Just bought my first bike in the USA... Big Dog Chopper!

[manike]

Here she is...









Should be picking her up from OK some time next week...

Sooo excited!

[Muzikman]

Simon...Great choice...I love Big Dog bikes. I want a pic of you on this beast.

[Load SM5]

You know, I did'nt think I could hate you more....and then you do this.

Damn nice bike Simon!

[Muzikman]

I just realized, it's not gray...you are breaking your color scheme:)

[manike]

Yeah but it's black and silver...

[1stdeadeye]

Congrats! Nice choice of bike!

[manike]

So does anyone have any tips or riding a cruiser/chopper?

Having previously only ridden sports bikes I'm a little nervous about riding it back from OK... which I may be doing tomorrow afternoon!

Do you use the rear brake more on a cruiser or is it front brake, like with a sports bike, for the majority of the time?

I'm guessing ride and handling is going to be completely different to what I am used to! :)

[1stdeadeye]

Very different. More relaxed though! You won't be all gnarled up after an hour's ride like on the crotch rocket's.

As for the brakes, I always use the back one more on cruisers.

I will tell you to prepare to have your arse shaken to pieces!

[Zumina]

Boo to choppers, shouda bought a Vmax.
It looks nice though.

[Zumina]

Very different. More relaxed though! You won't be all gnarled up after an hour's ride like on the crotch rocket's.

As for the brakes, I always use the back one more on cruisers.

I will tell you to prepare to have your arse shaken to pieces!

huh? The front brake is beefier for a reason and physics dictate that it's more effective by default.

[Muzikman]

Having grown up with bikes, I will tell you...you will feel it when you get home. In my experiences, it is the complete opposite as to what Deadeye said. On crotch rockets you get down low enough that at highway speeds you are pushed into the bike, not pushed off of it. With the cruiser the wind will want to push you off the back. Hang on! Front break use on a cruiser is acceptable...but it also depends on the side of the disc. Remember, the bike weighs a lot more:)

Also, be safe...it doesn't have the steering geometry of a sports bike. I do have to say, I have never ridden anything with that much rake.

[1stdeadeye]

Having grown up with bikes, I will tell you...you will feel it when you get home. In my experiences, it is the complete opposite as to what Deadeye said. On crotch rockets you get down low enough that at highway speeds you are pushed into the bike, not pushed off of it. With the cruiser the wind will want to push you off the back. Hang on! Front break use on a cruiser is acceptable...but it also depends on the side of the disc. Remember, the bike weighs a lot more:)

I guess since I am a heftyier guy, Sport bikes have never been too comfortable. After a long ride when I had my Ninja, I was pretty sore. I guess I don't tuck in too well! Riding my Cousin's Harley or even my Triumph, it is more comfortable as you are not so contorted while riding.

As for the disc's you are right on. Look at the pics Simon posted. That front disc is tiny, while the rear disc looks pretty beefy!

[Muzikman]

That could be. As much as I hate sport bikes, I find them much more comfortable.

[1stdeadeye]

That could be. As much as I hate sport bikes, I find them much more comfortable.

Okay, I'll admit it, my gut get's in the way. That is why I got rid of the Ninja. Between my belly and the tank bag it was just not comfy.

[manike]

I found my Sports Tourer Interceptor (Honda VTEC VFR 800) to be very comfortable and I wouldn't have worried about a 3 hour ride on it at all.

I'm not that worried about the three hours tomorrow, but my arse is.

Not a lot of suspension on this thing although I purposely avoided a rigid frame bike.

I'm having forward control extenders, second seat and sissy bar added so the girlies don't fall off the back.