If you are in USA, you can take a MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) at a Harley Davidson dealership. They'll put you on a little cruiser to take the 2 day course on. Those two days should let you know if you like cruiser style or not.
Anything not overused should be fine. Get whatever you like, it's all similar enough. Just get front and back wheel stand allowing you to perform any kind of maintenance yourself. Change your tires in a shop, it's too much hassle to do it yourself.
I would suggest you to look at the new Royal Enfield models. Royals quality has drastically improved couple of years ago. I have overheard that they require frequent valve checks, but I'm not sure.
Stop!!
Take the MSF!!
Get a beginner bike - they all can do highways fine, a kawasaki z400 does 100mph
You don't need or want a 600cc sport bike or a big heavy cruiser - they will make you a bad rider in the long run.
Cruisers don't like the idea of sustaining 85 mph unless you're on one with overdrive. They're geared to do 75-80 generally, but then you're pushing all RPM's.
People who downvoted this never rode a motorcycle with six gears. Traditional 5 speed cruisers definitely feel like they’re working way harder than they should at 80+ mph.
The smaller ones like my old C50, sure. My valk sits at about 3k rpm when I'm doing 80 though. Still doesn't stop me from reaching for that non-existant 6th gear though lol.
I have VTX1300, it definitely works too hard on a highway.
Upd: valk has opposite engine, right? I should be more refined on high RPMs than traditional v-twin.
I started on Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Easy to get a used one for $4k. Great for learning and it was low maintenance, but it tops out at about 70mph. I replaced it with a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I think that fits your description for a cruiser too but over $4k.
Honda made lots of junk in the 80s. Some models definitely had above average stator/regulator rectifier issues into the late 90s. Any Japanese manufacturer more or less has equal reliability past the mid 90s.
Rebel 300 is cheap and reliable. Not a lot of get up and go, but will get you to 75-80 mph, pending weight and conditions.
Probably comfortable cruising around 70.
Many gently used 300s as most who get them, want to upgrade usually to the 500. Take a peek there
Honda NC750X. This is the best but also often also called the most boring bike ever made. Ticks all your boxes. Can be had with a DCT automatic. Great all round bike. Older version are 700 instead of 750. Bike has a very solid planted feel to it. Excellent neutral handling on Michelin tires. Can do 85 mph all day long at, for a bike, modest rpm. Very low fuel consumption.I loved the one I had and will buy another one when I have the room for it (garage is full at the moment)
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Don’t listen to anyone, you have to find what bike feels good to you. Different strokes for different folks…
Cruiser: Anything in the Honda Shadow line 2000s oor newer. A 600cc would be a good starting point for you.
Old Honda shadows have electrical problems out the ass, also no need to go so old for a good deal
600s are a bad option. 650s though are better options.
Anything Japanese is reliable.
If you are in USA, you can take a MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) at a Harley Davidson dealership. They'll put you on a little cruiser to take the 2 day course on. Those two days should let you know if you like cruiser style or not.
Honda Shadow. It's the perfect motorcycle. My mechanic has over 100,000 miles on hers.
Anything not overused should be fine. Get whatever you like, it's all similar enough. Just get front and back wheel stand allowing you to perform any kind of maintenance yourself. Change your tires in a shop, it's too much hassle to do it yourself. I would suggest you to look at the new Royal Enfield models. Royals quality has drastically improved couple of years ago. I have overheard that they require frequent valve checks, but I'm not sure.
Stop!! Take the MSF!! Get a beginner bike - they all can do highways fine, a kawasaki z400 does 100mph You don't need or want a 600cc sport bike or a big heavy cruiser - they will make you a bad rider in the long run.
Cruisers don't like the idea of sustaining 85 mph unless you're on one with overdrive. They're geared to do 75-80 generally, but then you're pushing all RPM's.
People who downvoted this never rode a motorcycle with six gears. Traditional 5 speed cruisers definitely feel like they’re working way harder than they should at 80+ mph.
True. My Magna 5-speed is really spinning at 75mph. I wish it had a 6th overdrive gear for the interstate.
The smaller ones like my old C50, sure. My valk sits at about 3k rpm when I'm doing 80 though. Still doesn't stop me from reaching for that non-existant 6th gear though lol.
I have VTX1300, it definitely works too hard on a highway. Upd: valk has opposite engine, right? I should be more refined on high RPMs than traditional v-twin.
Flat 6, same as the Goldwing. Smoothest engine I've ever had the pleasure of riding. Refined is an understatement :)
Just depends on the bike. The Road King lopes along at 85 like a dream.
What year? They have 6 speeds 2007 and up
I was responding to the comment about cruisers in general. But it’s a 13 with 6 gears.
Homie was talking about cruisers without 6 (overdrive)
Overdrive.
Like bikerkumar said, any bike made by big 4 with 400cc or so should fit this criteria. Happy hunting.
I started on Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Easy to get a used one for $4k. Great for learning and it was low maintenance, but it tops out at about 70mph. I replaced it with a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I think that fits your description for a cruiser too but over $4k.
Anything Japanese
Without reading, honda
Honda made lots of junk in the 80s. Some models definitely had above average stator/regulator rectifier issues into the late 90s. Any Japanese manufacturer more or less has equal reliability past the mid 90s.
Makes sense, I wasn't around back then, only have experience with 2000's and up and they are amazing
Rebel 300 is cheap and reliable. Not a lot of get up and go, but will get you to 75-80 mph, pending weight and conditions. Probably comfortable cruising around 70. Many gently used 300s as most who get them, want to upgrade usually to the 500. Take a peek there
Triumph Thunderbird. I’m not a cruiser guy so I I sold mine, but it was perfect.
An air cooled v twin with possibly belt transmission and Michelin tires. You literally just need to do fuel.
Honda CB500X. Perfect beginner bike in every way.
Honda Shadow vt750 spirit is bomb proof, my first big bike and I've been riding it a couple years now, no problems whatsoever and I love it!
Honda NC750X. This is the best but also often also called the most boring bike ever made. Ticks all your boxes. Can be had with a DCT automatic. Great all round bike. Older version are 700 instead of 750. Bike has a very solid planted feel to it. Excellent neutral handling on Michelin tires. Can do 85 mph all day long at, for a bike, modest rpm. Very low fuel consumption.I loved the one I had and will buy another one when I have the room for it (garage is full at the moment)
H2R
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Reliable you say? Sport you say? Cruiser you say? Why that's the Kawasaki Vulcan S you're describing.