Cruisers Vs. Touring Motorcycles

There’s riding for transportation and then there’s riding for the pure experience of being on the road, and two types of bike excell at the latter. Touring bikes and cruisers are perfectly suited for tearing up the pavement for mile after mile on the open highway. These bikes often have many design elements in common including large frames and powerful engines. But these bikes also have some important differences, too, and understanding these differences will help you to understand which type of bike might be best for you. Read on to learn more about cruisers and touring bikes, and when you’re ready to check out some models, stop by Barnes Harley-Davidson. We’re in Langley, British Columbia, and only a short ride from Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Cruisers

Cruisers are renowned for being a distinctly American invention. Their power, style, and attitude set them apart from just about every other type of bike you’ll find.

Style

A cruiser without style and attitude is like a hot dog without condiments. The functionality of the object is left in place—a styleless cruiser will still ride, and a tasteless hotdog still fills the stomach—but the fun is gone from the experience. Since cruisers don’t need to be quite as practical as other types of bikes, designers tend to be more willing to give them features that look amazing. From ape hanger handlebars and kicked out handlebars of many choppers to the stripped down, raw look of bobbers, cruisers tend to look as good as they ride.

Power

There’s nothing cooler than power, and a good cruiser is always loaded with plenty to offer. Harley-Davidson motorcycle designers have often turned to big bore, air-cooled engines that crank out major amounts of raw horsepower. Some more recent bikes such as the Street Rod have turned to higher compression and liquid-cooled engines to develop their power. But regardless of what path you choose, it’s important that a cruiser can hold its own on the starting line.

Customization

One of the most important elements of cruiser culture is customization. While a brand new Harley-Davidson motorcycle always comes from the factory looking and performing great, customization allows you to tweak the elements to fit your personal style and performance needs. Cruiser customization is what lead to innovations such as choppers, bobbers, and even the Harley-Davidson Softail.

Touring

Touring bikes are similar to cruisers in terms of many of the basic design elements. Quality suspension, powerful engines, and big frames provide a solid base. But touring bikes depart in that they offer many practical features designed for long distance riding.

Storage

Spending time out on the road requires supplies. From clothes, to camping gear, to spare parts and repair tools, you’ll need to carry everything you need for the trip in your luggage and cargo storage areas. Saddlebags, panniers, top-side boxes, and cargo racks are all important elements for any touring bike.

Comfort

Long rides can be hard on the body, which is why the best touring bikes make the ride much more comfortable. To reduce engine vibration, some models feature counterbalanced, rubber-mounted engines. Tuned damping suspension helps to reduce the amount of vibration that comes from the pavement. Ergonomically designed handlebars, seats, and foot pedals also help to keep the rider comfortable, and windscreens reduce the force of air on a rider’s torso.

Companionship

Riding alone can be a good way to clear your head, but for longer trips, having some companionship is really nice. Many touring bikes offer two-up seating arrangements so you can bring along your spouse, friend, or family member.

Touring bikes and cruisers are both great options for many motorcycle enthusiasts. Hopefully this guide helped to clarify which type of bike might be best suited to your needs as a rider. When you want to see some models for yourself, stop by Barnes Harley-Davidson in Langley, British Columbia. We are only a short ride from any of the areas of Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford, British Columbia. Set up a test ride today!