I've often looked at them, but usually been put off after a test ride.
I've ridden loads of different Harleys and they look great, but they're usually underpowered, badly finished, under-braked, poor handling, over-priced pieces of junk.
I haven't much experience with Jap cruisers - I rode a Kawasaki VN1500 once and it was horrible - it didn't handle, it didn't turn, it was slower than a 250, it weighed a ton - dreadful.
Like Oblertone, I've a sneaking admiration for the Victory cruisers, though I've never ridden one. Very few available under 10 grand, so price would rule it out for me.
The one cruiser bike I have ridden which really impressed was a Suzuki M1800R Intruder (known as the M109R in the States). This thing went like a bat out of hell, with something like 120bhp and a GSX-R front end, it also handled reasonably (given the weight) and braked well. The looks aren't everyone's cup of tea, but my word the thing accelerated like a scalded cat. Made a decent vee twin rumble on the standard pipes as well.
So, round to Triumph's offerings: I've looked at the Rocket 3, and I know they're OK to ride, but the thing is just too vast - i could imagine taking it to a rally, trying to ride it across a muddy field....if it's gonna go, it's gonna go, and nobody is going to stop it
The back wheel weighs 38Kg FFS!
The smaller twins (Bonnie, America, Speedmaster) appeal in a retro kind of way - if I had to choose, would probably have the Speedmaster for it's aggresive flat-track styling. The America looks a bit silly to me.
So - on to the new 1600 Thunderbird - I have to say I really like it - don't know if I'm ever likely to have one (how much are they?) but I like the style, I like the ABS option, the belt drive, 100bhp - could be the ideal cruiser style bike.
As far as cruisers in general go, I'm not really a fan of the bad-ass outlaw biker / accountant during the week type of rider - I just ride whatever bike does it for me, and happily mix with / talk to riders of any other type of bike, be it a scooter, a 125, a tourer, a sportsbike, whatever.
At the moment it's the 1150GS, but in future it could be that new Thunderbird.