This Is The Most Powerful American Cruiser Harley Does Not Build
American cruisers have traditionally traded outright horsepower for big-twin engine character, relaxed ergonomics, and torque enough to hustle their gargantuan weight and size. But what if you take that familiar silhouette and add in the performance of a superbike? One American bikemaker has answered this question with a claimed 175 horsepower from a liquid-cooled V-twin, and a chassis designed to do a lot more than just straight-line cruising. The results challenge the idea that a performance cruiser should be heavy, wallowy, and perform only in a straight line. This American bikemaker ain’t Harley-Davidson but one closely associated with it.
Why Has Harley-Davidson Left Room For A 175-HP Cruiser?
Harley-Davidson has never lacked powerful engines. In fact, the most powerful Harley on sale pushes out 153 HP and is inspired by the King Of The Baggers race bike. That said, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have always prioritized usable torque, characterful power delivery, and a distinctive relaxed riding experience over superbike-style peak horsepower. Even its most performance models balance acceleration with styling, comfort, and the expectations of riders who want a muscular road bike rather than a sportbike with a low seat.
That leaves an opening for a different interpretation of the American cruiser. A relatively light chassis, sportsbike-derived suspension, stickier tires, and a high-revving engine can transform the category without sacrificing the American cruiser silhouette and identity. This idea is not entirely new. Custom bike builders have spent years creating club-style motorcycles that combine stripped-back cruiser styling with sharper handling and aggressive performance. What is interesting is that no American bikemaker has actively tried to make this idea a production reality. That’s until now. One bikemaker in particular, known for its close connection with Harley-Davidson and offering a refreshing take on American motorcycle culture, has taken the leap of faith.
The Buell Super Cruiser Packs 175 Horsepower Into A Muscle Bike Package
The motorcycle is the Buell Super Cruiser, developed with Roland Sands Design. First shown as a concept in 2023, it has since reached production, with customers being delivered their motorcycles from December 2025 onwards, post regulatory approvals. The Buell Super Cruiser’s main selling point is an engine output that still sounds impressive in a sports bike: a claimed 175 horsepower from a liquid-cooled 1,190cc or a 72.6 cubic inch, 72-degree V-twin.
The motorcycle also delivers a peak torque of 94 pound-feet and boasts a sportsbike-style high compression of 13.4:1. The motor is derived from Buell’s performance-oriented 1,190cc engine family, but adapted for a different riding position and cruiser application. The Super Cruiser uses a six-speed gearbox, hydraulic slipper clutch, and a chain final drive, breaking away from the conventional belt final drives that define most American cruisers.
While it has impressive horsepower, the Super Cruiser also impresses with its relatively light weight for an American cruiser, coming in at 485 pounds. It also features a 32-inch seat height and a four-gallon fuel tank. Contrary to other American cruisers, the Super Cruiser is designed to feel more like a muscular naked sportsbike with cruiser ergonomics than a conventional cruiser with a large engine.
Fox Suspension and Brembo Brakes Give The Buell Super Cruiser Sportbike Hardware
Making 175 horsepower is only part of the challenge. A cruiser that can accelerate hard also needs to manage braking forces, control chassis movement, and be able to handle twisty roads. The Buell Super Cruiser gets inverted Fox forks and a monoshock, a departure from the Ohlins suspension seen on the prototype motorcycle. Other high-end parts include Brembo brakes with twin 320mm front discs and four-piston monobloc calipers.
The chassis is a combination of a steel tubular frame with an aluminum swingarm. It features sportsbike-like 17-inch cast aluminum wheels with Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires. Buell claims that the Super Cruiser can lean up to 50 degrees, which means the motorcycle was designed to handle sportsbike-style dynamics rather than scrape its pegs on the first sharp corner like most cruisers. It features the club-style cruiser riding position. Its stepped seat, wide handlebars, compact front fairing, and exposed mechanical components give it the stance of a stripped-down American muscle bike thanks to inputs from Roland Sands Design.
The Buell Super Cruiser costs $25,900 And Challenges The American Cruiser Formula
The starting MSRP for the Buell Super Cruiser is $25,900 in the United States. This pricing firmly places it in premium motorcycle territory, but also offers a distinctive combination of performance hardware and a claimed 175 horsepower that traditional American cruisers rarely come close to. Fox suspension, Brembo brakes, Dunlop Sport tires, and the 1,190cc liquid-cooled V-twin are all part of the factory package rather than extra paid upgrades.
Its comparison with Harley-Davidson is more about identity than performance. Harley-Davidson built its identity around V-twin character, traditional cruiser styling, and a broad community of riders. The Buell Super Cruiser takes a niche approach by prioritizing power-to-weight ratio and porting ability, while retaining the low, muscular appearance associated with American custom cruiser culture.
There are drawbacks. The four-gallon tank limits fuel capacity, the 32-inch seat may not suit every rider, and a high-output engine does not automatically become easy to manage in city traffic. There are also questions about dealer network, parts availability, and long-term service support when going for such an expensive motorcycle. That said, the Buell Super Cruiser makes a compelling case for a different kind of American cruiser that’s not a Harley-Davidson.
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