09-11-2019, 10:42 AM
For me, it was simply a progression of what I had learned on. Years ago, I took the California MSF course on a 1980something Honda Rebel, which I found comfortable and low to the ground. As a result, I chose a slightly larger Honda Shadow as my first bike. It was still comfortable and low to the ground, but could manage traffic speeds.
By the time my riding turned from the "lone wolf seeking personal redemption along a desolate road that allows some thinking time" to "commuting to work in narrow confines holy crap will my huge 1800cc bagger fit through there?", I had started to question the necessity for a rolling couch to thread through narrow holes in traffic.
I borrowed a standard street bike and realized that there are machines in the world that can turn and stop, sit up high enough to let you see traffic, and don't make sparks fly when they turn. I sold my behemoth and have never looked back. I've always loved the classic look of a cruiser, and if 99% of my riding didn't involve being inches away from side view mirrors, I'd add one back to my collection.
By the time my riding turned from the "lone wolf seeking personal redemption along a desolate road that allows some thinking time" to "commuting to work in narrow confines holy crap will my huge 1800cc bagger fit through there?", I had started to question the necessity for a rolling couch to thread through narrow holes in traffic.
I borrowed a standard street bike and realized that there are machines in the world that can turn and stop, sit up high enough to let you see traffic, and don't make sparks fly when they turn. I sold my behemoth and have never looked back. I've always loved the classic look of a cruiser, and if 99% of my riding didn't involve being inches away from side view mirrors, I'd add one back to my collection.