's got a bit of a lack of thrill on a 750cc but wants a good all around bike, and isn't built too big, and a fair amount of support for a passenger is there too
only in America is an 883 considered small
how you gonna leave out the yamaha bolt lol
You didn't even mention the Yamaha Bolt.
Vulcan S 650. Best bang for the buck. Or Indian Scout Rogue. Cant decide. Both fun to ride.
Great video.
Well done!
great presentation
At this very moment most manufacturers are making cruisers with parallel cylinders and I hate it so much. I wish it was still possible to get a Shadow from last year
I love the Scout and the classic Harley style. But I think the best cruiser ever was the Honda VTX1800. And ye, I am aware this is a middle weight video. Just saying.
That thing was a pig bro! A fast pig but a pig at that super un balanced bike. And that 1300 cc was garbage too thr 1800 cc was a beauty
@@Rob-lj1jl geez the vtx probably even more than the 2000
@@gigi9467 Agree to disagree. Was comfortable, fast, at the time handled better than any Harley, for me at least. Had a nice rumbling without being too vibrational. And 2000s cruisers were all pigs. Remember the Suzuki M1800? Awesome machine but that rear tire was a pain to turn.
@@dmaxcustom i had the m109r, that thing… it was soo cool
But man i took it for 5 hour ride once and that rear suspension beat me up so bad that i traded it in for my first harley the day lol at the time i had thr harley and the vtx1800 and vtx was quicker but the harley street bob was soo much nimbler maybe thats why the sentiment of feeling like a pig stuck with me since i would compare those two back to back, not fair though the vtx1800 was an old design by the in 2007
@@Rob-lj1jl i think the best bike amd value that harley makes is the street bob, i had 3 street glides after my dyna street bob and they were great on long rides but dogs around town
According to the power, price, and stylish… I chose the Honda Rebel 👍🏼
Nice review. I have a 1250S, it's a fun bike.
Thanks! 👍 Yes, it looks pretty cool.
Great video but just a reminder: " We're not approaching a 2,000 cc motorcycle".... (maybe Harley is). We're already there!! And we've far surpassed it.
* See the Truimph Rocket III. It's in a class by itself @ a whopping 2,500 CC's !!!!
Indian Scout
Honda Rebel 1100
Ducati xDiavel
Those are my picks. But...... I think I'll just stick with an XSR900 or Z900 for the time being.
That XSR is the best of combo of style and performance.
@@DifferentSpokesTV I never liked them until the 2022 update. Cleaned up the lines, made things much more proportional, gave the tank the proper shape for one's thighs and knees, and doesn't need the upscale suspension to get cruise control.