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 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 »
First U.S Ride: 2012 BMW K1600GTL Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 21, 2011
photography by Rich Cox [This First U.S. Ride: 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL Road Test was originally published in the July 2011 issue of Rider] When upbeat reports started hitting the Interwebs from the very first evening of the BMW K 1600 GT/L world introduction in South Africa in February, including some from... Read more »
2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 21, 2011
photography by Kevin Wing [This 2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 Ridden & Rated was originally published in the July 2011 issue of Rider] What makes a motorcycle a luxury-touring bike? An integrated top trunk and side cases, with some additional storage here and there? A built-in sound system, intercom,... Read more »
2010 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 21, 2011
photography by Rich Cox [This 2010 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 Road Test was originally published as a Ridden & Rated in the June 2011 issue of Rider magazine] The bridge of the GL1800 mothership is chock-a-block with gauges, displays, buttons and controls. Our Audio Comfort Navi XM ABS test bike was... Read more »
2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 ABS Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 16, 2011
photography by Kevin Wing and the author [This 2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 ABS Road Test was originally published as a Rider Test in the August 2011 issue of Rider magazine] 2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 ABS The typical day ride, especially on a luxury-touring motorcycle such as the new 2012 Honda Gold... Read more »
2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 9, 2011
photography by Milagro [This 2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon Road Test was originally a Ridden & Rated in the May 2011 issue of Rider magazine] According to Ducati, the new Diavel Carbon is “built by people who have earned the right to change the rules.” Common are inflated claims about... Read more »
2011 Triumph Thunderbird Storm Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 9, 2011
photography by Riles and Nelson [This 2011 Triumph Thunderbird Storm Road Test was originally published in the May 2011 issue of Rider magazine] Except for a couple of small entry-level bikes from other makers, the parallel twins in Triumph ’s cruisers make them unique among the current parade of... Read more »
2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Road Test
Bill Stermer
June 8, 2011
[This 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Road Test was originally published in the April 2011 issue of Rider] With today’s economic realities, we all want more for our money. We want “Buy One, Get One Free,” we want “But wait—there’s more,” and with a new motorcycle many of us want a bike... Read more »
