Four V-Twin Motorcycles - The 'Tude Test

Take A Long Look

We all know appearances mean a lot in the cruiser world, but that highly subjective issue proved almost moot in our group. Our quartet of test riders all agreed that the Street Bob drew the most eyeballs right off the bat. The custom-looking mini ape bars and stripped bodywork affected even the most stoic of riders-its cool quotient was just that hard to resist. We got our Dyna in Black Denim, a color that mimics the appearance of primer. And with a quintessentially classic 45-degree, air-cooled, Twin Cam 96 engine, it felt all 'Merican, all the way. Throw in a sensible 29 degree rake, reasonably sized 160 rear tire and easy-starting fuel injection, and you've even got a reasonably street savvy, modern motorcycle with classic lines.

With its clean, Caddy-like cues and understated styling, the 8-Ball also garnered longing glances from our test monkeys, but in a more subtle way. As a sibling in the Kingpin line, the 8-Ball version retains the custom-cruiser layout, and Victory's trademark scalloped fuel tank and flared fenders are part of the attraction. Both front and back run 18-inch Dunlops, with the aggressive 32.9-degree rake and 5.4 inches of trail creating a nimbler package than you'd expect. The non-radical floorboard and bar positions and a low 26.5-inch seat height (Victory sent us an aftermarket Bandit Solo seat) keeps the bike accessible. Everyone was impressed with the fit and finish on the 8-Ball. Our test unit also came equipped with Victory's Stage 1 Exhaust kit, which includes slip-ons, performance air filter, airbox cover, and new EFI program.

With its bulbous bodywork and Jetson-like swoops, the M109R's visuals are the least traditional, save for perhaps the Warrior. The M109R's massive 2-into-1-into-2 stainless steel chromed exhaust stretches over most of the bike's rear right side, giving you one clue that this is no beginner bike. The spiral spoke aluminum alloy wheels run 18 inch tires both front and back, with the massive 8.50 x 18 inch rear unit wearing a huge 240mm rear Dunlop radial. The styling definitely isn't your standard cruiser affair-a sleek, wide fuel tank holding 5.2 gallons (the most here) flows into integrated side covers, a wide, low seat and a fairly large radiator cowl. Unfortunately, the Limited Edition version we snagged comes only in white, with a blue racing stripe - hardly the deviant graphic you associate with bad boy bikes. We hoped the Suzuki's raw horsepower would shut down any wisecracks from the peanut gallery. The Limited Edition retails for $14,099.

If the M109R is a space rig, the Warrior is from another galaxy altogether. It may have started with a standard old-tech Road Star power plant, but the aluminum frame, steeper steering head and overall design aesthetic is lean and clean, feeling more sportbike than cruiser. The supersport-inspired five-spoke cast wheels look very trick, especially within the context of the Midnight trim. The only visual hiccup (besides the wiring shroud near the steering stem) is the massive exhaust can jutting out from the right side, which has inspired plenty of comment since the Warrior's inception in 2002. The Warrior also wears the smallest gas tank in the bunch, at 4 gallons. The Midnight version is priced at $13,390.

One look told us that none of these bikes were even remotely equipped for mile-munching (although Suzuki offers a windshield, soft luggage and seat options; Star has windshield and soft luggage add-ons; Victory also offers a windshield and bag options; and Harley, as you can imagine, offers all of the above and more in its accessory catalog) so we scrawled out a route that carried us over urban tarmac, occasionally mixing it up with freeway blasts and a few canyon hops.