Cruisers That Make You Wonder Why You Ever Rode Sport Bikes
There comes a time in every rider’s life when the price for the fetal sport bike riding position is simply too high to pay. Realization sinks in that it is a hobby, no matter how serious, and compromises have to be made to keep riding for years to come. Still, the prospect of a slow cruiser leaves a bitter taste for anyone to whom two wheels means speed. Luckily for them, manufacturers have come up with a type of cruiser motorcycle that blends a relaxed rider triangle with grin-inducing acceleration and braking, and even sport bike-style electronics. Here are 10 cruisers that make the transition as painless as possible.
Benda LFC 700
Price: $10,899
Benda has been around for a while now and keeps aiming higher up the ladder, with its latest salvo aimed at a bona fide American icon. But the LFC 700 has quietly been around for a few years, and it offers a unique experience in the cruiser segment today. It is the only cruiser that is powered by an inline four-cylinder engine – this is a 677 cc powerplant with 84 horsepower and 44 pound-feet. It is matched with quality components – twin 320 mm Brembo floating discs with four-piston fixed calipers at the front, KYB suspension, and a 5-inch TFT screen.
Suzuki Boulevard M109R
Price: $15,799
Sportbike owners want performance, and cruisers get it the old-fashioned way: there is no replacement for displacement. Suzuki’s largest motorcycle engine has two of the largest pistons known to the automotive world, and the Boulevard M109R still offers the most power in a cruiser under $20,000, with 123 horsepower and 118 pound-feet from its 1,783 cc liquid-cooled V-twin. It too borrows the front end from a sport bike, with inverted front forks and twin 310 mm brake discs with four-piston fixed calipers, and one of the widest rear tires in the two-wheeled world. As a bonus, it is dead reliable as well.
Indian 101 Scout
Price: $16,999
Indian has really made a good effort making a midsize performance cruiser with the 101 Scout: it is a cruiser that more Harley riders should consider. The spine frame uses the engine as a stressed member, but also adds cartridge front forks, Brembo brakes, and twin 320 mm floating brake discs with radial calipers. The SpeedPlus 1,250 cc engine generates 111 horsepower and 80.4 pound-feet of torque, and pairs it with a 4-inch circular TFT touchscreen with connected features. Ride modes, traction control, and ABS are also present.
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
Price: $18,999
The Low Rider S is the old-school bruiser in the Harley cruiser lineup, and it balances muscle, comfort, and everyday rideability really well. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 here gets the most powerful tune, with 114 horsepower and 128 pound-feet from its 1,917 cc V-twin. It (along with the ST) is also the only cruiser to sport inverted front forks and dual front disc brakes, which shows off its intentions quite clearly. Under the skin, it gets even better: Harley-Davidson has given it the full electronics treatment, with a six-axis IMU. That makes it the most affordable cruiser on this list with bonafide sportbike electronics.
2020 Yamaha VMax
Price: $19,275 (used)
The VMax is a legend, and rightfully so. It thrust the concept of the muscle cruiser into the bright lights of the dragstrip, and there has been no looking back for cruisers ever since. The second-generation VMax was designed to deliver more than you would expect, with acceleration that is the envy of most sport bikes. The 1,679 cc V4 generates 197 horsepower and 123 pound-feet, and it has to be limited to 150 MPH. Unlike the first-gen version, this one has an appetite for corners as well, with fully adjustable suspension at both ends.
Indian Sport Chief
Price: $19,999
The Sport Chief is the Indian equivalent of the Low Rider S. It gets Indian’s biggest engine, the Thunderstroke 116. This 1,890 cc air-cooled V-twin makes 120 pound-feet at really low revs, and stacks up on the tech with a by-wire throttle and rear cylinder deactivation while retaining its reputation as one of the most reliable engines ever. This is paired with KYB inverted front forks, Fox piggyback rear shocks, dual Brembo 320 mm front discs with four-piston calipers, and ABS. The 4-inch TFT touchscreen with connected features, keyless ignition, and both a USB port and a 12V socket are all standard.
Buell Super Cruiser
Price: $25,900
Very rarely do sport bike engines find their way into other styles of motorcycles without a little detune, but Buell has rolled the dice with the Super Cruiser, making it feel strong without feeling heavy. It makes a barely-believable 175 horsepower and 102 pound-feet from its 1,190 cc V-twin engine. It looks like a custom bike thanks to input from Roland Sands, and there are lovely details like the star-spoke rear wheel, horizontal back-link rear shock, and the signature rim front brake in some of the marketing material. This is the best bargain if you seek pure horsepower per dollar in a cruiser.
Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R
Price: $26,695
The Rocket 3 twins have the same running gear – the world’s largest-displacement production motorcycle engine, to begin with. This is a monstrous 2,458 cc inline triple that generates nearly 180 horsepower and 166 pound-feet, and is tamed by a full electronics suite that includes a six-axis IMU. Also helping are massive Brembo sport bike brakes, fully adjustable Showa suspension, and even an optional quickshifter. The Rocket 3 Storm R offers a more aggressive riding position with mid-mounted footpegs and a handlebar that makes you lean further forward for better control. Not that you need to worry – this power cruiser feels strong, stable, and easy on long rides.
Ducati XDiavel V4
Price: $28,995
The XDiavel is the closest one will come to a sport bike in cruiser form. Looking at the specs in isolation only reinforces this: it has an aluminum monocoque frame, fully adjustable suspension, a single-sided swingarm, chain final drive, and a high-revving V4 engine with a counterrotating crankshaft! The Granturismo engine generates 168 horsepower and 93 pound-feet from 1,158 cc, and backs it up with a two-way quickshifter and six-axis IMU. The XDiavel proves that a cruiser doesn’t have to be slow at all – but Ducati ensured it looks like a work of art as well.
Arch KRGT-1
Price: ~$85,000
Speaking of works of art, Arch Motorcycles believes that they produce more than just motorcycles, but rolling sculptures. We are inclined to believe them. The KRGT-1 offers a curious mix of cruiser style mixed with sportbike attitude, with the help of a massive S&S Cycle 2,032 cc V-twin that generates 115 pound-feet at the rear wheel. Other stand-out features include the dry clutch, Öhlins suspension with remote tool-free rear preload adjustment, and ferocious ISR brakes – the front calipers are radial six-piston monobloc fixed ones! Arch Motorcycles offers infinite customization, so you can make it as sporty as you like.
Sources: Keeway, Suzuki, Indian, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Buell, Triumph, Ducati, and Arch
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