10 Vintage Cruisers That Turn Heads Like Supermodels 

While cruisers are mostly about comfort and low-end torque, they’re equally known for their style and road presence. It’s no surprise that some of the most beautiful motorcycles sold today are cruisers, like the Ducati XDiavel V4, Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost, and BMW R 18 Classic. But as much as these modern beauties turn heads at stoplights, history has served up an even more decadent platter of iconic vintage cruisers with the power to stop motorcyclists in their tracks.

These cruisers demand attention wherever they are, sometimes even from people who aren’t part of the motorcycling circle. Some do it with their sheer road presence, while others do it with the history they carry. These cruisers have set speed records, influenced design for decades, and even saved brands from going under. Here are ten gorgeous vintage cruisers that still turn heads like supermodels, only this time, with a piece of history, not fashion.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from the manufacturers, and other authoritative sources, including Mecum Auctions, Bring A Trailer, the National Motorcycle Museum, etc.

1983 Honda V65 Magna

Typical Listing Price: $3,000 to $6,000

The Honda V65 Magna was the world’s first power cruiser, powered by a monstrous V4 engine that pumped out over 100 horses and could hit a top speed of 140 MPH in fifth gear. For the first time in the superbike era, a laid-back cruiser with a raked-out front end was one of the most powerful bikes in the world. And its design matched the attitude, with a large engine block and a muscular stance. Its loud presence and performance still grab attention today.

Performance Specs

Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator

Typical Listing Price: $3,000 to $6,000

The Magna was followed by a slew of powerful Japanese cruisers, one of which was the ZL900 Eliminator. It was released two years after the Kawasaki GPZ900R, featuring a slightly retuned ZX900 inline-four engine, and it was fast for its time. Unfortunately, not many cruiser fans even know about this underrated cruiser from the ’80s, which is why whenever it shows up on the road, it turns more heads than a current-gen power cruiser. Another benefit of its obscurity is its affordable pricing in the used market.

Performance Specs

1990 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

Typical Listing Price: $5,000 to $10,000

In 1991, Arnold Schwarzenegger rode the original Fat Boy out of the motorcycling world and into pop culture. Since then, the first generation of this cruiser has consistently demanded a second take every time it hits the road. Designed by Willie G. Davidson and Louie Netz, the Fat Boy has an unmistakable road presence, thanks to its beefy front end, thick rubber, and iconic solid cast wheels. In its Grey Ghost avatar, flush in silver color, it only looks better. While it may not be as desirable as some other vintage Harleys, it has, in fact, aged like fine wine.

Performance Specs

1985 Yamaha V-Max

Typical Listing Price: $5,000 to $11,000

The V65 Magna may have set the stage for power cruisers, but it was the V-Max that perfected the formula in the 80s. It was power-packed, with a furious power delivery to scare even experienced riders back in the day, especially when you consider its crap handling characteristics and weak brakes. With its sharp styling, massive air intakes, and loud presence, the V-Max is met with respect on the road for being one of the most brutal power cruisers ever made.

Performance Specs

1971 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide

Typical Listing Price: $10,000 to $20,000

In the early ‘70s, Harley-Davidson was on a collision course under AMF ownership; build quality had taken a nosedive, and none of the motorcycles were expected to achieve cult status. Especially the FX Super Glide, the motor company’s first Factory Custom bike, complete with hot rod styling, a unique boat tail, and flashy white/red paint scheme. However, the bike’s unique design has been turning heads since the ‘70s, to the extent that it would eventually evolve into the stylish Low Rider we love today, while influencing a number of other factory custom cruisers that followed.

Performance Specs

1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL Ironhead

Typical Auction Price: $13,000 to $20,000

The XL Ironhead was the first true Sportster, powered by the Ironhead engine that propelled Sportsters for nearly three decades. The lively V-twin engine was complemented by a lightweight chassis, making for an agile cruiser that competed with smaller, sportier British imports. The XL Ironhead marked the beginning of a new era in motorcycling, setting a Sportster template that remained in place until the 1990s. It’s an unmistakable Sportster that is appreciated by even those who don’t take modern Sportsters seriously.

Performance Specs

1951 Rikuo RQ Model 45

Expected Auction Price: $35,000 to $45,000

One look at the RQ Model 45, and you’d think it was an old Harley Springer, and you wouldn’t be wrong. It was essentially a ‘30s H-D 45 CI RL that Rikuo produced using Harley’s tooling acquired during the Great Depression. Essentially, this ultra-rare Japanese cruiser bridged American tech with Japanese production in a post-war era.

Today, it turns heads for two reasons. It’s a 1950s Japanese V-twin that resembles a 1930s Springer, which is stunning in its own right. Second, it’s a piece of motorcycling history that’s so rare, no one knows what it is actually worth. Sure, they won’t demand a million dollars at an auction, but Mecum expects over $35,000 for the only Rikuo RQ Model 45 that’s gone on auction in recent years.

Performance Specs

1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead

Typical Auction Price: $25,000 to over $100,000

The El Knucklehead is one of Harley-Davidson’s most iconic motorcycles in its 120+ year history. It was the last motorcycle designed by Davidson Brothers and William S. Henry that helped bring Indian Motorcycles to its knees after a long battle for dominance. It was also the first Harley to feature overhead valves instead of side valves, and the first bike named after the engine’s valve cover design. It even laid the foundation for all future big twin engines, including the modern Milwaukee-Eight and Revolution V-twins.

For a Harley-Davidson (or even a cruiser) enthusiast, the Knucklehead is the ultimate old-school Harley cruiser ever. So any time one shows up at an auction, it’s impossible to ignore, despite the high premium they demand today. Passing one up, if you have the money for it, would be foolish because they are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and only going up in value.

Performance Specs

1923 BMW R32

Typical Auction Price: $30,000 to over $100,000

Post-WW1, Germany no longer required aircraft, and BMW was almost out of business. In an effort to stay afloat, it began working on motorcycles, and in 1923, Max Friz laid the stencil for the BMW R32. This cruiser would go on to epitomize Bayerische Motoren Werke and their cruiser philosophy.

Like modern-day BMW cruisers, like the R 18, the R 32 was powered by a boxer-twin engine mated to a drive shaft. And the design was mesmerizing. It looked unlike any other cruiser, and, even today, the R32 steals glances from every passerby, whether it’s parked at an auction lot or in a museum. It’s strange to think that we might not have such iconic BMW motorcycles if Germany had negotiated a treaty to end the war.

Performance Specs

Crocker V-Twin

Typical Auction Price: ~$1 Million

Aptly named the V-twin, the Crocker cruiser is the most collectible, desirable cruiser in the world today, and for good reason. It was the fastest motorcycle for 12 years before the venerable Vincent Black Shadow overshadowed it. Each Crocker was designed around the owner, and you had the option to choose from a range of engine capacities. Al Crocker was so confident in the bike that he promised a full refund to any owner who lost to a Harley or an Indian in a race. No one ever came for a refund.

Estimates suggest that over 200 of these were made in small tank or big tank varieties, but since Al Crocker wasn’t known for having an organized filing system, no one knows for sure. Today, only 68 of these survive, and each one gets auctioned off for stratospheric prices. It’s no wonder that simply spotting one may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something that those in the know would never want to miss. The Crocker V-Twin, in many ways, sits at the same pedestal as the Brough Superior SS100 and the Vincent Black Shadow.

Performance Specs