Sport-tourer or Cruiser

OK, so the wife says she's done with "crotch-rockets" and wants me to buy another bike, that she'll enjoy riding on... She was OK on the old VFR, but HATES the new Daytona (hasn't actually even attempted to ride).

So, I've only ever had "sport bikes" (if the VFR800 still fits in that category), and have never bought something for pillion comfort; so here's the question:

I can get the new Triumph Thunderbird Storm, add the cushy seat and sissy bar back rest.


OR

I can get the new Triumph Sprint GT, add the cushy seat and the topbox with backpad.


I have actually never rode a cruiser, and while I hear all kinds of crap, the Thunderbird has won Cruiser of the year two years in a row, and supposedly handles really well.

The Sprint GT is cheaper (by thousands) than the other ST's it competes against, and holds it's own. According to reviews, it is actually compared to a VFR800 in a couple.

So, I kinda know what I'm getting with the GT, but am unsure with the cruiser. On the otherhand, the low center of gravity and seatheight, has it's appeal...

Thoughts?

 

My vote easily goes to the GT seeing as Cruiser riders have been peeing me off lately being both slow and hogging the lines impossible to pass safely going up my local mountain range twisites. The GTs front looks have been smoothed off from the ST in a good way.

 

Mate only you can answer that. Get your butt on a cruiser and see if you like it or not.
When you ride do you love leaning right over ?
Do you often do speeds in excess of 80 mph ?
If you come up on a windy road do you speed up or slow down ?
If yes yes yes then a cruiser may not be for you.
I don't find them any comfier to ride than the Viffer. But that's just me and I have grown up on sports bikes.
I do enjoy a run on a cruiser. It's all easy as long as you ride them like they are intended. Push one too far and it gets pretty ugly.
My lady prefers the Viffer as she can see over me when on the back. Where on a lot of cruisers they cant.
Buy her a cruiser and you a new sports tourer

 

Sounds like a good excuse to test ride two bikes rather than just one...

 

Keep the Daytona and get an America/Speedmaster or T'Bird for her 'comfort'.

You WILL have to have a bike she is comfortable on (my wife loves my Trophy 3).

 

OH, sorry if I was not clear; THIS IS A SECOND BIKE... I'm keeping Emma.

 

That's a good lad then. If it were my decision, I'd go with the GT; but you should try and get a ride with her on the back. The GT is as close as Triumph is making today to my Trophy 3, and I tell ya - two-up can be serious fun. My sweetie is not petite; but she is a brilliant passenger, and we can hang with a pretty fast crowd on the Trophy. The GT should be even better.

Looking forward to the pics...

 

I think I've found the compromise I'm looking for... We need to see how the wife likes sitting on the Ducati Diavel Carbon Red.

 

I talked to the previous owner of my bike a couple days ago. He said that the VFR was the most comfortable bike that his wife had ever ridden on.

Good handling two up is not about sport bike styling necessarily. Many cruisers have soft springs for city riding. Many sport bikes don't have a good rear seat or leg room.

I bought a cruiser for touring two up. Improvements included a better seat front and rear. Low handlebars for better control and longer stiffer shocks for better handling two up. I haven't really ridden two up on my VFR but from what I hear it should be good two up as well. Although I think the rear foot pegs are pretty cramped.

Wow the Ducati Devil, I like that.

 

Oh, this I gotta see...

 

Call it a "power cruiser" or "muscle cruiser"; whatever, the stats are pretty awesome, the reports I'm reading are pretty awesome too and the pillion seat looks like it's got a good amount of padding... The rear pegs are interesting and based on the pics, looks like it gives good leg room, which is the wife's biggest complaint.

Plus, for me, the front pegs are not out front, which is my biggest concern...

 

After more research (pics 2 up), it looks like the Multistrada or Tiger (either) might be the better choice; lots of leg room (based on pics). So, now I've got to think about that... Decisions, decisions...

 

I would go for Multistrada, Almost bought one and decided to get the GS instead.

 

At least your wife is open to suggestions. That's the good news. The ONLY bike my wife will consider riding pillion is a Gold Wing. She will not even sit on another bike (with the engine off and the key out!). For her, its Gold Wing or nothing.

Mind you, I'm not opposed to getting a Wing. The VFR ain't going anywhere, but I could see myself on one of those.

 

Right on! Price ain't too bad either. But with a yellow gen 5 in my garage already, I might look for a different color when it comes time to pull the plug on the Wing.

 

I have found the bike I was looking for; finally!

Ducati Diavel Strada - Ducati

 

Real bikers don't let their wives choose the bikes.

 

Just make the wife get a license and buy her her own damn bike!