10 Perfect Harley-Davidson Alternatives That Deliver More Power For Less Money
In the past, Harley-Davidson motorcycles were largely underpowered. This was something that irked the loyal fanbase, but in many ways it was necessary. Those older V-twins were reliable, durable, and tunable. They helped the brand rebuild and regain customer confidence after what was a relatively shaky period between the 70s and 80s.
Today, few will dispute the fact that Harley leads the way in the cruiser segment. With a range of powerful Milwaukee-Eight V-twins to choose from, power is no longer much of a problem. Unfortunately, the budget most certainly is. Modern Harleys are expensive motorcycles, and have priced out some of their most loyal fans. A used Harley is one option, but there is also a selection of affordable used alternatives that won’t leave you in want of more power.
Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.
10
1999 Boss Hoss
Price Range: $10,000 – $12,000
For those that simply want the luxury of knowing that they will always have more power than they will ever need, the Boss Hoss is a fun option. It is essentially a mobile conversation starter, and certainly not a particularly practical motorcycle. As one might imagine, these bikes are built more for show than go. So the mileage is pretty low on these bikes, and while 300 horsepower makes it twice as powerful as any Harley, these V8 motors are in a pretty mild state of tune.
9
2005 Honda Rune
Price Range: $17,000 – $19,000
If you are in the market for something like a Fat Boy, the Rune can actually be found for less money at the moment. These bikes were famously overbuilt, and have more chrome than most modern cruiser buyers can handle. With around 118 horsepower, its smooth-running flat six will also outrun the Fat Boy without too much effort.
8
2005 Yamaha V-Max
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
On the face of it, the first generation V-Max offers irresistible bang for the buck on the used market, with more power than any of Harley’s regular cruisers. But, there is a pretty big caveat here. It certainly won’t have as much power as promised if the V-Boost system is not in good working order, so a test ride is essential. Even if that test ride involves you observing the owner ride it around the block …
7
2013 Ducati Diavel Cromo
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
While incredibly powerful, the first-generation Diavel was plagued with a host of reliability issues. Most of which relate to wiring, and the fact that wiring issues don’t exactly improve with age won’t inspire much confidence. It is a case of risk and reward, though, because if it is running, it offers what we feel is the best riding experience out of all the bikes on this list.
6
2015 Honda Valkyrie
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
Much like the aforementioned Rune, the Valkyrie offers the same flat six out of a Gold Wing. It weighs over 100 pounds less than the Rune, which makes a discernible difference when it comes to overall performance. Unfortunately, in terms of design, it just looks like a Gold Wing without its fairings.
5
2015 Triumph Rocket III
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
In the motorcycle context, bigger is not always better, but when it comes to the Rocket III, bigger is most certainly the key word. Its massive triple was at one point the biggest engine in the industry, capable of delivering a truly face-melting 160 pound feet of torque. Only the individual buyer will be able to tell if it is really worth the trade-off in terms of overall size, as well as looks, with a face only its designer could possibly love.
4
2018 Ducati XDiavel S
Price Range: $13,000 – $15,000
Ducati took a lot of flak from cruiser enthusiasts with the original Diavel coming across as more of a naked sport bike than a power cruiser. The XDiavel is essentially the answer to this call for a more authentic cruiser experience. It has forward controls, a different tune, and a design which certainly gives the bike more presence. By 2018, most of the electronic gremlins were resolved, but we wouldn’t go as far as calling it “reliable.”
3
2019 Yamaha VMax
Price Range: $12,000 – $14,000
In 2009, the VMax finally got an overhaul, and it was the mother of all updates. The second generation enjoyed a fairly long production run, and sadly never got a replacement. With 200 horsepower, it isn’t just one of the most powerful cruisers money can buy, it is also the single most powerful production motorcycle Yamaha has ever built. This remains a desirable motorcycle, and while values remain high, it is still cheaper than any comparable Harley.
2
2020 Triumph Rocket 3 R
Price Range: $13,000 – $15,000
The current generation Rocket 3 offers even more displacement, and even more power. With 180 horsepower at its disposal, and 166 pound feet of torque, it really is the mother of all power cruisers and is hardly comparable to anything else currently on the market. The only bike worth comparing is the aforementioned second generation VMax, which is technically more powerful, but even that has less torque.
1
2025 Suzuki Boulevard M109R
MSRP: $15,799
Out of all the Japanese power cruisers that tried to take the fight to Harley, the Boulevard M109R is the last bike standing. It is the only Japanese power cruiser still on the market, and the fact that it has not made it to the 2026 model year all but confirms its impending demise. While it offers great value, it is starting to show its age.
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