Cruisers and Touring Motorcycles
Cruisers and Touring Motorcycles from Harley-Davidson® are both big, powerful, and tough, so what’s the difference, really? They’re both great for showing off your grit, but there are some key differences between the two that noticeably affect your riding experience. Yes both bikes are amazing, but the important part is to realize which model is best for your preferences and riding style. In this guide from Crystal HD, we’ll talk about what to take into consideration when selecting one of these bikes, and if you really want to feel the difference, come into our dealership for a test ride. We’re near New Port Richey, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clermont, and Spring Hill, Florida.
A Cruiser’s Key Features
Cruisers are huge, and they demonstrate an attitude of dominance that turns heads and makes people think twice before competing with you on the road. They’re also called “baggers” by many riders, and they’re excellent for taking a long ride or commuting to work and the store. Their greatest value lies in their style and power.
Style
Want to catch your neighbor’s eye? A Cruiser from Harley-Davidson will do just that, as it’s hot-rod-esque features epitomize aggressive design. They come in chrome, powder coating, or black anodized colors, which lets you ride in style on a brag-worthy motorcycle. Ape handlebars and other such accessories do more for the look than they do for performance, but if you value your bike’s appearance, this is one of the things you’ll love most about a Cruiser.
Uncompromising Power
That style isn’t for nothing, as you’ll see the first time you open the throttle on a Cruiser. These enormous motorcycles have huge chassis that can work with just about any engine out there. You won’t have a problem getting a cruiser with an engine larger than 1,000 ccs, which means you’ll always have more power than just about anyone else on the road. The performance is uncompromising. The torque is beyond compare. They’ll get you where you need to go quickly, but bear in mind that you’ll sacrifice a bit of fuel efficiency when riding one of these.
Easy to Customize
What’s truly definitive about a Cruiser is how easy it is to customize. The engines can be modified without too much work, while their heavy “bagger” style looks good with just about any alternate components you want to attach onto it. You can even change out functional parts like the front forks to get a different style, meaning you have near endless options for making one of these bikes your own.
Main Aspects of a Touring Bike
While Cruisers make you look big and tough, a touring motorcycle keeps you comfortable on a long-distance trip. There’s nothing better than a Harley-Davidson touring bike to get you across the country quickly and comfortably, as there’s an array of practical features and convenient designs to keep you chipping away at the road for hours.
Better Storage
Vacations involve luggage. Sometimes, you need a lot of it. With a touring motorcycle, especially one of the newer models, you’ll get stretched saddlebags with more than enough room to carry your equipment, spare clothes, and whatever else you need to pack with you. You also sometimes get top-mount boxes and compartments on the frame for extra capacity, and because these storage areas are so carefully placed on the bike, you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort while riding with a full load.
Unparallelled Comfort
The other vital aspect of long-distance touring is comfort. It’s uncomfortable enough sitting in one seat for hours at a time, so you’re better off travelling cross-country in a touring motorcycle. These Harleys have plush seating and support ergonomic riding to reduce your fatigue on the road. Don’t try going too far away from home with a Cruiser. You’ll be much more comfortable and relaxed making the long journey on a touring bike.
They might look a lot alike at first, but there really are huge differences between Cruisers and touring motorcycles. Of course, since they both come from Harley-Davidson, you can trust that either style of bike will provide you with some of the best in high-quality design and easy rideability, but choosing between the two lineups is a matter of personal preference. If you have more questions, or just need to test ride one of these bikes to really figure out which is better for you, come on into Crystal HD. We proudly serve the area of Dunnellon and Chiefland, Florida.