Cruiser + Touring Motorcycles
Cruiser + Touring Motorcycles includes two of the most popular motorcycle categories, accounting for nearly three out of every four on-highway motorcycles sold in the United States. According to sales data from the Motorcycle Industry Council for 2012, motorcycles classified as “Cruiser” accounted for 32.3% and those classified as “Touring” accounted for 41.9% of total on-highway units sold. As discussed in Cruiser motorcycle guides, most cruisers are classically styled motorcycles that highlight the exposed engine–usually an air-cooled V–twin–and metalwork such as chrome exhaust pipes or heavy fenders. They typically offer a relaxed, feet-forward riding position favored by riders who, as the name implies, enjoy cruising down Main Street or their favorite back road. Touring motorcycles, which includes some cruisers as well as other types of bikes, are designed for long-distance travel. Touring motorcycle reviews look for typical details like a windshield (and sometimes a fairing) to protect the rider from wind, a comfortable seat and attached luggage, such as hard or soft saddlebags and possibly a trunk. Baggers, a nickname for motorcycles equipped with saddlebags, straddle the cruiser and touring categories and they’re very popular today.
2012 Victory Hard-Ball – First Look
Greg Drevenstedt
December 28, 2011
After presenting R. Lee “Gunny” Ermey, the former Marine Corps drill instructor best known for his roles in Full Metal Jacketand on History Channel’s “Mail Call,” with a custom USMC-themed High Ball on December 9 at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California, Victory Motorcycles... Read more »
2012 Indian Motorcycle – First Look
Rider Magazine
November 29, 2011
The first Indian motorcycles were built in 1901, and bikes were sold to the public in 1902, making it one of America’s oldest motorcycle brands. Indian Motorcycle was once the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, and claims many firsts: production V-twin, fully adjustable front suspension, electric... Read more »
2012 Victory Cross Country Tour Road Test
Bill Stermer
November 17, 2011
photography by Kevin Wing [This 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour Road Test was originally published in the December 2011 issue of Rider magazine] 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour A year ago this fall, as I was riding a 2011 Victory Cross Country to New Mexico and back from Southern California, I wondered,... Read more »
2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback Road Test
Mark Tuttle
October 21, 2011
[This 2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback Road Test was originally published in the November 2011 issue of Rider magazine] Helmet: Nolan N103 / Jacket: Cortech Piuma / Pants: Tourmaster Decker On the face of it, the central feature of Harley’s new 2012 Switchback seems simple enough. A quick-release... Read more »
2012 Star Motorcycles – First Look
Rider Magazine
September 21, 2011
2012 Star Raider SCL is the first model in the Star Custom Line. For 2012, Yamaha’s Star Motorcycles division is launching a factory-custom line, called SCL (Star Custom Line). The first model will be the Raider SCL, featuring chrome wheels and drive belt pulley co-designed by Star and Performance... Read more »
2012 Harley-Davidsons – First Ride
Rider Magazine
August 19, 2011
Spanning six model families plus the Custom Vehicle Operations division, the 2012 Harley-Davidson lineup is jam packed with more iron than a steel mill, 32 models in all. The big news, literally, is that the Twin Cam 103 V-twin, which boosts displacement by 7 percent (to 1,690cc) and claimed torque by... Read more »
2012 Harley-Davidson CVOs – First Look
Rider Magazine
July 20, 2011
Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) unit designs limited-production factory customs. CVO bikes are decked out with bold paint, gleaming chrome, high-output audio and Harley’s largest-displacement production V-twin, the fuel-injected Twin Cam 110, rated at 122 lb-ft of torque. 2012 Harley-Davidson... Read more »
2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster, Touring & Trike – First Look
Rider Magazine
July 7, 2011
Harley-Davidson has begun delivery of all 15 models in the 2012 Touring, Trike and Sportster lines to its U.S. dealers. These motorcycles will be available for sale immediately. Additional 2012 models will be announced in July. 2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom The six 2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster... Read more »
2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe vs. 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 21, 2011
photography by Rich Cox [This 2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe vs. 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Rider Comparison Test was originally published in the July 2011 issue of Rider magazine] Above: A larger fairing and standard fairing lowers give the red Vaquero more wind protection than the Stratoliner Deluxe.... Read more »
2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 21, 2011
photography by Rich Cox [This 2011 Star Stratoliner Deluxe Rider Test was originally published in the July 2011 issue of Rider magazine] A large chunk of American motorcyclists are beholden to the past. For years the highest percentage of motorcycle sales has been accounted for by cruisers, classically... Read more »
