Whats the difference between a cruiser bike and a sports bike??

my boyfriend is planning to buy a bike. either of them. now he always ask me which one i prefer. i dont know whats the difference. can anybody please help!!!

cruisers are more like your traditional Harley Davidson--the sitting position is more laid back--feet rest on pegs that are farther forward, knees aren't bent as much. here are two pics of cruisers:

http://jerrymahurin.com/bike/bike_1.jpg
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/20...

sports bikes, on the other hand, the rider leans forward and knees are bent a lot, the footpegs are actually farther behind. also, sports bikes usually have plastic (aka fairings) covering the engine in the front and look more aerodynamic.

here are some pics of street bikes:
http://www.motorsports-network.com/kawas...
http://www.gekgo.com/images/hyou_gt650r_...
http://www.mrnguyen.com/weblog/photo/200...
http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop-46...



sports bikes are usually better for handling turns and stuff. cruiser bikes are the ones that people tend to "chop" up with heavy customizations. you woudl take a cruiser on a long trip, probably not a street bike.

the sitting position on sport bikes is more like the english way of riding a horse. basically, compare these two pictures on a bike:
cruiser style:
http://www.easyracers.com/images/PICT438...
http://photos.motorcycle-usa.com/1HWYact...

sport/street style:
http://www.eastlothiantri.co.uk/bike%20s...
http://photos.motorcycle-usa.com/68778_m...

if you want to read up more on the differences, check out the wikipedia articles I put in the source.

Cruiser is a sit upright bike kindof like a harley. Sports bikes or crotch rockets, he willhave to lean forwrd to drive it. I would tell him to get a cruiser.

a sports bike would be what I call a "crotch rocket" lol No offense to anyone, they are fast bikes and not so comfortable to be the chic on the back! IMO they arent really made for carrying a passenger. They are made for speed. A cruiser is made for longer journeys, it usually would be more comfortable for long rides, and theres actually a seat for the girl to sit on that might even be comfortable!!
if you want him riding fast, mostly by himself, he should get a sports bike. If you guys want to spend quality time together going on bike rides, then you definitely want a cruiser

a cruiser bike is just that, built for cruising. Harley Davidson Fatboy, Roadking, etc. Much more comfy for whoever is on back, as well.

sport bike (crotch rocket) is for racing and showing off. They're cool LOOKING, but uncomfortable as hell if you're "riding *****" meaning you're on the back.

Young guys whom have lots to prove to other young guys, usually get the crotch rockets so they can race, show off, etc.

Mature guys that've gotten the speed out of their system like to enjoy the ride, and the trip....not arriving at the destination an hour early by going 180 mph. BTW those sport bikes will do every bit of 185mph. Some do well over 200!! Suicidal in an uncontrolled environment like highways and streets.

Girl get a cruiser! Your going to be alot more comfy on the back of a bigger bike anyway. When I ride I see these young girls riding the rice buckets all bent over the dude in front and I think to myself, how uncomfortable that must be. And please never ride without a helmet or a good riding jacket, Boots,pants, and gloves. If you ever,God forbid, hit the pavement you'll be glad you had it on. And also, if he rides like an idiot, let him ride alone.

if you are looking for a comfortable ride for long distances and bike runs go with the cruiser ,the sports bike is very uncomfortable as a passenger especially on long rides of 100 miles or more

If you plan on doing a lot of tandem riding, I wouldn't recommend a sport bike. Sport bikes are built for performace, with comfort a secondary consideration. Crusiers are made more for relaxed riding and for style. There are also lots of other types of bikes out there too, sport touring, adventure touring bike. There's a bike for everyone out there.

Really its up to the type of riding you and he are looking to do. I've linked some varios pictures of different bikes. Of course there are a lot of different kinds of both crusers and sport bikes.

Cruiser has better (more comfortable) riding position (usually controls frward), more chrome, many accessories available to make more comfortable.
Sports bike has more performance (all areas), plastic bodywork, minimal windshield, most accessories more perfrmance oriented, some comfort items.

U only asked about 2 types - also Naked or standard, relaxed sport types, touring, dual sport.
In the end if this is a bike U are going to be sitting on for long periods of time U NEED to go to dealer with him and sit behind him on them to get a feel - and try to imagine sitting there for 1hr+.

Bare with me on this But it works Honest....
Sit in a dining chair. With your arms at 90 degrees to your body. Get comfortable with your neck relaxed and your feet and lower legs either side of the chair... This is a natural position. TOURERS and NAKEDS try to get you in this position. A position you can maintain comfortably for hours on end..
NOW
Take that position and rotating about your buttocks move your head and shoulders forward and your lower legs back Sort of the position you would be with your elbows on the table and your upper body wieght supported by your stomach muscles... SPORTS BIKES, this is the position you will be in, bearing your weight on your pelvic bone and the balls of your feet and supporting your body with your stomach.. About 1- 11/2 hours and your body starts to scream. all the vibrations and translations arte transmitted through your feet and your pelvic bone
return to the upright lean back in the chair slide your feet under the table and rest your fingertips on the edge of the table.. your torso weight is supported by your lower back
your arms though supported are relaxed but takes effort to maintain position. Feet and lower legs comfortable but upper thighs and buttocks taking the weight as does the instep of the foot. comfortable and relaxed but every transition is transmitted to your buttocks and wrists.. CRUISER bikes are like this..
Try these positions and see which suits you...

im a sport bike rider, and i voted thumbs up on all "cruiser" answers. Why? Cuz i think if a guy asks any1 else on what he should get a cruiser or a sportbike should not be riding something with 135+ hp and 0-60 in less than 3.5 sec.
If you are a REAL rider .. no matter what u ride.. a cruiser or a sport bike... you KNOW what you want... again.. it doesnt matter if u want to kick back on softtail, or ride balz-to-the-wall R1. One gots to know what he wants. other wise he's a shi**y rider.
Make him buy a little boat so you can go sailing. safer and no 1 has to ride "b***ch" :)

Cruiser: you lean back.
Sportbike: you lean forward.
LOL.
If you're planning on riding with him, tell him to get a cruiser. The pillion accomodations on a cruiser are almost always superior to those on a sportbike.

A picture is worth a thousand words.


Crusier http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/20...


Sportbike http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/20...