[Brysan]

Are sportbikes more prone to laying down at all compared to cruisers? I always hear folks describe a situation that involves a little front or rear wheel Sand/Water encounter and down it goes yet I never seem to hear the guys on cruisers complain of this. So I was curious if it was just the design of sportbikes having you sit "ON" them up higher I suppose which changes the center of gravity making them top heavy right? and the Cruisers you sit "IN", which lowers the center of gravity and not as effected by a little slip?

Thanks!

 

[Justin726]

I think it has more to do with how each of them is ridden. Most Cruiser riders aren't going around corners very fast and therefore won't be as prone to going down when encountering some slippery surfaces. Sportbike riders usually tend to be a little more agressive in the corners and that is probably why you hear more about them going down because of sand, water, or gravel in the road.

 

[Jeckyll]

I remember going into a corner in the fall on my old little Yamaha cruiser, there were leaves all over and the ground was wet underneath. Almost lost both the front _and_ rear.

IMO you have to keep lean angles in mind. Cruisers can't be leaned over nearly as much as sportbikes, so if you have some sand etc. the cruiser will be more 'straight up' compared to a sportbike. (Though I have seen a few guys that were scary fast on cruisers)

HTH

 

[mercutio80]

The overall geometry of sportbikes put more weight on the front than cruisers. This could add to more accidents involving losing the front tire, but I agree that it's probably more a function of the way sportbikes are ridden. Cruisers usually take it easy around curves and wouldn't be testing their traction like sportbikes.

I also think that sand and gravel is just an easy excuse when somebody goes down. I can't tell you how many times I've heard of groups of five or six bikes going for a ride, and the guy in the back wrecks "because of gravel." I always wonder how the other five bikes manged to get around the same curve with no drama.