Should You Buy a Cruiser Motorcycle or an Adventure Bike?

So you want to take an adventure on two wheels? Do you take the age old classic Harley Davidson to set off on the open highway or do you opt for a high tec ADV bike? Let's be honest, if you want to ride dirt, the answer is easy - but most ADV Bikes spend their life riding concrete roads. So the choice becomes more about style, feeling and the soul of riding a motorcycle.

Whichever style of motorcycle you choose, you are bound to have an amazing adventure. And we are all aiming to achieve the same feeling: FREEDOM. Perhaps Harley Davidson/Cruiser and Adventure Bike Riders are closer than we think!? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

[TheMotoBarista]

Cruiser or ADV Bike: What’s your pick!? Let me know in the comments! 👇

[redman]

Beauty. This is why I have a hard time buying an adventure bike. If I don’t like the way it looks it becomes a tool. Like the tools I throw in my toolbox. I ignore it until I need it. I use it and throw it in the toolbox nasty and dirty. I keep doing this until it stops working and then I fix the tool. If it breaks enough, most likely due to abuse, I throw it away and buy a new tool and the process starts all over. Now if I like the way it looks, I fix leaks as soon as they start, I clean off brake dust, I’ll wax it and put protectants on the paint and fabrics. Keep things updated, do all maintenance exactly when it’s due if not early. It stays running smooth and looking good a lot longer.

[Two-wheel-cult]

I feel like this video was made for me. I started riding because my uncles encouraged me to and they ride Harleys, so I did and I've owned 4 Harleys since. I wasn't interested in the "brotherhood patch club type stuff" and I always asked myself "Is this what riding is all about?".

I then tested out a few middle weight roadsters and a full fairing sports bike. The roadster made me a better rider and that's what riding is all about for me. My new pet hate on motorcycles is peg scrape.

I grew up riding MX bikes and that's where the fun is.

I've been challenging myself trying to find the perfect motorcycle and right now I have a cruiser in my garage because in the summer months cruising turning petrol into noise is awesome but with compromise on riding fun.

I'm now on a serious hunt to find myself a big grown up MX bike (adventure style) bike.

Some bikes on my short list are:

Triumph Tiger 900
KTM Adventure 1190
Honda AT 1100
Yamaha Tracer 900

I love the twisties so torque out of the twisties is important and if I have an offroad capable bike I'll probably give it a go although not important.

Upright seating position of control is a must.

[adnanabdillahghifari]

Well it depends of your taste, if you want to ride in highways then get a Cruiser bike, but if you want to ride just about anywhere then Adventure bike right for you.

[dgbourdon]

Awesome and simple comparison - thank you! The dilemma still exists in my mind, but given most of my riding will be on the road, I am
Leaning towards a cruiser.

[Knight_of_the_Old_Code]

I've owned a 2008 Harley Night Rod Special with a thunderheader performance exhaust and a 2013 Ducati Panigale 1199S. My wife loved riding with me on the 1199S, but we're in our 30s now and are looking for something more comfortable for longer rides.

We really like the look of the Harley Low Rider ST, but we also really like the Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak edition. To add to all that, we also like the new Ducati V4 Superbikes.

It's a conundrum I tells ya! Lol...

[stuartosborn]

KTM 1090 and harley superglide custom for me . Saves me from the agony of choice !
You definitely need a Harley in your life !

[bt]

Oh course, the correct answer is you should have both.

[eesqui]

Thanks for your advice, very good and simple explanation

[hywelblake]

I have a Honda Africa Twin and a Harley Sport Glide. Two totally different bikes but both have a place in my garage. The Africa Twin has all the bells and whistles and serves as my daily rider but the Harley gives me the biggest smile. Over 8 hour rides the Harley is much more comfortable.

[ad]

Ill meet you in the middle. I traded my softail slim 2020 to 2021 RnineT Scrambler. Very happy with it. I can take it to the trail and of course it’s gorgeous in the city!

[wrenchmunke]

Very good video.. exactly the dilemma I'm currently in.
I own a v-strom and love it to bits, it tackles every riding condition phenomenally. But I badly miss the feeling of becoming one with the machine...

[jps]

Great video a non biased opinion I think the simple answer to this question is if you can afford it to have two bikes in your stable. In my area southern Ontario Canada I would have to ride many hours find a place to use the adventure bike, with a cruiser I find it's better for short trips overnights or to the beach or meet ups with other bikers. I think a midsize sport touring like the BMW F800GT very practical bike. It all comes down to your personal preferences but I also i think it's how much time will you be riding on the bike will you have months to use the adventure bike or will you only have weekend trips to use the cruiser. In the end the best bike is the one in your garage or the one you have. Just a note about the video you made it sound for all the newbies that the big heavy cruisers are all air cooled I'm sure that triumph and a lot of the Japanese bikes will have words with you about that.

[randomgirl-ljxi]

I can't chose, I am in love with a sporty cruiser atm, but I also want something for off road and throwing around.

I think riding an adventure bike as a daily commuter is lame tbh, they look dorky on the street. I think I will get the cruiser and a cheap/smaller dual sport

[chasingtrail]

Great video, I'm struggling with this decision now, having owned many bikes but never a Harley. The Harleys are just so damn expensive.

[commentsection]

It doesn’t matter, if you’re not doing extreme off road.

[kirands]

Good explanation!
if anyone could suggest bikes from 500-800cc range? Cruiser and ADV! Really appreciated

[modahsadek]

I liked the last part talking about the center of gravity no one usually mentions that thing. 👍👍

[michalgruca]

I had to choose between two hondas: nc750x adv or shadow spirit 750. I would love to ride both of them but I deciced to buy nc as it is much more practical choose.

[rockgsxr]

i was more worried about the chrome on a cruiser as everytime i go on a road trip it doesn't stop raining, will this ruin the chrome if i don't polish it everyday, i've never owned a bike with chrome?