Cruisers used to be the go-to style of bike for the bearded, leather vest-wearing crowd, but the market has changed a lot in recent years.
Much like SUVs have conquered the sedan’s domain, practical adventure bikes have become the two-wheelers of choice for many motorcyclists. Heck, even Harley-Davidson offers an adventure model these days. Who could’ve seen that one coming 10-15 years ago?!
Luckily, there are still many awesome cruisers to choose from, both new and used, and bikers are spoiled for choice whether they want a power cruiser, bar-hopper, or continent crosser.
Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114
The Street Bob 114 is a cruiser bike in its purest form — a bare-bones, unpretentious cruiser that Harley-Davidson says is the “perfect performance base for customization.” The styling is timeless, but with a whiff of retro, and we love the now-iconic “Number One” graphic on the tank.
Its 114 cubic-inch V-twin engine looks old-school, but it’s actually packing some modern features, including rear cylinder deactivation to reduce heat. With 94 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque, it has enough power to get you into trouble, but it still returns a decent 47 mpg.
Yamaha VMax
The original V-Max from 1985 was a massive hit among hooligan bikers. Packing a liquid-cooled 1,200 cc DOHC V4 engine with 145 hp, it offered unrivaled performance, and since the handling was sketchy, at best, it was a handful to ride and best left in the hands of skilled or brave riders.
A few decades later, Yamaha launched a new and improved VMax (no hyphen this time). It still has a V4 engine, but the displacement now measures a whopping 1,700cc, and it produces 200 hp. Thankfully, the modern VMax also offers improved brakes and handling, and if you have the riding skills to handle 200 wild stallions, this could be the ultimate muscle cruiser. Those who like to live life on the edge, having a staring contest with death, can always buy the original V-Max.
Triumph Rocket 3
The Triumph Rocket 3 is an absolutely massive bike, and it has a 2,458 cc engine that churns out 165 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, it must have the agility of a steamboat and can only be ridden in a straight line, right?! Wrong!
This is a Triumph, and the Brits are famous for their well-handling machines. They clearly have a team of wizards who specialize in chassis magic, because the Rocket 3 power cruiser handles like a nimble sports bike. Sorcery, I tell you!
Honda Rebel 1100
Honda Rebels of the past were excellent bikes for beginner riders, but that’s pretty much all they were good for since they were so small and underpowered. When Honda revamped its Rebel lineup, they turned it into a series of outstanding bikes that will keep riders loyal for years. Start on the Rebel 300, move on to the 500, and then hop on the 1100 when they have some experience under their belt.
Make no mistake, with 86 hp, the Rebel 1100 is a proper cruiser bike. It also has a substantial selection of aftermarket parts and optional accessories, so it’s possible to turn it into a long-distance cruiser or an everyday hooligan bike, or anything in between.
Ducati Diavel V4
To the untrained eye, the new Ducati Diavel may look the same as ever, but it has actually changed a lot compared to its predecessors. There’s a new 168-hp 1,158 cc V4 engine that’s more compact, more powerful, and has longer service intervals than the old L-twin.
Since the new engine is lighter than the old one, Ducati could use a new aluminum monocoque frame instead of the heavier trellis from the past. The Ducati Diavel has endless amounts of power, and it corners like a sports bike! Could it be the ultimate cruiser bike?
BMW R18
The BMW R18’s styling is something you either love or hate, but we can all agree that it’s guaranteed to turn heads. Those who want to make it stand out even more can check out BMW’s massive parts catalog and add a bunch of optional extras.
While the R18 is going up against Harley-Davidson and Indian, BMW decided to stick with its tried and tested boxer engine layout rather than developing a V-twin. The engine measures in at 1,802 cc, and it sends 91 hp and 116.5 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheel.
Indian Chief Bobber
Indian went back to basics when they built the Chief Bobber. It has a sleek and minimalist classic design with clean lines that harkens back to the golden era of motorcycling. The all-American cruiser aesthetics are combined with modern technology to ensure the Chief Bobber is as good to ride as it is to look at.
The 1,800 cc engine has plenty of power, and the ride quality is smooth and comfortable. It’s not the ideal bike to ride in the city, but open it up on your favorite desolate road, and you’ll be laughing inside your helmet.
Indian Scout Rogue
Indian launched the Scout in 2015, and it remained relatively unchanged until a new model was recently unveiled. For now, we’ll stick with the old model, the Scout Rogue in particular. It has the same 100-hp 1,133cc liquid-cooled engine and a twin-shock chassis design as the other Indian Scouts, but it looks much more aggressive.
With mini-ape bars, a small front fairing, 19-inch front wheel, and murdered-out components, the Rogue is essentially a club-style bike straight from the showroom floor. The only thing we’d change is the low rear suspension, but Indian offers an optional upgrade.
Victory Octane
In some ways, the Victory Octane is the Indian Scout’s cousin, as both brands are owned by Polaris. The Victory Octane and Indian Scout even share some parts and components.
Powered by an 1,179 cc V-twin engine that pumps 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 ride.
Harley-Davidson Nightster Special
Production of the original Harley-Davidson Sportster has ended, and while there is a new Sportster S model, every motorcycle enthusiast knows that the Nightster is the Sportster’s spiritual successor. The Nightster has kept most of the things that made the Sportster great, but with some added modern touches.
Harley-Davidson has given the Nightster a similar classic styling as the Sportster, but the old air-cooled engines are replaced by Harley’s new liquid-cooled 975 Revolution Max V-twin. With 90 hp and 70 lb-ft of torque, the Nightster packs a harder punch than the Sportster ever did, and that’s before any aftermarket performance parts are added.
Harley-Davidson Night Rod
Back in the early 2000s, Harley-Davidson wasn’t exactly known for building fast and powerful bikes. That all changed when they hired Porsche to help develop a liquid-cooled V-twin engine for the VRSC lineup.
The Revolution engine in the last year of the Night Rod measured 1,247cc and produced over 120 hp. The Night Rod had hot rod-inspired styling, and while it looked mean and aggressive, it was also surprisingly comfortable. If not for the VRSC bikes, maybe we wouldn’t have today’s power cruisers?
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
The Triumph Bonneville Bobber mixes a feminine, curved silhouette with a muscular and brutish design, and it certainly makes a statement. With a liquid-cooled 1200cc parallel-twin producing 77 hp, the Bonneville Bobber isn’t just a pretty face either.
Many parallel-twin engines sound like beefed-up sewing machines, but thanks to the Triumph’s 270° crank, the Bonneville Bobber has a proper roar coming from its peashooter-style exhaust. There’s also a healthy aftermarket if that’s your thing.
Honda Shadow Phantom
The Honda Shadow Phantom looks great with its simple and classic, almost bobber-like styling. If you want a brand-new cruiser bike, and you’re on a budget, the Honda Shadow Phantom offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Granted, it’s not the most powerful bike on this list, nor is it the best tourer, but it’s an excellent everyday all-rounder. The 745 cc liquid-cooled V-twin produces 45 hp and 48 lb-ft of torque, which is decent, if not exciting.
Harley-Davidson Breakout
In 2020, Harley-Davidson discontinued the Breakout for the American market, but in 2023, they brought back a new and improved version. Whereas the old Breakout had a measly 103 cu-in engine, the new one has a glorious 117 unit that produces 101 hp, 123 lb-ft of torque, and an amazing V-twin soundtrack.
If you want to draw attention, the Breakout may be the perfect bike for you. It is dripping with shiny chrome, so there’s no chance it’ll go unnoticed.
