This is a serious question, why would anyone buy a crusier?

Why buy a '69 Camaro when a new Camaro will out perform it in every way, at a fraction of the cost? Thats a good comparison for some bikes, like Harleys. For a Goldwing, Why buy a Cadillac? A miata will out perform that in every way and cost less. Bikes aren't all about performance for some people. I like to take a relaxing ride along the Mississippi River on a nice day. Its about getting out, enjoying the scenery, hanging out with friends... Its not about who can get to the destination first, or who can get arrested for reckless driving fastest. Don't get me wrong, sportbikes are a lot of fun, and i would love to get one for a 2nd bike, but never to replace my harley.

Why would anyone buy a cruiser? I'd have to respond with another question, why wouldn't anyone buy a cruiser? Another question would be, why do you constantly ask/respond to questions with so much concern over what people spend on their bikes? Buy what you like, ride what you like and let others do the same. The price vs. performance issue is not top priority on everyone's mind when purchasing a bike. Some of us buy cruisers because, believe it or not, we aren't obsessed with performance, we just want a comfortable ride and the wind in our face.

Why would I buy a Sport Bike? I out grew racing motorcycles years ago. I did my fair share of high speed riding in my day. I used to race at Road America in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. Didn't do so bad either. Lots of fun. But now I prefer a leisurely cruise over going fast. I would rather ride on a country back road and enjoy the view. You would be amazed what you see on a back road if you slow down some. So why would I want a street legal racing bike that I would get nowhere near its limit? Why would I want an uncomfortable bike where I would be riding hunched over when it is not necessary? Motorcycles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They are made for all types of riding. Only a very narrow minded person would think that if a bike does not suit their preferences, that no one else should like it either. Using your carpenter analogy. To me getting a sport bike would like using a sledge hammer to pound a nail in a wall to hang a picture. You shouldn't care what I ride. You aren't the one making the payments on it. I don't care what you ride either. It really doesn't matter what you ride, as long as you enjoy the ride.

yea , i tottally agree BUT some people just dont like performance like we do ,, i drag race a bike and its hard getting back on the street bike lol , but a leasure cruze w/ the wife is cool too ,,

It's seems obvious to me that you like the Gold Wing. How about tell me where I can get one for the price of my C90T. Bike comes with bags and windshield and looks good to me for around 11,500 dollars. By the way cruisers are for cruising.

Gold wing is NOT a cruiser, cruiser type of bikes are not desighned with 500 mile days in mind.Cruising is a light to light friday night thing.pretty much an American thing,you know go out crusing looking for girls,bar hopping that sort of thing.The Goldwing is desighned and used for long distance serious riding.You look at the odometer on the average Goldwing and you will notice LOTS of miles because those guys get out there and RIDE! Your average V twin cruiser doesnt have a lot of miles on it because those guys dont really go anywhere on their sleds. They might have a ride to live live to ride sticker or T shirt but they dont really! I ride hard core ol school choppers,I ride EVERY WHERE EVERY DAY. and my bikes are FAST in a straight line.I have 100 plus horsepower machines they just dont stop or turn as well as a full on sport bike.

In a word: COMFORT The laid back easy riding rocking chair position is, for many people, far more comfortable than crouched over leaning forward position found on other motorcycles. Not to mention that most adults have outgrown their desire for excessive speed. And you are also wrong about the costs: http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_vehicle_compare.asp?vehicle1=88139&year2=2009&mfg2=4&vehicle2=88123&go=Go A 600cc sport bike costs far more than an 800cc touring cruiser; and the cruiser comes with saddlebags and windshield, ready for a cross country ride. I don't understand this strange attraction for playing race rider on the highways.

Its not about paying more for less. I own a 2002 HD FXDX and a vintage 1975 Honda CB550F. There are things the H-D can do that the Honda can't and vice versa. On the Honda I could likely blow my H-D away on the backroad twisties of New England. But I doubt I'd last much more than an hour on it these days. Meanwhile, when riding two up, on longer hauls or the interstate, there is no way the Honda performs like the Harley. I may be more fortunate than others in owning two bikes and two cars. I enjoy them all and they all have their purpose. Like the two cars I own, my Toyota 4Runnner for ski trips & such and my Pontiac G6GT for "sport" driving. No way the 4Runner handles or performs like the G6 but I wouldn't really consider taking the G6 to northern New England for skiing either.

Don't worry about it. Nobody's forcing you to mount apehangers on your crotch rocket. Why do people like steam locomotives? Why do they re-enact Civil War battles? Why do they collect stamps? None of those things make sense in a cold-blooded rational analysis. But people do them anyway. It makes them feel good. Why should you want more? In the meantime, those very profitable cruisers are cross-subsidising the unprofitable sportbikes. Have you hugged a cruiser rider today?