Seeing double: the Sirens SV650s. We had a backup just in case!
It’s a question that is, perhaps, even more pressing than the popular “Mac or PC” question: are you a cruiser or a sport bike? Or, even, some third option?
The Motorcycle Examiners are all posing the “cruisers vs. sport bikes” question right now, and of course we’re all quick to voice our opinions as to which type of motorcycle is our favorite. Check out Patty Davis's editorial on why she's a Harley woman. It’s probably pretty obvious that I prefer sport bikes, but it wasn’t always that way.
My dad had a bike when I was a kid, and his dream was to someday own a Harley-Davidson. I followed suit, and dreamed of owning a cruiser when I grew up. I had a humble little street bike in high school—a Yamaha Maxim 400—and dated a Harley rider in college. It was a start, at least.
And then I got a job at Road Atlanta, and I fell in love with roadracing. In the course of one AMA Superbike weekend, my dreams of a Harley were replaced with a fascination of sport bikes.
Two years later, I wasn’t just standing on the sidelines admiring the bikes: I was racing. I got my hands on a beat-up Honda CBR600F3 and began competing in the WERA Sportsman Series. I raced, I crashed, I loved it. When I moved up to the WERA National Endurance Series, I transitioned to a Suzuki SV650
Ah, the joys of racing a twin! I should have started on something small like the SV, really, instead of jumping right into the “meat grinder” 600 class. I think my learning curve would have been steeper. At any rate, I raced for three years with the team Sirens. I finally retired from racing when I was running low on money and dealing with a torn rotator cuff that I constantly aggravated.
My sport bike adventure was nowhere near over, though. I moved into the custom sport bike scene, and have had the pleasure of working with the top sport bike builders in the United States and Europe. I’ve cruised Myrtle Beach on a Suzuki GSX-R600 with an extended swingarm and a 240 rear tire, and I’ve also thrown a brand-new Yamaha YZF-R6 down in Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew (not something you want to do at a press launch).
Oh, and my dad finally did get that Harley he’d always wanted. The reality wasn’t as fun as the dream, though, and for the past five years he’s been happily cruising around Florida on a Suzuki.
What kind of bike do you prefer? Leave a comment and let me know!
Comments
Great article, Beth. I have no point of reference for your sport bike and racing adventures - I just try to imagine from your descriptions. Although I have been challenged to "open the throttle and see what she will do" and she did just fine. (My husband said it took him two miles to catch me.) That was on a highway and luckily no police were out that day. - my little foray into racing. lol
Go Beth! Fast bikes save lives!
I do a lot of riding and prefer my 81 goldwing or my retired Cobb County Police KZ1000p for long hauls. But...as far as cruiser vs sport bike goes...I believe civilization peaked with the Suzuki GS series in the early 80's. I have an 82 GS850G shaft drive that is not the best sport bike and not the best cruiser but is a very good mix of both. Lets put it this way. The ride from here to US129 Dragon didn't wear out my back and once I got there...did NOT get passed on my way through the twisties!
I LOVE my GSXR1000! I have a need for speed. (I also have a radar detector and keep a sharp eye out for Smokies.)
Sportbike lover all the way! Also into the custom sportbike scene so much I left my job on wallstreet and started custom painting bikes..lol
GSXR....I'm not conceded but I do prefer sportbikes mainly the GSXR. Great article. I read another one earlier by a cruiser writer. Do you currently still ride?
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