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Performance Cruiser Smackdown
Motorcycle USA took the power cruisers out for a spin and then chose the one they liked best. In the running were the Victory Hammer, Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special, Triumph Thunderbird, Star Raider S, Suzuki Boulevard M109R, and Ducati Diavel. One of these bikes isn’t even a power cruiser–and was the slowest of the five–and still won.
The Diavel, by the way, got the highest score, 170/200, and the reviewers still didn’t pick it.
In their defense, the reason they didn’t pick the Ducati is because they all thought that it didn’t belong in the comparison. Can’t really argue with that.
I got to test ride the Thunderbird, along with a Rocket, at the Triumph dealer in Escondido last time they had the manufacturer demo days there. I liked the Thunderburd quite a bit, more than the Rocket for sure. If I had to buy a cruiser, that would be it. But then I’ve never had a big love affair with V-twins. Still I’m surprised that the magazine picked the inline twin. Guess Triumph had more advertisements this month…