09-12-2019, 11:08 AM
(09-12-2019, 09:15 AM)Frulk_imp Wrote: “My point was that it depresses me that nearly everyone in this country chooses to ride cruisers, when there are so many better options.”
Better options for what? That’s a totally subjective assessment and is based on a whole host of variables and in the final analysis is a personal choice made by the individual whose laying down the money. It looks like American riders have voted for a favorite riding platform and it appears to be the cruiser. In a democracy you get your say, not necessarily your way. 1st world problem. Get out and ride!
No, it really isn't subjective. It's quantifiable. Measurable.
Turning. Stopping. Accelerating. These are the three primary functions of a motorcycle. In all three areas of pure functionality, cruisers are stuck in the Stone Ages.
Everything else is vanity.
Now, there are two other functions that matter: fuel mileage, and comfort; comfort being highly subjective. Even in terms of comfort, however, feet-forward cruisers trail the pack. Check the chassis of any motorcycle designed primarily for long-distance riding. Check the Iron Butt Rally bikes. Check the chassis of any Highway Patrol vehicle, or any police vehicle that must be ridden all day, every day.
Never a feet-forward riding position, with the rider's weight centered on his tailbone.
This is not subjective. This is basic ergonomic design, basic physiology.
Quote:and is based on a whole host of variables and in the final analysis is a personal choice made by the individual whose laying down the money. It looks like American riders have voted for a favorite riding platform and it appears to be the cruiser.
Whether it's fast food, video games, auto-tuned vocals, NASCAR, professional wrestling, Monster Truck rallies, the Kardashians, gangsta rap, CVT automotive transmissions, Britney Spears, Donald Trump or Barack Obama, superhero movies, comic books, crap beer, pandemic obesity, embarrassing rates of illiteracy, the dumbing down of the basic English language, you name it, the American public has proven time and again that it flocks like sheep to the lowest common denominator.
Unfortunately, it's just what we do.
"No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people."
Absolutely.
In our neck of the woods here, i.e., motorcycling, the rampant popularity of cruisers over so many other, superior functional designs is just another three-ton stone added to our growing pyramid of cultural ignominy.
Quote:In a democracy you get your say, not necessarily your way. 1st world problem. Get out and ride!
I do. Just about every day.