If you're wanting a cruiser, one to add to the list would be the Suzuki Intruder 700/800. They're powerful bikes, sure; but they're also fairly easy to get along with, and with the power they have it'll keep you satisfied for some time, I imagine. It will, that is, as long as you don't have a similar experience as I did when I owned an Intruder 800, detailed below.
If you want cruiser comfort and sporty handling, a standard would be a good option to look into, they have upright seating positions and generally handle pretty well in the twisties.
And now, for an excessively long post regarding bikes I've owned:
My first bike was a KLR 250 - it was an absolute blast to ride. The only reason I sold it was to get a bike with enough room for the missus and I to ride together. It was kick-started but easily started, and would yank that front wheel up through the first 3 gears, obviously geared for torque. The suspension handily soaked up bumps and I'd get about 64 mpg consistently, sometimes 65, sometimes 59 if I was treating the throttle like an on-off switch.
It was replaced by a 2008 Kawasaki Versys, but my inexperience and overconfidence caused me to wreck the bike in spite of the fact that I had racked up over 6,000 miles on the bike, and the break-in ride was a 928-mile ride from Cherry Hill, NJ to Opelika, AL. Overall I thought the Versys to be outstanding, it handled GREAT, it's light (399 lbs ready to ride for the 2008-2009 models), and it's cranking out some good power - 59-ish hp and somewhere around 50 lb-ft of torque, ample torque for a bike of its size.
Insurance was going to kill me after the accident, so a 1995 Honda VF750 Magna took the place of the Versys - otherwise, I'd still have the Versys. If you want a great combination of acceleration, handling, and comfort, the Magna does a pretty decent job at all 3. It runs the 1/4 mile in 12.7 seconds stock and it doesn't take too much money to get it into the mid-12s, if that's your goal. It's a bike that is somewhat forgiving to ride and can grow with you, so to speak.
For reasons I still don't fathom I gave up the Magna - something about getting finances in order - and within a couple of months chased after my next bike, a 1991 Suzuki DR350S. Kick starting the thing was a bear, and after 2 months I got sick of it and went after a 2001 Intruder 800. It packed decent power for the size though - 29-ish - and would easily blow the KLR 250 away. That said, high compression kick-starts are not shin-friendly, so off it went, into someone else's hands.
The Intruder remained basically unchanged from 1985 until recently, when Suzuki discontinued the bike (which had adopted the S50 moniker). It has a low seat height, it has a low ride height, and in good tune can run a mid-13 second 1/4 mile, so it'll get up and go under its own power. The low ride height, however, killed the enjoyment for me as I would constantly scrape coming out of parking lots or leaned over in an intersection. I grew to distrust the machine, and it was sold.
Replacing it was a 2000 Kawasaki ZRX 1100. The best I can say is it packs sportbike power and handling into a standard motorcycle frame. The ZRX Owner's Association is filled with TONS of information about these bikes. Since my life is dictated by those appointed over me, I was unable to ride the bike because I could never get into a rider course. The bike sat and sat and sat until I got fed up and sold the bike. Stupid idea.
It was replaced by a reliable, buzzy, passionless motorcycle known as the BMW K100. (I jest, I jest!) The K100 is a good overall motorcycle, once you get past the tingling sensation in your feet and hands that comes from the vibrations that transmit easily through the footpegs and the handlebars. Good power though, roughly 90 hp and good for an 11.9-second 1/4 mile, and it handled great. Overall an enjoyable ride, just not quite what I wanted after having ridden the ZRX 1100...
...which brings me to my current bike, a 2003 ZRX 1200R! Refer to ZRX 1100 ownership for reasons why I got the 1200
Why so many bikes? Because I'm picky and it's tough finding the right one
This is something to consider when you're looking: it might take a while to find one that suits you, and that's okay! Sometimes it's tough finding a bike that's well-rounded enough for the riding style you have, and your riding style might change as you grow. A buddy of mine went from CBR's to a Honda Magna, just got sick of sportbikes and wanted a change. Others go the opposite route. R
Remember: Motorcycles are not simply cruiser or sportbike. There are TONS of variations on the style. Find the one that suits you best and have fun riding!
