The Rise and Fall of Japanese Cruisers
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2024
- In today's video we look at the rise of Japanese cruisers through the 80s and 90s, made to compete with Harley, and how the old bar and shield managed to win the battle
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Propaganda video; they never fell. Japanese cruisers forever!
A little later today I’m going for a ride on my Yamaha V-Star 1300. Solidarity, brother!
@@seanys 😎🤙
THANK YOU. Hence no sub'd from me.
After being wiped out on a beautiful Dyna I bought a foosball table and a (once off crutches a 2000 Shadow. 3 valves per cilinder v twin. Like it a lot
@@michaelb.42112unsub myself. Clickbait titles are childish. Bye to this idiot.
I have owned my 2003 Yamaha V Star Classic 1100 since 2004. After 50,000 trouble free miles, I still love the look, feel, and sound. It's a great cruiser.
Just picked up a 2005 V Star 1100 of my own and I am loving every mile!
Except having to remove the exhaust pipes to change the oil filter. That was a stupid design, no two way about it
@@allannirvana Can't disagree there!
I just got a 2007 model recently, 16k miles. I love it.
I have two bikes, a Classic Triumph Bonny and a Yamaha 1100. I have ridden many , from Suzuki 750, Honda and gold-wings and never was mesmerized by Japanese bikes. The Yamaha 1100 is for touring the Triumph for love and fun.. The Yamaha is heavy and lazy definitely no super bike. As we watch the death of the Japanese "cruiser" we are just watching the changing attitudes and taste in bikes. No technical problem just a change in taste exactly what happened to other bike companies when the alleged "super bikes " arrived.
I will always love Japanese cruisers. They're the bikes my family rode while I was growing up and after the passing of my grandad, I ended up getting his Vulcan 900. I absolutely love the bike and the that style of Bike.
My first bike was an Intruder 700 and I ride a 1400 now. I love the look of them and don't think any company has done it better.
I had a 97 1400. I put midrise mini apes on it, much better than the stock long horn bars…was a fun super touqey bike. Always thought it was funny when I’d do hole shots the rear end would lift up because of the shaft drive. Absolutely hated the 100 miles and pray for a gas station range of the gas tank…traded it for a 2005 Yamaha 1700 Roadstar.
Yamaha XVS1300??
I loved my Suzuki boulevard! The M50 was such a solid machine. I went to Harley first but everything felt old and cheap, the Suzuki felt modern nimble and actually comfortable. It helped a lot that it was half the price too
it was also faster🐱👍🏿
I had an M50 too for 2 years it was a fun little bike! I still dont understand why they put the shaft drive in there but it sure works great. Needed more cc's and got a yamaha road star 1700 and yeah thats good!
@@druegeme yeah I have the c90 so the power loss from the shaft isn't as big of a deal as with the 50s. Also shafts are rock solid.
The Harley felt cheap to a Suzuki? AAAHAHAHAHAHA What were you smoking, kid?
Agreed, all my friends have harleys but they all feel cheapo and leak mf oil and need working on constantly. I have a boulivard and it is half the price and feel equal if not better quality
I've owned several Japanese cruisers and my current bike is also one. I've had a Kawasaki Eliminator 250, Honda Shadow 500, Kawasaki EN 500, Honda Shadow 750 and Suzuki Marauder 800. What I like about Japanese cruisers is classic Harley looks, with Japanese reliability and pricing. Especially the pricing aspect.
In other words, they're cheap.
@@carmenandthedevil2804 There's cheap and there's inexpensive. I've had my Honda Shadow 750 for over 12 years and over 110k miles. I bought it used for $3500. A cheap bike would have broken down by now but this bike just keeps on eating the miles and all I have to do is perform regular maintenance on it.
@@carmenandthedevil2804 Yes they are, and yet they still have better build quality than Harleys.
i grew up on harleys, and making fun of all the clones... but then i actually grew up... i've always had hondas, dirtbikes and fourwheelers, raced kawasaki zx11 powered dwarf cars. and loved them, but as for cruisers, it was just harley cause they were cool. now, why would i want to HAVE to have like 1400+ cc's, to do what a japanese bike could do with less than 1,000? actually, probably less than that. pretty much ANY liter bike will run off and leave ANY harley, and often be more comfortable. and even when they were "good" they weren't great, they're hot, not anywhere near as reliable. now i want a cb1000, kinda sporty, but not a crotch rocket. i'd still love to have an rc51, 1100 blackbird, h2, always have and always will cause they're just badass. but i want something i can be comfortable on and ride every day, but still have some fun. i used to go down to the honda dealer and drool over rc51's and blackbirds when they came out. but harleys, i just really don't care about anymore. they're old, inefficient, and not even really good at that. like gm sticking with the stupid ohv decades after it should've been relegated to lawnmowers... hell, there have been overhead CAM lawnmowers for years now. also, only still arpound because HUGE help from the government... they both should've been allowed to kill themselves off. and again, that's as a harley fan. but i was a fan when the only person worried about global warming was another guy from tennessee, kinda surprisingly, gas was cheap, and disposable income. not to mention, they're just really douchey now... south park was right.
i love my kawasaki Vulcan 500 fantastic little machine
I find it odd that you neglected to mention the Honda VTX 1300s and 1800s. At the time, the 1800 was the largest V-twin that you could buy, and it pushed Harley to play catch up and helped pave the way to their larger engines that they have out now. I have a VTX 1300C, and I love the thing, and its reliability is very hard to beat. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it, but I may add to it in the future.
I'll amen that, brother! Me too
2004 Honda 1800c and never been beaten by a Harley in speed or reliability!
I still have a 2007 VTX1800R1, still runs like new.
I have a 2003 Honda vtx1800c with Vance and Hines exhaust and Cobra commander ignition and she will run, I'll never get rid of this bike.
Currently an 03 Mean Streak 1500 but, chompin at the bit to get a VTX1800.
Salute
I bought a 1999 Shadow Ace 750 brand new (couldn't afford a Harley) 24 years and 76,000 miles later and I'm still riding this bike! We've been through so much together, tons of great memories-only broke down twice in all these years. I'm obsessed with motorcycles. I can hold my own when discussing all the different brands, models, etc. I also do most of the wrenching on my Shadow which also deepens the bond I have with this machine. Its never been garaged, only covered overnight - I ride year round and I live in Massachusetts and there isn't any rust on this machine - theres a little bit of pitting on the left side chrome cover (stator) I really don't have any plans to replace my bike. Now, with all that being said : If I do have to replace my beloved motorbike - I'll most likely buy a mid to late 90's Softail Heritage or Deluxe - or possibly a Fatboy same era. Based on information I've picked up over the years, and also due to certain friends I ride with, Ive been completely sold on a late model Evolution powered Harley. I'm as biased as a person can be when it comes to Japanese cruisers - most of my tools are Japan made. In my opinion the word Japanese is synonymous with quality. I still want the damn Harley tho
You will not regret that decision. I bought a 1998 Dyna Wide Glide a few years ago, a bike I have loved the style of since the 90’s. The carbureted Evo is by far the most soulful motorcycle engine I’ve ever experienced. I can’t help but smile every time I get on it. BTW I bought an ACE 750 new in 2002 I believe, and it was a great bike.
The day that Harley-Davidson makes all their cruisers in China is the day that HD will have the same equal quality to a Japanese cruiser.
I have a 2006 Shadow Spirit and I know EXACTLY what you mean! Been riding it 5 years and I will never, ever get rid of it.
I've owned a XS650 Special, a XV500 Virago, and currently ride an 82 XV750. Love the looks of these Japanese cruisers.
I dare say, Japanese motorcycle look more American than harley. Harley ought to be ashame of themselves to call themselves an "american" company. Poor, poor quality to say the least!
I bought a 650 special in 1981 loved that bike . Currently ride a 2011 Suzuki c50T which isn’t too bad for an old guy but it doesn’t have the same feel as that ole yammy
Wish I could find an XS650. Fantastic bike!
The Virago was a great bike, too. To me I didn't think it was trying to be a Harley competitor; it stood alone. Only reason I didn't buy one is that it was small for my 6'1" frame. Even the big 920 felt cramped.
@@xnihilo1044
Agreed. Thirty years ago I had a sweet little 535cc Yamaha Virago. Damn it was a nice little bike.
Loved my 535
I learned on an 82 (or 81, not 100%) Yamaha 650 XS. My dad showed me the controls and made sure I could release the clutch and then told me not to leave the neighborhood. I spent three hours riding around the neighborhood and making sure all my friends saw me on it. I was 16. Then, once they saw I could ride it they gave me my mom's 400 XS. That became my daily driver. I was in high school. It was 1987.
I own an 06, Yamaha Stratoliner and love it. It's an extremely good machine, that like the others, never really caught on. One thing about the Liners is that their quality, fit and finish, are second to none. Incredible workmanship. I also own two Harleys. Both out of production bikes, like the Liner is. I love the old school look and ride. Nice video, thx. Oh, and I also owned two Yamaha 650 Specials. Loved them too.
so is a microwave oven
Currently ride a 2008 Suzuki C90. It looks great, rides great, requires minimal maintenance and I always get compliments on it. It was also a whole lot cheaper than a comparable Harley. It was a good choice for a first bike.
I got a 2007 c90t,best mc i ever owned,better than most.
I had a Honda V65 Magna 1100 until about 15 years ago and loved it with zero problems the whole time I owned it. I would love to have it back.
The V65 was a sweet bike. It's the one that got me hooked on bikes again when I "had to" pilot one home after it's owner got thrown in jail.
I had the v45 in like 85 I believe. That was the shit back then compared to anything else on the road
@@maxxbenzz7842 I know. I can't stand what's happened to motorcycle culture since then. Maybe it's because I'm stuck in Texas, but if you're not a fat tatted badass with all the "bad biker" wardrobe riding a $50,000+ Harley with gutted Vance and Hines and a snarl on your face - then you're nothing.
Riding any Japanese bike now, even a vintage one, is looked down upon by anyone over the age of 25. I guess riding a motorcycle isn't about the ride anymore, it has become a status symbol. A sign of prosperity embraced by insecure posers.
@@jackandblaze5956 lol. Yeah I hear you. I actually have a Road Glide. It's a great hwy bike. Goes through the wind like butter. I dont have obnoxious exhaust. That actually pisses me off. To me its disrespectful to people around you. I've had a BMW R1200gs, Triumph Tiger, Springer etc... I just like to ride. Doesn't matter the make or model. This is what it's all about. Bikes are bikes! Ride on!
I had a 2000 Intruder 1400. It was crazy small, just not a lot of bulk to it whatsoever. I'm not very tall, and I have short legs, and the seating position was a bit snug for even me. But it checked all the boxes: v-twin, air cooled, nice rake, very low seat, basic controls and gauges. Suzuki did that one pretty well.
The Intruder is the one bike I really, really wanted but never bought.
Great bike, 1400 was too heavy for me and went for 600. Looks great and has enough power for me. I love how the engine transforms at higher revs from cruiser into a japanese screamer.
I owned a Honda CB900 Custom (CB 900 C in some markets) which was basically a cross between the CB900F (engine) and the Goldwing. The air suspension was wonderful and it also a high\low ratio gear lever. I absolutely loved this bike!
Tenspeed ftw!
I started my moto journey with a rough 1980 CB650. Quickly traded up to a 99 750 Shadow ACE and loved it! Put about 20k miles on it in 5 years before shifting away from bikes for a while. Just got back into it by rebuilding a 98 Shadow 1100 ACE Tourer and my passion for riding has been reignited. These jap cruisers may be "out of style" for some, but they still get my blood pumping like an rock song that never gets old. The joy of riding what is now a classic in its own right is a gift I hope to never take for granted.
I have a 1980 cb750 for sale
@@Thedavidsavage just picked up a 1973 CB350 with a 1958 Jawa Velorex 560 sidecar. Should be a great resto project!
Look at jap cars they out last anything same for their motorcycles.
Honda Fury owner here. What made me buy one was the simple clean lines and lean thin profile. We can still split lanes here in California and normally a bike with a 1300cc engine would be to wide to squeeze between cars. As was the BMW motorcycle that I owned before this one. But your right, you don't see many of them. Although people sure do like to look at them and are usually surprised when I tell them it's a stock Honda.
They also handle better than they look .
ridden for years never had a fury but sure like the look
Completely missed the precursor to the Honda Fury... the VTX!! Great looks, handling and reliability. I have owned 15 metric motorcycles (incl. 2 Yamaha 650s and 2 VTX 1300c) and still own the VTX. Easy to work on, similar CV carb as older Harley. Would buy another VTX in a heartbeat.
Amen brother 🤙
I love my 1300S too.
Still ride my '06 VTX1300 (modified as a stretched bagger). Must mention the awesome power of the VTX1800. Made in Maryville, Oh. Shutdown production when Goldwing production was moved back to Japan. Honda made sure all displaced workers were offered a new job in Honda car production.
I have vtx1300 and I put in a velocity stack and pulled that air box. Wow the power. It scared me!
1300c for me! Takes me anywhere I want to go. Easy to work on and customize
My 2002 Kawasaki vulcan drifter 1500cc rules the road! Over 400,000 miles, 3rd engine and going strong! Great retro Indian Chief, custom painted, Samson warlord streetsweeper pipes; endless compliments, pictures and offers.
My first and current bike is a Yamaha Virago 535 and I love it! I got it simply because it's cheap and reliable and low, so I think it's a great beginner bike! Would recommend it for sure!
Bought a Yamaha Raider back in 08’. It was a bit late to the show for the chopper craze, but I think it looks amazing. Plus, back then 113 cubic inch air cooled vtwin was a monster.
I bought one also. It’s a Very Reliable and powerful bike compared to my Harley’s. I love’em all but really enjoy the looks of a Raider. In my opinion, it’s one of the best looking cruiser bikes ever made and They just don’t break.
I had a 2006 Yamaha Road Star and honestly that was a fantastic cruiser. My only “but” was that the factory hard panniers were built to a low quality, there was plastic used in places that should have been metal, and some of the bolts were not stainless so they rusted. Such a joy to ride though. And I rode the hell out of it.
My V-Star had plastic rocker box covers....
@@fragtastic4 yes I have a 02 v star and it has plastic rocker box covers also. They look cromb but they plastic
Currently riding my beat old 02 roadstar midnight star 1600.
I trust it more than any Harley I’ve had and I swear it’s just so much more comfortable than any other bike aside from my 98 electraglide… that was a sofa with wheels attached 😅
Ill keep riding my plastic chrome road star. So much money saved vs a harley
@@jasonv1144 yep I'll be riding my v star 1100 until i physically can't anymore. I love mo 02 v star 11 it never let me down
I've recently picked up a Suzuki 1400 intruder. although it doesn't have the same sound as a Harley, I do enjoy it. Edited to also mention the price made it a lot more attractive too.
Love my 03 Yamaha v-star 1100. An all around great cruiser with longevity, comfort and good mileage. For me being 67 it’s a great mid weight easy to handle motorcycle. My main ride.
I usually don't keep a bike more than 1 season. Im keeping the 04 1100 Vstar I picked up last year. Might even start a collection with it. I really like how it rides and fits me. Im 6'-4". 37 years old.
Got the same bike, although it's called Dragstar 1100 over here in Europe. Great value for money.
I own and ride a Suzuki Intruder vs800 and like it a lot. It's light, nimble and looks pretty good.
But it’s a Haponés pos
You didn't mention the Suzuki LS650 Savage. Single upright cylinder, high bars, really badass
I had a 87 LS650 Savage with the low bars, great bike. Rode it to Bike Week in Daytona one year (about 150 miles).
Own one at the moment
Love riding this old school beast
I think its the only BIG thumper left on the market, except the Yamaha SR400
I am usually a Harley fan but I like the looks of the Savage one lunger especially when they’re priced very reasonably!
I have one now. Really fun.
Sold the harley and bought a vtx1800 Honda. Nice cruiser. Love my Honda. Starts every time.
I got a Yamaha V Star 650 as my first bike and promptly put 70,000 miles on it before i traded up to BMW. I love the air cooled Star line, they are great.
My first motorcycle was a Shadow 750 ACE from 1998. Now I have more four motorcycles including a MotoGuzzi California 1100cc from 1997. The Shadow is still my favourite.
As a proud XVS owner I’d love to see more on the Japanese cruisers
I've owned a handful of Japanese cruisers, but the 2 that stand out are my 86 magna 700, and my 97 valkyrie 1500. Both bikes I feel have personality that the other bikes done. I guess mainly with sound the magna was quiet, but what was cool is that there was a ton of intake noise which I think sounded badass. Then my valkyrie straight piped with a 6 into 6 Exhaust is hands down the best sounding bike I've ever owned
My first bike was a Vulcan 750. Shaft driven, quick for a cruiser and underated power specs made it a stellar machine. The only downfall that I got tired of were the carb and parasitic power drain on the battery that I'd fix and fix and fix.... After 11 years and 37k miles I finally sold her to someone with more patience. I bought a Honda Fury which is basically a bigger version of what I used to have but without that darn carb. It's pretty old-school and simple compared to what else is out there but so am I.
Damn! I bought my first 750 Vulcan new in 1986 and rode it everywhere. I finally figured out the reason it was blowing fuses when I was in the backwoods of Stuart VA about 15 miles down an old logging road. When you locked the handlebars it shorted out the horn wire and blew the fuse. I now have my second 750 vulcan and have had it for years but it never occurred to me that the one year life of batteries was the bike and not the batteries. I kept complaining about the quality of batteries going down hill. Ugh! My carbs are clogged with ethanol now. Grrr.....
Yep my first bike was an early 90s Vulcan 750. Maybe still one of my favorites ever. I never had the battery issue or carb problems. In fact that bike I rarely did anything to. She just worked any time I wanted to ride.
Back in the mid 80's I had a Honda Shadow 700 and loved that bike. But after a few years I wanted something more powerful so I traded in the Shadow and bought a Kawa Concours. I wish I had held on to that Shadow.
I've got a 1987 suzuki vs750 intruder, bought it 19 years ago. Was taken off the road due to radiator damage, ended up having quite a few bikes since but my chopper always sat in the back ground. Now I'm almost finished doing a full restoration on it and am excited to get it back out again
My first "big" bike was an 85 Eliminator 900. My best friend at the time rode a 92 Vmax so we put on a lot of miles in 80-100 mile intervals due to pipes and jet kits combined with 3.5 gallon tanks.
I had a Honda VTX1800. Great bike. If they began making them again, I'd get one without a second thought
Why not get a used one?
@@2ndborn186 I could. I had one before. But it'd be nice to have a brand new one with updated technology and stuff like that
Yamaha's Star motorcycles where a sincere attempt at taking on HD in the factory/custom parts area. The selection was really great. Too bad the heavy crusers where overdone by the time they came to market. Yamaha roadstars rule.
I have an 2001 XV1600 wildstar and i love it, will never sell it, and my Harley owning friends like it too..
I have an 08 Roadstar 1700. Absolutely love it!
While less “Harley” the royal stars are better bikes.
Recently bought a ‘98 Yamaha Royal Star (one of which I bought new in ‘97) A real classic Jap Cruiser and different to all others being a V4 - so has its own distinct sound…..liking it! 😎👍
Thank you for this review of the great history of Japanese cruisers. Suzuki Intruder was my first motorcycle and it is still in my heart ❤ And Viragos are so amazing, with their "frames"
I really loved the power cruisers of the 80’s. I had a Suzuki gs1100L, a Yamaha Xs1100 special, aKawasaki Ltd 1100 and a Honda V65 Magna. The look, speed and sound of those bikes were awesome. The in-line fours with Kerker four into one exhausts sounded amazing. Theses bikes were very dependable. Then the Japanese V-twin bikes became popular like the Shadows, Vulcans and the Star bikes from Yamaha. I really miss those old bikes.
I currently own and daily an 83 KZ1100LTD. Great bike, lots of power, and easy to flick around!
Excellent presentation, spot-on. I've owned a lot of the bikes you've mentioned, two KZ1000 LTDs, Yamaha XS400 special, 650 special, 750 special, and I've ridden most of the others, 750 Magna, 1100 Shadow, Valkyrie, Vulcans, etc. I can't imagine trying to explain to an 80s Japanese marketing exective why the loud, shaky, leaky clunkiness of an AMF-era sportster is the bike's main appeal.
The Honda VTX1800. Great bike. At the time, 2002, it was the biggest V-Twin Cruiser and had the performance to back it up. Made Harley and all the other manufactures play catch up. They lasted too. 100k miles on many I see in the forum.
a friend of mine had one. It had exactly zero appeal to me. To each his own.
The VTX1800 is an amazing bike. One of the most reliable, powerful machines out there, and fast like nothing else. And you're right about the mileage, Honda built these bikes to last! I have a 2003 VTX1800R, and don't think I'll ever part with it. Honda claims 106HP/122ft-lb torque, you feel it.
Being an "older" rider, I bought a new Yamaha 750 "Special" in 1978. The best looking cruizer at the time but too small for me. Then in 1980 switched to Harley (Shovelhead) FXWG Wise Glide, a true factory custom. Beautiful bike but plagued with AMF construction issues. 10 years ago I bought a used Yamaha Roadstar and it has turned out to be the best of them all. Looks and sounds like a Harley but actually larger and fits me better (I'm 6'4"). Reliable and beautiful. I still have the old Harley but the Yamaha is my daily driver.
S~
1100cc Honda Shadow Sabre was my first cruser. Loved the bike reliable as can be. Easy to drive and power when you turned the throttle on the highway.
A couple years ago a friend let me ride his Vmax and I knew I had to have one. It was unlike anything I'd ever ridden. Quick enough to be fun and very raw feeling. Picked one up a year ago and it's been a blast. Shame there's nothing like it really anymore.
Bought the newer version Vmax?
@@filippocorti6760 Nah I got the 1200. Got a decent deal on a 2002 vmax that had the factory passenger backrest and the center stand already installed.
@@redeyedfreaks I think they should have kept and updated the 1200 rather than go to that 1700cc behemoth. The 1700 is too big and heavy, IMO. An updated 1200 probably would have sold better...Is the longevity of the old 1200 good?
@@filippocorti6760 Depends on how well you maintain it. Some have made it well over 100k miles before they needed rebuilding. I have a 2006 with 30k miles. I don't ride it often but when I do, it turns heads.
@@esv5182 Ride safe.
One thing I think you missed in the video for why Harley’s have such a following for cruisers is the *massive* aftermarket of parts to allow you to customize them. You can truly make a motorcycle that’s completely unique in a way you just can’t with any other. There is also a huge independent service industry for Harley - which I think you touched on (might have been someone else’s channel though - sorry if I’m wrong) when talking about owning a true classic British bike - if you’ve got an old HD, you can easily find someone that will service it.
Totally agree. That's a huuuuuge appeal of Harley
Plus anywhere in America you will be within 100 miles of a HD Dealership if you need parts
@@ChuckPackwood Yep. Lots of Japanese-made parts are available at HD dealerships.
@@sd31263 K.. As Long as I can get parts. Your the only one bothered by it..
@@sd31263 SO WHAT? BLAME YOUR PRECIOUS HARELY PPL! American made my ass
I owned an Intruder 800. Easy handling easy to maintain, great ride. I also owned an 1100 shadow. Really comfortable, smooth ride, a little low on torque but loved it. Road my friends virago many times and always thought it was a great ride. From a Honda super 50, a CL 175, a 305 Yamaha, a Honda 450 to a Triumph 650 Tiger, I loved them all. The most fun was the Triumph but the best ride was the Honda Shadow. Jeez, wish I had some of the money back but the memories were worth every penny.
How the hell do you make a 15 min. video without mentioning the Yamaha Road Star built from 1999 to 2014 in the STAR lineup.
couldnt find any public domain stock video for the Vstar bikes.....
BTW ditto the Royal Star / Venture V4s - Yamaha's cruiser version of the Goldwing
Great overview Bart. I'm retired and have owned many Japanese and Harley motorcycles during my riding career. I bought my first Japanese cruiser last year, a 2022 Suzuki M109R which I love. I had wanted to buy a new Road King but with all the upcharges and surcharges from HD I decided to spend half the money. I have since purchased a couple of older Harleys on the used market. I think the M109R is a great bike and while it doesn't have the ''character'' of the Harley's it still puts a smile on my face everytime I ride. It's a lot faster out of the box for one thing and it has plenty of low end torque (just like a Harley). Apart from the Fury it really is the last of the big bore Japanese cruisers I think. Thanks
I haven't had the time to ride as much in the last couple of years & have thought about selling my 2008 M 109R, but when I do it makes me smile, so I just hang on to it. It's so smooth and comfy I just love it!
@@robertalexander2506 I agree. It's a lot of fun so you will probably regret it if you sell. Enjoy
I LOVE my M109R. The styling is weird, but I got over that pretty quickly after riding it.
Just sold my 08 in 2022 and still regret it. Everyone confused it with a Harley, not a single Harley was able to beat me on a 1/4 mile, including any Vrod. And I'm speaking out of the box. There is SO MUCH torque on that back end. I've yet to test ride any Harley with that same punch. I sold it for half what I paid for it with 80,000 km's on the dial and she was still going strong. Next season there will be a 2024 Red M109R in my garage. Harley have done a few things right. Marketing marketing marketing and FINALLY having liquid cooled.
@@Paul-cc5rp I like the new water-cooled bikes, but I still don't like the price tag, lol.
I´m still riding a 1990ies 250ccm Yamaha Virago. Footpegs forward, a flatbar and I´m riding it every day. Very reliable. I love it.
Rocking a 2013 VStar 650 Custom and a big 2015 VStar Raider 113. Love them both. Reliable, solid, beautiful, blacked-out bikes that always turn heads. No muss, no fuss. Inexpensive and cool AF. Everything a Harley oughta be at half the price.
I liked my Honda Shadow 750. The shaft drive was so smooth.
A 1984 Yamaha xv700 Virago was my first road going motorcycle and probably the first true Harley clone from the Big Four... at least in the looks dept. Wire spoked wheels, shaft drive, pleasant exhaust low note, beautiful. I really enjoyed that bike.
My first bike was a 2000 Kawa VN800 Classic. Great bike! Still have it. But also an Indian Springfield and a H-D Sportster 883 Iron.
I’ve owned three Yamaha cruisers with the last being a 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner Midnight, what an awesomely fun and powerful bike that was…with a Barons, big air kit, Vance and Hines pipes and a power commander, the torque on the bike was insane…126 Ft/lbs on the Dyno, and the suspension was awesome, my wife loved it…seriously considering buying a used one to add it again to the stable…the 2014s in red with blacked out engine are a looker.
I always liked my ZL600 was light nippy and carried my wife and I up to 130mph no probs and economical too. I became too wobbly very sad to sell it, I am 83 now.
Own a 22 Bolt. Love it. The aftermarket options are pretty good as well. Look completely changed from stock with just a fairing, bars, seat, and exhaust.
Great video. I really love all the Japanese cruisers whether they’re “Harley gone wrong” or “Harley clone”.. it’s a shame that market is getting smaller but we’ll have them around for a while! I had a Vulcan 800 classic and an old 88 shadow 1100 .. ride a ninja at the moment but Japanese v twin cruisers are my heart ❤️
In 1971 I bought a new Harley, it was the "Supper Glide" I paid $2,374.75 for that motorcycle, I was 20 years old. That was probably the best motorcycle I have ever owned. I put over 60,000 miles on it in six years. One morning I got up and it was gone. I never saw it again, I cried for years. I have had several motorcycles since then, the one I have now I bought new in 2021. It is a Harley 74 cubic inch Sportster, it cost $10,000, I have over 90,000 miles on it and the case has never been cracked.
What can I say I am a Harley guy and will always be one.
Love you channel.
I've owned and worked on a lot of the bikes you featured, and enjoyed them all. I'm kind of surprised you didn't talk about Yamaha's V-star series bikes. They were one of the better selling Harley-wannabes in my area. I still see a lot of them on the road, pretty reliable machines.
I love my Vstar 1100. Incredible bike. Reliable and good-looking to boot. I see them all around here as well.
I recently upgraded to a Roadliner but I will never sell my 1100!
Me too I have a 02 v star 1100 and I think it's a great cruzer
I had a v star 650. Good bike but slow. Traded for Vulcan classic 1500. Traded for a Honda VTX 1300. Best bike I ever had. Put 100,000 miles on it.
Agreed, would not change my V star 1100 for a HD , particularly recent HD. I can' t deny that I love the "old" harley look
I'm sure that not mentioning the V-star is just an oversight because most old-timers see the V-star as an updated Virago. The V-star V-twin engines are direct descendants of the Virago engines, but the V-star frames were heavier, more "classic" looking than the slightly odd looking Viragos, which made their performance a bit more subdued. My favorite Virago was the 920 monoshock version, (1983) with the analog gauges, but I did get to borrow a South American market chain drive 920 one day and that was a ripper. It would pull the front wheel up with ease in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. It was strange to be on such a beast. It showed what that engine could do when not subdued by the ubiquitous Yamaha 80's era shaft drive.
I have a 94 Yamaha Virago 1100, not the best looking bike imo, but cheap, and so comfy when riding with a pillion.
Also super easy to maintain do to the shaft drive!😍👍
I am older now and can respect the Virago but back then, in the day, the Virago was not cool. Not cool at all, lol. It was fuh-uh-ugly.
I worked on a Virago 750 some years ago. I considered it a very well built bike & it looked like a Sportster with its staggered shorty mufflers. I think Virago's biggest problem was with their starter drive.
@@soldat2501 I must say the look have grown on me, at least in some angles.😁 But the tall front end with that angled tank looks a bit off, and also not a fan off the air filter covers.
@@n.mcneil4066 So far I haven't had any big problems with it. A leaking fork seal, and a grabby front brake, but that can happen with any bike.
Virago and the Honda version (magna?) both look like a HD ran into a brick wall and bent the frame into a pretzel, and someone did their best to straighten it out...
But the thing is, when you are riding all you can see is the headlight bucket and the mirrors, so what do you care what it looks like? You cant see it.
I did have a 82 Honda Magana 750. What a great bike. Better than any Harley I had or rode. I fixed it up and sold it then got the next project bike. The Goldwing GL1000 was also a great jap cruiser. I miss those bikes.
Funny though Royal Enfield has been around from 1901 2 years earlier than Harleys. But the bikes they make are still old school in tech , just enough to satisfy the nostalgia. That's why they are doing good in India as well.
Totally glossed over the 1996-2003 Honda Valkyrie. I've owned a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate since new and now have 140K+ miles on it. Have yet to find anything I would consider a suitable replacement made by any mfg. Making bikes now has become more about meeting Euro5 requirements than anything else. Add a fickle and fractured buying public and it seems amazing that any motorcycle company is able to be successful these days.
Yamaha Royal Star (V4 1300) is the base model of the Vstar Venture touring bikes. It has a better reliability rating than any Goldwing (4 or 6 cylinder).
@@kenwittlief255 - tried the Yamaha. Not to my liking...
@@michaelvachon1334 It is different, it is a cruiser
I took an '84 naked GW for a ride, always wanted one. I kept putting my feet on the cylinder heads (where the running boards are suppose to be :) and had to keep looking down to see where the foot pegs were. Its a smooth engine, hard to beat a Boxer for balance.
Didnt buy it. Ended up with the Royal Star a few months later.
My wife rides a Yamaha VStar Classic 650 , its a good looking bike that's super comfortable to ride , it goes quite well for a heavy bike , sits on 70mph all day long in comfort .
I had and Loved my ‘79 Honda CX500 Custom. I wish I still had it. V Twin Motor and Haft Drive!
Did Honda make a later version of that bike named the Silver Wing?
@@wallacegrommet9343 yes, in the ‘80s they made a Deluxe and a Silver Wing which the later looked and was equipped just like the Gold Wing tour model.
Loved mine too. It was a comfortable ride. And that engine was wonderfully relaxed. It always felt like an old friend. I miss it. I might yet buy another. Trouble is the trend for people hacking them into cafe racers. Destroying classic gems.
I have a 96 Virago 1100 and I love it. It's funny though - this video speaks of Japanese bikes having faded out, in part, because of people wanting a "sense of nostalgia... and that can't be manufactured" and a "longing for the motorcycles of old" - with which I agree. But almost all of the videos about the Virago here on UA-cam, have comments like "I used to have a Virago and I wish I still had it". I don't think they will ever attain H.D. status but maybe these Japanese cruisers from the 80s and 90s have now reached the age where they too instill a sense of nostalgia, and are among those that can be seen as one of those motorcycles of old.
I love riding the Japanese cruisers I had but honestly… when it comes rebuild time I love my Harleys just my own experience.
I don’t know of another company with a large parts following and simple reliable pushrod design 😁
For Japanese cruisers, my first that I still own is my 2007 Shadow 1100 Spirit. That bike I've owned for ~17k miles (bought at 10.5k so now at 27k on the odometer) and has been the most reliable bike I've ridden yet, though having only owned six motorcycles so far, there's still plenty of flavors I have yet to try.
The shaft drive makes drivetrain maintenance easy as can be, the engine is overhead cam with hydraulic lifters so no need for periodic valve adjustments and the offset crankpins help smooth out the vibrations of the 45 degree V.
Despite all this praise for my Shadow, it still doesn't give me that feeling that my previous two Sportsters did. Like you said, the feeling of riding a Harley is really hard for other companies to replicate. I also owned a VTX 1300 and that was closer to getting that feeling, at least from my personal riding experiences. The single crankpin 52 degree V was able to give the rumble and slight idle lope that a Harley would have while running smoother. That endeavor was cut short when someone turned into me and totaled the VTX.
I don't know how long I'll keep my Shadow or what I may replace it with but I've always been glad to have it in my shed and be ready for just about anything.
Had a 535 virago from 1995 and it was such a beautiful and comfortable bike. Sadly it was stolen and now I have a RE classic 500 lol
The 1979 CX500C or 1985 Intruder 700/750 were pretty important steps for Japan. Also, and the Shadows never had balancers, they had offset crank pins for perfect primary balance (like a 90-degree twin). The ACE was built with a shared crank pin for more vibrations and less performance.
Currently riding a 2005 Suzuki Boulevard C50T. Love the looks as well as the way it rides. A previous owner had removed the baffles from the exhaust giving a really throaty sound. At a fraction of the price of a Harley, this is a perfect choice for a retired guy on a fixed income.
Been riding for 46 years and the only cruiser I've ever owned is the Shadow VLX600 I got to teach the kids in my life how to ride. Thing is, I've put more miles on it then any of them. Maybe that VTX1800 I passed up in the early 2000's is worth another look...
I love the sound of the VLX600. Same single pin crankshaft design that’s in my VTX1300… I just need to put on some pipes so I can hear it better 🤙
The Suzuki Intruder was water cooled from day 1. You said it was air cooled. Also no mention of Yamaha's Star line of air cooled V-twins ? They were more Harley-like than any of the Japanese V-twins that you mentioned. Honda's Shadow ACE (American Classic Edition) deserves a mention separate from the other Shadow models because the engine was different from all the other Shadow models, with a single pin crankshaft design that imitated the classic "potato-potato" Harley sound. So much so that Harley sued Honda over it ! The Japanese imitators always had better performance and better value than Harley. And for some riders that was important (it was to me after a decade owning an Electro Glide). But some people just didn't care. Nothing but a Harley would do.
The 800 was fully water cooled, the 1400 model was air AND oil cooled. Rear cylinder got most of the oil cooling (it sure needed it).
My 96 Honda Magna 750 is by far my favorite bike I’ve ever ridden. The 3rd gen magna is a pinnacle of engineering. It’s fast when you want it, it’s comfortable, the transmission is great and it’s a Honda. You can swap so many parts from the vfr or other bikes. Only thing I don’t like is the rear drum brake but you can still drag it if you want, and you can swap it with cbr parts if you’d still rather have disc
Currently building my fourth bobber out of a Japanese bikes. This time around it's going to be the 2001 Xvs 1100. Talking complete engine tear down and frame powder coating. And possibly a front end from a Harley with a new wheel. I love doing these. It's a big challenge trying to find parts for these older bikes that are not American Harley that are everywhere and so easy to find parts for now
I had a shadow 600 and a 96 ace. I enjoyed both, I wanted the sound and the feel of a Harley. The Honda dependability was great, but I always felt that something was missing. I now ride a xl1200c that I have mildly customized. Love it!
@@robertarata8684 I had a '90s 1200 and I did the s&s 1250 on it and some cam work and other odds and ends and I had 102 horses on my 1250.
For me it all started back in the 1990's when I first walked in an Yamaha dealership in Brazil. The Virago were in the showroom, that's when I became obsessed over riding a cruiser. My first cruiser was a 1995 Suzuki intruder 800. Of couse in my mind I was not feeling like a real biker, so, four years later I sold it and bought a Harley Davidson Sportster 883. From then on I owned six different Harleys , spent a real fortune, and now that I'm sixty years old and have mature a little I ride a HONDA NC 750 .
I'll bet that 800 intruder was a lot faster than that 883 Harley
@@tallywacker7391 heeellll yeah, faster, more reliable, cheaper to maintain, and the list goes on.....
@@raulcarmello1163 I know that's right. I had an 81yamaha xs 850 triple and there wasn't a Harley Davidson around I couldn't beat.
I made the hole loop too, spent a lot of money. Now I’m 65 and wish I had my old Honda nighthawk 700 back! Funny how we men act…
@@johnnymoore7480 you are right about that. When I was younger I wanted the biggest baddest fastest bike. Now that I'm older I want something smaller and good on gas. When I was 17 I had a Honda CL 360 twin and I wish I still had it,it was plenty of bike it would do over 100mph and great on gas. I would like to find one for sale. I have a 2002 Yamaha v star 1100 that I ride. It's a good bike never really had problems with it. It has served me well. Just want something smaller to add to my collection.
First bike was a 1980 KZ440 ltd. I built it up during pandemic since it was not working and I got it for $500. I don’t miss that one lmao but it looked pretty cool and felt like I was riding actual old school
1974 CB350G, 1978 CB 750 K, 1985 Honda VT 500 Custom, 1987 Honda VT 750 Custom, 1988 Honda VT800, 2000 Honda 1100 Super Sabre and now a 2000 Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan fi. All fantastically reliable but the 1978 CB 750 will always be my favorite.
I love my '00 Honda Shadow 750. Great first bike, hope it's not going to become boring soon.
Whilst visiting home my friend lent me his Kawasaki Spectre to cruise around England on. I‘ve never been a cruiser fan but I really enjoyed just taking it easy and admiring my surroundings.
There still seems to be a market for them here in Germany with the Scandenavians having bought quite a few. I noticed back in the 90‘s that the Dutch bikers used the big 1100 Viragos as serious touring bikes.
Thanks for a very interesting and enjoyable review 😉
Haha, yeah I think the Japanese cruisers really hit it big here in Scandinavia. People are basically giving 535 Viragos away now! I bought a ‘95 VF750C Magna for ~2000€ two years ago. Great fun, but 88hp and a rear drum brake? I often found myself riding it too hard because the handling was surprisingly good and the engine was begging for it, but the brakes were seriously bad. The 1100 Virago had at least dual discs up front…
I tried learning on a magna v30, also rode a shadow for a minute or two, but sport bikes won my heart with performance. If you can’t see past performance then cruisers will never appeal to you, but you should be able to step outside yourself and see why they appeal to others.
Well said. My first bikes were a Virago and Magna V30, then, later, a Vulcan…but then I went to nakeds and sportbikes and have no interest in ever going back. But I still understand and appreciate the appeal of the cruiser platform, even if it’s no longer for me.
Yamaha Royal Star (V4 1300) top speed is 135mph
it hits 60mph in 2nd gear, and you still have 3 left
how fast do you need to go?
I own a 2004 Honda VTX 1300C. It's my first and only bike. I got it for the japanese reliability and cost. Only $3000 and it has given me 3 years of riding enjoyment with many more to come.
I'm eagerly awaiting a dedicated video to the iconic Yamaha Virago.
I baught my XV1100 brand new in 92 and I still ride it today.
Now to be fair I didn't necessarily want a cruiser. I bought it because it was the most suitable bike that fit me at the time and it got the best performance reviews when compared to the other Japanese cruisers.
30 years later, she's still runs like a charm and out manovers almost every other "cruiser" we run into. 😉
My first bike was a Honda Rebel 125. loved it.
I had a 1994 Intruder 1400 that looked a lot like the one you show at 8:48. It was basically given to me in boxes around 2014, and I managed to put it all together and get it running in a weekend. It had a down draft carburetor under the gas tank, and a side draft carb under the seat. The battery was in a box mounted in front of the back tire, and while it always ran it was always a bit cantankerous when it was cold - trying to get the two different carbs to play nice together was a challenge, it was almost like running two engines on a common crankshaft. There weren't any mufflers included in the pile of parts, but a couple of those fat exhaust tips that people put on F150's and Silverados where there, so I put them on. I did some jetting to get it to run right, and swapped in some stronger clutch springs.
Reliability issues aside, it was a very entertaining and obnoxious bike to ride. It didn't feel like it accelerated, it just felt like you were being thrown at the scenery. It would completely destroy a 1200 Sportster in a straight line. It sounded like a washing machine tumbling down a flight of stairs when it idled, and at full throttle it sounded like distilled hatred was being forced out of the exhaust. It would corner fairly well, although you really had to watch the throttle as it would easily break the tire loose with no warning. It was comfortable on the highway and nimble in town, sadly mine met it's end late one night on the way to work, where it caught on fire. It didn't harm the bike much, and I was able to fix everything except for the CDI box, which was actually bolted to the bottom of the seat.
Really well done video. There's so much lazy slapped together content related to motorcycle history on youtube, but this has got to be one of the best, most thorough and accurate ones I've seen. Subscribed!
Minor correction, the Intruder was liquid cooled right from the get-go, hard to miss the big radiator on the front of the bike!
The smaller Intruders were liquid cooled but the original vs1400 Intruder was air cooled front cylinder and oil cooled rear cyclinder, I've got a '94 model. I've always liked cruisers, learned on a Honda cm 125, moved up to a Kawasaki 454 ltd (belt drive), then a Vulcan 750 (shaft drive), then a yamaha Vmax1200 (shaft drive) which I have now owned for 25 years and just recently got the Intruder (shaft drive) which I always wanted.
Here in the UK the roads are pretty awful haveing been neglected for decades and the Intruder doesn't do well at low speeds but once it picks up it rides great, Vmax though is absolutely stellar, just put forward controls on it due to now being retired with bad knees, sports bike riders don't know what hit them when that vboost kicks in.
I’ve had a couple Suzuki intruders in the past. Both were 800cc variant. Loved those bikes, if my 96’ wasn’t destroyed in a accident I’d still be rippin it. Might get another one down the road.
Might someday sell mine, 96 800 burgundy in color
i have an 800 s50 aka the intruder but is now the boulevard. it rips. loud and fast.
@@madblunted well, fast for its class. Very underrated bikes tho. If I didn’t live in a rural area I’d probably be actively looking for another one.
Get a good used Boulevard C or M and you'll really like having the fuel injection over carbs. I kept my M50 after getting a 109 and 90. Still fun for around town.
Good video. As for me I'm 71 years old and just sold probably the last bike I'll ever own (an '88 Suzuki Katana 1100 with 115,000 km on it) about this time last year. I've always liked how Harley's looked and sounded although I've always preferred 4 cylinders. The one cruiser I really like and would try some day though if I ever had the chance is the Suzuki M109R.
maybe it's time to try a cruiser!
My 08' C90t gets a lot of looks. It's a very beautiful machine. Aside from basic maintenance and some love all's I do is ride it and enjoy. Thank you Susuki.....
The Suzuki Madura GV1200 didn't even get a mention. Mine is 38 years old and still burning up the road. I've read many critical comments about the Madura's styling. But I get many positive reactions from people when I'm on the street or at events.
Another banger, little brother. My current main squeeze(s) is (are) a 73 CB350 and a 80 CB650 custom. I didn't like the 650 with its cruiserish tank and stance but it is growing on me. I think Royal Enfield has nailed the retro thing because they never really developed in the first place. I love their bikes and appreciate the reliability that comes with simplicity.
My biggest gripe with Royal, and coming from somebody that owned a Royal as their first motorcycle, is their build quality and material choices. I do appreciate that they retooled their factories and the healthy leaps they are taking but they still have a few things to fix. But for price, they rock.
@@roscoe4092 I've never even seen one in person. Our local bike shop focuses almost entirely on side by sides and 4 wheelers. A few big cruisers and sport bikes. It is good to hear that they are making progress, though. I think a simple commuter friendly bike that is cool looking is much needed in the market.
Had a early CB 350, with megaphones it put out a sound shifting at 10000 rpm, and down shifts too.
@@lanesaarloos281 yep. She's a screamer
my intruder 1400 re-ignited my love for motorcycles. Riding has become a big part of my life ever since.......Thanks Suzuki!
I love your vids. You do a great job researching and producing them.
I could have known the stuff you said about most Japanese cruisers ,with you being an American and we all know you Guys love your Harley"s
and are very good at buying your own home made products ,more than us in the U.K. I used to ride the usual Triumphs ,B.S.A.s etc ,and usually in sport bike trim . But injuries some time ago forced me onto lowslung custom cruisers ,I started ,through various L.T.D.s ,an Eliminator 1000 which was super fast & unbreakable ,but I struggled to get parts & it didn"t go around corners .A Kawasaki 700 V twin , a Honda V twin and various Yamaha Virago"s ,one fitted with a sidecar for the Bulldog and the Grandkids . I found the custom Suzuki"s suffered pretty badly in our weather and most were rusty after a couple of years . My wife had a Hyosung V twin 650 from South Korea ,it looked great for the price was ultra reliable ,but under powered . Over the years I had most big customs ,but only had a couple any length of time - a Kawasaki Drifter & a old Indian Chief ,the best bike I ever owned . Gone full circle buying a Ironhead Sportster new in the early 70s and now ride my late wife"s 1200 sportster as my everyday ride ,cos it"s easy to move around as I am now in my mid 70s . BUT still have my big bikes in the garage ,in the hope I will eventually go to the Gym and then be able to use a kickstart & put them on a center stand ! . Happy Riding ...
I just bought a 2002 triumph 790,so far so good. It’s been great for riding around town,feels good to be back in the saddle again,hope you can get to the gym soon 😊live to ride,ride to live.😊
Rode a 78 Yamaha XS650 for 9years. It went from a standard to raked to a hardtail Chopper. Also had a 97 Suzuki 800 Marauder for 11 years. I'm now riding my 2nd Sportster (1200) since 2008. My 1st Sportster was a 1981 XLCH bought new and ridden for 3 years. Nothing beats the sound and "feel" of a Harley.
Excellent perspective. Also, ZRX1100 and 1200 were retro bikes when they came out. Now they are classics in their own right.
My first bike was a 2020 Honda shadow and it truly the best starter (vtwin) cruiser in my opinion. It was so easy to ride. I upgraded last summer to a 2022 Suzuki m109r which I absolutely love. It's big and burly but my god does it tear up the highway and it'll handle a curve better than most would expect
No bike is easier to ride than a Harley.
@Lance LaFrinier Depends on what you mean by easier to ride. I started riding on a 2000 shadow 1100 and my buddy had a heritage softail of roughly the same era.
His bike had a little more character and mine was better in every other way.
@@christianhodges685 yeah a shadow 750 just does everything it needs to do to get around town. It's legs on the highway are a little short but otherwise it scoots around town effortlessly
Honda Shadows I have tried, like the parallel twin Honda Rebels, are all too small for me (6 feet 2 inches, 188 cm). The 2021 Honda Rebel CM500 was like a child's tricycle. I started on a Suzuki M50 (800 cc) and now mostly ride a Victory Cross Roads (1730 cc). The Victory is seriously comfortable, reliable, and FAST. The Suzuki M50 tops out in terms of comfortable speed at 65 mph / 105 kph. After that, the vibration through the handlebars and footpegs gets increasingly uncomfortable as the 5 speed transmission just doesn't go any higher, letting the RPMs climb and climb. I have hit 80 mph / 130 kph, but it's like riding a bumblebee at that point. The Victory cruise control helps it hum along smoothly at 90 mph / 145 kph.
@@amerigo88 yeah I'm 6'0 290lbs so I was a bit of a bear on a tricycle on the shadow but it wasn't unbearable. My shadow would top at 90 mph but I was comfortable cruising at 75-80 but the bike was screaming especially with the cobra pipes I had on it. My boulevard m109r can cruise at 120 without breaking a sweet although I will 😅I wish the bully had cruise control though that's one major draw back especially given it's riding position
So interesting hearing an American voice talking about this, as a Brit/European I have a different perspective. We all knew (right into the 90's) Harleys as Hardly-Driveables or All American Tractors. They represented all the things, just like the American Car Industry that we didn't want.
A significant portion of America has always resisted progress.
I am willing to bet you have no long term riding experience with a Harley. If you do it must have been a beater or you have not mastered the meaning, soul and ZIN of the classic riding style.
@@wallacegrommet9343 I find what many call progress such as BLM, WOKE, LGBT and no understanding or purpose of classical design want to fix what is not broken.
Thanks - really enjoyed this vid. Which is the bike pictured in the thumb? Virago?