“because Cruisers really are all about excess.”……”cruisers have little to do with performance, features or R&D, and everything to do with ‘the Look’.”
Uh…. what?
Cruisers just shy of choppers and bobbers have little to do with excess. Matter of fact comparatively sport bikes represent most of that “excess”. Between the high volume of fiberglass aesthetics to overpowered engines for the weight ratio. The only style bike that goes beyond that is the tourer types such as Goldwings and HD’s Electra’s. How can one represent “excess” and yet lack “performance, features or R&D, and everything to do with ‘the Look’.”??
I think you may be referencing the stereo typing that was given to the Lawyer/Doctor/week end warrior types that look for the butt jewelry and minimally represent the lifestyle that of “cruiser type enthusiasts”. The same could be said by comparing or grouping rather an owner of a naked GS whatever to a blinged and stretched ‘Busa.
Beginner cruisers are easy to judge… mostly by a limit of less then 750 cc’s. Also take in the weight of the bike. A Sporty would not be a good ( all though not inconceivable) good beginner bike due to how heavy it is (amazing for how tiny it seems) and the nature for which it was designed. Heck the name gives you a clue. However take a V-star 650 or Kawi Vulcan 500…lower CC’s Lower over all weight…. the only test it would need to pass is the butt test and what if anything can be or would be willing to adjust to fit you.