I have ridden a LOT of different bikes over the years...  First, the OP posted as standard some things I consider mild sport bikes.  The riding position is leaned forward.  To me, a standard is a 1984 Nighthawk 700SC or a 70's era CB 750K.  It is a vertical seating position, foot pegs under or a little forward of the seat, and handlebars at about nipple height.  This is good for long trips.  But...

I need to give ranges.  I have ridden 100 miles + in a setting on, an R1, a Super Hawk, the Hondas mentioned above, a few Marauders, a Boulevard M50, and a few Harleys.  Nothing eats the miles more comfortably than a Road King.  It is like driving a couch!  But my Marauder is still very nice.  As for the pegs, occasionally, I place my feet on the passenger pegs.  Highway bars also help.  Essentially just moving your feet make a difference.  I can not ride Aida's Savage for more than about 45 minutes without feeling uncomfortable.  (She, on the other hand, can ride it about an hour and a half.)

But forward position is hard.  Road an R1 in a group ride at Lone Star Rally this year (With Jax) and it almost killed me!  My back and knees can't take that anymore!  

You asked about a bike with a more universal riding position for your tail bone.  I've ridden the Versys...nice but a bit on the buzzy side at high r's(paralell twin) I've also riden the SV1000 which is the big brother to the Gladius...much more sport oriented(I loved that bike, V-twin) The pegs are a bit higher than I like.  I don't know about the Honda.  I broke 3 vertebrae in my back and sport touring is the only position I can comfortably ride...spine orientation to road/suspension for road bumps.  All of my bikes have Corbin seats which helps.  Universal and ST positions allow for a bit of movement in the saddle to relieve pressure points.  It's also a more active riding position.  I can ride my Guzzi Le Mans out of gas without pain...6.5 gal at 50mpg.  You can do the math.  I'd say, take them for a test ride...you din't want anything you can't ride.

I too have Ridden a lot of different Bikes ... Cruiser, Sport and Standard ... a Standard (i.e. TU250X, Bonneville, CB500F, etc.) has relatively neutral ergonomics compared to Cruisers & Sports and is what I personally find the most comfortable.

When I look up "cruiser" I find a number of definitions, all which apply (including old ironside battleships!  ) and none of which apply.

To you folks, "cruiser" means a motorcycle meant for long distance riding... right?
Wrong?
"Cruising" apparently meaning "wafting up and down the main town boulevard" as one would do on Saturday nights in a hot muscle car...

While it is true that a Harley Road King appears to be made for long distance cruising, it is just as true nobody in his right mind would ever consider riding any cruiser off a hard-surfaced road, and possibly a wide mountain road or a 4 / 6 laner at that.

On the other hand, which are the real world-class cruisers?

Look at the old school:

BMW R75/7


Moto Guzzi V7 and 750T

(incidentally, this bike was sold to the CHiP with a guaranteed cruising speed of 140Km/h = 88mph, which in those days only BMW could match)

Triumph Tiger


I am purposefully leaving out the Japanese bikes here, and to a good reason: I am only looking at bikes manufactured in the 1960s, when long range cruising meant riding 8-12 hours on a European 2-laner...
That was serious business, no time for sissy stuff like a radio or a can/cup holder or heated grips...

You will notice the handlebars are positioned low, more or less at navel height, not nipple as one suggested (which would be much too high for extended riding)
You will also notice how the footpegs are positioned more or less in a vertical line under the hipbone, or slightly forward to it, so that one may rise on his feet and "surf" over potholes and similar obstacles.


Regardless of his claims, this guy will ride only a few hours a day...

This guy, on the other hand, will go a long way.


Quite frankly, highway bars are not considered at all by European riders, they lace much too much weight on one's tailbone and even the slightest ripples will impact on it and hurt.
The same for high handlebars, they should allow the elbow to be at the same height, or possibly a little higher than the wrist.

We walk with our hand down, not up in the air...

that pretty much sums it up IMHO Cavi ... well said!

mpescatori wrote on 12/20/12 at 01:03:00:

I would say the Honda CB models would fit this requirement.  The CB450 started in 65.  Eventually it's engine ended up in the Honda N360/N600 which became the Civic.  The CB750 also started in 69, so still fits, and those are still running.
mpescatori wrote on 12/20/12 at 01:03:00:

I said Nipple...  And Actually, you are correct, somewhat.  Somewhere between navel and nipple, with a neutral arm position.
As to the highway bars, they are not for full time riding, but to adjust position.  The key is moving around.  Floorboards are also good for that, and I notice the example cruiser had forward floorboards...

HoustonBussa wrote on 01/11/13 at 05:01:32:


I already know why this was "nothing" to you - it's because you were resting your torso on the tank the entire time. If you were actually holding your body up with your arms like you're supposed to on a sportbike, the pain in your legs wouldn't touch the pain in your wrists, back and shoulders.

Cavi Mike wrote on 01/11/13 at 12:32:38:


Well why my knees bothered me was because I have a blown knee.. BUT if you ride with your back erect, knees hugging the tank, there should be no weight on your wrist. If you have pain in your back, shoulders and wrist while on a sports bike, more especially the Hayabusa, you're not riding correctly. And why less on the Hayabusa, it has a much less aggressive seating position than most other sports bikes.