Cruiser motorcycles are ideal for both urban travelling and letting loose on the highway. The culture has expanded since it was first introduced in the 1930s, attracting its own distinct fandom with many admirers hopping onto the leather seats to express their individuality. Cruiser motorcycles thrived on the roads as well as in fashion where many preferred adorning leather jackets when riding the beastly vehicles.
From pop culture to bike rallies, cruiser bikes are a historic emblem but one that is sure to continue forwards. One of the biggest manufacturers of bikes Harley-Davidson, has instilled menacing powers into their cruisers with speeds that anyone would love to take a chance on. However, cruiser bikes are heavier than sports bikes and hence their handling and control is complex. What many people neglect is that they are alarmingly dangerous for non-skilled riders. Here are some mean looking ones that one shouldn’t mess with.
15 H-D Sportster 48
Harley-Davidson, the legendary motorcycle manufacturer brings the Sportster 48 wearing thick black, split 9-spoke cast aluminum wheels in the front and rear. The two-wheeler uses a 73.4 cubic inches V Twin engine mated to a 5-speed transmission and makes 73 lb.ft of torque. It weighs 556 pounds and offers a $795 optional ABS.
14 Suzuki Boulevard 109 BOSS
Suzuki’s Boulevard BOSS stores muscle power in a robust body that gives heavy-duty performance. It uses a 54-degree V-twin liquid-cooled engine with its displacement measuring 1,783cc and makes 105-horsepower and 97 lb-ft of torque. The bike weighs 776 pounds and marches from 0 to 60 in a short 3.35 seconds.
13 Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
Although, the Kawasaki Vulcan S wears a small engine of 649cc displacement, it is incredibly fast which makes it a dangerous ride for anyone. Compared to Harley-Davidson, it makes only 46.3 lb-ft of torque which is significantly less yet, the bike can whip from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.
12 Yamaha Star Roadliner S
This chrome clad body does not bode well to early riders with its threatening power and wild speed. It looks heavy from a single glance and keeps a large 1854cc air cooled V-twin engine making 81-horsepower. The 725 pounds weighing cruiser has a top speed of 125mph and goes from 0 to 60mph in 4 seconds.
11 Indian Scout
The Indian Scout is a retro-styled cruiser that takes inspiration from the 1920 Scout. It wears a leather seat that’s lowered, fleet sided fender while the chassis of the body is polished in premium chrome. Indian’s Scout uses a 1130cc V-twin engine that makes 100-horsepower and 72 lb. ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60mph in 3.81 seconds.
10 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide
Harley-Davidson’s CVO Road Glide looks more like a road killer than a light cruiser with it unique Fang spoiler, shark nose fairing and LED taillight. It weighs 870 lbs and uses special Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine that makes 91-horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque. It speeds from 0 to 60mph in about 3 seconds.
9 Honda Gold Wing Valkyrie
Draped in metallic colors, Honda’s Gold Wing Valkyrie weighs 750 pounds (wet) and 754 pounds when ABS is added to the cruiser. Valkyrie without compromise, uses it predecessor Gold Wing’s aluminum frame and 1,832 cc flat-six engine paired to 5 speed transmission that produces 104-horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque.
8 Triumph Rocket III Roadster
With two round headlights and a bulky frame, the Triumph Rocket III Roadster weighs a heavy 809 pounds under which lies a three-cylinder DOHC engine with displacement of 2249cc. The cruiser develops 146-horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. Despite its heavy weight, Rocket III manages to sprint from 0 to 60mph in under 4 seconds.
7 Ducati XDiavel 1262
The 2016 XDiavel 1262 jacks up more muscle and leans into more power with its 1262cc V twin engine that is an upgrade from the previous 1198cc displacement. The cruiser delivers 156-horsepower at 9,500 rpm, but the torque measures a small amount of 95 lb.-ft. The front end is extended forward by 30 degrees.
6 Harley-Davidson Street Rod 750
Harley-Davidson takes the cruiser standard and turns it into an athletic sporty frame. The rake lunges forward to 27 degrees that raises the height of the cruiser for ground clearance. 17-inch cast aluminum wheels are fitted in the front and rear. The bike delivers 68.4-horsepower and 47.2 lb. ft of torque.
5 Moto Guzzi Audace
Although, the 2016 Moto Guzzi chooses a more lightweight tech instrument i.e. carbon fiber, it is still a daring ride and relatively heavier compared to sports bikes. With all its classic gothic style, the Moto Guzzi Audace uses a 1.4-liter 90° transverse V-Twin that produces 96-horsepower and 89.2 lb. ft of torque.
4 Yamaha VMAX
The Yamaha VMAX is undoubtedly the most powerful and the fiercest cruiser among cruiser bikes. Wrapped in a dark Matte Raven Black color, the cruiser wears 120/70R18 tires in the front and 200/50R18 in the rear. It uses a heavy 1679cc V4 engine that makes 179-horsepower and 114 lbs ft of torque.
3 Honda F6B
Honda’s F6B is sculpted from the Gold Wing but appears worlds apart from the touring motorcycle. The body and engine remain the same as its parent Gold Wing but a few tweaks around the body like shortening the windscreen and a lowered cowl makes it a wicked cruiser. It uses a large 1832 cc engine making 118-horsepower.
2 Moto Guzzi MGX-21
Moto Guzzi’s MCx-21 is based on California 1400 and weighs 751 pounds wet. It bears a large frame fitted with 3.5” x 21” front and 5.5” x 16” and measures 100.8 inches long. With a 90-degree transverse V-Twin engine of 1,380 cc displacement, Moto Guzzi delivers 95-horsepower and 89 lb. ft of torque.
1 Ducati Diavel Titanium
Ducati’s Diavel Titanium is a limited-edition cruiser with only 500 units manufactured. The body frame along with tank and seat covers are built from titanium sheets while carbon fiber is used to elevate the aerodynamic power. A standard 1198 Testastretta engine pounds 162-horsepower while torque remains small measuring 96.3 lb. ft.