Since reading your editorial page I have given much consideration to your question as to the difference between a cruiser and a tourer. Prior to that, this question had never troubled me, but you have now planted the seed of wonder in my head.

I have missed several days work because I have sat up all night pondering, worrying over this point. My ulcer has become very angry with me, I am off my feeding pattern. My friends no long invite me over because I am always staring off into space, deep in thought, wondering and worrying.

After spending several million dollars of my limited personal wealth on intensive research into this matter, joining the ranks of the unemployed and becoming a member of the homeless society, alas, I feel I have inadvertently stumbled upon the answer to this age old question, right inside my own little brain.

By the age of 27 I had owned several Harley Sportsters, which I used to cruise the local neighborhoods and drive-in diners. Big engines, small bikes, lots of chrome and really loud pipes. This I thought was a real cool thing to be a part of, especially when I was cruising the highways in excess of 100 MPH.

Suddenly a warning light flashed on in my head, stating, "You are 27 years old, married with two small children and a ton of responsibilities. You are making a genuine attempt to kill their father. Get off this damn thing and sell it, now! Which I did, staying away from one of the great loves of my life for over 21 years because I felt I didn't have enough sense to ride a motorcycle.

Two years ago a friend was selling an old Goldwing and he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. Being 48 at the time, the grandfather of five and having discussed the matter at great length with me wife, it was determined that I had grown wise enough to ride again.

I spent the next year and a half painting, riding, adding chrome, cleaning, adding more chrome, rebuilding, adding more chrome and yes, adding more chrome. As long as God continues to make chrome, a bike will never be finished.

I had rediscovered the great lost love of my life, motorcycles!

For my 50^th birthday my wife gave me a "94" Harley FLHTCU, proving once again, yes, there is a God!

I now spend my limited spare time touring the highways at the legal speed limit with big engines on big bikes, tons of chrome and semi-loud pipes. So much chrome that I have not purchased a single piece of chrome in the five months I've had the bike.

I now do not feel the need for speed. I, nor my bike, have to prove anything to anyone, especially to myself. When people me ask how fast will it go, I reply, "Don't know, ain't been there. really don't care."

I now feel it is cool to just ride the highways at the legal speed limit on a huge bike with it's big windshield, big upper and lower fairing, huge saddle bags and tour kit and all the comfort this old body can get.

In a few words, the difference between a cruiser and a tourer is just a state of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter. If it does matter, it's all in your mind, not mine.

If you don't mind,
Rusty Marshall
Jan, 1998

P.S.
I must apologize for being so
long winded but I get very emotional
over questions of such great magnitude.
I can only wish Socrates and Plato were
still alive to ponder this problem with me.