09-11-2019, 10:31 AM
Last time I checked we had a WIDE spectrum for bikes for sale in this country. Probably more than most countries when you also consider the niche makers like Motus, Confederate (or whatever their name was changed to) etc. Sure we lack the occasional model in a line-up, say like the CB1100RS but mostly the showrooms are chock FULL of various platform options designed for a whole host of riding styles for riders to spend their money on.
My take on this discussion about the USA's apparent fixation with cruiser style bikes:
The American buyer appears to CHOOSE one particular platform over others. I believe credit in part has to go to MoCo's advertising department because they tapped in to that American mindset of rugged individualism, go at it alone lone wolf, independent streak that was fostered in many other commercial non-motorcycle product lines. They took the Marlboro man, put him in a leather jacket and sat him on a bike, usually with the Stars and Stripes nearby and sold and capitalized on that image brilliantly. You only need to visualize the Terminator on a CB 750 vs the Fat Boy to see what I'm getting at. Their advertising department pushed the mantra of ….You buy a Harley and you get your man card punched, receive instant street cred and the local homecoming queen will be along shortly to ask for a ride. Now-a-days that sales pitch is called "Toxic Masculinity".
Secondary to that is a whole host of contributing factors that may make the cruiser the bike platform of choice in the USA. VERY Cheap gas so engine size isn't a consideration. Thousands of miles of wide open secondary roads and super highways stretching to the horizon. It's the ideal platform to ride 2 up on. Most are very accommodation to the vertically challenged etc. etc.
Personally I don't think its sad to see so many cruisers on the roads. To each his/her own. It was a FREELY made choice. What would make it sad for me is if the government collective MANDATED that we all rode cruisers.
Today I rode the UCMJ CB to work. Tomorrow it might be the HD RK Cruiser. Could be the MG V7R Cafe or XR1200. Depends on how I feel, but I’m pretty sure it won't be sad.
My take on this discussion about the USA's apparent fixation with cruiser style bikes:
The American buyer appears to CHOOSE one particular platform over others. I believe credit in part has to go to MoCo's advertising department because they tapped in to that American mindset of rugged individualism, go at it alone lone wolf, independent streak that was fostered in many other commercial non-motorcycle product lines. They took the Marlboro man, put him in a leather jacket and sat him on a bike, usually with the Stars and Stripes nearby and sold and capitalized on that image brilliantly. You only need to visualize the Terminator on a CB 750 vs the Fat Boy to see what I'm getting at. Their advertising department pushed the mantra of ….You buy a Harley and you get your man card punched, receive instant street cred and the local homecoming queen will be along shortly to ask for a ride. Now-a-days that sales pitch is called "Toxic Masculinity".
Secondary to that is a whole host of contributing factors that may make the cruiser the bike platform of choice in the USA. VERY Cheap gas so engine size isn't a consideration. Thousands of miles of wide open secondary roads and super highways stretching to the horizon. It's the ideal platform to ride 2 up on. Most are very accommodation to the vertically challenged etc. etc.
Personally I don't think its sad to see so many cruisers on the roads. To each his/her own. It was a FREELY made choice. What would make it sad for me is if the government collective MANDATED that we all rode cruisers.
Today I rode the UCMJ CB to work. Tomorrow it might be the HD RK Cruiser. Could be the MG V7R Cafe or XR1200. Depends on how I feel, but I’m pretty sure it won't be sad.