As it stands, the motorcycle market has become more diverse than ever before. We have a huge selection of motorcycles at our disposal. Motorcycle sales all over the world are in decline, but the one aspect of motorcycling that continues to capture the imagination of many is the idea of traveling on a motorcycle.
While there is a wide selection of great touring and adventure motorcycles better suited to travel, there are certainly those who simply prefer riding cruisers. Naturally, with a market that seems to be determined to cater to almost every kind of rider, there are some great power cruisers that are well-suited to long-distance travel. All are able to offer their own unique blend of comfort and muscle.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Kawasaki USA, Harley-Davidson, and Ducati. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.
10 Cruisers That Nail The Sweet Spot Between Comfort And Performance On Long Rides
From iconic Harley-Davidsons to sporty Ducatis, these cruisers prove you can have both comfort and excitement on long rides.
Suzuki Boulevard M109R
MSRP: $15,799
Out of all the Japanese power cruisers that hit the market throughout the 00s, the M109R is effectively the last man standing. Suzuki can never be accused of letting good tooling go to waste, rarely guilty of letting a bike get discontinued without at least two decades of service under its belt. In the case of the immensely powerful M109R, this blatant lack of R&D investment translates to more torque per dollar than any bike on this list.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1783cc |
|
Max Torque |
118 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
5-speed |
|
Weight |
764 lbs |
Harley-Davidson Sportster S
MSRP: $15,999
Considering the lukewarm response to Indian’s fantastic FTR1200, not building the Bronx might have actually been the safe option after all. In its place, we got the Sportster S, which isn’t really a traditional Sportster by any measure, nor a naked bike, but is nonetheless a fantastic bruiser of a motorcycle. To go along with its unique design is a host of great features, and more power than you will ever need in the real world.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1250cc |
|
Max Torque |
93 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
502 lbs |
Indian 101 Scout
MSRP: $16,999
This presents itself as the best all-American alternative to the Sportster S if you are after a cruiser that offers decent handling to go along with comfort and power. It offers an adjustable suspension and high-performance Brembo brakes, and has to be one of the best-looking cruisers on the market, too. If you are willing to forgo the extra features and power, the more affordable Sport Scout is also well worth a look.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1250cc |
|
Max Torque |
82 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
549 lbs |
How This Indian Scout Quietly Beats Harley At Its Own Game
This is the American V-twin that outdoes Harley products handily
Indian Sport Chief
MSRP: $19,999
The Sport Chief hits all the right notes in terms of design and presents itself as a great alternative to the popular Low Rider S. Even though it is slightly down on power and torque compared to the Harley, it offers a long list of performance and comfort features that keep it in the conversation, including high-end Fox rear suspension and Brembo brakes up front.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1890cc |
|
Max Torque |
120 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
685 lbs |
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
MSRP: $19,999
Out of all the powerful cruisers currently on the market, the Low Rider S and ST offer what has to be the best balance between comfort and muscle. While the ST version comes with a few nice-to-have features – including hard cases – we feel that the S offers more than enough comfort for most cruiser buyers. There is also a big aftermarket for these bikes, and unless you are sold on the seamless design of the ST, the extra money can be spent on other mods you really want.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1917cc |
|
Max Torque |
128 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
679 lbs |
Harley-Davidson Breakout
MSRP: $22,999
Comfort is a relative term here. For most riders, the more neutral mid-control setup will always be more comfortable, but for those who have only ever owned cruisers with a feet-forward setup, the Breakout might feel more “normal.” What won’t feel “normal” is the 126 pound-feet of torque. This is no longer a show pony. The 117 engine has given this platform the performance to back up its custom design.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1917cc |
|
Max Torque |
126 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
681 lbs |
Buell Super Cruiser
MSRP: $25,900
When the Super Cruiser was first teased a couple of years ago, it certainly caused a buzz. It has changed a fair bit since then and does look a little different, but that was always going to be the case. The good news is that it has made it into full production, which was never a guarantee. It will still have the ultra-sporty Buell V-twin making 175 horsepower.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1190cc |
|
Max Torque |
94 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
485 lbs (no fuel) |
Check Out The 175-HP Buell Super Cruiser’s Lip-Smacking Price
It’s not easy on the pocket, but the money seems justified for what you get
Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT
MSRP: $27,145
If you want the largest displacement production motorcycle on the market, and simply won’t settle for less, this is it. Its massive triple isn’t just there for show, either. With 166 pound-feet of torque, it has by some margin the most torque. The GT version also offers a little more touring comfort than the conventional cruiser, and it is only a little more expensive.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
Inline-three, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
2458cc |
|
Max Torque |
166 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
705 lbs |
Ducati XDiavel
MSRP: $28,995
The Granturismo V4 has finally made it into the XDiavel. While some enthusiasts think the regular Diavel is a little too sporty, the XDiavel shuts that down completely with its feet-forward ergos. It is not quite as aggressive as other cruisers, and will remain pretty comfortable even for those not familiar with this kind of riding position.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V4, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1158cc |
|
Max Torque |
93 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
505 lbs (no fuel) |
Bonus: Arch 1S
MSRP: $128,000 (and up)
This is included as a bonus because it isn’t exactly a production model like the rest of the bikes on this list, and it costs a small fortune. This is an all-American offering, with a positively massive S&S engine and a laundry list of special features that make this bike completely unique.
You also reserve the right to make whatever changes you want to the bike, as long as you are willing to pay for them. The torque figure of 115 pound-feet is at the wheel, which means this power cruiser has more torque than any of its American rivals. Only the Rocket 3 has its number in this regard.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
2032cc |
|
Max Torque |
115 LB-FT (at the wheel) |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
563 lbs (dry) |
