Touring Motorcycles vs Cruiser Motorcycles

Two common categories of motorcycles are touring motorcycles and cruiser motorcycles. Each is designed for a different riding style, so each offer unique benefits. It's important to understand the two styles when you are looking for your next bike - you'll want the style most compatible with your riding lifestyle. Check out the differences below. When you're ready to pick a bike, head on over to Wild Fire Harley-Davidson® in Villa Park, Illinois. We offer a wide selection of both bike styles for you to test drive.

Cruiser Motorcycles

When people think of motorcycles, they are usually picturing a cruiser. These bikes offer that iconic look for city riding: sleek, slim, and full of attitude. Cruiser motorcycles handle really well, making them a great choice for beginners. They are simple to maintain too. Granted, these bikes are not as comfortable as touring motorcycles. Some comfort is sacrificed in the name of appearance, making these a better fit for those wanting shorter rides.

Aesthetics

These bikes are designed to be eye-catching, turning heads wherever you ride. Details are a priority. These stunning bikes often feature chrome pieces, black primer, ape hanger handlebars, and other additions that make you say "wow". If the bike isn't flashy enough, you can easily purchase customization options to add more flair.

Power

Power is the name of the game for cruisers. These are meant to go fast, zipping down those city roads passing slower cars on the highway. Their engines are built to reach high speeds with smooth, quick acceleration. Take in the sweet hum of the engine and you cruise about town.

Customization

The skeleton of cruiser motorcycles lend themselves well to tweaks and additions, making it easy to customize these bikes to your liking. Choose from multiple customization packages for your given style and needs. Pick from performance updates that affect how the bike handles. Select aesthetic updates that impact how the bike looks. Or do both!

Touring Motorcycles

These bikes are built with long distance riding in mind. No need for fancy, but functionless, details. Instead, the focus is comfort. These bikes might not look as jaw dropping, but their practical design will make even the longest ride comfort. They tend to be more pricey, which is why many new riders shy away from these as a first bike. You'll often find features found in cars like audio systems, GPS services, and even heated seats!

Comfort

This is the main selling point of this bike. Touring motorcycles are designed to accommodate riders embarking on long trips, which affects the bike design from the seat material to the backrest angle. You'll find most of these offer ergonomic riding positions. Possible features include mid-frame air deflectors that shield your legs from hot engine air, windshields to block out wind and debris, and tons of storage to pack your trip supplies.

Storage

These bikes are not only built to handle long rides, but are also built to handle the large amount of gear that comes with long rides. When you go out on a weekend getaway, you'll need to bring along some essentials. No one wants to be stuck riding with a backpack because it's the only way to bring along the stuff you need. With touring motorcycles, you'll find storage spots everywhere: saddlebags, a top box, under the seat storage, and even luggage racks in some models.

Passengers

Not every ride needs to be a solo one. Most touring bikes provide enough space for another rider. Their powerful engines and suspension systems are also built to handle the extra weight of more riders. Bring along a friend or partner to help navigate and make the trip more fun.

Ready to make a bike purchase? Stop by Wild Fire Harley-Davidson®, proudly serving the areas of Villa Park and Chicago, Illinois. It'll be easy to find your dream bike with our wide selection and helpful staff!