10 Non-Harley Motorcycles That Deliver Pure American Muscle Energy

When most riders think “American muscle,” Harley-Davidson naturally springs to mind, but it’s far from the only brand capable of delivering that raw, chest-thumping power, and street-dominating presence. Across the U.S., Europe, and even Japan, manufacturers have been quietly (and not so quietly) building heavyweight cruisers, power-cruisers, and naked bruisers that channel the same attitude: big torque, big engines, and bold styling. These machines don’t just mimic the American muscle ethos; they reinterpret it, amplify it, and, in some cases, surpass it.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from each model’s manufacturer’s website. The list is in no particular order of importance or significance. The information provided is current as of the time of this writing.

Ducati Diavel V4 RS

Ducati’s Diavel family has long been recognized as a heavy hitter in the pure muscle category, and this new, MY26 V4-powered Devil really takes things to the next level. No longer content with an L-Twin lump, the factory shoehorned in a transverse-mount, V4, Desmosedici Stradale engine that delivers over 180 ponies for some real muscle-bike performance. It comes laid out as a superbike with an understated engine/ radiator cowling, a jockey-like pilot’s position, and a bobbed rear subframe structure.

Ducati’s magic sauce is the Desmodromic valvetrain that uses a pull-closed cam on the valves instead of a spring setup to eliminate valve float at high RPM. As for its muscle energy, it goes from 0-to-60 in just 2.43 seconds, making it a threat down at your local drag strip. A full electronic ride-control package comes stock, and it rocks a number of carbon-fiber components to keep weight down to a minimum.

Ducati XDiavel V4

Ducati gave the V4 treatment to its XDiavel platform with the new XDiavel V4 model. The overall look of this bike is similar to its non-X Diavel cousins, but with one significant distinction: it’s laid out as a power cruiser with forward foot controls that put the pilot in the windsock position. You might be surprised how a small change in position can cause a major change in attitude, but the XDiavel pulls it off with aplomb.

This is a bike for riders who prefer a more upright rider’s triangle and a relaxed stance, rather than the sportier jockey setup on the regular Diavel models. Performance is a tad lower than the Diavel RS, but it’s still a power cruiser through and through. It also rolls with a stock pillion pad, complete with folding footpegs, so you can share the fun with a friend right off the showroom floor. Electronics are also top-notch, just like its sportier sibling.

Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT

British-born Triumph Motorcycles has long been in the game and has its own ideas about how to build a proper power cruiser, as evidenced by the Rocket 3 Storm GT from its current lineup. Not their first foray into this genre, Triumph’s fit and finish are top-notch, right along with its engineering. The engine is mounted longitudinally, and while it’s narrower than a transverse-mount engine, there’s still plenty of mass and visual weight down low.

Suspension goodies fore and aft give plenty of adjustability while cornering ABS comes stock, but it’s the performance that really seals the deal. At 7,000 RPM, you get 180 ponies ready to go, while the 166 pound-feet of torque comes on at 4,000 RPM, giving the Rocket 3 Storm GT a solid roll-on nearly anywhere in the range.

Indian Challenger Elite

Indian Motorcycle is America’s oldest marque, and is once again a contender for the American-made slice of the market. The factory amped up its Challenger Dark Horse with a premium finish all its own to make the Elite, which sets it well apart from the pack in an interesting combination of White Crystal, Black Candy, Red Candy, and Gloss Black.

High-performance baggers are all the rage right now, and Indian looks to take that to the bank with its PowerPlus 112 engine. This gives you passing power like few other things you’re likely to meet on the streets, highways, and interstates. Full infotainment features and a robust ride-control electronics suite finish the package with all the best Indian has to offer.

Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse

Indian scores again with its Chief Bobber Dark Horse, a bona fide showroom-custom cruiser. This bike has more of an old-school mien, with its faux flathead engine, laced wheels, mini-apes, and, of course, heavily bobbed fenders cut down to the bareminimum of functionality.

Frame geometry mimics that of old hardtails, with a strong drop in the backbone angle with rear shocks, for a sort of Softail look. This gives it a dead-low seat height of only 26 inches off the deck. The factory also managed to shoehorn its RIDE COMMAND infotainment system into the single round gauge in the cockpit, along with the Ride Modes and Rear-Cylinder Deactivation features.

Indian Chieftain PowerPlus

The Chieftain PowerPlus is another performance bagger from Indian. A fork-mounted, batwing-esque fairing rides over the war bonnet fender ornament that leads the way in much the same manner that it has for decades by this point. Liquid-cooling removes waste heat from the system and helps attenuate mechanical noise from inside the engine.

Chiefta

With 126 horses and 133 pounds o’ grunt, it has plenty of power at nearly all points of the rev range, coupled with the stability of the heavy build. Full RIDE COMMAND functionality comes stock, as does a robust electronics suite that’s informed by the six-axis Bosch inertial measurement unit for top-shelf rider protection. A blacked-out finish rides below a set of four colorways.

BMW R 18

BMW’s R 18 has long been a statement of cruiser muscle, and the 2025 model keeps that tradition alive with even more presence and refinement. At its heart is the massive 1,802 cc Big Boxer twin, delivering 91 horsepower and 120 pounds of torque low in the rev range, giving riders effortless roll-on power and a commanding feel on the road. The bike’s long, low stance, shaft drive, and classic cruiser ergonomics combine to create a look that radiates authority.

Meanwhile, the updated suspension and braking components keep it nimble for its size. Modern electronics, including selectable ride modes, ABS, and traction control, ensure the power is always manageable. The R 18 is pure muscle energy in a cruiser package, ready to dominate highways with style and torque.

Ducati Monster+

Ducati dips into the sportier side of the rider base with its Monster+ from the current lineup. Muscular and chunky with an all-up-front visual weight, the Monster+ is for serious riders only, and is most decidedly not appropriate for newer riders. The 90-degree V-twin, or L-twin if you prefer, rocks variable intake-valve timing to deepen torque without sacrificing top-end performance.

It comes stock with Ducati’s own Quick Shift feature for assisted shifting both up and down the range, plus a slipper clutch for even finer control and a light clutch lever pull weight. A full-range electronics package gives you all the tools you need to manage this Monster from Italy.

KTM 1390 Super Duke R EVO

Ducati might make monsters, but the Austrian marque KTM makes beasts; namely, the new 1390 Super Duke R EVO model that further blurs the lines between street and track. Another all-up-front bike, it has a barely-there tail that leaves it looking front-heavy, like a sprinter crouched on the blocks. Light, sweeping bodywork improves airflow around critical areas; it isn’t there to make the bike look like something from an anime or anything like that.

The beating heart of the beast beats to the tune of an LC8 V-twin engine that drives it with 187.4 ponies, backed up by 106.9 pounds o’ grunt. That’s on a bike that weighs in at 467 pounds soaking wet, so you’d better be hanging on when you decide to cut loose. All pedals and levers are adjustable, so you can dial them in for comfort, while the robust electronics suite lends full support on both track and tarmac.

Suzuki Boulevard M109R

One of the more interesting members of this group is the Boulevard M109R from Suzuki. This boulevard bruiser has a decidedly American cruiser design, with a heavy bone structure, a large engine, and sweeping sheetmetal parts for an Arlen Ness vibe. Power comes from a 54-degree V-twin engine with 127 horsepower and 118 pounds of torque, and a massive, 240 mm-wide rear hoop that really puts the power to the pavement.

Forward foot controls and a laid-back cockpit put the pilot in the windsock position, but shorter riders may feel less than confident reaching the foot controls. This machine comes with a dearth of electronics; ABS didn’t even survive the cut, so it’s a full-raw machine that will demand a classic biker’s skillset.