Harley-Davidson is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Even among those who do not ride motorcycles, the Harley-Davidson brand is by far the most well-known cruiser-type motorbike brand. This is especially true when it comes to the kind of motorcycle known as the “cruiser.”
Even though Harley-Davidson is the most well-known cruiser brand, many other cruiser-style motorcycle manufacturers are as worthy of consideration and experimentation as Harley Davidson is. When one hears the name Harley-Davidson, the very first thing that springs to mind is a large, loud, and expensive motorbike. This is especially true for Harley-Davidson models.
That’s even before the current owner makes any changes to it. But, you don’t necessarily need to purchase a Harley-Davidson just because you have your heart set on riding a cruiser-style motorbike.
There are many other bikes on the market that are comparable to the Harley Davidson. Continue reading for a list of 15 Cruiser Motorcycles that are great alternatives to a Harley-Davidson.
1. BMW R 18
BMW is at the top of the list of new rivals that are eager to get into the Harley-Davidson market and grab a piece of the pie for themselves. The $15,995 price tag of the 2022 BMW R 18 indicates that it is both stylish and powerful. To power BMW’s new cruiser, the company crammed a massive 1,802cc boxer engine into a double-cradle chassis.
Cycle World found that the motor produced 95 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm, with a peak of 103.1 pound-feet of torque at just 2,880 rpm. The BMW R 18 has the appearance of a Softail and a low stance, giving it the appearance of a classic cruiser. However, it provides the unique Bavarian boxer riding sensation.
2. Kawasaki 1700 Voyager
The Kawasaki Vulcan cruiser range of motorcycles is topped off with the 1700 Voyager as the flagship model in the lineup. On the road, the large behemoth of a bike weighs about 900 pounds and makes quite a statement.
ABS stands for “anti-lock braking system,” and this model comes standard with Kawasaki’s Advanced Cooperative Braking Technology (K-ACT II). The Voyager touring cruiser is a motorbike that’s designed to take its users on amazing motorcycle holidays while providing the highest levels of comfort and luxury possible.
3. Honda Fury ABS-equipped
The Honda Fury and the Honda Shadow Aero 750 will both make a comeback in 2022, which is the positive piece of news coming out of the Honda cruiser camp. The extended front end of the 2022 Honda Fury ABS (which costs $11,449) is balanced out by a rear that is 200mm wide.
The front hoop measures 21 inches in height and is booted out at 32 degrees of rake. Congratulations are in order for Honda since this model is the only one offered by the manufacturer that even remotely evokes the chopper aesthetic.
Since 1983, Honda has been producing the Shadow brand of motorcycles in one form or another. The 2022 Honda Shadow has spoked wheels, thick tires, and substantial fenders.
4. Indian Chief
The basic model of the 2022 Indian Chief costs $14,499, and it comes equipped with a stompin’ 1,811cc Thunder Stroke 111 engine, a new steel tube frame, and drag bars. Additionally, the base model has a new steel tube frame. This new approach results in a more streamlined and aggressive Indian Chief, making it one of the best alternatives to Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
You have the option of purchasing the 2022 Chief Dark Horse for an additional $2,500, which comes equipped with a higher-compression Thunder Stroke 116 and the blacked-out finish. 2022 also saw the release of an updated model of the Indian Scout on the market.
5. Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic
Even if the glory days of the displacement wars are a thing of the past and Kawasaki has discontinued its high-powered Kawasaki Mean Streak and Vulcan 2000 motorcycles, the company at least maintains its cruiser legacy with a handful of Vulcan 900s.
The 2022 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic, which costs $8,499, is a sophisticated cruiser that has spoked wheels, whitewall tires, floorboards, two-tone paint, and a tank-mounted console that keeps the handlebars clean and free of clutter. The 2022 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom which costs $8,999 is a more rugged version of the Classic.
This is achieved by the addition of drag bars, pipes with slash cuts, a higher and skinnier front tire, and a monochromatic paint scheme.
6. Suzuki Boulevard M109R
The Suzuki Boulevard series has been around for a very long time, much like its rivals in the metric cruiser category. The 2022 M109R B.O.S.S., priced at $15,299 and located at the pinnacle of the Boulevard range, is a motorcycle that resembles a muscle bike more than a conventional cruiser.
When you give the M109R‘s 1,783cc engine a good crack at the throttle, you should be prepared to hang on for dear life since it is a true stump puller.
The Suzuki M109R has a very unique appearance, which can be seen from its headlight nacelle down to its seat cowl. If your requirements are more moderate, the 2022 Suzuki Boulevard C50 ($8,609) provides a ride that is far more muted while maintaining the traditional aesthetic of a cruiser.
7. Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Another beginner-friendly cruiser, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 priced at $4,549, has just joined the market, following in the footsteps of the classic Honda Rebel. The 349cc engine in it delivers relatively little power, making it an excellent choice for novice riders who are still getting a feel for the intricacies of using a clutch and the throttle.
Because the teardrop tank can contain a hefty 4 gallons of gasoline, the Meteor 350 may function as a practical commuting vehicle.
Since establishing its North American headquarters in Milwaukee, the city that is home to Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield has been increasing market share thanks to the company’s sleek designs and traditional styling cues. The company’s decision to compete in professional flat-track racing is another factor that has contributed to its growing popularity in the United States.
8. Honda Rebel CMX500
The year 1985 saw the release of the Honda Rebel 250, which was designed specifically with younger riders in mind. It continued to see intermittent production up until 2016, when its replacements, the Rebel 300 and the Rebel 500, were made available.
The Rebel 500 is a bobber-style motorcycle that has a liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. It comes with blacked-out components, giving it the appearance of a lean and mean machine.
The relaxing riding posture and a low seat height of 27.2 inches enable the majority of riders to stop with their feet completely flat on the ground. In addition, there are whispers that Honda is working on a more powerful version of the Rebel with a larger cc.
9. Yamaha V-Star
The Yamaha XVS 400 DragStar was first introduced to the Japanese market in 1996, however, it is more often referred to as the Yamaha V-Star in the North American market. 1997 was the year when the 650 version was released to consumers in Europe, North America, and Canada. The 650 V-Star was a popular choice among riders of all skill levels because of its mid-size cruiser design.
The addition of the 1100 V-Star to the V-Star lineup in 1999 marked a continuation of the line’s expansion. Riders could select either the Custom or the Classic model depending on their preference. Even though it went out of production in 2008, the V-Star remains a favorite choice among riders looking to purchase a secondhand cruiser.
10. Gold Wing Honda
When Honda initially introduced the 1000GL Gold Wing in 1974, it had nothing resemblance to the Gold Wings that are produced today in any way, shape, or form. The first generation of Gold Wing cruisers were “naked” motorcycles, meaning they lacked saddlebags, a trunk, and fairings.
Since 1974, when manufacturing began, several adjustments and advancements have taken place. When 1100 was first released, many new features were included, including saddlebags, a trunk, and fairings. Because of this, the Gold Wing was transformed into the touring cruiser that so many riders are acquainted with and like.
11. Triumph Bonneville Bobber
When compared to the more conventional V-twin engine found in Harley motorcycles, the boxer engine found in the 2022 Triumph Bonneville Bobber offers a very unique riding experience. The parallel twin that powers the Bonneville Bobber delivers the same amount of horsepower and torque, making it a powerful and refined machine.
With the use of a floating seat, Triumph was able to do an excellent job of ensuring that the bobber’s rear end remained clean and uncluttered. The bobber profile may alternatively be represented by meaty pieces of black rubber mounted on 32-spoke wheels measuring 16 inches in diameter.
If you’re seeking a motorcycle that stands out from the crowd, the 2022 Harley-Davidson catalog won’t have anything comparable to Triumph’s Bonneville Bobber.
12. Yamaha Star Bolt
In 2014, Yamaha introduced the 942 cc Star Bolt, also known as the Bolt. Because of its low seat height, lightweight, and simplicity of handling, it is a favorite option among riders who are just starting.
When it arrives in dealerships, the Yamaha Bolt will feature very little chrome or extras due to the design choices made by Yamaha’s engineers. When the rider purchases their new ride, this will make it easier for them to customize and personalize their ride to their preferences.
In addition, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for a brand new unit is far less than $10,000, making this a very attractive offer.
13. Honda Shadow
Beginning in 1983, Honda’s range of cruiser motorcycles was known as the Shadow series. The engine displacement might be anything from 125 to 1100 cc in size. For the Shadow portfolio to remain competitive, several new models and modifications were introduced, while existing ones underwent significant upgrades.
The Honda Shadow Ace was perhaps the non-Harley Davidson motorcycle that most closely resembled a Harley-Davidson. Because of how similar they looked and sounded, Harley-Davidson even considered suing Honda over the matter. After a few years of fighting through the courts, Harley-Davidson eventually conceded defeat, and the Shadow was never heard from again.
14. Suzuki Boulevard C90T
1998 saw the release of Suzuki‘s first cruiser motorcycle, the VL 1500 Intruder LC. The letters VL stood for the vehicle’s V-twin engine and its lengthy frame. The Boulevard underwent a transition from a carburetor system to a fuel-injection system in addition to undergoing a rebranding and minor stylistic redesigns when it was introduced.
The Boulevard C90T is a touring variant that comes equipped with saddlebags and a windshield. It has a capacity of 1500 cc. The driver sits in the traditional foot-forward cruiser posture, making the ride pleasant for both the passenger and the driver.
15. Kawasaki 1700 Vaquero
One of the models that are offered in the 1700 cc Vulcan range of bikes that Kawasaki manufactures is called the 1700 Vaquero. The Vaquero is a bagger model that was introduced in 2011, and it is equipped to take on the wide road thanks to the frame-mounted fairing and saddlebags that come standard. And if you want to customize your Vaquero, you can choose from a large variety of accessories that come in a variety of colors and styles.
16. Honda CTX700
The Honda CTX700 provides cruiser-style touring that is accessible to riders of all skill levels. Its power is sufficient for experienced riders without being too much for those just starting their riding careers. The CTX700 is equipped with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, so if you are a rider who is sick of continually changing gears in a manual transmission, this bike is for you (DCT).
The CTX700N is the version of the bike that does not have a fairing, while the CTX700 is the version that comes standard with a fairing. Both of these styles are available for purchase. Both have seats arranged in a cruiser manner, with front footpegs.
17. Victory Octane
For the 2017 model year, production of the 1200 cc Victory Octane, which was built in the United States, began. As a result of the fact that only 4,000 Octanes were manufactured and the fact that Victory Motorcycles ceased operations in 2017, the Octane is rapidly becoming a very desirable collectible item.
It has been rumored that Octane components will only be available for purchase for ten years after manufacture has ended. The majority of riders don’t seem to be too bothered about this, as seen by the fact that they are stocking up on octane both for their collections and so they may continue to enjoy riding.
18. Ducati XDiavel
When one thinks of the motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, the first thing that often comes to mind is a powerful and speedy racing machine. With the cruiser-style, 1262 cc XDiavel, Ducati has unquestionably chosen to go in a new direction.
The XDiavel offers a one-of-a-kind customization option that can be tailored to the needs of almost any rider. There are seven different locations for the footpeg that may be chosen. In addition, there are seven seats and three handlebars from which to choose, allowing for an even greater degree of customization.
19. Yamaha Bolt R-Spec
In the not-too-distant past, Yamaha placed a great deal of importance on their cruiser business, and the company even went so far as to brand it independently under the name Star Motorcycles. Even though the company’s heyday as a manufacturer of cruiser bikes has passed, Yamaha will still produce two models of cruiser motorcycles in 2022: the V Star 250 and the Bolt R-Spec.
The 2022 Yamaha V Star 250 is a great, easy-to-handle entry-level cruiser motorbike. This is because of its modest curb weight (324 pounds) and low seat height (27 inches). There is also the larger and more advanced Star Bolt available for more experienced riders. Judging by its look, it seems like Yamaha had the old Harley Sportster squarely in its sights.
20. Ducati Diavel 1260
Then there’s always a motorbike that muddies the waters and makes things more complicated. When it was first released, Ducati marketed the Diavel as a cruiser, yet the only aspect of the bike that even remotely resembles a cruiser is its 240mm seat height.
The Ducati Diavel 1260, which costs $21,195, is equipped with a powerful 1,262cc Testastretta DVT engine, Ducati Wheelie Control, as well as cornering ABS, and it has a single-sided swingarm. Other features include Ducati Wheelie Control. The Ducati Diavel 1260 is for you if the notion of cruising is getting up to 90 miles per hour while only using the second gear.
