Flagships 1998: The Best Cruiser Motorcycles from BMW, Harley, Honda, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Triumph & Yamaha

Photography by Fran Kuhn & Dean Groover (www.DeanGroover.com)

"Send us the best, coolest motorcycle you've got."

That was the request Motorcycle Cruiser conveyed to the eight major makers of big street motorcycles that count cruisers among their models. "We want your flagship cruiser," we told them. There were some conditions. We wanted unmitigated cruisers, not touring cruisers. That meant no Harley Road Kings or Kawasaki Nomads. For some manufacturers, the choice was clear. BMW only makes one cruiser model, the R1200C. Nor was there any doubt about which model Moto Guzzi would send. The V11 EV is the Italian maker's solitary cruiser. Suzuki's new 1500 Intruder LC was its obvious choice, and that's what it selected. Kawasaki's choice was also clear-cut; it sent the Vulcan 1500 Classic. We wondered whether Honda would choose the beautifully crafted 1100 Aero V-twin or the big six-cylinder Valkyrie. We got the six. Triumph makes three versions of its 900-triple that fit--at least loosely--in the cruiser category, and it sent the Thunderbird, on which the other two are based. We knew Yamaha would offer up a Royal Star; it offered the new Silverado. There are eight renditions of Harley's big-bore twin that would qualify, and after ascertaining that the Road King wasn't eligible, Harley elected to send the Heritage Softail Springer--its most nostalgic and expensive cruiser.

Obviously, different companies have very diverse ideas about what makes the perfect cruiser and what sort of engine should power it. There were three tandem V-twins, Moto Guzzi's across-the-frame V-twin, an opposed twin, one vertical triple, a V-four and an opposed six. We had three different front suspension configurations (four if you count inverted telescopics as a different arrangement) and five variations on rear suspension.

We wanted to make these flagship cruisers prove themselves in more than basic boulevard duty. So in addition to putting them through their paces during day and night urban service, we laid out a five-day ride through California and Nevada with a variety of roads. Along the way we threw in special tests where, for example, each rider ran them all over the same section of curving road, practiced panic braking on the same piece of pavement, or made them all creep along in tight quarters in a parking lot.

Drivetrain

Near Mt. Charleston, north of Las Vegas.

Before you can ride it, you must start it. We don't miss the days of kickstarters a bit when we see how easily these machines come to life. Fuel injection makes it particularly easy to start the BMW and Guzzi, cold. The Honda and Triumph provide handlebar-mounted chokes, but the rest require you to grope around on the left side of their engines for the choke knobs. There were a couple of mornings when they had to start after sitting overnight in temperatures around freezing. It was hard to tell whether the cold-bloodedness of a few bikes (the Harley and Suzuki) was due to California emissions standards.

Two bikes, the Moto Guzzi, and to a lesser degree, the BMW, lean to the right when the throttle is blipped at a stop. You only notice this when the engine is allowed to spin freely (when it's disengaged from the transmission).

When you are ready to roll, the first thing you will experience is the clutch. We liked the clutches on the Silverado, Thunderbird, V11, Valkyrie and Vulcan. We wished for improvement on the Harley and BMW.

Then there is the Intruder clutch. "I can't believe a Japanese company would make a clutch like this," said one rider. The clutch engages at the very end of its travel, when most fingers have very little purchase on it. When the revs are up, it engages abruptly. In stop-and-go traffic on a slippery Las Vegas interstate, it had one experienced rider spinning the rear wheel unexpectedly. After you ride it in traffic for awhile, the awful clutch taints the entire bike. This feature alone probably brought everyone's rating down by at least one full star. Though you could file down some of the mechanism to make it engage closer to the handlebar, we have no fix for the unforgiving engagement. Clunky drivetrains were detriments on the BMW and Harley. The BMW in particular has some lash. The Valkyrie transmission got top marks in all areas of drivetrain performance--shifting, ratio staging and absence of lash. The Star, T-Bird and Vulcan also shifted well. The poorly configured heel-toe shifting on the V11 made it a solid last choice in terms of gear changes, though the Suzuki--which missed some shifts for most riders--was only marginally better. The BMW also attracted some gripes about shifting.

Low-speed power characteristics varied considerably. The Honda and Triumph have little flywheel effect, and the Guzzi has a lot. All the V-twins have substantial flywheels, with the BMW and Yamaha in the middle. Flywheel effect can be good or bad. If the clutch is grabby, as on the Intruder, it's a liability. If the throttle is abrupt, as on the 1200C and Harley, it can help smooth it out. Our riders were least impressed by the Harley's throttle response and control, but liked the way the Honda, Kawasaki and Triumph behaved when the throttle was prodded. The Honda and Triumph got high marks for all areas of engine performance, save perhaps fuel mileage. In terms of fuel economy, the Harley was clearly king, as the specification chart shows. It was the only bike to regularly turn in highway mileage in excess of 50 mpg. The Valkyrie sucked up the largest amount of the petroleum elixir we pumped into all of the bikes. However, since it also has the largest fuel tank, the Honda still offers respectable range. Large tanks also give the 1200C, Royal Star and V11 long legs. The Thunderbird is the bike most likely to make you walk if you have a long distance between gas stations.

The spec chart also tells the story about full-bore acceleration. Some riders were surprised that the "little" Triumph dusted all but the Valkyrie at the dragstrip and--thanks in part to a gearing advantage--ran away from the rest in our top-gear roll-on.

Of course, by the time we got to the strip, the Triumph's top-gear acceleration edge was no longer a secret. We had conducted several side-by-side roll-on races, including some at high altitude. When we were more than a mile up, the Triumph continued to shine. However, the Honda and particularly the Yamaha suffered. When we did roll-ons on a steep hill at 7000 feet above sea level starting from 30 mph, the Yamaha fell flat on its face. It had to be downshifted to fourth before it would pull at all. The others were all able to pull in top-gear, and the fuel injection of the BMW and Moto Guzzi gave them an edge, since they were able to correct the mixture for the altitude. Closer to sea level, the Yamaha was able to recover enough to pull away from the Harley in roll-ons but, as one tester noted, "It's pretty wimpy for a four-cylinder." The Kawasaki was slowest in all-out acceleration, but bested the Harley, Suzuki, and Yamaha in top-gear acceleration. The Guzzi also did well, running third-quickest through the quarter-mile and fourth in top-gear-only acceleration.

Comfort

After five days on the bikes, everyone had definite opinions about which bikes were comfortable and which weren't. Not that we all agreed. Size does matter here. Bigger riders were more likely to give the Intruder's roomy ergonomics high marks, while shorter riders were apt to find it too big for comfort and preferred the Thunderbird's seat-bar-peg relationship. However, there were some points of agreement. Everyone liked the ergonomics of the Valkyrie and Vulcan Classic. The rider's stance on the Valkyrie is more standard bike-like, since the footpegs are back behind the cylinders. The Vulcan has a more traditional feet-forward cruiser position. The BMW has a similar footpeg restriction, and the Thunderbird is definitely arranged with the pegs rearward, almost under the rider. For all but the biggest riders, the Intruder's floorboards were too far forward. The V11's bent most riders into the least comfortable riding position of these eight bikes. Only one rider liked the posture induced on the Guzzi.

Some riders were also surprised by differences in perception and reality on the bikes. "I always thought that Hogs were giants," reflected one rider, "but it seems small after riding the others." Others said they expected the Valkyrie to be intimidating but discovered a bike that was a good fit and easy to manage.

Handlebar bend was emphasized during rides into a headwind. In those instances, the low, comparatively narrow handlebar of the Triumph was favored because you could lean into the wind and minimize the pressure on your arms and shoulders. The Kawasaki and Yamaha were more comfortable than the others in this situation, but the Harley and Moto Guzzi got low marks. We'd make a windshield a must-have item for long rides on those bikes or the BMW.

The shape of the Guzzi's saddle contributes to its uncomfortable riding position, because it forces a somewhat cramped position. The V11's seat foam--which feels more like wood 100 miles down the road--prompted testers to rank that saddle dead last, behind even the BMW and Harley seats which also amassed low rankings, though one rider liked them both. The rail running around the the Harley's rider saddle rubbed some riders uncomfortably.

Taller riders were likely to give the Triumph saddle low marks, both for shape and foam comfort. On the other hand, they were particularly impressed by the Suzuki's flat, roomy saddle, which remains comfortable under a heavy rider for many hours. Shorter riders were more likely to rank the Honda saddle as their favorite, and it ranked with the Intruder saddle as the best stock seat here. Kawasaki's seat was rated third, ahead of the Yamaha.

One feature of the BMW which drew praise was its fold-up passenger pad. While inadequate for a passenger for more than a brief ride, it folds up to act as a rider backrest. Not everyone found it particularly useful, but those who did liked it a great deal.

The Valkyrie racked up top marks for suspension comfort, giving the best ride over all sorts of bumps. The Triumph had the second most compliant ride while the Guzzi ranked third. The revised suspension of the Royal Star put it ahead of the Kawasaki and Suzuki, both of which were deemed satisfactory. However, our testers gave low marks to the bump-stopping qualities of The BMW and Harley. Both bikes suffer from limited travel and harsh rides at the rear more than the front.

While you can replace a bad seat, modify harsh suspension, and adjust or change handlebars and saddle to modify ergonomics, there isn't much you can do about a bike that vibrates too much. Every rider regarded the Valkyrie as exceptionally smooth. Although one rider complained about vibration on the Kawasaki, the others gave it top marks, ranking it with the smooth Triumph and ahead of the Suzuki. There were mixed reports for the Moto Guzzi and Yamaha, which some riders called smooth and others found irritating. Most riders said the BMW was "buzzy," and the Harley got universally low marks because of its heavy vibration.

Size also makes a difference in hands. Smaller hands were uncomfortable on the oversized grips of most of the bikes, and one rider complained that they were mostly too small. However, the slippery leather grip covers of the BMW drew criticism because they forced you to squeeze harder to hold on to the bike, particularly when gripping the high handlebar against strong wind pressure.

Handling

Every ride does indeed start in first gear, and the ease of handling at creeping speed influences how confident you feel about a bike. There is more to low-speed manageability than steering geometry, however. Ergonomics play a big part. If one handlebar end is in your gut and the other end is about an arm-and-a-half's reach away, making a full-lock turn at a creeping pace is sure to be difficult. The drivetrain also plays a role, because abrupt low-speed throttle response or clutch engagement can make tight, low-speed maneuvers tenuous as well.

Those factors, rather than simple mass, are what prompted poor marks for the Suzuki in low-speed handling. Smaller riders especially had trouble with the long reach to the handlebar, but the abrupt clutch engagement pushed everyone's opinion down and earned it the nickname, Water Buffalo. Light weight, responsive steering and shorter handlebars made the BMW and Triumph the preferred mounts when tight turns at a crawling speed were on the menu. Everyone also felt comfortable on the Honda and Kawasaki, and the rest of the bikes were judged adequately controllable when barely moving.

We spent time on a variety of winding roads, ranging from fast, smooth desert highways to tight, sometimes bumpy, mountain roads. But no matter what the road threw at us, the Valkyrie was the favorite when the map got squiggly. With the best suspension, predictable and responsive steering, great stability, and--for those who wanted to corner aggressively--good cornering clearance, it was the bike of choice on meandering roads.

"You're always in complete control on the Valkyrie," enthused one rider.

"How can such a big bike feel so surefooted?" someone else wanted to know.

"Handles like a dream," said another (who has never ridden a Dream, obviously). "Admittedly, a 700-pound dream, but a dream nonetheless."

"It kicks butt in the corners," concluded a third.

Winding roads also brought out the strengths of the Moto Guzzi and Triumph. The V11 got to show off its great suspension, good clearance, predictable steering response and solid chassis, although ergonomics and discomfort with the linked brakes kept most riders from being comfortable enough to be as aggressive as they were on some of the other bikes. The Triumph suffered from slightly soft suspension up front and a shortness of damping in the rear. But precise, very responsive steering, good cornering clearance and a stiff chassis still offered plenty of fun on winding roads. "It feels like a 600 sportbike compared to some of these," read one tester's notes.

The "some of these" would be the Harley and Suzuki, neither of which feels comfortable while cornering. The Harley scored lowest in overall handling because of its harsh suspension, heavy steering, and limited cornering clearance. Even though you have to approach corners more slowly than on the other bikes, "you really have to put your shoulder into it to make it turn," one member of the party noted.

The Suzuki, while requiring a bit less effort to turn, never lets you forget its bulk. Its suspension feels overworked, and the bike never feels fully planted in corners. "It's big and awkward," was the way a smaller rider summed it up. Certainly, neither the Heritage Springer nor the Intruder 1500 is a suitable choice for riders with an even modest interest in brisking through a corner.

The Vulcan also suffers because of its underdamped suspension and tendency to wallow in corners. However, it feels much more responsive and offers greater confidence than the Suzuki. Overall, it was on par with the Yamaha, which has better suspension and feels more stable while cornering, but provides less cornering clearance and requires slightly more effort.

Braking

Great brakes may not sell many cruisers, but pay attention to them. Every now and again, your brakes and your ability to use them to their full extent can make the difference between an adrenaline rush and a trip to the hospital.

Two of our flagships possess very good brakes. One of them is the Valkyrie, which offers excellent power and control coupled with better-than-average traction and a stable chassis. Although its brakes were a bit abrupt, the 1200C made up for that with its optional anti-lock braking system (ABS). On that ultra-slick section of interstate that had other riders sweating when traffic suddenly stopped, the BMW pilot could brake hard with confidence, knowing his tires wouldn't slide. Yes, you can stop harder if you brake just short of where the tires lock up than you can if the ABS releases the brake pressure for a nano-second, but that requires plenty of practice and a good appraisal of pavement traction. The beauty of ABS is that it allows you to guess wrong without penalty. It can also adjust instantly to changing pavement conditions. Is that oil on the pavement, or just a glare? No worries, just hold the brakes on and let ABS sort it out.

Close to those two bikes are the Royal Star and the Thunderbird. Good power and traction were undermined by a mushy front brake on our Triumph. The Star, the heaviest bike here, takes a stronger pull up front and most of us felt the rear brake pedal's position, relative to the floorboard, was slightly awkward. However, the power is there and control is good. The front brake lever includes a screw to adjust its engagement point.

The Vulcan also has an adjustable front brake lever, though it uses a cam-type adjustment. The Vulcan Classic delivers less power than the Yamaha, but offers the most comfortable brake-pedal arrangement of any other floorboard-equipped bike in our experience. Higher effort for the front brake and a slightly more awkward floorboard/ pedal arrangement places the Heritage Springer next, just ahead of the Suzuki. Most riders found the Intruder's front brake slightly mushy or underpowered. And the rear brake pedal position--though better than the Harley--was slightly less convenient and controllable than that of the Vulcan's pedal. Despite its cam-type adjuster, the Intruder 1500's lever was a long reach for small hands.

What the clutch is to the Suzuki, brakes are to the Moto Guzzi. The beauty of integrated braking is that you can get smooth stops braking using just the foot pedal, which applies both front and rear brakes. Aside from the fact that you must lift your heel off the floorboard and put it on the mini-peg (or nubbin) to operate the pedal, the system can work well in normal stops, when the bike stops smoothly with a minimum of dive. But nobody liked it in panic stops or even hard stops. The triple four-piston caliper brakes are quite powerful, and modulating and balancing front and rear with your foot is no mean feat on a slippery surface. Those of us who dared to attempt hard stops found it very difficult to get any sense of how much supplementary handlebar-lever pressure to apply, even on good dry pavement. This system might indeed be superior for riders who have never bothered to learn to use front brakes. But experienced riders will have a few months, at the very least, before they can get the braking they would with separate brake circuits.

Furthermore, in the words of one rider, "Guzzi took a bad thing and screwed it up with that floorboard arrangement." To have any control of pedal pressure at all, your heel must rest on the nubbin, which places your right leg awkwardly and uncomfortably high. But in order to keep a halfway reasonable reaction time to what is your primary braking control, your foot has to be there; so you ride around in traffic with your foot stuck up on the little peg. God help the rider whose foot is on the floorboard when a truck turns in front of him.

The brakes also made it hard to enjoy the Guzzi's suspension and steering on a twisty road, since no one wanted to have to use the brakes hard in a corner. Unless the corner was familiar, most riders slowed the V11 down significantly before entering. The V11's brakes are one of those major flaws that blemished the entire bike for everyone.

Styling and Finish

Three bikes gathered the majority of the covetous glances and acclaim from folks who encountered our group. Some liked the Heritage simply because it was a Harley. A few people thought it was an older bike, but the retro looks of the Triumph suckered even more of the uninitiated. The Thunderbird's looks drew positive commentary, in part because it was unique and in part because its green color popped out of the field.

The bike that won the most plaudits was the Silverado. Despite its reserved paint scheme, the Yamaha's quality and detailing stood out to everyone who saw them all. The Royal Stars have set the standard for finish quality since their introduction, but the Silverado hits to an even higher level with its tasteful use of beautifully sculpted billet. "Now that is what a cruiser should look like," exalted one fellow motor-cyclist we met on our travels.

The love-it-or-hate-it reception for the BMW hasn't changed. Sidewalk stylists and our testers were split on whether the bike is a stroke of genius or an eyesore. The Valkyrie gets a similarly split reaction, but much more muted. In general, people tend to pick on pieces of the Valkyrie that annoy them--that radiator hose, for example. Most people like the lines, detailing and finish of the Vulcan Classic, though a few regard it as a Harley clone. "Like a Harley, but better done, isn't it?" remarked one observer. "They just can't get that rough-but-solid look of a Harley," concluded another.

Despite its similar style, few liked the looks of the Intruder, citing its bulbous lines, the leftover look of details like the battery or the "beige, brown and boring" color scheme. Then there was the Guzzi. Most onlookers regarded the burnt-orange-and-yellow paint scheme as an unfortunate choice. The use of gratuitous chrome in the form of the afterthought chrome plates on the steering-head area, the covers over the passenger peg support areas, and the overstated front fender rails, also drew fire. "Italians make gorgeous sportbikes, but they haven't got a clue about American styling," said one motorcyclist.

Another aspect of cruiser aesthetics is sound. Different people have different ideas about how a motorcycle should sound, so each of the bikes got praise from some quarters. However, when we sat and listened to them all ride past, there was unanimous agreement that the Heritage Springer was the best sounding motorcycle in the bunch. Our eight riders deemed the Kawasaki second best, but even the last-rated BMW only had a couple of riders who weren't enamored of its exhaust note.

Details

The first thing you notice when you sit on a motorcycle is the instrumentation. However, when your eyes are on the road, those instruments are easier to check if they are up near the headlight rather than back on the fuel tank. Though they are pretty and nostalgic, the tank-top speedometers of the Harley, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha require you to take your eyes off the road to check them.

Since the warning lights of the three Japanese bikes are located at the bottom of their speedometers, a low-oil warning or flashing turn signal light is less likely to catch your eye. Though their warning lights were up closer to your line-of-sight, the lights on the Guzzi, Harley, and especially the Triumph, are pretty dim as is the Honda neutral light. In fact, the Triumph lights are virtually useless in sunlight. BMW has the best warning lights, combining a high position with brightness.

The other three bikes with high-mounted instruments--the Guzzi, Honda and Triumph--have tachometers, a feature which many riders found useful. Once you get to know it, the Kawasaki's fuel gauge is welcome too.

In traffic, switches--especially for the turn signals--can quickly become an issue. Six of the bikes have straightforward, single-switch arrangements with a push-to-cancel feature. Harley's two-switch arrangement annoyed some, in part because it self-cancels in a hard-to-predict fashion. However, the BMW signals, which use three switches to operate, were generally unpopular. Because of our frequent roadside stops, the four-way flashers of the BMW, Harley (push both signal buttons at once) and Triumph also got positive comments.

Since we had no chase truck, we needed to carry gear with us. The Harley is the only one of these bikes with saddlebags as standard equipment. However, the fringed and be-conchoed bags hold substantially less than their appearance indicates. Our BMW had the new leather-covered, detachable hard bags offered for the 1200C. These optional bags are the handiest ever offered for a cruiser. They remove by releasing a lever inside and releasing a catch on the back; then snap back into place when it's time to travel. They weren't as roomy as some of the throw-over bags we brought, but they were the most elegant bags on our ride.

The BMW also includes a small luggage platform, revealed when the passenger pad is tilted up. The Guzzi has a standard luggage rack. The Vulcan has bungee cord hooks, making it easy to strap things to the passenger seat.

You get a choice of integrated steering/ignition locks (BMW, Guzzi, Triumph), separate locks using the same key (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha), separate locks with separate keys (Suzuki) or lugs at the steering head to add your own padlock (Harley and Yamaha, giving you two options). A single lock means a thief only has one lock to defeat, so we prefer the dual-lock/one-key arrangement. Of the bikes without integrated locks (which always end up in a handy spot atop the front fork), the Harley has the best ignition lock setup. Not only does it use a barrel-style key, it's on top of the tank and permits the key to be removed. The Royal Star's key location, to the rear and top of the right side panel was unpopular.

Reliability

We had a number of minor problems with the bikes on our 1500-mile journey. The Moto Guzzi's speedometer was intermittent when we first got it, but it worked consistently after a few hundred miles. The Guzzi sometimes indicated neutral when it was in first, leading to surprises when you pushed the starter. The left of its two taillight bulbs was also intermittent, and it shed a nut that retains the left passenger peg bracket. The Royal Star lost one of its handlebar end weights.

The Harley vibrated the lower nut and bolt for the front suspension damper loose. We noticed their absence not because the ride or handling quality deteriorated, but because of the noise of the damper hitting the springs. This can't be counted as a normal problem, however, because the fork was rebuilt just before we received the bike after a previous rider had forgotten to remove a disc lock and bent one of the arms. It was hurriedly replaced just before we picked the bike up. After a couple of days riding in the rain after the main ride, the Vulcan's right turn signal got finicky, requiring you to hold it on.

The most significant failure we experienced was the Intruder's clutch, which began to slip badly after our outing at the dragstrip. It retained enough friction to get us home, though. Since this was the same bike we tested earlier this year, with the same clutch, this was its second thrashing at the dragstrip--though some of the other bikes were having their second dragstrip outing as well. Some, like the Thunderbird, which kept going quicker every run, were subjected to many more launches on this go-round. None of the bikes required oil to be added in our almost 2000 miles of testing, although the Guzzi oozed a little oil.

The problem you are most likely to experience on the road is a flat tire. Tubeless tires are easier to repair temporarily than tube-type tires (used on the Harley, Kawasaki and Triumph) and are also less likely to blow out rapidly and cause sudden control problems.

Routine maintenance is simplified by the Guzzi's standard centerstand. There is an optional stand that slips into lugs on the BMW frame, too. The need to check the oil level through a sight window with the bike upright is an aggravating aspect of the Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha; none of which have centerstands. Harley's willingness to sell a $17,000 motorcycle without a toolkit is another aggravation.

Bottom Line

As the personal ratings indicate, one bike received all top-level ratings from all riders. To be sure, riders were influenced by the fact they had to ride long and hard for five days in a row, making them value function at least as much as appearance. A pretty fender and a neat billet treatment quickly lose their appeal if you are uncomfortable, or a bike frightens you when you're trying to stop on a slick road in the rain.

The Guzzi ended up at the bottom of the ratings. The poorly designed controls for the integrated brake system made for uneasy riders. But the least comfortable saddle, crowded ergo-nomics, and poor styling also pushed its ratings down. A great chassis and respectable power didn't make up for those major flaws. If the V11 appeals to you, one of Guzzi's other, non-cruiser models offers many of the benefits without as many disadvantages.

Our crew might also have been happier on a different Harley. Some of the Heritage Springer's nostalgia gets in the way of function. Vibration, unexciting engine performance, a harsh ride, and uninspired handling took the gleam out of the Harley's unique looks and great sound. "The Heritage is for riders who need logos on their shirts," remarked one rider. Other bikes here, as well as other (slightly) less expensive Harley models, are better if you intend to ride seriously.

Handling complaints also reduced enthusiasm for the Suzuki, as did its wretched clutch and tepid styling. Oversized riders might be willing to deal with those things in return for the roomiest layout here, a low price, and a great saddle. Otherwise, we'd wait and see if Suzuki at least fixes the clutch.

BMW's styling treatment remains a major deciding factor for potential 1200C buyers. If it grabs you and you can stand the price, make sure that you can also live with the seat, vibration and suspension compliance; the factors that caused some riders to push its score down. You can also have the security of anti-lock braking.

The Silverado is the nicest-riding Royal Star we have ridden to date, and to most eyes, the best-looking bike here. Improved handling and ride comfort, and--at least to the seats of our pants--improved performance where it counts, in the midrange, make this a motorcycle that we liked to ride as well as be seen on. The beautifully detailed billet treatment makes it easier than ever to justify the price.

"It's a nice bike," said one rider of the Thunderbird, "but it's not really a cruiser." Maybe not, but for someone who doesn't have to fit into the approved mold, the Triumph offers performance, responsive handling, and its own unique nostalgic style--all for the lowest price here.

Kawasaki, on the other hand, has a mainstream Main Street cruiser in the Vulcan Classic. An improved version of the classic V-twin boulevard troller, the machine offers great comfort, good looks and very manageable handling, with traditional V-twin performance, style, sound and feel--albeit with the vibration muted. It's also more affordable than most of the bikes here.

Not for those who demand convention or need every visible piece of metal polished, Honda's Valkyrie is nonetheless the cruiser of choice for riders who make function the first priority. Powerful yet docile, supremely comfortable, easy to manhandle, ready to romp on mountain roads, equipped with superb brakes, and nicely detailed, it was top-rated by every one of the eight riders who rode eight of the best cruisers on earth for five days straight. No, it's still not for everyone, but for those who ride long and hard and want a bike that will turn any riding condition into fun, the Valkyrie is the King of the Cruisers.

BMW

Because it is so different than other cruiser motorcycles, some people don't believe that the 1200C actually fits into the cruiser phylum. That's only true if you believe that a cruiser must have a V-twin engine and traditional American styling. However, if you believe a cruiser simply requires a certain attitude, riding position and nostalgic styling, then the BMW fits the bill perfectly. The 1200C incorporates classic BMW styling cues, starting with the opposed-twin engine. Despite its modern mid-cam valve actuation, oil-cooled heads, four valves per cylinder and electronic fuel injection, the 1170cc engine bears a close family resemblance to its Bavarian ancestors.

Viewers with a limited scope also take issue with the Telelever front suspension, but BMW's use of telescopic forks is relatively new. The Earles fork, to which this has a vague resemblance, was a BMW tradition. The Telelever also permitted BMW to minimize the aluminum frame and make the engine a primary chassis component. The geometry of the design reduces dive under braking. At the rear, the single shock and one-sided swingarm impede the view of the wire-spoked rear wheel less than a hardtail. The wheels may be the perfect example of BMW's ability to meld tradition (wire spokes) with modern technology (tubeless tires). Stopping comes from three disc brakes with anti-lock braking (ABS), a $1300 option and one that we highly recommend.

The tallest handlebar here and the small passenger pad (which hinges up to become a rider backrest and reveal a luggage platform) give the bike a chopperesque quality. The lines of the tank, the rear fender's shape and the black-with-white-pinstripes finish evoke BMW models from even further back in time than the 1948 model recalled by Harley's Heritage Springer.

Everything considered, the 1200C couldn't be anything but a cruiser.

High Points:
Anti-lock braking
Original design
Anti-dive front suspension design
Handy at low speeds

Low Points:
Complex turn signal system
Harsh ride
Poor passenger saddle
Hard saddle

First Changes:
Aftermarket saddle
Lower handlebar
Change rear shock

HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Harley reached back 50 years to find the inspiration for its most nostalgic model ever. With its Springer front suspension, hardtail-like rear end, 16-inch whitewall tires, high headlight arrangement, fringed dual seat and saddlebags, split 4.2-gallon fuel tank design with dual filler caps, and dual fishtail mufflers, the FLSTS captures the flavor of a 1948 Harley 74. However, it does it with modern amenities. The bike does have a real suspension system, Harley's Softail configuration with the dampers laid horizontally out of sight beneath the bike. The front suspension includes a damper (something lacking a half-century ago), and the brakes are hydraulically actuated discs instead of the drum-style brakes of 1948.

The engine remains the same basic configuration as that Harley-Davidson panhead of 50 years ago. It is still an air-cooled, 45-degree, single-carb V-twin, using pushrods and hydraulic lifters to actuate the two valves per cylinder. However, it's now six cubic inches bigger at 80 cubic inches and has modern alloy cylinders, five speeds, electronic ignition operation, and other modern conveniences. It hasn't become too new-fangled though; there is no counterbalancer, and the engine mounts to the frame without rubber vibration dampers.

Retro touches abound. They include the front-mounted, chrome-covered horn, spotlights bracketing the headlight, chrome rails around the back of the rider's portion of the two-piece saddle, a white fender light up front, a tombstone-style taillight/license light in the rear, plenty of fringe, and a basket-weave pattern in the upholstery. Our test machine was painted in 95th-anniversary livery, which adds a few dollars to the price and, presumably, cachet to the machine.

As Harley's most nostalgic and--with a suggested price in excess of $17,000--most expensive cruiser, the Heritage Springer is a natural choice as its flagship. Certainly, its nostalgia and unique combination of 16-inch wheels and Springer fork give it a style and sense of elegance beyond other cruisers.

High Points:
Great sound
Unique styling
The kind of fuel mileage motorcycles should get

Low Points:
Heavy vibration
Harsh ride
High price
No tool kit or fork lock
Limited saddlebag capacity

First Change:
Aftermarket suspension

HONDA

Distinguished visually and functionally by its 1520cc flat-six engine, the Valkyrie is anything but a me-too motorcycle, as the briefest glance will confirm. The engine sprang from the indestructible Gold Wing liquid-cooled motor, with six carbs (instead of the Gold Wing's four), hotter cams, and screw-type valve adjustment (in place of the Wing's hydraulic adjusters) to give an edge in power and character. Redline jumped to 6500.

With chrome and polish for visual highlights and its own six-outlet exhaust system to please the beholder aurally, the mill convincingly makes the jump from mild-mannered highway hummer to boulevardier with an attitude. However, the single-overhead-cam motor retains plenty of that cutting-edge technology, such as the counter-rotating alternator to offset the tendency of the longitudinal crankshaft engine to pull the bike to one side the way the BMW and Moto Guzzi do when the throttle is blipped. Because it projects into the space that would be used by floorboards, the engine effectively dictates the use of footpegs.

A series of components completed the transition to cruiser. The Valkyrie got its own chassis stretched out on a 66.5-inch wheelbase, fat inverted fork with chrome shields for the sliders, chrome-covered dual shocks in back, wide directional cast wheels, full fenders, a big 5.3-gallon fuel tank atop the frame, and countless styling touches--like the molded-in visor for the reflector-type halogen headlight, and bullet turn signals.

The hot-rod character originating with the big, potent, in-your-face engine is more than an affectation, too. You can see the emphasis on performance in the inclusion of a tachometer, the wide radial tires, and dual disc brakes up front with dual-piston calipers all around.

Though its unconventional appearance may not turn everyone's head, the Valkyrie's beauty is more than skin deep. Its size, distinctive style, performance and unmistakably Honda character clearly make it Honda's flagship cruiser.

High Points:
Terrific power over a broad range
Excellent suspension
Superb comfort
Great handling
Ultra smooth

Low Points:
Poor fuel mileage
Engine design limits footpeg location

First Change:
Aftermarket radiator hoses

KAWASAKI

With its round chrome airboxes, 50-degree V-twin engine, and classic American profile, the Vulcan Classic is the bike most likely to be called a Harley imitator. However, to its growing ranks of adherents, the 1500 Classic is more often regarded as an improvement on the original.

Though they breathe through a single carb and angle in a V almost as tight as Harley's, those big finned cylinders are (mostly) liquid-cooled and displace 10 percent more than current Harleys. The radiator hangs unobtrusively between the down tubes with a small electric fan behind it. The valves get their orders from chains and overhead cams rather than pushrods, and there are twice as many of them--two intake and two exhaust--than used in Evolution Harleys.

Down in the bottom end, the shake of the single-pin crankshaft is stifled by a gear-driven counterbalancer, which also adds to the engine's flywheel inertia. Finding neutral is simplified by a system that halts upshifts from first gear at the neutral detent when the bike is stopped. And, of course, the transmission--which now has five speeds--couples to the rear wheel via shaft drive.

Wide steel fenders wrap around wire-spoke, 16-inch wheels and tube-type tires, each stopped by a single disc with a twin-piston caliper. The speedometer, fuel gauge and warning lights sit atop the 4.2-gallon tank, and a wide two-piece saddle and forward-mounted floorboards speak of an easy ride. Suspension is unremarkable: chrome-covered 41mm legs up front and dual preload-adjustable damper-spring units in back. Helmet locks and bungee-cord hooks on the chrome rear fender rails help solve common predicaments.

Clean, mainstream looks, popular ergonomics, the draw of that big engine, excellent accessory support from Kawasaki and the aftermarket, and an attractive $10,699 price have made Kawasaki's flagship cruiser its best-selling street bike.

High Points:
Classic V-twin cadence without vibration
Top-notch comfort
Best floorboard arrangement

Low Points:
Unimpressive power
Wallows in fast corners
Dumb oil-level check arrangement

First Changes:
Aftermarket suspension
A Mustang saddle is even better than stock

MOTO GUZZI

There is more than one way to draw a V-twin. Moto Guzzi has always put its big V-twins across the frame so the air-cooled cylinders jut out into wind and the drivetrain doesn't have to turn a corner to mesh with the final drive shaft. The 1064cc engine's 90-degree V-angle allows the engine to operate smoothly without balancers or rubber mounts. Despite a general upgrade this year, the V11 still operates its two overhead valves per cylinder with pushrods. However, electronic fuel injection is now standard. Five speeds and a dry clutch direct power to the drive shaft.

Though the chassis appears unexceptional, the Guzzi actually offers the most advanced suspension here. The stout 45mm Marzocchi fork may not look fashionably fat, but it offers adjustments for damping. It also has a hydraulic steering damper. Dual WP damper units in the rear also permit you to tailor the ride to your requirements. Triple, four-piston caliper brakes stop special wire-spoke wheels with tubeless Pirelli tires. Though recently used on some other bikes, integrated braking--where the brake pedal operates both front and rear brakes--was pioneered by Guzzi decades ago. Integrated brakes are used on this machine, too.

The V11 EV has a unique combination of styling influences. With the shortest wheelbase and highest seat here, it doesn't subscribe to the long, low look. The tank holds five gallons without looking fat. On the other hand, it has floorboards and a heel-toe shifter, though there is a mini footpeg on the right to help you operate the brake more easily. The saddle is a one-piece design with a small passenger backrest. It also has the only luggage rack and centerstand in this collection.

For the rider to whom "rugged individualist" means more than buying the same machine the guy down the block has, the Guzzi, at $11,690, is truly singular.

High Points:
Great chassis and suspension
Respectable power

Low Points:
Unmanageable floorboard/ brake control makes integrated braking untenable
Shifting is also clumsy
Worst seat in the bunch
Awkward riding position
Bungled styling

First Changes:
Any other seat would be an improvement
Replace floorboards and foot controls

SUZUKI

Suzuki's entry is the newest machine in this party of eight. But like the rest of the bikes, it uses an engine derived from an existing model. Starting with the 1400 Intruder mill--with its single overhead camshafts, three valves per cylinder, offset crankpins, and shaft final drive--the engineers increased both bore and stroke to bump displacement up to 1462cc, added flywheel mass, and put both carburetors between the cylinders. The deeply finned cylinders, which use air-cooling only up front and air/oil in the rear cylinder, appear taller and beefier than the 1400.

Two carbs and their requisite airbox plenums (the triangular "airbox" on the right side of the engine actually houses emissions components) left little room for fuel above the engine. As a result, the fuel tank was placed under the saddle, with its filler under a cover on the dummy fuel tank behind the speedometer. Pieces you might otherwise find under the saddle, such as the battery, were relocated. The battery hangs in front of the crankcase, under the big oil cooler. The rectifier and tool kit reside under the bulbous covers on the left side of the engine and driveshaft.

Partially because of the width of the under-seat fuel tank, the Intruder LC is the widest in a class that likes to strut its corpulent style. The width of the saddle and fenders draw remarks wherever you ride it. Fat tubeless tires on cast wheels hulk between covered 41mm fork stanchions up front. The rear suspension uses a clean single-shock system. Both ends rely on a single disc and twin-piston caliper for braking. In keeping with fat fashion, the Intruder LC uses floorboards and a heel-toe shifting arrangement. With its $9899 price tag, Suzuki's flagship cruiser is the most affordable of the big-inch cruisers, though the much smaller Triumph Thunderbird manages to undercut it in this group.

High Points:
Excellent seat
Roomy layout for big riders
Affordable price

Low Points:
Very poor clutch control
Difficult low-speed handling
Underwhelming styling
Uninspired handling
Unimpressive brakes
Dumb oil-level check arrangement

First Changes:
Work on the clutch
Aftermarket brakes and suspension

TRIUMPH

The original Thunderbird was Triumph's first "big" bike, a 650 derived from its 500cc vertical twin. Created after World War II for a push into the American market, it was the first British bike that many American enthusiasts ever saw. The 1998 Thunderbird has little in common with that motorcycle other than a few styling elements.

The new bike is powered by a modern, liquid-cooled, dual-overhead-cam, 885cc, in-line vertical triple with three carbs, four valves per cylinder and five speeds. It's bigger too, with a 62.2-inch wheelbase and a wet weight of more than 500 pounds--which makes it comparatively light in this crowd. Its chain final drive is lighter than the shafts of most of the other bikes, as well. The engine is a stressed component of the frame, which has no cradle tubes.

The three-into-two exhaust system terminates in a pair of mufflers (the right and middle cylinders use the right muffler) similar to those of 1960s-era Triumph twins. Naturally, the triple's sound is very different than the sound of the old twins. Since the T-Bird's style evokes classic British rather than classic American styling, its nostalgic touches include a one-piece dual saddle with a passenger grab rail, footpegs instead of floorboards, and the four-gallon tank's shape, badges and paint scheme. The Bird also uses classic wire-spoked wheels, though these have radial tires--in this case Michelin 89X series, running tubes. Like the late-model twins, the 900 Thunderbird wears a speedo and tach above the headlight.

Its lightweight style makes the T-Bird a standard-style machine rather than a cruiser for some riders. All of Triumph's Thunderbird models, which include the Adventurer and the more muscular Thunderbird Sport, share the T-Bird's basic engine and chassis design, and $8995 suggested price.

High Points:
Responsive handling
Strong acceleration
Smooth engine
Nice rendition of Brit-bike nostalgia
Comfortable for small to average riders
Lowest price here

Low Points:
Not a mainstream cruiser
Mushy front brake
Small for bigger riders
Dumb oil-level check arrangement

First Changes:
Aftermarket seat
Work on front brake

YAMAHA

With our proviso of no windshields, there was only one bike among Yamaha's seven-bike Royal Star lineup that fit the bill for our flagship cruiser. To what used to be the basic Royal Star model, the Silverado adds a long list of gleaming billet pieces, including: pretty hub caps on both ends, brake caliper trim, clutch-bleeder cover, motor-mount covers, an oversize billet choke knob, breather-cap covers and a pleasing selection of nut and bolt caps. In addition, the liquid-cooled cylinders get black-and-chrome fins. In all, the dress-up package would set you back over $1250, though the Silverado, at $13,949, fetches just $250 more than last year's base-model Star.

The bike under the billet is almost the same Royal Star as before. The 1294cc dual-overhead-cam, 16-valve, V-four engine descends from the potent mill used in the Venture touring bikes, but has been detuned for the cruiser with smaller 28mm carbs, milder cams and other changes. To provide more engine feel, Yamaha disposed of the counterbalancer system. The engine was styled for its new role with new case shapes and more polish and chrome, and finned covers were added to the cylinders. The Silverado exhales through a four-into-four exhaust system. (It's a four-into-two on the models equipped with saddlebags.)

An upgraded single damper unit cleans up the rear end of the bike, which falls into the standard wide-bike mold: air adjustable fork tubes widened with stainless-steel covers, nicely executed speedometer atop the 4.8-gallon fuel tank, wide two-piece saddle, and fat wheels. The Royal Stars ride on cast wheels--a 16-incher in front and a 15 on the back--and enjoy the stopping power of three disc brakes, each with double-action four-piston calipers.

The Silverado offered the exclusivity and quality we were looking for in a flagship cruiser. The billet additions create the look of a premium bike, and the RS five-year warranty--which includes roadside assistance--gives confidence to match.

High Points:
Unmatched finish and detailing
Elegant, classic style
Improved suspension
Strong brakes
Five-year warranty and roadside service

Low Points:
Unimpressive power, especially for a four
Deliberate vibration
Limited cornering clearance

First Change:
Aftermarket seat

BMW SPECIFICATIONS

Model/designation: BMW R1200CSuggested base price: $12,990; $14,290 with ABS
Standard colors: Black, maroon, ivory
Extra cost colors: None
Standard warranty: 36 mo., unlimited miles
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled, horizontally opposed twin
Valve arrangement: OHV, 2 intake, 2 exhaust valves per/cyl., operated by pushrods, threaded adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1170cc, 101mm x 73mm
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Carburetion: Electronic fuel injection
Lubrication: Wet sump, 4.0 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 92 octane
Transmission: Dry, single-plate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft, 2.54:1
Wet weight: 563 lb
GVWR: 992 lb
Seat height: 29.1 in.
Wheelbase: 65.0 in.
Overall length: 92.1 in.
Rake/trail: 29.5 degrees/3.38 in.
Wheels: Wire-spoke, 18 x 2.50 front, 15 x 4.00 rear
Front tire: 100/90-18 Metzeler Marathon, tubeless
Rear tire: 170/80-18 Metzeler ME88, tubeless
Front brake: 2, twin-piston calipers, 12-in. discs, optional anti-lock
Rear brake: Twin-piston caliper, 11.2-in. disc, optional anti-lock
Front suspension: BMW Telelever, 3.8 in. travel
Rear suspension: Single damper, 3.9 in. travel, adjustments for spring preload
Fuel tank: 4.5 gal
Handlebar: 30.7 in. wide, 1 in. diameter
Charging capacity: 700 watts
Battery: 12v, 19AH
Forward lighting: 7.5-in. headlight
Taillight: One bulb
Instrumentation: Speedometer, odometer, tripmeter; warning lights for neutral, low oil pressure, low fuel, left/right turn signals, high beam, ABS failure, charging failure

Performance
Fuel consumption: 34 to 52 mpg, 45.1 mpg avg.
Average range: 203 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 2900
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 73.3 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.24 sec., 91.2 mph

HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPECIFICATIONS

Model/Designation:Heritage/FLSTS
Suggested base price: $17,145 ($17,435 CA)
Standard color: Black
Extra-cost colors: 95th-anniversary red, champagne (add $375)
Standard warranty: 12 mo., unlimited miles
Engine type: Air-cooled, 45-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: OHV, 1 intake, 1 exhaust valve, operated by pushrods, hydraulic adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1340cc, 88.8mm x 108mm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Carburetion: 1, 40mm Keihin CV
Lubrication: Dry sump, 3.0 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 92 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Belt, 2.1875:1
Wet weight: 715 lb
GVWR: 1135 lb
Seat height: 25.8 in.
Wheelbase: 63.1 in.
Overall length: 94.0 in.
Rake/trail: 31.25 degrees/6.3 in.
Wheels: Wire-spoke, 16 x 3.00 both
Front tire: MT90B16 Dunlop Elite II, tube-type
Rear tire: MT90B16 Dunlop Elite II, tube-type
Front brake: Single-action single-piston caliper, 11.5-in. disc
Rear brake: Single-action caliper, 11.5-in. disc
Front suspension: Springer, 4.2 in. travel
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 4.1 in. travel, adjustments for spring preload
Fuel tank: 4.2 gal (0.4 gal reserve)
Handlebar: 31.0 in. wide, 1 in. diameter
Charging output: 360 watts
Battery: 12v, 20AH
Forward lighting: 5.75-in. headlight, dual spotlights, position lights, fender light
Taillight: Two bulbs
Instrumentation: Speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, low oil pressure

Performance
Fuel consumption: 36 to 55 mpg, 49.1 mpg avg.
Average range: 206 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 2300
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 69.2 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.59 sec., 90.7 mph

HONDA SPECIFICATIONS

Model/designation: Valkyrie/GL1500C
Suggested base price:$12,799
Standard color: Black
Added-cost colors: Yellow/ivory, blue/ivory, red/ivory (add $300)
Standard warranty: 36 mo., unlimited miles
Engine type: Liquid-cooled, horizontally opposed six
Valve arrangement: SOHC, 1 intake, 1 exhaust valve, operated by rockers, threaded adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1520cc, 71mm x 64mm
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Carburetion: 6, 28mm Keihin CV
Lubrication: Wet sump, 4.5 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft, 2.833:1
Wet weight: 739 lb
GVWR: 1133 lb
Seat height: 29.1 in.
Wheelbase: 66.5 in.
Overal length: 100.2 in.
Rake/trail: 32.3 degrees/5.98 in.
Wheels: Cast, 17 x 3.50 front, 16 x 5.50 rear
Front tire: 150/80R-17 Dunlop D206F, tubeless radial
Rear tire: 180/70R-16 Dunlop D206F, tubeless radial
Front brake: 2, single-action dual-piston calipers, 11.65-in. disc
Rear brake: Single-action caliper, 12.44-in. disc
Frontr suspension: 45mm inverted, 5.1 in. travel
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 4.7 in. travel, adjustments for spring preload
Fuel tank: 5.3 gal (0.9 gal reserve)
Handlebar: 34.0 in. wide, 1 in. diameter
Charging output: 546 watts
Battery: 12v, 12AH maintenance-free
Forward lighting: 7-in. headlight, running lights
Taillight: One bulb
Instrumentation: Speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, tachometer; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, low oil pressure, sidestand

Performance
Fuel consumption: 32 to 43 mpg, 36.2 mpg avg.
Average range: 192 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 2990
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 74.3 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 12.93 sec., 104.0 mph

KAWASAKI SPECIFICATIONS

Model/designation: Vulcan Classic/VN1500-E
Suggested base price: $10,699
Standard colors: Red/red, red/ivory, black
Extra-cost colors: None
Standard warranty: 12 mo., unlimited milesEngine type: Liquid-cooled, 50-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: SOHC, 2 intake, 2 exhaust valves, operated by hydraulic adjusters
Displacement: 1470cc, 102mm x 90mm
Compression ratio: 8.55:1Carburetion: 1, 40mm Keihin CV

Lubrication: Wet sump, 3.7 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft, 2.619:1
Wet weight: 683 lb
GVWR: 1076 lb
Seat height: 27.6 in.
Wheelbase: 65.4 in.
Overal length: 98.4 in.
Rake/trail: 2 degrees/4.84 in.
Wheels: Wire-spoke, 16 x 3.00 front, 16 x 3.50 rear
Front tire: 130/90-16 Dunlop D404F, tube-type
Rear tire: 150/80-16 Dunlop D404, tube-type
Front brake: Single-action twin-piston caliper, 11.8-in. disc
Rear brake: Single-action caliper, 10.6-in. disc
Front suspension: 41mm stanchions, 5.9 in. travel
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 3.4 in. travel, adjustments for spring preload
Fuel tank: 4.2 gal (1.1. gal reserve)
Handlebar: 33.0 in. wide, 1 in. diameter
Charging output: 350 watts
Battery: 12v, 14AH
Forward lighting: 6.7-in. headlight, position lights
Taillight: Two bulbs
Instrumentation: Speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, fuel gauge; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, coolant temperature, oil pressure

Performance
Fuel consumption: 34 to 48 mpg, 43.0 mpg avg.
Average range: 181 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 2570
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 72.1 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.67 sec., 89.0 mph

MOTO GUZZI SPECIFICATIONS

Model/designation: V11 EV
Suggested base price: $11,690
Standard colors: Orange/yellow, black/gray, gray/black, turquoise/blue, red/white
Extra-cost colors: None
Standard warrantee: 12 mo., unlimited miles
Engine type: Air-cooled, longitudinal-crankshaft, 90-deg. V-twin
Valvae arrangement: OHV, 1 intake, 1 exhaust valve, operated by pushrods, threaded adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1064cc, 92mm x 80mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Carburetion: Electronic fuel injection
Lubrication: Wet sump, 3.2 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Dry, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft, 4.125:1
Wet weight: 604 lb
GVWR: 1160 lb
Seat height: 30.3 in.
Wheelbase: 61.8 in.
Overall length: 92.7 in.
Rake/trail: 28 degrees/NA
Wheels: Wire-spoke, 18 x 2.50 front, 17 x 3.50 rear
Front tire: 110/90-18 Pirelli MT09, tubeless
Rear tire: 140/80VB17 PirelliMT08, tubeless
Front brake: 2, double-action four-piston calipers, 11.6-in. discs
Brear brake: Double-action four-piston caliper, 11.0-in disc
Front suspension: 45mm stanchions, 4.0 in. travel, adjustments for rebound and compression
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 3.8 in. travel, adjust for spring preload and rebound damping
Fuel tank: 5.0 gal
Handlebar: 31.1 in wide, 7/8-in diameter
Charging output: 350 watts
Battery: 12v, 30AH
Forward lighting: 6.25-in. headlight
Taillight: Two bulbs
Instrumentation: Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, tripmeter; warning lights for neutral, high beam, turn signals, oil pressure, charging, low fuel

Performance
Fuel consumption: 34 to 48 mpg, 40.9 mpg avg.
Average range: 205 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 3190
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 72.9 mpg
Quarter-mile acceleration: 13.72 sec., 99.6 mph

SUZUKI SPECIFICATIONS

Model/designation: Intruder 1500 LC/VL1500
Suggested base price: $9899
Standard colors: Black/green, yellow/white, brown/beige
Extra-cost colors: None
Standard warranty: 12 mo., unlimited miles
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled, 45-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: SOHC, 2 intake valves, 1 exhaust valve, operated by hydraulic adjusters
Dis[placement, bore x stroke: 1462cc, 96mm x 101mm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Carburetion: 2, 36mm Mikuni CV
Lubriucation: Wet sump, 5.0 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft, 2.666:1
Wet weight: 699 lb
GVWR: 1180 lb
Seat height: 26.7 in.
Wheelbase: 66.9 in.
Overall length: 99.4 in.
Rake/trail: 32 degrees/5.43 in.
Wheels: Cast, 16 x 3.50 front, 15 x 5.00 rear
Front tire: 150/80-16 Bridgestone G703, tubeless
Rear tire: 80/70-15 Bridgestone G702, tubeless
Front brake: Double-action caliper, 11.8-in. disc
Rear brake: Double-action caliper, 7.1-in. disc
Front suspension: 41mm stanchions, 5.1 in. travel
Rear suspension: Single damper, 4.6 in. travel, adjustments for spring preload
Fuel tank: 4.1 gal
Handlebar: 33.3 in. wide, 1 in. diameter
Charging utput: 340 watts
Battery: 12v, 14AH
Forward lighting: 7.5-in. headlight, position lights
Taillight: One bulb
Instrumentation: Speedometer, LCD odometer/dual tripmeter; warning lights for neutral, high beam, turn signals, oil pressure, fuel level

Performance
Fuel consumption: 31 to 45 mpg, 39.9 mpg avg.
Average range: 163 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 2490
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 71.7 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.19 sec., 91.9 mph

TRIUMPH SPECIFICATIONS

Model/designation: Thunderbird
Suggested base price: $8995
Standard colors: Green/silver, black/red, red/silver, black
Extra-cost colors: None
Standard warranty: 24 mo., unlimited miles
Engine type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline triple
Valve arrangement: DOHC, 2 intake, 2 exhaust valves, shim adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 885cc, 76mm x 65mm
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Carburetion: 3, 36mm Mikuni CV
Lubrication: Wet sump, 4.2 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Chain, 2.529:1
Wet weight: 526 lb
GVWR: 961 lb
Seat height: 29.5 in.
Wheelbase: 62.2 in.
Overall length: 87.1 in.
Rake/trail: 27 degrees/4.2 in.
Heels: Wire-spoke, 18 x 2.50 front, 16 x 3.50 rear
Front tire: 110/80ZR-18 Michelin A89X, tube-type radial
Rear tire: 160/80ZR-16 Michelin M89X, tube-type radial
Front brake: Single-action twin-piston caliper, 12.6-in disc
Rear brake: Single-action twin-piston caliper, 11.2-in disc
Front suspension: 43mm stanchions, 5.9 in. travel
Rear suspension: Single damper, 4.3 in. travel, adjustments for spring preload
Fuel tank: 4.0 gal (1.0 gal reserve)
Handlebar: 28.8 in. wide, 7/8-in. diameter
Charging output: 300 watts
Battery: 12v, 14AH
Forward lighting: 7-in. headlight
Taillight: Two bulbs, license plate light
Instrumentation: Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, tripmeter, lights for neutral, high beam, left/right turn signals, oil level, coolant temperature

Performance
Fuel consumption: 33 to 43 mpg, 38.1 mpg avg.
Average range: 153 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 3900
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 77.3 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 13.41 sec., 99.2 mph

YAMAHA SPECIFICATIONS

Model/designation: Royal Star Silverado/XVZ13AK
Suggested base price: $13,949
Standard colors: Black, silver/white, red/red
Extra-cost colors: None
Standard warranty: 60 mo., unlimited miles
Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 70-degree V-four
Valve arrangement: DOHC, 2 intake, 2 exhaust valves, shim adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1294cc, 79mm x 66mm
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Carburetion: 4, 28mm Mikuni downdraft
Lubrication: Wet sump, 4.5 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft, 2.566:1
Wet weight: 745 lb
GVWR: 1175 lb
Seat height: 28.3 in.
Wheelbase: 66.7 in.
Overall length: 97.8 in.
Rake/trail: 30 degrees/5.0 in.
Wheels: Cast-alloy, 16 x 3.50 front, 15 x 4.00 rear
Front tire: 150/80-16 Dunlop D404, tubeless
Rear tire: 150/80-15 Dunlop D404, tubeless
Front brake: 2, double-action four-piston calipers, 11.8-in. discs
Rear brake: Double-action four-piston caliper, 12.6-in disc
Front suspension: 43mm stanchions, 5.5 in. travel, adjustments for air pressure
Rear suspension: Single damper, 3.8 in. travel, adjustments for spring preload
Fuel tank: 4.8 gal (0.9 gal reserve)
Handlebar: 33.4 in., 1 in diameter
Charging output: 320 watts
Battery: 12v, 18AH
Forward lighting: 7.5-in. headlight, position lights
Taillight: One bulb
Instrumentation: Speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, low fuel, low oil level, high temperature, engine monitor/ overdrive indicator

Performance
Fuel consumption: 31 to 47 mpg, 40.3 mpg avg.
Average range: 194 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 2690
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 71.1 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.30 sec., 93.2 mph

Additional motorcycle road tests and comparisons are available at the Road Tests section of MotorcycleCruiser.com.