I just picked up the August Motorcycle Cruiser mag and have some comments on the cruiser reviews. While I agree that the Strat is first rate, the testing is flawed. It really makes me wonder if the testers are paid in yen. Firstly, I'm not a huge Harley fan but the Raod King Classic is their big dog cruiser not the Heritage Softtail. The Road King I believe would have done much better in the handling, suspension and saddlebag departments. Secondly, the top gear 60-80 roll on test was complete bunk. The American bikes with 6 speed overdrive transmissions are at a distinct disadvantage in a test done this way. To do this test properly, the 6 speed overdrive bikes should have dropped down to 5th gear. They took a big + of the American made bikes and turned it into a minus by fudging this test as "overdrive" is just that and is not meant as an acceleration gear. Put that Kingpin in 5th and watch it march right up their with the big dogs. Thirdly, it was stated not once but twice that teh Suzuki was the only bike with lower wind deflectors. I know for a fact that the Kingpin Tour comes standard with lowers and they can be clearly seen on the bike in the test photos! Lastly, they knocked the Kingpin price as being "ridiculous". I will agree that it's higher than I would like but lets not forget it was the only bike in the test with a cargo trunk/backrest and a 6 speed overdrive trans as well. I would of also liked to see the new Triumph Rocket lll Tour in this test but generally enjoyed reading it.  

6 vs 5 speed shouldn't be much of a disadvantage on roll on unless you are using the 6th gear solely to reduce RPMS and maybe get the mileage up.   From what I saw the gear ratios weren't that far apart in top gear, so clearly that wasn't HD's intent.
It's what almost everyone does in real life. I'm cruising in top gear, and I need to pass. Getting the engine into the perfect gear to deliver maximum power is reflected in the 0-60, and the quarter mile times. Besides, if you accept getting the engine into the correct power range at that speed, shouldn't all bikes be allowed to do that?

BTW, they tested the 8 Ball Victory. That's a little more stripped.  

what ya got to remember is that your are reading someone's opinon. just like a-holes, everybodies got one. the only that counts is yours tho. so don't take all these comparisons to heart. ride what ya love and love what ya ride.  

Definitely all about personal opinion. Just like when you see movie reviews. It's not the same. You'll still see it if you're going to like it. Same goes for cars and bikes. Go with your gut and not what someone thinks.  

I havnt seen the story yet, but doing roll ons on the kingpin from 60 in 6th gear isnt good, I dont even shift in to 6th on mine until im passed 60, your just lugging the motor. Mine is an 07 and the 08's are even geared higher. Also if the bike tested has a 6th gear it is not an 8 Ball, 8 Balls have 5 speeds only (no over drive), and I seriously doubt they would be  testing one of those in a touring story.  

I'm pretty sure that in about '97, the same argument came up when bikes went from 4 speed to 5 speed.
As more bikes drop in a 6 speed, the advantage will disappear.  

frbock, you must be looking at an earlier comparision where they were using an 8 ball, and listed gear ratios (they didnt list them in this one)where I can see them being comparable cause the 8 ball is a 5 speed. The story being disscused has a kingpin tour in it with a overdrive 6th gear. There is a big differance in top gear rpms between the 8 ball and tour versions of the kingpin.

I thought the story was very good. But like other owners with these bikes being tested I object to some conclusions, like in the kingpins case,  the roll performance as reported is a negative cause of the overdrive but no where is it said of the positve of that 6th gear in reduced highway rpms and vibrations at those speeds. I think listing rpms at 65mph in these tests would be better info. They complained that the windshield was to short, but the windshield can be raisd and the tool to do it is under the left side cover, just loosen 4 bolts an pull it up. The bike in the photo has the windshield all the way down on the headlight, at the same time the yamaha has a large gap between the light and windshield and might be able to be lowered ( they complained that it was to tall, and before I took a hacksaw to it like one of the testers would I would see if it can be moved lower} They said the suzuki was the only one that came with lowers, but I know that isnt right, my kingpin tour came with them and the one they tested did to, cause you can see them in there photos. They were to kind about the kingpins seat. I rode it on a ss1000 and after 400 miles it sucks. I still thought the story was good.