You wouldn’t want to learn to drive behind the wheel of a Ford F-250 Super Duty or any other massive pickup, and in a similar vein, you almost certainly shouldn’t be beginning your riding career on a full-size cruiser. With even entry-level models sporting roughly liter-sized engines and curb weights exceeding 500lbs, cruisers simply aren’t very conducive to new riders.
With gobs of power and half-the-heft of a Fiat 500, cruisers can be exceedingly unforgiving and difficult to control, making them arguably one of, if not the worst possible choice for inexperienced riders. Starting out on a cruiser that’s too big and/or powerful isn’t just dangerous either, it will impede your growth as a rider and will make the lion’s share of your experience in the saddle an utterly nerve-wracking one—something that may turn you off from riding altogether.
If you’ve still got your heart set on kicking off your two-wheeled career on a cruiser, the good news is that today’s market includes a slew of beginner-friendly cruiser models. These bikes feature smaller engines and more svelte curb weights, while still boasting the outward appearance of a traditional cruiser. Once you’ve developed your riding technique and skills, you can always step up to a larger big-bore cruiser later on down the road.
What To Look when buying a bike
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Your choice for a new sled should always be guided by your intended use: if you plan on using your bike for daily commuting duties, you’ll want something more nimble and maneuverable, as where if you intend on taking on long-distance treks in the saddle, you will likely want to consider a bagger or touring model.
The popularity of the cruiser segment has resulted in a diverse array of styles within the class. Some cruisers take a more vintage approach, drawing aesthetic influence from retro models of the mid-1900s while other models take a more modern approach, with more aggressive character and an overall more contemporary design language. It’s well worth reading up on all the different stylistic options before pulling the trigger on your purchase.
Finally the most defining elements of a cruiser is the engine and his torque and horsepower output. You not only will want to consider if an engine’s size and power is conducive to your intended use but also if you’re capable of properly and safely managing a particular engine.
Additionally, engine mechanics and technology can vary pretty greatly even without today’s market, with some companies employing much more cutting-edge and advanced powertrains than others.
The nonly limit of most baggers bikes is the weight, frequently in excess of half-a-ton. This could make them tremendously difficult to maneuver at lower speeds, especially to the inexperienced and/or uninitiated.
Entry-Level Cruiser
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Yamaha V-Star 250
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Accessibly-priced at under $4.5K, the Yamaha V-Star 250 is an incredibly unique entry-level sled, with an unmistakably traditional cruiser appearance and a genuine V-Twin engine. With a 27” seat height and sub-325lb curb weight, this quarter-liter cruiser is entirely new rider-friendly, and thanks to an 85mph top speed and an economical 78mpg fuel consumption, the V-Star 250 is fully capable of taking on two-up riding or touring duties.
Engine: Air-cooled 15.2ci (249cc) SOHC 60° V-Twin
Horsepower: 21HP
Torque: 15.2FT-LBS
Weight: 324LBS
Origin: Japan
Purchase: $4,499
Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS
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The Vulcan S is a decidedly sporty mid-sized cruiser that’s based on the Japanese brand’s popular and immensely utilitarian Ninja 650 platform. As such the ABS-equipped Vulcan S gets a sportbike-derived frame and the same fan-favorite 650cc twin engine as the Ninja, albeit it uses a markedly different stance. Also of note is the Vulcan S’ adjustable sliding seat and moving foot controls which allow for a custom rider triangle no matter who gets in the saddle.
Style: Sport-Cruiser
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 39.6ci (649cc) DOHC Parallel-Twin
Horsepower: 60.4HP
Torque: 46.3FT-LBS
Weight: 498.3LBS
Origin: Japan
Purchase: $7,199
Indian Scout Bobber Sixty
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The new king of the entry-level cruiser class, Indian’s Scout Bobber Sixty offers a lot of performance and a lot of bike for just $9K. Built around a lightweight cast aluminum frame, Indian’s SBS gets a modern fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 60cu engine with blacked-out cases that’s mated to a five-speed transmission.
The bike also takes a myriad of visual cues from the custom motorcycle scene such as its chopped rear fender, bobbed seat, dual-shotgun pipes, and side-mounted license plate holder. The non-ABS-spec base model also comes in a murdered out black-on-black livery.
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 61ci (1,000cc) DOHC 60° V-Twin
Horsepower: 78HP
Torque: 65FT-LBS
Weight: 549LBS
Purchase: $8,999
Honda Rebel 1100
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Honda’s Rebel has been a go-to model for budding cruiser enthusiasts since the debut of the first generation 250cc model in 1985, and more recently after the release of the current generation Rebel 300 and 500, Big Red has finally released a full-size version of the bike. Powered by the same 1,084cc liquid-cooled Unicam two-banger that’s found in Honda’s Africa Twin adventure bike, the Rebel 1100 boasts a modern cruiser aesthetic, with a knee-dented tank, fully exposed frame, a circular LED headlight, a beefy single-can pipe, and a bobber-inspired seat and rear fender.
Style: Urban Cruiser
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 66.1ci (1,084cc) SOHC Parallel-Twin
Horsepower: 86HP
Torque: 72FT-LBS
Weight: 487LBS
Origin: Japan
Purchase: $9,299
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
While the Bonnie Bobber isn’t normally what springs to mind when discussing cruisers, it has a tractor-style saddle with an ultra-low seat height, a low and leaned back riding position, and a torquey twin-engine, and for all those reasons, we’d argue it’s more than worthy of consideration if shopping for a cruiser.
Triumph’s best-selling model, this bike is based on the Hinckley firm’s 1,200cc Bonneville platform and offers the experience and look of owning a custom build without losing the factory fit and finish or manufacturer’s warranty.
Style: Bobber
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 73.2 ci
1,200 cc SOHC Parallel-Twin
Horsepower: 77HP
Torque: 78FT-LBS
Weight: 502LBS (Dry)
Origin: England
Purchase: $11,950
BMW R18
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Packing the largest boxer twin engine ever produced by BMW Motorrad, the R18 is a newly-released interpretation of a cruiser, the latest addition to the Bavarian brand’s heritage model range, and is visually-inspired by BMW’s WW2-era models, more specifically the R5 from 1936.
Retro-style forks, sweeping fishtail exhausts, and ‘30s-inspired bodywork adorned in a black livery with white pinstriping are all clear nods to the R5, though BMW also offers an enormous range of parts and accessories to personalize the behemoth Bavarian and make it your own.
Style: Heritage Cruiser
Engine: Air & Oil-Cooled 110ci (1,802cc) DOHC Boxer Twin
Horsepower: 91HP
Torque: 116FT-LBS
Weight: 761LBS
Origin: Germany
Purchase: $17,495
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
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The Low Rider S is a modern classic tourer that’s draped in West Coast style with its bikini headlight fairing, flat drag-style bars, and mid-mounted foot controls. The bike’s reduced rake, inverted front-end mono-shocked rear suspension, and ABS-enabled dual front disc setup collectively give the Low Rider S above-average performance in its class. Your $18K also gets you the latest version of the Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine and your choice of an all-black or crimson paint.
Style: Tourer
Engine: Air-Cooled 107ci (1,753cc) SOHC 45° V-Twin
Horsepower: 93HP
Torque: 114.3FT-LBS
Weight: 679LBS
Origin: America
Purchase: $17,999
Ducati Diavel 1260
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Though the XDiavel falls more squarely into the cruiser category of all the bikes in Ducati’s complete lineup, the Italian manufacturer’s regular Diavel model is unquestionably the top performer of the two, as well as arguably being the more aesthetically attractive of the pair, with the Diavel’s angular intake scoops, higher, sportier seat, and larger radiator covers that are outdated with vertical LED lighting.
Powered by a 157hp Testastretta DVT engine, the Diavel 1260 is also offered in a more premium, Ohlins-equipped S-spec, as well as a limited edition top-of-the-line Diavel 1260 Lamborghini that was born out of a collaboration with the supercar manufacturer.
Style: Hyper-Cruiser
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 77ci (1,262cc) DOHC 90° L-Twin
Horsepower: 157HP
Torque: 95FT-LBS
Weight: 492LBS
Origin: Italy
Purchase: $20,295
Harley-Davidson Road Glide
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Consistently one of Harley-Davidson’s best-selling models—and one of the best-selling cruisers, period—the Black and Orange’s Road Glide is an icon of a bagger since its debut in 1998 when it replaced the Tour Glide. Easily identified by its distinctive frame-mounted shark-nose fairing, the Road Glide is decked out with a suite of amenities and tech that make the bike perfect for moto road trips and long-range travels.
Box GTS infotainment and stereo system with dual 5.25” speakers and 2.3 cubic feet of real-estate in the Road Glide’s standard hard luggage.
Style: Cruiser
Engine: Liquid-cooled 107ci
1,753 cc SOHC 45° V-Twin
Torque: 111ft-lbs
Weight: 855LBS
Origin: America
Purchase: $21,699
Moto Guzzi MGX-21
Also appropriately known as the “Flying Fortress,” Moto Guzzi’s MGX-21 is a thoroughly high-end Italian-made bagger with a sleek and modern aesthetic design and beyond liberal amounts of exposed carbon fiber, with the tank, fenders, belly-pan, luggage, fairing, and even the front wheel being constructed from the ultra-lightweight weave. This grand-touring motorcycle also boasts a heap of modern technology, and offers a wildly-plush and well-planted ride, making it the bike of choice for those looking to cover ample miles on the open road in style.
Style: Bagger
Engine: Air & Oil-Cooled 84.21ci (1,380cc) DOHC 90° Transverse V-Twin
Horsepower: 97HP
Torque: 89FT-LBS
Weight: 784.8LBS
Origin: Italy
Purchase: $21,990
Triumph Rocket 3
Triumph’s Rocket 3 currently holds the honor of being the world’s largest-displacement production motorcycle model with an absolutely enormous 2.5-liter three-banger putting down 165hp. The Rocket 3’s top speed may only be in the ballpark of 140mph—which is still nothing to scoff at—it reaches its top speed ridiculously remarkably fast, with 0-60mph time of just 2.73-seconds, making it the quickest production motorcycle currently in existence. And, as one would expect from a $22.5K model from Triumph, the Rocket 3 comes loaded with tech, including a built-in navigation system with turn-by-turn directions from google, multiple ride modes, and the ability to control a GoPro via the handlebar-mounted controls.
Style: Muscle Roadster
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 149.9ci (2,458cc) DOHC Inline-Three
Horsepower: 165HP
Torque: 163FT-LBS
Weight: 648.2lbs
Origin: England
Purchase: $22,500
Indian Challenger
Indian’s menacing-looking answer to Harley’s ultra-popular Road Glide, the Challenger is a more refined sophisticated bagger with more technology, better performance, and in our opinion, a more handsome aesthetic design than its Milwaukee-made direct competitor. Not only is the Challenger lighter than the Road Glide, but it also has a slightly bigger engine and produces noticeably more torque and horsepower—all reasons the Indian has been nipping at the heels of H-D’s best-selling bagger. The Challenger is made all the more enticing by its full suite of LED lighting, race-spec radial-mount Brembo brakes, an electronically-adjustable windscreen, a 100W high-output audio system with an active EQ, and 18 gallons of weatherproof storage space.
Style: Bagger
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 108 cu in (1,768cc) SOHC 60° V-Twin
Horsepower: 122HP
Torque: 128FT-LBS
Weight: 831.1LBS
Origin: America
Purchase: $22,999
Evoke 6061
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Taking its name from the aerospace-grade 6061 aluminum that its frame is constructed from, this electric cruiser model undoubtedly pushes the envelope in the two-wheeled EV sector with a top speed of over 140mph, and a peak power output of 168hp and over 200ft-lbs of torque.
As a point of reference, that’s nearly half the torque output of BMW’s latest M3, despite the 6061 tipping the scales at less than one-tenth the BMW’s curb weight. Just as impressive is the Beijing-built eBike’s battery pack, which affords 290-miles of autonomy and can be fully recharged in an industry-leading 15 minutes.
Style: Electric/Hyper-Cruiser
Engine: 120kW PMSM
Electric Motor
Horsepower: 167.6HP
Torque: 200.6FT-LBS
Weight: 372.5LBS
Origin: China
Purchase: $24,999
ARCH KRGT-1
The inaugural offering from the boutique Southern California-based motorcycle marque started by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, the KRGT-1 is an ultra-exclusive, spare-no-expense interpretation of a hyper-cruiser. At the heart of the bike is a 124ci S&S V-Twin fed through a unique downdraft breathing system designed into the hyper-cruiser’s all-billet chassis.
Produced on a built-to-order basis, the KRGT-1 is decked out with what is objectively the finest running gear that money can buy, including BST carbon fiber wheels, dual six-pot ISR radial monobloc calipers, an in-house fabricated carbon superbike muffler, top-of-the-line suspension co-developed Arch in conjunction with Ohlins, and Rizoma odds, ends, and accessories.
Style: Hyper-Cruiser
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 124ci (2,032cc)
Twin-Cam 45° V-Twin
Horsepower: 122HP
Torque: 122FT-LBS
Weight: 538lbs
Purchase: $85,000
Indian vs. Harley: Which Motorcycle Is Right For You?
Still on the fence as to which cruiser brand to buy from? Then be sure to check out our guide on Harley Vs. Indian to help determine which motorcycle is right for you.
