10 Cheap Used Cruisers That Can Smoke A New Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson markets the Softail Standard as an entry-level cruiser — a blank canvas for riders who want to build something uniquely their own. The problem is that blank canvases still cost real money, and the Softail Standard’s price tag leaves it exposed to some serious competition on the used market. For similar money, you can find used cruisers that bring genuine horsepower, modern features, and plenty of character to the table. Whether you prefer something relaxed and low-slung or something with a sportier edge, there’s a powerful used cruiser out there that will make you question why you’d buy new. For the purposes of this list, we’re focusing on motorcycles with an established used value of around $10,000.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including official brand websites. Buying a used motorcycle always carries an element of risk, so please do your research and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to horsepower, using our proven methodologies.
2021 BMW R 18
Power: 91 Horsepower
The BMW R 18 commands a significant premium new, but a quick scan of the used market tells a different story — examples can regularly be found in the $9,000–$10,000 range, well below their original transaction prices. Depreciation has already done the heavy lifting here, which makes this a poor choice for anyone who wants to preserve resale value, but a compelling one for a buyer hunting a bargain they plan to keep long-term. That wide boxer twin is a genuinely rare find at this price point.
2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster
Power: 91 Horsepower
The Nightster already offers strong value new, but shopping a 2022 model on the used market stretches that value even further. Its Revolution Max 975T engine produces more power than the old 107 found in the Softail Standard, though the riding experience is fundamentally different. This is a thoroughly modern motorcycle — peaky, feature-rich, and nothing like a traditional Harley in feel or character. Worth noting: the 2022 Nightster came equipped with all the features that were later reserved for the top-spec Nightster Special. That’s a genuine win.
2014 Moto Guzzi California 1400
Power: 94 Horsepower
The power advantage over the Softail Standard may not be dramatic, but what the Moto Guzzi California 1400 delivers in style and personality more than compensates. Its biggest surprise is its handling — despite the substantial heft, it turns in with more confidence than you’d expect and is less prone to scraping pegs than comparable custom cruisers. The larger-than-life proportions and generous use of chrome only add to the experience.
2011 Triumph Thunderbird Storm
Power: 97 Horsepower
When the Triumph Thunderbird arrived, it was among the first metric cruisers to genuinely rattle Harley’s cage. It offered more displacement and torque than similarly priced Harleys, and like most Triumph motorcycles of the era, it backed that up with impressive build quality. Big parallel twins of this type do tend to vibrate at certain revs, and the Thunderbird is no exception — but at these used prices, that’s a trade-off that’s easy to accept.
2018 Indian Scout Bobber
Power: 100 Horsepower
Authentic American V-twins that compete in this segment are a short list, and unless brand loyalty ties you exclusively to Milwaukee, the Scout Bobber simply has to be part of the conversation. Even new examples are priced competitively, but the real bargains lie with the previous generation — slightly less power and displacement, but significantly less money if you know where to look.
2004 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod
Power: 115 Horsepower
As we climb the power ladder, one muscle cruiser stands out from the crowd. The V-Rod was, at the time of its launch, one of the most technically advanced V-twins on the market — and certainly the most advanced motorcycle Harley had ever produced. The involvement of Porsche in developing its engine divided opinion sharply, but the bike was never designed to win over lifelong Harley faithful. It was built to attract riders who might otherwise have looked elsewhere entirely. First-generation examples have become increasingly affordable and represent strong bang for the buck.
2015 Honda Valkyrie
Power: 118 Horsepower
The Gold Wing is rarely the first name that surfaces in a conversation about powerful heavyweights, but the Valkyrie makes a compelling case. It carries the same potent flat-six engine — weighty as it is — while shedding the Gold Wing’s extensive touring apparatus. The result is a motorcycle that looks and rides like a proper cruiser rather than a two-wheeled luxury liner.
2016 Triumph Rocket III
Power: 146 Horsepower
Say what you will about the previous-generation Rocket’s styling, but power never goes out of fashion. The Rocket III exists purely in pursuit of ultimate power, with little pretense about refinement or mass appeal. It was never meant to please everyone — it was built to overwhelm with torque, and on that front it delivers completely.
2012 Ducati Diavel
Power: 162 Horsepower
Every time we mention a first-generation Diavel, a disclaimer is necessary. Reliability was never its strong suit from new, and with well over a decade of use behind these bikes, that situation is unlikely to have improved. It also drew criticism from purists who refused to accept it as a “real” cruiser — a debate we’d argue is settled in the Diavel’s favor. If you can find one under $10,000, the performance on offer makes the known risks worth weighing carefully. Buyer beware.
2009 Yamaha V-Max
Power: 200 Horsepower
We’d steer clear of any V-Max built before 2009 — parts for the older generation are increasingly scarce and expensive. The second-generation model that debuted that year brought meaningful updates that transformed it into the complete package, headlined by a massive 200 horsepower. It’s already achieved cult-classic status, and we don’t expect prices for clean examples to stay at current levels much longer.
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