Front Tire Width...Custom or Classic

[PhotoJoe]

I was reading reviews of the Vulcan 900 over the weekend and the reviewer stated that the Custom with the skinny tire had much less braking power and overall was not as confident feeling of a bike than the Classic with the wider front tire. I love the Custom look, but if I go this route for my first, I don't really want a bike that is less than "comfort inspiring".

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[GregR1]

don't the custom and classic have the same front brake setup? you can maybe apply more front brake with the classic before the tire runs out of grip, but you also have a rear brake that's quite useful anyways. i'm gonna guess that their comment on the custom feeling less confident means that it wants to turn more easily - which cruiserites would not be used to, they just wanna go straight! the benefit of the skinny front tire (from what i've read) is that it makes it easier to turn into corners, which can be interpreted as twitchy, which can then be interpreted as less confidence-inspiring.

i like the looks of the custom better, though. the colours are better too, at least up here. doesn't the classic also have spoked wheels, requiring you to run tubes?

[PhotoJoe]

Greg, I believe you're right about the tubes and the brake setup. And, thanks for clarifying, I do believe he was talking about having a larger tire contact patch for more grip. Is this a real concern? Is there any reason to shy away from the custom?

[GregR1]

Originally Posted by PhotoJoe

Greg, I believe you're right about the tubes and the brake setup. And, thanks for clarifying, I do believe he was talking about having a larger tire contact patch for more grip. Is this a real concern? Is there any reason to shy away from the custom?

a real concern? not likely. quite a few other bikes have a skinny front tire, like harleys. you're obviously not buying a cruiser for quick precise handling, so i wouldn't bother comparing it to anything much outside of the cruiser class, but it does look better and hey, if it turns better, that would be cool too.

only downsides i've noticed are that there was much less aftermarket stuff available for the custom than the classic (some things are different, like seats). i'm sure they'll have versions available for the custom soon enough - the classic was out for a while longer and might even share a number of things with the 800 classic which was out for a few years.

obviously, i didn't end up with the 900 custom, or any other cruiser. my money was tight (and still is!), and frankly i was a bit too tall for the 900. even the yamaha v-star 1300 that i was strongly considering was a hair on the small side, but just ever so slightly (the road star and vulcan 2000 were a perfect fit, but both at around $16k). in the end, i picked up the slightly used ninja for around $6k (the 900 custom would have been around $9.5k, and the v-star around $13k). canadian funds, of course.

[PhotoJoe]

Here is the quote that made me wonder:

"The bigger rear brake is important, since you won't be able to put much braking force through that skinny front tire.

And there's the rub, so to speak. The same feature that gives the 900 Custom its distinctive looks, namely the narrow, 21" tall front wheel, compromises its handling when compared to the 900 Classic. While I wouldn't say the 900 Custom is a poor-handling bike by any means, it didn't give me the same secure, planted feeling from the front end that the shorter, wider wheel/tire combo on the 900 Classic did. "

From this article:

Motorcycle Daily

[PhotoJoe]

I love the fact that the only response I got was from one of the guys who has never owned a cruiser!!! Greg, I appreciate your insights, though.

I do plan on commuting with whatever I end up buying, so my basic question is: In a panic stop, will I have less stopping power with the tall/skinny setup than with the short/wide combo?

In my search, I did sit on a Yamaha V-Star 1100 custom today. I'm not sure of the year, but it has less than 3,000 miles and IF he decides to sell, he'll be looking for $5,000. I think it was an '02 or'03. I had been avoiding the larger cruisers, but I'm 6'2" and have felt cramped on the 650 and 750 cruisers. The 800 and 900's have been OK, but that 1100 was comfy!

[GregR1]

haha! imagine if you asked the exact same question but it was a suzuki bike! you'd have 3 pages by now...

you're 6'2"? well, i'm 6'3", so i can relate! my issue was most with my legs getting shoved too high up - on the V900 my knees were right where the pointy end of the Vulcan logo on the tank was. bad placement for me. even if i did take off the badges, my legs felt like they were too high.

did the v-star 1100 use chains, belts, or a shaft? chains are gonna require constant attention (every 300 miles or so), but are otherwise very robust.

panic stops i don't know about. so far i've had next to none on my bike, mostly cuz of the way i ride - i just leave more space and keep a constant eye on everyone in front of me, usually guessing their next idiotic move and planning for it.

but you know what? if you feel that the skinny front might be a bit hairy, skip it. even if it'll be just adequate, you'll be thinking and worrying about it and that'll affect your attention and concentration. most cruisers won't have the brakes of a standard (let alone sport bike), so you'll be using up a reasonable amount of tarmac before you come to a halt no matter what. i suppose you could mount up a stickier tire (so that it won't slip as easily), or a slightly fatter one, or a fatter stickier one. but you'll likely get more tire choices in the classic's size.

[PhotoJoe]

Originally Posted by GregR1

haha! imagine if you asked the exact same question but it was a suzuki bike! you'd have 3 pages by now...

Too funny, but hadn't thought of it that way!

Thanks for the insights. The 1100 is shaft drive I THINK and it has dual front disks. I like that.

[texrider]

For your purposes, get the Classic. Otherwise, when you skid the front tire on the Custom, you'll piss yer pants...

[Bowtie18]

I have never had a "skinny" front tire cruiser, I opt for the wider tire "classic" look. I know from quite a few in the cruiser realm that tell me the skinnier front tire tends to "track", or follow grooves or other road repairs more easily!

Also, not all cruiser riders like to ride in a straight line! I've worn out the tabs on my floorboards!

Good thing Yamaha made them to be replaced! Some of us actually know how to ride, not just do poker runs and shine chrome!

[tolsten82]

hey Bowtie,

what kind of saddle bags are those? I really like them.

[c_law23]

I have the custom and have had no such problem, on a close call you're not thinking about that front tire being skinny, you're thinking about not doing air gymnastics. also ive had the bike on some good twisties and never even thought twice about zooming around the corners, i say if you love the custom then go for it! i did

[Bowtie18]

Originally Posted by tolsten82

hey Bowtie,

what kind of saddle bags are those? I really like them.

Here ya go! Sorrry for the delay, I don't check in here as much as I should!

Tsukayu Hardbags and Touring Trunk

Mine are the leather covered "Strong" bags! Glad you like em. They have been good to me so far!

[TFee3]

I've had a bike with skinny tires, and I never had a problem with stopping. It's what you get used to. Now, I have a cruiser with large tires, and I don't feel it stopping any better. I suppose that if you got highly technical, which I stay away from, I would be wrong. My friend with a Harley Softail Classic flops around in the wind a little more than I do, but not much. I agree with the member who said it's all in the way you ride. I might add that it's also how much you ride. The more you ride, the better you will feel about how your bike reacts to different situations. I always say, if you're going to go, then go happy - buy what you like!