American motorcycle manufacturers are best known for their cruisers. While that is undoubtedly the most dominant bike style, they also offer sporty models and off-roaders.
Since everyone has heard of Harley-Davidson, I decided to exclude them from this one and give the other manufacturers a chance to shine.
I’ve compiled a list of 15 excellent American motorcycles… that aren’t Harleys, but there are plenty of other models out there, some more desirable than others, so this list is by no means exhaustive.
Arch KRGT-1
Arch is a motorcycle company owned by Hollywood superstar Keanu Reeves and his business partner, Gard Hollinger. They make high-end sporty cruisers built to be ridden hard. The KRGT-1 has a 2,032cc S&S V-twin and a six-speed transmission nestled in its tubular steel frame.
With a price tag close to $100,000, the Arch KRGT-1 comes with a plethora of custom-machined billet parts and high-end componentry, such as BST carbon wheels, ISR six-pot calipers, and Öhlins suspension designed specifically for this bike.
Indian FTR RSD Superhooligan
Much cheaper than the Arch, the FTR RSD Superhooligan still looks amazing and offers an exceptional ride. With its $18,500 price tag, it’s the most expensive model in the FTR lineup, so it’s possible to save $5,000 by going for the entry-level version.
However, the RSD Superhooligan is a limited edition designed by Roland Sands, and as the name implies, it turns the American flat-track-inspired Indian into a proper hooligan bike. With a 120-horsepower 1203cc V-twin, it offers plenty of fun without getting ridiculous. Good luck getting your hands on one of the 300 units, though.
Buell Hammerhead 1190
Erik Buell is the man behind America’s greatest sportbikes. Unfortunately, Buell has struggled financially since day one, and after the company went under, it was resurrected in order to produce a high-performance boutique bike — the Hammerhead 1190.
It’s a state-of-the-art superbike packing a Rotax-developed 72° V-twin engine churning out 185 horsepower underneath the carbon fiber fairings. Superbikes aren’t known for their comfort, but thanks to its ergonomically designed controls, the Buell Hammerhead 1190 fares better than most.
Buell Firebolt XB12R
Years prior to the aforementioned Hammerhead 1190, Buell built the excellent XB12, proving that Harley-Davidson V-twin engines could indeed be used in a sporty platform. While not the most comfortable bike, the Buell Firebolt XB12R is plenty of fun on twisty roads.
The last models rolled off the assembly line in 2010, and certain parts are hard to come by today, so owning one can be a bit of a chore. However, Buell enthusiasts won’t let that stop them, and they enjoy their awesome bikes as often as possible.
Buell 1125R
The Buell 1125R was significant as it was the first Buell motorcycle that didn’t use a Harley-Davidson-derived V-twin engine — its 131 hp unit was built by Rotax.
The Buell 1125R was never a match for the Italians or Japanese of the time, but it could probably be compared to one of the V-twin sports bikes from a decade earlier. Still, that was a great era for analog sports bikes, so we wouldn’t mind throwing a leg over the Buell.
Fischer MRX 650
Fischer MRX650 is a rare American sports bike dreamed up by Daniel Fischer, a Chicago-based AMA roadracer and former Aprilia Cup participant.
The original plan was to use the same Rotax V-twin engine that was found in the Aprilia RSV Mille, but Aprilia wasn’t too happy about that, so Fischer went with a Hyosung 647cc engine instead. Only around 30 MRX650s were built before the economy crashed in 2008, forcing the company to close its doors.
Motus MST-R
Alabama-based Motus didn’t hold back when they came up with the MST-R sports tourer. It’s packing high-end componentry from brands such as Öhlins and Brembo, but the real jewel is nestled neatly in the frame.
It’s powered by a 1649cc, 90-degree V4 engine generating 180 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque. This engine offers superbike-like acceleration, lifting the front wheel towards the sky on every corner exit.
Combat Motors Wraith
We certainly wouldn’t call the Combat Motors Wraith a beautiful bike, but it’s definitely exclusive. Those who want to order one must put down a non-refundable deposit of $100,000.
The total price for the finished motorcycle is $155,000. For that money, buyers get a bike that’s carved from solid billet blocks of military-grade aluminum, a massive S&S V-twin engine, and more tech than you can shake a stick at. Tom Cruise is one of the world’s most famous motorcycle enthusiasts, and he has one. What other reason could you possibly need to buy this beast?!
Big Dog Mastiff
Kansas-based Big Dog Motorcycles builds semi-custom bikes, proving that the custom chopper scene still has some life left in it. One of the brand’s bikes is the Mastiff, and it’s a beast!
With a 124 cu-in, or 2,032ccm, S&S SuperSidewinder V-twin engine, each cylinder has a bigger displacement than the entire engine found in a superbike. If the Mastiff isn’t special enough for you, Big Dog also offers a ton of upgrades and customization options.
Janus Halcyon 450
The Janus Halcyon 450 looks like a proper vintage bike from the 1920s and 1930s. In fact, at first glance, it reminds us of the legendary Brough Superior, and that’s not a bad thing. Apparently, Janus produces most of its parts in-house, but the liquid-cooled single-cylinder 450 engine comes from SWM, a Chinese-owned Italian manufacturer.
With only 30 horsepower, the Halcyon 450 is about as powerful as a maxi scooter and will never set any speed records, but that’s not the point of this bike. You’re meant to ride slow, so people can look at you in envy, thinking you’re actually on a real vintage machine. If you ask me, the Halcyon 450’s only downside is the somewhat steep price tag, as it starts just north of $13,000.
Indian Challenger Elite
If you want to cross continents on two wheels, the Indian Challenger Elite is definitely worth considering. With a 1768cc V-twin engine producing 128 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque, it’s as powerful as a small hatchback — and nearly as spacious, too.
The Challenger Elite also has a very comfortable saddle, which is a must for a touring bike, cruise control, and a plethora of rider aids. As far as large cruisers go, it even looks menacing.
Indian Scout Rogue
Indian introduced the Scout back in 2015, and only recently did it get a successor. However, we still want the Rogue that appeared in the summer of 2022, as it’s one of the baddest-looking factory bikes ever. It packs a 1,133cc liquid-cooled engine that sends 100 horsepower and 72 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheel, and looks more aggressive than any other version of the Scout.
It’s essentially a murdered-out club-style bike straight from the factory, featuring mini-ape bars, a quarter-fairing, and 19-inch cast-aluminum front wheel. Our only complaint is the low rear suspension, but that’s easily sorted by ordering the optional one when buying the bike.
Victory Octane
Sadly, Victory is no longer with us, but the American brand did produce some excellent bikes when they were still around. In some ways, the Victory Octane is the Indian Scout’s cousin, as both manufacturers were owned by Polaris and even have a few parts in common.
Powered by a 1,179cc V-twin engine that churns out 104 horses, the Victory Octane certainly isn’t lacking in the performance department. It’ll reach a top speed of 130 mph, and its aggressive design will attract attention wherever you go.
Zero Motorcycles DSR/X Black Forest Edition
If you love the idea of an adventure bike but want to glide through the countryside in silence, the electric DSR/X Black Forest Edition from Zero Motorcycles might be what you’re looking for. Zero has made a name for itself in the electric bike world, and the DSR/X Black Forest Edition is a factory-upgraded off-road-capable adventure bike.
With a Showa suspension setup, spoked wheels, crash bars, auxiliary lights, and an adjustable screen, it has all the essential adventure items. A Z-Force 17.3-kWh battery, which can be upgraded to a 21-kWh unit, powers the Zero’s 75-kW PMAC motor, which produces a whopping 169 lb-ft of torque!
Boss Hoss
Boss Hoss is the perfect bike for muscle car enthusiasts. It’s big, heavy, and overly powerful — all the things that should be avoided unless you have years of experience under your belt.
Boss Hoss doesn’t measure its engines in puny cubic centimeters, they use cubic inches. That’s right, the Boss Hoss is powered by GM V8 engines, measuring between 376 and 496 cu in. Boss Hoss has sold over 4,000 of these brutes, and some owners have even fitted turbochargers on them.
