Tips for Riding a Cruiser Motorcycle

Cruisers are an American original. Whether you’re drawn to their incredible build, powerful engine, or unmistakable style, Harley-Davidson® cruiser motorcycles are in a class of their own! From the city streets to the long-winding roads, these bikes will take you just about anywhere with comfort and ease.

Here are a few tips to ensure a great ride on your cruiser! 

Correct Positioning

Riders on racing bikes are accustomed to leaning into turns, but the cruiser’s reclined position makes it more difficult to shift your weight and improve traction. Consider making some setup changes or adding weighted pegs. Keep in mind that the skill of cruiser riding comes from logging miles on the road. 

Cruisers also have a lower center of gravity, which makes them a lot easier to balance. While you won’t have the same range of motion with lateral movements, practical riding experience is the best way to develop the instincts for the proper riding position!

Throttle and Clutch Placement 

It’s important to learn how to brake with your gears. The advantage of taking the time to understand your brake system is being able to control both your speed and traction. While your lower gears give you more power when you need it, your higher gears let you maintain speed without burning as much fuel. 

Also, take into account that riding more slowly improves your chances of keeping control of your bike in a skid, and enables you to get better traction on uneven surfaces and grades! 

Learning How to Brake

Understanding how your brakes work is a crucial aspect of safely riding your cruiser motorcycle. Experienced riders know that correct braking reduces the risk of an accident and minimizes the impact of wrecks. Before getting on the bike, every rider needs to know how to work with their brakes, including knowing which brake to use, when to apply the brake, and how much pressure should be applied at any given time. 

Keep in mind that inexperienced riders often struggle to understand how to apply the front brake, which is an important part of cruiser bikes. The rear brakes are a redundant system that coincides with the front brake to help slow and stop the motorcycle, but the front brake does the majority of the work.

Let’s hit the road! Buy your cruiser motorcycle at Santa Maria Harley-Davidson® in Santa Maria, California. We also proudly serve those in Ventura, Bakersfield, and surrounding areas.