What’s Better: A Cruiser or a Touring Motorcycle?
Let us answer your question with a question: what kind of rider are you? Harley-Davidson® cruisers and touring bikes are both fantastic options, but they offer some slightly different riding experiences. That’s why Wisconsin Harley-Davidson has pulled up a few of the distinguishing factors for each group, so when you stop by our location in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, you can let us know exactly which group you’d like to start looking at.
Cruisers
The benefit of cruisers is right there in their name. They’re designed to cruise around town with all the grandeur of a classic muscle bike.
Power
One of the most important aspects of a cruiser is power. Traditionally, American cruisers have featured large-bore, air-cooled engines that are meant to lay out incredible torque and horsepower while providing a reasonable power-to-weight ratio. Everyone knows when a cruiser is pulling up next to them, and when it comes to Harley-Davidson, every one of these bikes features the legendary Harley-Davidson engine growl.
Style
Style and attitude are major pillars of cruiser design. When building a cruiser, the goal is to stand out and turn heads, and maybe make a few pedestrians jealous. Many cruisers channel style inspiration from previous generations of motorcycles—chrome front forks, a teardrop gas tank, wrapped fenders and coil-over rear suspension—for a classic look that’s stood the test of time.
Customization
Motorcycle culture, in general, has long celebrated customization, but this is especially true when it comes to cruisers. Cruisers are often turned into choppers, bobbers, and baggers, all to match the personality of the rider. You can also upgrade your bike’s performance and ergonomic features to better suit your riding style. Their sturdy frames and powerful engines open up worlds of possibilities for a creative redesign.
Touring Bikes
Touring bikes are the bikes to go to when you know you’ll spend hours upon hours on the road. They’re generally sturdily built and use powerful engines that are able to move one or more riders, lots of cargo, and enough features and accessories to make long rides easier.
Comfort
Touring bikes need to be more comfortable than other types of bikes because their riders spend more time on their bikes than others do. Every little detail starts to come out when you spend hours on your bike every day. From the seat height to the handlebar angle to the level of engine vibration, features like this are often carefully calibrated on touring bikes.
Cargo Capacity
Longer trips mean more cargo. Touring bikes offer enough storage to make bringing along all your necessities a possibility. The designers often turn to large saddlebags, a top-side box, and deep in-seat or in-frame storage to offer extra cargo space.
Company
Many touring bikes feature an extra seat in the back for a passenger. This makes it so you can always have company, even on the longest trips. Plus, the extra weight is handled with the help of beefed-up suspension systems and durable tires so you won’t lose performance perks in the process.
Cruisers and touring bikes are both great choices for different types of riders, you just need to figure out where you land. Take some time to consider your options, and when you’re ready to start shopping, stop by Wisconsin Harley-Davidson and let one of our experienced staff show you what we have available right now. We proudly serve all riding enthusiasts from Milwaukee, Madison, and Waukesha, WI.