If that's what a person likes, and really really wants to ride, then sure you can ride it along distance, a few times in one's lifetime, and have good feelings and recollections about the rides. I've ridden one a few miles, the shop i worked at in Tucson made both the strutters and hardtails and that's all I needed to tell me the weak points. I don't think an extended ride would have changed my conclusion. In fact, I don't think a ride at all is necessary for one to determine that a hardtail would be uncomfortable to ride. I was not sufficiently taken by the style to override the hardships one endures to ride one.
But if you want to get out and do 700 to 1000+ miles rides, 4 or 5 times a year, year after year, that style bike can only be objectively classified as uncomfortable. The lack of suspension in the rear can actuially be dangerous. The rake in the front virtually eliminateds the possibillity of close quarter maneuvering.
This is not to denigrate the straightracer (I love that stuff) and the once a weeknight bar hopper, or parking lot frequenter. That is all legitimate parts of the sport. The OP asked.
