Is the ROYAL ENFIELD SUPER METEOR 650 A true Cruiser?
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Whilst unsuccessfully trying to film the Royal Enfield super meteor 650 review this week it suddenly occurred to me that I'm not entirely sure what constitutes A cruiser! So I set out to find a cast iron definition!
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I like the way Stuart can take a subject that by his own admission, he doesn't know much about, and make it interesting. A true essayist!
ya that is true, Thanks Stu.
I doubt anyone could do it better on his chosen subject, Stu is a true gent.
We all start off with your perspective on Harley-Davidsons. For me, what changed, was that I actually bought one and fell in love with it. Of the dozens of bikes I've owned, only 2 engendered true long lasting affection. One was an Italian bike, and one was, yep, the Harley. As we use the word, a cruiser is for cruising. And cruising is relaxed riding where the destination is not the primary objective. Cruising often involves a sunny day and socializing with peers.
I loved my Harley until all the paint disappeared and replaced itself with RUST, amazingly the chrome was fine. Yes the bike was looked after. Just a bag of rust. NEVER again.
@@thelonegr00ver had same experience with a Honda. VFR!
@@thelonegr00verI never had that happen to any harley davidson i ever owned?
@@andrewslagle1974 HD paint has for decades been the best in the industry. And remains so.
Brit bike paint was OK for about 4-years. Jap bikes worse.
I would have to think most people who don’t like HD’s I’ve never actually ridden one. I began riding at 18, and am now 70. I bought my first Harley at the age of 62, and without a doubt can tell you it’s my all-time favourite bike.
A cruiser is larger than a destroyer and less heavily armed than a battleship. 😁
So a Scooter is a Corvette & a 350 is a Frigate😅😂.
@@ruahinesrider An Interceptor is a motor torpedo boat and the 660 is a hovercraft 👍
@@GapBahnDirk 👌👍
indians, what would we name the old Thunderbird?
Then you should avoid it from buying it and I must say you are living in a fantasy dream land and you should know what the ground reality is .....honestly speaking if you don't care about fuel price or efficiency of the motorcycle then you buy Harley Davidson or Indian or any motorcycle with big engine
To be honest, you are one only one who has dared to ask, “what is a cruiser?”. Love it for the audacity and clarity of thought. Most people, journalists including, will use terminology without ever questioning the true meaning. Love you video Stuart.
Good catch! I agree.
I came back to biking ten years ago after a 23 year break while my family was growing up , cruisers were a new one on me and what people were calling cruisers were what I knew as factory customs built like a mild chopper because choppers were popular back then .They are as you say feet forward ( what I call armchair position ) and extremely comfortable with torquey motors .As I've got arthritis in all my joints I just love them to bits . That's my definition anyway for what it's worth .
Similar story here. Being a bit older and wiser certainly makes Stuart a pleasure to listen to. Lots of wisdom in rambling.
Definitely factory custom.
Spot on.
Your cruisin', i.e., you're relaxed: leaning back; feat forward; straddling a torquey motor; & eating the miles without feeling rushed.
But it turns out there are many ways to get that feeling without ticking every box.
From the Honda Goldwing, to the Kawasaki Vulcan VN900, to the Yamaha VX800, &, now, the RE Super Meteor--many bikes successfully approach this style by employing an eccletic subset of those ingredients.
Personally I wish more Cruisers were better motorcycles i.e., being cheap to buy, relativelg simple, fuel efficient, easy to maintain, forms of transport.
Great video Stuart. I love the way your videos skew off at a tangent and are unlike the generic content provided by other motorcycle bloggers. Keep up the good work and stay individual👍
Personally I didn't buy my Super Meteor because it was a cruiser I bought it because
It was a good looking motorcycle
It looked well made and finished
The 650cc is a well proven engine
It was within a price range I could afford
I have a Enfield thing going it having owned a Interceptor Himalayan and Meteor
It's good Enfield have extended the service intervals to 4500mls
If only all viewers were as pragmatic as You!
@@stuartfillingham Pragmatic or no, He must be a politician at heart: he didn't answer the question! 😅
Excellent presentation. As an American enthusiast, I have owned a lot of motorcycles from multiple brands and styles in my lifetime. It has occurred to me that categories tend to create camps. You have the touring camp, the cruiser camp, the sport bike camp, the adv camp. I prefer to be in the motorcycle camp......................Cheers!
Agreed Gerry, I've had all sorts of bikes, from dirt bikes to my current vn900 cruiser and I think after all the years I've come to the same conclusion, I'm a motorcyclist not a niche sitter. Also prefer to ride alone now days or just with my wife on her bike, group rides can be a pain in the arse at times.
@@philtwowheels Same here. I only do the occasional group rides anymore. Like you I prefer riding alone or with my wife and son on their bikes................Cheers!
Cruiser is any motorcycle that wants to use the rider's spinal column as a shock absorber. This is achieved by foot forward stance combined with heavy weight and stiff suspension.
That's called hardtail frame motorcycle. If it had a rake then chopper!
Cruiser motorcycles are so diverse it's hard to precisely pinned down. There are huge highway machines, agile nimble sporters, muscle-cruiser with way overpowered motors.
I ridden cruiser style motorcycles for over 40 years and they can be a commuter, a cross country touring bike. You just add a windshield and saddle bags.
A weekend ride in the mountains with your girl on the back or with your friends on their cruisers.
They can be many things, but I also used my VTX 1800 as a very competitive drag bike. All cruisers are not slow.
Great ramble,but we need more of your opinions on the Super Meteor as a good or bad motorcycle.
I am coming down from high capacity bikes to a more middle weight machine and I am looking at Some Japanese bikes and the Royal Enfield.
For me, who has a cruiser and an adventure bike , it describes the bikes capabilities and feeling it gives you .
Your last definition of cruiser pretty well sums it up.
That said, I don't understand any motorcycle that is not a cruiser.
Never mind "Uncle Stew", you'll do just fine. 🙏🇦🇺👍
Stu, I think that after a circuitous journey you finally provided a valid explanation of what a cruiser actually is, just goes to show the advantage of doing diligent research.
Rebels with good taste -The Fonz rode a triumph twin, as did Brando's character in 'The wild One'. That'll do me. I love bikes and the odd vintage Harley has appealed, perhaps the XLCR. I suppose culturally I'm a million miles away from most Harleys, and financially. Traditionally backyard British customs are cafe racers, clip-ons and windy country roads. For years I called bikes like the Super Meteor, export style, like the bikes destined for America in the mid 20th century. Then I switched to factory custom which is an oxymoron. Don' t get me wrong this machine is like a lovely, friendly bar maid, makes me smile and keeps me happy. But a continental melts my heart and looks like marriage material. Id like to think of myself as a very British, gentleman rider, rather than a rebel, so a more traditional brand of Enfield suits me. Its ton up, Quadrophenia, Saturday night Sunday morning ing tradition, rather than dabbling in Psychomania!
I find myself enjoying these monologues that motivates some ideas. This episode was fun and I'm looking forward for the next one!
Ha ha! Great video Stuart, - I ride a cruiser myself and for me, a reasonable definition would be: “I’ll get there no problem, probably respecting all the speed limits as I go” ( as opposed to riding an extremely powerful bike and regularly doing 130 down the outside lane at every opportunity)….
With a solo seat, one could channel Brando's Thunderbird. Enfield need to make that flat RAF blue from the last run of Bullet 500s available (closest to thunderbird blue).
I am eagerly awaiting your review of the super meteor as i find your reviews honest and fair,myself i think it looks a nice bike and i think it will sell well,keep up the great work you do stuart.😊
I agree with you, Stu; "feet forward" ergonomics and an ability to cruise, these seem to be the common denominators of a "cruiser" which are exactly the same as a "tourer". My problem with the "feet forward" position is the jarring of the spine when the motorcycle goes over bumps & potholes. Hence my preference for a KTM Duke.
Your final description sounded spot on in my opinion. Even an old Honda 250 was classed as a cruiser too, can’t wait for your opinion on the Super Meteor 650 as its reviews so far have been good to say the least
For me, when the bike gives comfort and easy to ride at a mellow pace.
Great question and attempt to answer!! On Harley’s, I was as you, not my thing, I appreciate the engineering but couldn’t see myself on one.
Until….. I rode the new Nightster, arguably the least Harley-esque Harley on sale today, but after trying a sportster (big heavy and kind of a bruiser) the Nightser was like as you say a modern classic, low, easy to ride, smooth and a turn of speed but no sports bike!
Love to see you grit your teeth and give one a try!! Go Uncle Stu show us Yorkshires answer to Easy Rider……
Looks like a nice bike, looking forward to the review. My mate has a Triumph Bobber, and he's always refers to it being a Cruiser, cheers
A Cruiser bike is the one designed to long distance rides on highways or asphalted roads at middle speed to enjoy the landscape with emphasis in high torque at low rpm in order to surpass other vehicles without the need of reaching high rpm regime and avoiding the hassle to change gear frequently . It has to be comfortable in terms of ergonomy and very stable which means a soft and wide seat, feet forward, higher handlebar than a naked bike in order to get a more relaxed driving position and low gravity center (curb mass near the floor) to make the bike stable and agile.
A Cruiser bike is NOT one designed to long distance rides on highways my friend.
I agree. This is the first one that cruised my mind worth the consideration of buying one.
Well said Stuart, my Moto Guzzi California was classed as a tourer, but many of my fellow bikers called it a cruiser. But a cruiser can be anything if people want to label or define it. Big Harleys have been labelled as tourers, but some of the low riders models have been described as cruisers. Lol 😂.
Because lowrider don't come with saddle bags. Touring models are now being branded as Baggers!🙄. Lowrider model introduction in 1977 FXS SHOVEL HEAD ENGINE. Lowrider Sturgis introduction 1980-82 it had five gears instead of 4 oil cooled and Belt drive. Today lowrider s softail lines look very close to the lowrider Sturgis.
@@alancrane4693 the super glides & low riders i always looked at as the performance big twins my definition of a cruiser in harleys line up would be a fat boy just my opinion !
@@andrewslagle1974 definitely, also love the name of the Fatboy named after a nuke bomb 😀
I think it's a mixture of the style of the bike and the way the owner rides it. For instance we all probably share an image of what a commuter bike would be but you could, and many people do, commute on a GS 1200 or even a Panigale. You could ride a Harley as though it were a sports bike and you could take a Bobber off road. So for me "cruiser" suggests Road Trip and riding as an immersive experience rather than a means to an end. But that doesn't mean you can't go to Tesco's on it.
Interesting viewpoint Stuart👍. I rode a Harley with my wife across the States on Route 66 with the very wonderful’ Hadrian v twin’ tour company. The Harley is what it is and is fine for long roads with cheap fuel. Not sure if it is practical for my type of riding and general weather conditions etc, however, for some people it ticks all the boxes which is fine.
Yeah... I'm a bit annoyed by the term "true this true that..."
I can just slap a windshield on my Vespa or a Honda Monkey and cruise all day long.
Hahaha! Excellent stuff. Roadster’s another one I’ve wondered about. Back in the mist of time I had an MGB roadster then a bit later an R850R which BMW insisted was a roadster. I might start calling sports bikes “tracksters”.
Thinking of the foot position a honda cub step through could also be classed as a cruiser. It has a feet forward seating position. Cheers Stuart have a great weekend
🤣 had Honda C70 i was 14 took it around back field's how i learnt to ride. paid £5 for it and use to walk to garage with couple of empty milk bottles fill em with fuel no issues, wouldn't be able to that today!
Always food for thought, which is great for my old grey matter 😃Hope you get some decent weather overt the weekend Stuart. I may see you out and about, as I am heading to Winteringham to visit relatives. (unfortunately I am in the car with family).
I really admire your honesty. Most of us don't know what a "cruiser" is ? Hearing to you , the connection to cruising speed seems most appropriate. And of course you have that laid back riding stance and the all important low end grunt.
Eventually! You pretty much got to the same conclusion as myself as to what a cruiser is, your comments about harley align with mine to but I still have a minor hankering to try one cos it's a bike, can it be that bad? Be interested to see you reviewing one, just for balanced opinion of course!.
The word cruising in the USA when referring to the highways and byways simply means laid back and relaxed meandering with no particular place to go. When they started calling motorcycles that they intended to paint that picture of relaxation and pleasure. You would buy a cruiser to cruise. Feet forward and leaned back in comparison to other riding positions was a tipping of the hat to the recliner chairs also growing in popularity about the same time. Leaned back, relaxed, feet out in front of you and meandering aimlessly without stress on your cruiser motorcycle was born.
My personal definition of a cruiser: A recliner on two wheels! 😎👍
I really enjoyed this video and found myself smiling along with you throughout Stu. A very entertaining and I think, accurate view in my opinion. I take it that you don't own 'Easy Rider' on DVD! lol. There is another type of cruising that certain 'gentlemen' enjoy but the less said about this the better I think. 😂
Ha ha ha ha ha... Great comment.
Great video. Here in the states a cruiser is a bike built for comfort over distance. Most are heavily modified. I would say that less than half have forward controls. This bike will do well here if it was enough power for our freeways. I intend to buy this bike when it gets here. They really need to properly advertise it. They haven't advertised the Interceptor at all. If they want to sell bikes here they have to advertise their products heavily or they aren't going to sell .I've not seen any advertisements for Royal Enfield at all.
Amazing perspective. I think Stu, your videos are now heading into the niche that RyanF9 commands...topics that other RUclipsrs seldom touch upon. So refreshing!
Great video Stu, I love the way that when nature slaps you you end up pulling gems like this out of the bag, I thought I was listening to myself all the wat through the video.
More power to you.
And more torque?
I like some Harley's . I like the 883 iron but not a fan of the huge things that weigh twice as much as a bike should.
Morning Stuart, my cruiser was a lovely bike, like you say wasn't for me either, always got cramp in my hip. Went back to the good old sit up and beg. You have given it a go, nice looking bike, keep um coming 👌.
Thanks for sharing
Nice one Stuart, looking forward to your review of the super Meteor..
I'd label a bobber as a cruiser to be honest... albeit one that handles well and can get a shuffle on if needed but to me... its just another motorcycle regardless of the label appended by the maker or the biking press.
Yes, there are different genres of bike but they all (mostly) have two wheels, engine, handlebars and a bod on top riding it... as for Harleys... I share your views, I followed one on Wednesday... check shirt and leather waistcoat, half face lid, beard, leather panniers with studs and buckles, cowboy boots and tassles on the handlebar ends... okay for route 66, but a bit odd in deepest Essex... that said... a Harley is still just another bike... with 2 wheels, an engine and a bod on top riding it...
Ride safe 😎👍
Good morning Stu. Right, I have my coffee and I'm settling down for a much anticipated riding preview 👍
My fav reviewer, Stuart 😊❤️
I think the term 'cruiser' does work, but more relates to cruise liners than cruiser warships. "Cruiser" is more from the quality of ride - a cruise - than a classification of battleship.
It describes a bike that gives an almost effortless, relaxing ride, like you are on a cruise ship. They are also often high tonnage affairs that glide in a straight line well but not so easy to turn and sometimes feel like someone else is captaining them hehe.
I don't see them as anything more unusual than sports bikes, cafe racers, adventure bikes or whatever - they are all designed to suit a certain style of ride.
I was never into cruisers when that pretty much meant Harleys. Those seemed to all be uncomfortable anti-social choppers ridden by uncomfortable anti-social bikers (!) back in the day, but like everything they've evolved (bikes and riders) (I should also say I wasn't into sports bikes for much the same reasons hehe) (I also should say that was almost all my (and media's) prejudice, not actual experience).
Personally, now, I think they are the ideal bike. Partly because they have evolved and partly because I have aged, I suppose.
They are aimed to give comfort and relaxation, with a side order of fun. They are aimed to give a viceral joy via things like chrome and engine/exhaust noise but don't give up the functionality and practicality of things like luggage and rider/pillion comfort. They have adequate speed but prioritise grunt that means you aren't constantly shifting gears.
Things like forward controls, high torque and a bucket seat to make a bike capable or 'cruising', but do you need them all to make them a 'cruiser'? *shrug*
No criuser ever carries "luggage"! hhahahahha
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp plenty of Harley's that most folks would call cruisers come with panniers already fitted.
Most have luggage racks from what I've seen.
I fully agree with everything you say about cruisers & HD. I’m born & raised in the US, Texas specifically but I never understand why anyone would pick that style motorcycle.
Have you ever ridden a HD cruiser Jess?
Yes, hated it. I just can’t take the foot forward position, feels out of control, like riding a bicycle without clipping my feet in.
For some reason when I hear the term 'Motorcycle Cruiser' the Village People come to mind
I think power and style can overtake function on many cruiser motorcycles, but you’ve got to have something to sell. :)
I believe, as you stated near the end of the video, the origin of the cruiser motorcycle was an attempt to make a long distance machine. A comfortable riding position, an under stressed motor for durability, extra torque to not require constant attention to shifting, and a little extra weight and low center of gravity for stability. At least to me that seems to have been the base design criteria. The fact the the design was ultimately most embraced in a country with long distances, and relatively high quality easy to ride roads, would make a lot of sense.
The lawless motorcycle image is a caricature of an American the same way the cowboy image is. The same bad boy image was, I believe, one time attached to the cafe racer. Over time It’s become something many embrace as an easy route to some form of fear or respect. Yeah… pretty shallow and probably counterproductive, but what are you going to do. I ride a cruiser, but it’s a 600cc Honda :)
Very well thought through comment. I concur with its content.
@@stanleydobson382 Ditto.
Aaaaay up, Stuart your discription of a cruiser was just perfect I was a sleep in minutes.
How about.... a motorbike that provides a laid back ride. Looking forward to your review.
Nice one Stu - it muddies the waters even more when people talk about "metric cruisers". Most in reference to Japanese or European made cruisers, but I have heard people say "like a cruiser, but reliable" 😆. Now i am not going to rag on Harley's - there are some good looking machines out there and plenty of use cases where it makes sense. I owned one for a full 3 months once and decided it was not for me. It is usually a very small but loud minority that stereotypes a brand perception. I never got the whole deal of ragging onto the brand of bike someone drives, but it seems that you do get them amongst all brand aficionado's. And I admit, I am emotionally invested in the Royal Enfield brand, but it doesn't blind me to the fact that they are lower budget bikes, which you can tell from the quality of the factory seats, mirrors and some bit and bobs around the bike that could use some improvement - and if you happen to enjoy to customise your bike towards you own taste - there is a huge aftermarket ready to serve in various ranges of price and quality - its all up to you. At the end of the day it all comes down to "drive what you like" And if i give someone a hard time about the bike they ride, they are usually friends - and friends should be able to take a bit of slagging 😁, but I would not waste my time critiquing random strangers for their choice of brand because the only fact I would bring across is that I would be some sort of an opinionated arsehole looking for validation of my personal choices.
If I bumped into you over a pint Stuart one day I could explain it to you in a 10 min conversation. You have to forget the outlaw image. Look at the design of the bikes. Sport bike, engine tuned for max hp, track bike for the road by design. Top of the line components designed to operate at speed. Light in weight. Sharp Handling. Roadster, engine tuned for good hp & torque, mid line components designed to operate at all speeds effectively but not as well as sport bikes at speed. Medium weight. Med / fast handling. Tourer’s/ cruiser’s, engine’s with torque in mind, designed for lazier & ease of riding at slower speeds more relaxed cornering. Usually heavier of the 3. Slow handling.
Now obviously there’s huge variations for each bike by manufacturers ’s but that’s the idea. And not to say some cruiser’s aren’t grate all rounders as are some sport bikes but you get my drift.
I’ve owned all & in my time (45 years on the road) the old saying “it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast then a fast bike slow” is a great way to approach motorcycling. More grins per mile and most of it at acceptable road speeds
Ride safe keep up the good work.
Probably somewhere along the line bike manufacturers have encouraged different classifications such as cruiser, adventure and sports tourer for marketing purposes. Because let’s face it we like to be in a comfort zone with which bike we own.
A cruiser, feet in a forward position, handlebars higher than average, giving a laid-back relaxed riding position, riding at a steady pace 50-60mph not in a hurry to get anywhere fast, (just cruising) often with a custom paint job with lots of chrome as owners like there bikes to be looked at, often referred to as a custom cruiser, or a cruiser style.
Don't forget we also had bikers that wore black leather jackets and jeans and gave motorcycling a bad reputation in the 60s, they were called rocker's and didn't ride Harley's and some still dress like that today. ( On Royal Enfield's).
Stuart! Brilliant once again! We are brother's from another Mother...completely agree on your views. Cheers from the U.S.A.
"whatever the individual perceives it to be" nails it. Same applies for all the various "types" of motorbikes now not jsut cruisers. 50 years ago all those types did not exist but marketing geniuses realise that if you apply an emotive label to a bike it will trigger links and feelings in purchasers brains. So we have "sports", "cruisers", cafe racers", "scramblers", "tourers" etc. Whe I started riding we just had motorbikes and you added bits or took bits off depending on your main use. Now the makers do that for you and stick an emotive name on the style.
Right on! “Cruiser” is an emotive marketing term that Harley, in their VTwin configuration, claim to be exclusively theirs. All other VTwins are “posers”. Harley claimed to be the king of cruisers and Triumph equally claimed they are the proper British Motorcycle in the parallel twin configuration. Then the Japaneses come along and build a better version of both configurations at a lower cost! Thanks to the Japanese bikes, Harley and Triumph were forced to improve their quality or go out of business. I think Royal Enfield is bold if not brilliant in creating a parallel twin “cruiser”. Harley snobs will scoff at the idea and say there never was nor will there ever be a 650 cc parallel twin cruiser. Triumph snobs will reject the idea of a parallel twin cruiser being a proper British motorbike and just write it off as another prank by those crazy Yanks. But here we are. Royal Enfield declaring they have a 650 cc parallel twin British designed Cruiser. I love it, if for nothing else but to watch the brand loyalist struggle with the idea. In the mean time I predict Uncle Stu will like the bike but not the label. As for me I’m making space in the garage for the Super Meteor unless RE comes out with yet another enticing variant of the 650 twins.
Brilliant video as always Stuart and very entertaining once again 😃👍🏻
Cruiser could also be like a "Cruise Ship". Designed to be big, slow, comfortable and these days with a target demographic over the age to 50. Heck, some even convert them to over sized 3 wheeled mobility scooters.
"Which is still not particularly warm." Truth. Once had to go retrieve car parts after dark at 22F/-5.5 (repeating, of course)C (edit: astride my ol V-Strom). That was, shall we say, exhilarating. Honestly the worst part was how cold my hands got despite snowmobile gloves and handguards. I wish you better luck with the weather this weekend!
I think you thought a little too hard on this one, Uncle Stu...
As an American, this is pretty easy to define. A "Cruiser" is a bike meant for "cruising" which, loosely defined, is driving up and down the boulevard e.g. American Graffiti. We started after WW2 and never really stopped. It ebbs and flows, but never dies. That's cruising.
Yeah Im sure you lot will get the hang of English and a century or two!
@@stuartfillingham Oh, that's a bit optimistic. We are truly two countries separated by a common language. Never the 'tween shall meet 😉.
Cruisers, in my opinion, began as a styling exercise, attempting to emulate the popular customizations that were once done the hard way. Given the overlap between form and function, this influenced the functional characteristics of the motorcycles. A segment of the market guides the evolution of the concept via buying habits and popular modifications. I take no exception to your explanation.
Hi Stuart, I live in Canada and I've seen tons of HD. I agree with you about the cliché, I've always been fascinated by the British bikes as we don't have much examples here. That's why I got myself an Interceptor...
I hear you and agree about Harley. As a American I don't understand the appeal of them. My friends that are into Harley ask why I bought a RE INT650 and not a Sportster I usually tell them I am not a dentist with a need to wear leather on the weekends.
At least dentist is not in a four wheel metal box!
@Alan Crane I agree but don't try to convince me you're some kind of rebel tough guy in a biker gang! You can't market your product as a premium brand and a Rebel at the same time that is just silly.
Finally I'm back to your channel after messy days that kept me away from the motorcycle world. Video titles look gripping. I will try to update asap.
Dear Stuart . Hope you are warmed up by now sitting in front of a fire with a big mug of what you like to drink, main thing is you had a good ride out and got back Home safe and well so that you can entertain us all with your Great video's. Ps 33c here in North East Thailand and dry today Ha Ha.
The "true cruiser/real bike" status thing is crazy. Just ride what you like however you like to ride it!
Personal opinion, but for me, feet forward position only works with, raked out forks, pulled back bars, (or ape hanger) and laid back seat, as per choppers... Otherwise it looks like a pre stand up position on water skis. Nice job by Royal Enfield though, and enjoyble subject Stu. 😊
I think the cruiser term may have started with the Harley Davidson Superglide which was a stripped down Electra glide with a Sportster front end.
Another relaxing, informative video, well done. I was formulating an answer that would require my own video! But in a word: YES, it is a cruiser. Nautical definitions not withstanding, I'll keep the part about "cruising" below maximum speed, which addresses intent. But I would posit that the simplest cruiser qualifier is foot forward controls. So one pragmatic way to describe a cruiser is through riding position, and although we could address torso lean angle, handle bar location, and frame design, foot position cuts to the chase and directly affect the other metrics. Also you have to start somewhere and I believe that motorcycles started in the "standard" position where foot pegs were where a chair position would place them, or just aft of the lower engine case, or at the rear bottom bend of the frame (traditional frame). So forward controls are almost universally just forward of the lower engine case, or at the front bottom bend of the frame. The standard seating position makes it easy to stand while riding, whereas a cruiser seating position makes it quite difficult to stand while riding. A sporty bike raises the standard foot pegs and back just a bit. A Sport/Track bike brings the foot pegs back farther and up just a bit more. Handle bars are routinely placed lower as foot pegs are rear set, and they are generally higher as foot pegs are forward set, though there are more exceptions, like drag bars. You can lean forward or recline accordingly. Then there are riding styles and intent, but I'll leave it there as a guy on a GSX-R could chose to "cruise" around, and a guy on a Harley might choose to go sporting fast if he's running late for work!
I’ve owned a few cruiser bikes all V twins 1300cc and above they don’t make huge. amounts of hp but they could all cover long trip in comfort better than any other style of bike I’ve owned
This video connects to a biker soul at a deep level. Absolutely philosophical and fantastic
At least my generation of bikers here in Sweden, and also Finland (my home country) mostly talk about custom motorcycles although we all know that customs are the end result of a build and not the starting point. The term cruiser is not used in swedish or finnish, to my knowledge. The style of bike is, of course more or less Harley Davidsons from an earlier era and japanese (and other) imitations of these. So cruiser must be an americanism which has spread to other english speaking countries. It is propably the riding position that one sits in that defines, to set it apart from a standard or naked motorcycle. Interesting alternative topic for a video, well done to come up with this when the weather does not permit riding. We have about a similar distance to the north pole so not hard for me to understand why there is no review of this bike. But patience will be rewarded, I think.
Stu don't you think we all get wrapped up in words and description...I agree with both Wikipedia and Oxford dictionary which proves everything has more than one way of looking at it, us as bikers love the freedom, feeling and cameradery, that's all that counts surely...it's a beautiful bike and your commentary is always mind opening...thanks, enjoyed it, a nope, I don't ride until it's plus 10 degrees 😅😊 x
I didn't have a choice as I dont know how long I have the bike for!
I've had alot of cruisers during the years. And the best one is the KTM 690 Duke I have now. Now that's a cruiser!
Joke aside, I really like your mindset. Your way of thinking is a bit unusual, and reminds of how I think. I like that!
Just in time for my breakfast and jump start coffee. Thankyou Stuart. 😁
If RE really want to nail the competition with this machine it'd be a good idea to offer the machine with final belt drive.
If they don't want to commit to this then simply offer a RE belt and pullies conversion kit for those who don't like getting their hands dirty.
Most cruisers now are belt or shaft driven. Chains are messy, greasy, noisy things. Come on RE you can do it.
What do you think SF? I agree about HD. Good comments.
Interesting discussion - and respect for you riding - or cruising - in these low temperatures😂.
I hope the weather gets warmer🥶, so you can give a review. I don’t care whether you ride ,cruise or tour on the super meteor, as long as you enjoy it, and give some reflections on the bike to your audience.
Have a great weekend and ride safely.
Cruiser is a boxing weight division isn't it? In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to your review on the Meteor 650 (I'm not a big fan of the "Super Meteor" name) as I have my eye on it and would like an objective view on the bike
Lol Stu. I don't know either but I've always considered it to be a mental approach rather than a type of motorcycle. I've 'cruised about on all thirty something motorcycles I've owned and I really think it's just about being relaxed in your riding, not chasing speed records. I have owned a Harley Sportster (laugh as you wish). I rode all over Scotland and the UK from Devon and that was when I twigged that you don't need a big bike to tour or have a general good time riding. I rode virtually no motorways in the whole trip and I loved the gently-purring 883cc engine. I am also a lone rider and don't care what others think. I met many who said I should have bought a bigger Harley, but why? Most of them did far less miles than me on their gargantuan hulks but I just pootled along enjoying the scenery, something I am now back to with my new 350 Classic Reborn Enfield. I have very fond memories of the Harley, but not for the reasons most people might think. I'm not into image, rather I prefer my gear to work and be durable. I loved the self-adjusting tappets and belt drive. Services were a piece of cake but nobody talks about that, I loved the comfort and thre fact it didn't want to rush. It was so sweet at around 68mph and I would just 'cruise' all day.
Nice one 👍. Yeah owner of 883 carburettor model bags of character. Owned Japanese stuff before that and the HD easy cheaper to work on stuck with the brand ever since 😁.
Graeme if you liked your HD Sportster - you would love a big Harley. You should try one.
I bought a HD Road King, 1,752cc, for my 71st birthday. Rode Seattle to Chicago and back.
Best motorcycle of the 29 I have owned.
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp definitely that road king is awesome! Still have my twin cam not 1752cc though 🤣 96ci. Have M8 as well stage 4 😁😁.
Been looking forward to your views Stuart.
Cruising is an action, here in the US when you cruise, you are riding a vehicle around, with no particular destination. You don’t cruise to the supermarket, for example. You cruise around town, to be seen, you cruise to show off your vehicle and yourself. Incidentally, you can “cruise “around in your convertible car too. Thus the name cruiser.
I understand the confusion, I know a lot of sportbike guys who would refer to the Interceptor as a cruiser
To me it's a motorcycle with a laid-back riding position, designed mostly for cruising the boulevards and looking and sounding 'cool'
It's simply a state of mind. You will know it if you feel it in your soul. Like a lucid dream with a smiling face 😊
Afternoon Stu. A thought provoking video. I would class the Triumph Bobber as a cruiser and you have one of those. I, like you said, would class a cruiser as a bike that is comfortable and economical over long distance.
Triumph Bobber is NOT a cruiser.
A cruiser is NOT a bike that is comfortable and economical over long distance steve. A BMW K1600GLT is not a cruiser.
Here here 👍
Thank you Stuart. Now I know I was not the only one not knowing what a cruiser is.
Nice to see the Humber bridge and road into Kingston upon Hull I think
Cruiser motorcycles used to be called 'factory customs', which was problematic as a mass produced bike can't really be a custom. This term included bikes like the Yamaha XS 650 Special and the Kawasaki Ltd range. As real customs became better known (due in no small part to the magazine Back Street Heroes), the name 'cruiser' seemed to take over and unlike the previous factory customs, became bikes that closely mirrored the looks of the Harley Davidson i.e feet forward, high bars and V twin engines. Occasionally, a deviation from this e.g. the most inappropriately named Suzuki Savage, a mild 650 single, would be labelled a cruiser but generally they developed along the V twin route. Over the years this has changed with bikes like the Triumph Speedmaster (originally a 790 twin) and now the RE Super Meteor being labelled as cruisers. And no-one would look at those early XS 650s and describe them as cruisers?
Under its full power Practical speed comfortable , that works for me
Talking of cruisers, have you any intention of testing out the Keeway RK V125 twin? I am looking at it as potentially my first bike....not including my Lambretta GP200 that I had in the early '70's.
I would suggest there is a posing element with cruisers, as opposed to a tourer which would be more practical. Cruisers look good and make you feel good but are not necessarily comfortable. An example would be the Indian Scout Bobber where you are folded in half sitting on it, looks great but your back won’t thank you.
Loving the instalments of the super meteor. I’ve followed your channel since you 1st got your interceptor with a view to one day having enough money to buy one. I got a XJ600 to get back on the saddle and kept saving. Then you bought the mule. I’d taken a bullet for a test run in the 90’s as I had to get a bike I could afford to insure during the Norwich Union’s and brokers decision not to cover anyone under the age of 28. The Enfield was worse than I could have imagined. I ended up getting a ‘64 T100, converted from points to electronic and used it as my everyday transportation. Classic insurance of course. But you changed my mind on RE and I now own and love my classic 500. However I’ve still kept saving and while not enough to get a super meteor I do have enough for a Harley. Love my bullet but it’s had so much “maintenance” compared to a Japanese bike. Obviously I’d love a Bonny but gearbox….say no more.
I’ll keep watching your opinion of the super meteor and think harder about my next bike.
Cruiser in my mind, feet forward, high bars and a torquey engine. Not my cup of tea but each to their own.
Hi, Stuart. Francis-Barnett had one in the 50s, though it was just a name. I think the best thing about the Super Meteor, is that it provides a bloody good engine and running gear to someone with limited height, which can only be a good thing, as motor cycling should be for all. And no, I'm not into Harleys either.
Thank you very much for calming and informative video, Stuart! I have Triumph Speed Triple, but this particular model of RE is truly amazing. ATB🍀
If you want to know the origin of cruiser from the US, check out the movie American Graffiti. The idea of cruiser comes from "cruising" up and down mainsteet America. This is popular in just about any small town in America, especially in the midwest.
Hi Stu, I've been biking since 1965 and never ever wanted or even liked cruisers, even Hardly worthitsons, however I had occasion to borrow a friends Fat Boy for a week and absolutely loved it. Subsequently when I traded in my beloved Suzuki sv650 for a Honda CBR 600RR ( Repsol colours a'la Marc Marquez ) I only kept it for a week. Because of my advanced years it got me in my neck and wrists! The position was far to extreme for this silly old fool. Traded it in for a Shadow VT750 and have never regreted it, yes slower, yes tight turns have to be considered carefully, but it is sooo comfortable, especially with my Mustang seat fitted. Best regards Stu and keep on keeping on (always interesting).