Cruiser Vs. Touring Motorcycles

Thinking about buying a motorcycle? Well, you can’t just go in and buy the first one you see if you haven’t thought about how you plan to ride it. Motorcycles come in a wide variety of styles with different features to suit different types of riding, from stylish inner-city cruising to long-distance trips. Two popular—but very different—styles of motorcycles are cruisers and touring bikes. Each one has its merits and while neither one is better than the other, they are definitely suited to very different ways of riding.

Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® is in Eugene, OR, serving Albany and Corvallis. We’ve provided this comparison between our touring and cruiser motorcycles for sale to help you decide which one is perfect for you. Visit us to buy when you’ve made a decision!

When To Choose A Cruiser

If you want a good general-purpose motorcycle for riding about town, a cruiser is a great option. These stylish bikes are designed to maneuver through cities well on shorter rides. They handle easily and have responsive brakes, which makes them ideal for beginners. However, their powerful engines make them equally attractive to experienced riders, too!

Style

If looking great is your one true desire, then you’ll love cruisers. These bikes are loaded up with style to give them that aesthetic edge that many riders crave. Some common features include raked-out front forks and high footboards, which give you a leaned-forward riding posture that’s more aggressive.

Customizability

Cruisers are also great if you want to make a bike your own. They have a wide frame onto which you can add a number of features without adding bulk. These bikes are a good blank slate to work with when you want to truly customize a motorcycle and show off your personality.  Options for customization include LED lighting, stereo systems and adjustable seats.

When To Choose A Touring Bike

Those of you who wish to go on long-distance touring rides over hundreds of miles will want to consider investing in a touring bike. When it comes to traveling out of town, you won’t find a bike that’s better equipped for the task. You’ll also love using these bikes for commuting, because they’re designed to be more ergonomic, saving you muscle strain.

Comfort

If you’ve ridden bikes before that weren’t very comfortable, you likely awoke the next day feeling sore and tired. That’s why touring motorcycles were created, though. They offer you a much more comfortable and ergonomic riding setup so you can sit astride them for hours, covering hundreds of miles without feeling fatigue or pain. You can sit in a comfortable riding position in a plush seat and easily access controls and the handlebars. This way, you won’t need to take so many breaks and you won’t be completely exhausted when you finally get to where you’re going.

Storage Options

When you’re riding for a long time and especially if you’re going camping or staying out of town, you need storage options. Touring bikes are designed with plenty of built-in storage compartments to give you space for camping gear, clothes, toiletries, and electronics. You may find storage under the seat, top boxes or saddlebags, depending on the model.

We hope this comparison has helped you come to a decision on the type of bike that will work best for you. Seeking cruisers or touring motorcycles for sale near Portland? Visit our Eugene motorcycle dealership to check out our current selection of new and used bikes for sale, including cruisers and touring bikes. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson proudly serves the cities of Albany and Corvallis, OR.