10 Cruisers Worth Keeping For The Next Decade

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Wednesday, 29 Jul 2026 15:31 0 7 autotech

In a world where everything has a short shelf life, cruiser motorcycles somehow remain a long-term prospect. That’s because they are usually bought from the heart rather than being logical purchases. It also helps that cruisers have gotten better than ever, offering better value than they did in the past with more reliable mechanical packages. Here, we are discussing 10 such cruisers that will remain relevant and usable for the next decade. Some of these wear iconic nameplates (a few Harleys do that), while some aim to be relevant by virtue of their equipment. Let’s dive in.

Ducati Diavel V4 RS

Price: $39,995

Ducati

In the century-long history of Ducati, the Italian giant has never made a more serious cruiser machine than the Diavel V4 RS. What’s special, you ask? Well, for starters, you get the Panigale V4-derived Desmosedici Stradale engine retuned for torque and mid-range punch. That helps the cruiser accelerate to 62mph in 2.5 seconds–a figure most million dollar supercars fail to match. Ducati itself claims this is its fastest accelerating road-legal bike.

Marc Marquez accelerating the 2026 Ducati Diavel V4 RS, side profile shot
Ducati

Other than that, there’s everything you’d expect from an exotic Ducati. Ohlins, Brembo, STM EVO dry clutch, top-drawer electronics–all of that comes part of the package. This is also a limited production machine with a series number on an aluminum plate. So we’re sure this will keep turning heads a decade from now–just like the Diavel AMG does.

Triumph Rocket 3

Price: $26,695

A rider leaning fast into a corner on the Triumph Rocket 3 GT Storm, cinematic rolling front third quarter shot
Triumph Motorcycles

Ever since its inception, the Rocket 3 has had the largest cruiser motorcycle engine. In its latest trim, the size has grown to over 2,450cc–the largest production motorcycle engine in the world today. Nothing else comes remotely close, which is unlikely to change anytime soon. This mill also gets you a mind-boggling torque output of 166 pound-feet, again putting it in a different league from anything else on two wheels.

Close-up shot of the Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT tail section, parked view
Triumph Motorcycles

Aside from that, the Rocket 3 boasts top-drawer components. We’re talking Brembo Stylema calipers, a single-sided swingarm, aluminum chassis, and adjustable suspension at both ends. Oh, and for the tourers out there, Triumph has a comfier GT version on offer, too.

Buell Super Cruiser

Price: $25,900

Front tracking shot of a Buell Super Cruiser
Buell Motorcycle

What you’re looking at is the most powerful American-made cruiser bike. It’s an accolade we believe will remain unbeaten even in the next decade. This is courtesy of the 1,190cc, V-twin powerhouse sourced from the Hammerhead, but retuned to make 175 horsepower and ~95 pound-feet.

Close-up shot of Buell Super Cruiser’s V-Twin engine
Buell Motorcycle

Other than that, the Super Cruiser also spoils you with an uber-sporty package all over. 17-inch wheels, USD forks, dual discs with Brembo rotors, and a bespoke tubular chassis all deserve credit for that. You do have to pay a sizable sum for all this, and long-term reliability is a bit of a question mark.

Harley-Davidson Breakout

Price: $22,999

A close-up shot of the 2026 Harley-Davidson Breakout
Harley-Davidson

The Breakout has been the only chopper-inspired Softail in Harley-Davidson’s lineup for a while now. By the looks of it, that isn’t going to change anytime soon. The front-end has a 21-inch front wheel with an extreme 34-degree rake, while the bodywork is minimalistic and chrome-laden.

An x-ray shot showcasing the 2026 Harley-Davidson Breakout’s hidden rear monoshock
Harley-Davidson

Add the bright color options, and you’re getting a proper head-turner that will remain relevant in the next decade. Speaking of relevance, like the Fat Boy, this is in its most refined and powerful state right now. That means you’re getting a really loaded chopper with full factory warranty and up-to-date tech.

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

Price: $22,599

Close up of 2026 Harley Davidson Fat Boy tank
Harley-Davidson

This is one of those cruisers that hasn’t gone out of style in decades, and it won’t go out of style a decade on from now either. Made legendary by a certain Mr Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2, the Fat Boy has been an iconic cruiser ever since its inception. The Lakester wheels, burly appearance, and heavy use of chrome all deserve credit for that.

A rider cruising in the city on 2026 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Harley-Davidson

In its current avatar, the iconic cruiser is better than ever. It has a Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain–the largest for a Fat Boy–producing over 100 horsepower and 125 pound-feet. This is topped with a brilliant set of rider aids via a six-axis IMU. It comprises traction control, cornering ABS, ride modes, cruise control, and drag-torque slip control.

Indian Chief Vintage

Price: $19,999

2026 Indian Chief Vintage Old And New
Indian Motorcycle

Much of Indian’s lineup is moving toward liquid cooling and modernity. The flagship Chiefs are the only true air-cooled examples left, and out of those, the Chief Vintage is what we’d recommend for the next decade. The vintage styling is off the hook here, with nothing quite like it in the market right now. Valanced fenders, a bobber seat, swooping handlebars, silver cylinder heads–all of these add to the visual aura.

image of 2026 indian Chief Vintage details
Indian Motorcycles

If that’s not head-turning enough, Indian has a 125th anniversary version as well. It brings a special upholstered saddle and a glittery bespoke livery for extra swagger. The $25k MSRP is quite steep, though.

Harley-Davidson Deadwood

Price: $17,999

2026 Harley-Davidson Deadwood Panning Shot On The Road, front third quarter view
Harley-Davidson

If you love high-value and old-school swagger, the new-for-2026 Deadwood is what you should eye. This is technically a Heritage Classic underneath, with the same engine, suspension, chassis, and features. But you get laced wheels and a windscreen as standard here, both of which are optional on the base Heritage Classic. So you’re paying less for more.

Harley-Davidson

To sweeten the pot, the aesthetic takes a stripped-back approach, inspired by post WWII machines. So there are no extra design elements, and you get a bespoke all-black livery. These also help it weigh well under 700 pounds, meaning a better power-to-weight ratio than the bike it’s based on. Win-win!

Harley-Davidson Super Glide

Price: $15,999

Harley-Davidson

The Super Glide moniker holds a lot of weight in Harley’s long history. And this is the first time the American giant has resurrected it. We think this is a 2026-only model, which is why you should bag it while you can. Not convinced? Then, the overall package will certainly seal the deal.

Harley-Davidson

You get a proven Softail chassis, with a Milwaukee-Eight powerhouse and Showa suspension. This is topped with laced wheels, a pillion saddle, and a bespoke livery inspired by the OG. All of these usually cost extra money, so the $15,999 is truly lip-smacking for this iconic machine. For instance, the Street Bob costs $14,999 in its base gray color with cast wheels and no pillion seat!

Suzuki Boulevard M109R

Price: $15,799

Front fascia view of Suzuki Boulevard M109R riding at a port
Suzuki Cycles

The Boulevard is here because it’s technically the last big V-twin power cruiser bike from Japan. All the Big Four have moved their efforts elsewhere, refusing to whip up new large-capacity V-twin cruisers. So it marks the end of era where Japan truly tried to beat Harley at its own game.

Suzuki Boulevard M109R doing a dramatic burnout, front third quarter view
Suzuki Cycles

Even if you look past that, the M109R has some impressive bits. The front-end, for instance, takes heavy inspiration from the GSX-R superbike of the time, with radial brakes and USD forks. Similarly, the V-twin is a work of art, featuring some of the largest pistons the motorcycle world has ever seen. Its output–123 horsepower and 118 pound-feet–is enough to outpower a modern Low Rider S, despite the lack of updates since 2008!

Special Mention: Yamaha V-Max

Used Price: $12,000-$15,000

2020 Yamaha V-Max accelerating on a city road front fascia zoomed-out shot
Yamaha Motorsports Archives

Yamaha pulled the plug on the VMax around half a decade ago. Yet, this is still the most powerful cruiser bike money can buy today. The exact numbers are 200 horsepower and 123 pound-feet from a unique 1,679cc V4 engine. Thanks to these, this has stayed a ‘worthy purchase’ for a long time—something we expect it to keep doing a decade from now.

Second generation VMAX cruising through town
Yamaha

As a lowdown, some other highlights include:

  • Ride-by-wire
  • Yamaha Chip Controlled variable intake tracts
  • Shaft drive
  • Aluminum chassis
  • Adjustable suspension
  • 320 mm radial-mount disc brakes
  • Underseat fuel tank

Source: Various Manufacturers

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