The open road, the possibility of endless opportunities, you, and your trusted steed is what the cruiser lifestyle is all about. The cruiser movement started as early as the 1930s when young men and women across America took to the open road to explore this great nation. It can be argued that the cruiser motorcycle experience is essentially American however its appeal has transcended international borders.
Manufacturers from across the world have their versions of sport cruisers because every country around the world has fallen in love with the communal aspect that this brotherhood has to offer. Over the better part of the last century cruiser motorcycles have seen different iterations.
Some have been designed for showboating and posing around the city square, and then we have the performance cruisers which not only help you savor the ride but also sensationalize your journey. So we have compiled our top 15 picks of the best cruiser motorcycles money can buy in 2020.
15 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster
The modern classic bike is based on the much-appreciated bobber that the British motorcycle manufacturer brought to us a few years ago. At its heart is a liquid-cooled all-new 1197 cc engine which produces 76 BHP at the 6100 RPM range but what it lacks in power the bike makes up for in torque.
14 Indian Scout
As far as the cruiser segment is concerned there is very little fault one can point out in the Indian scout. This midsize cruiser gets 1200 CC V-twin engine and one of the most attractive designs to ever grace the segment. With almost 100 BHP at the throttle, this offering outshines rivals by a wide margin.
13 Yamaha XVS950
In true Japanese fashion, this Yamaha cruiser feels reliable and manages to go toe to toe with its much bigger rivals at a fraction of the cost. The engine is very well built and the overall setup of the bike feels very comfortable. The 90-degree V-Twin unit is an entirely new outfit and not update on the predecessor.
12 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
This 1700 cc super cruiser from the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki offers a wide range of modern tech including an LCD interface with iPod compatibility. The engine feels very smooth for cruising down the highway or even a quick run into town. Thanks to a 6-speed gearbox and a 149 mph estimated top speed, this motorcycle's also quick on its feet.
11 BMW Nmoto Inc. Nostalgia
Some cruisers are designed to obliterate thousands of miles while others are designed to stop the traffic in its way and shower you with stares of appreciation and/or envy. This entry is one of the latter.
The all-new Nmoto nostalgia draws inspiration from the original BMW R7 which has a rich history of its own. Underneath its beautiful retro design, the motorcycle is completely brand-new and shares its underpinnings with BMW R NineT.
10 Ducati Diavel 1260S
This Italian sports cruiser has made it on our list for not just being one of the most powerful offerings in the segment but also because of its agile handling characteristics around the bends which makes cruising down winding roads a lot of fun. The 157 BHP, 95 lb-ft engine also manages to deliver 43.5 mpg in combined fuel economy.
9 Yamaha V-Max
This motorcycle probably has one of the most recognizable designs in the segment and also starred alongside Nicolas Cage in the second installment of the Ghost Rider. Yamaha V-MAX is power by a 145 BHP engine and this cruiser boast of a 150 mph top speed. Riding this bike is pure joy and owning it is a matter of pride if only for its 70-degree V4 engine.
8 Triumph Rocket 3 GT
The Triumph Rocket 3 GT is the only offering on our compilation to have a DOHC inline 3 cylinder 2458 cc engine and the powerplant is nothing less of a masterpiece. The attention to detail offered on the bike is impressive and with 165 BHP at its disposal, this motorcycle offers performance that lives up to its intimidating aesthetics.
7 Arch Motorcycle KRGT-1
Keanu Reeves is probably one of the most beloved actors in the world and if he gives his badge of approval to a performance cruiser we recommend you take it as gospel. The 2020 model year of KRGT-1 comes with a wide range of improvements. The subframe and swingarm are made out of aluminum and the wheels are carbon fiber. Arch Motorcycles also offers its proprietary downdraft induction system with the 121 BHP V-Twin motor.
6 Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S.
Suzuki's flagship cruiser motorcycle was introduced back in 2006 and this 1783 cc 54 degree V-Twin offering intruded its way into the segment and managed to develop a dedicated fan following. Suzuki Boulevard is an intermediating ride and this motorcycle has one of the largest displacement engines in the segment which produces 128 BHP of peak power output and 180 lb-ft of torque.
5 Indian Roadmaster
Stepping into the big boy league, we have the 2020 Indian Roadmaster. This motorcycle comes packed to the brim with creature comforts and modern features like heated rider and pillion seats and a 200-watt audio system with Bluetooth connectivity. The 1811 cc engine produces 100 BHP at 3000 RPM and the motor comes mated to a 6-speed transmission.
4 Harley-Davidson Road King
One of the most popular Harley-Davidson nameplates of all time, the 2020 model year Road King remains largely unchanged as compared to its predecessor. This motorcycle comes equipped with ABS as standard and the company has graced the model with a Milwaukee 114 motor which makes it a great buy. Maneuvering the bike is also quite easy thanks to the fat front frock suspension.
3 Indian Chieftain
The American motorcycle manufacturer now offers an updated color scheme and additional chrome treatment that distinctly screams Indian Chieftain's 2020 model year. The updates are not just skin deep as the cruiser motorcycle also gets the company’s brand new thunderstruck 116 engine which produces over 120 lb-ft of peak torque.
2 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special
The Harley Davidson Road Glide Special has a dedicated celebrity clientele that includes The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan and is sure to turn you into true motorcycle club material. Powering this beast is Harley-Davidson’s 9th-generation Milwaukee Eight 1745cc V-Twin motor and the design has been updated to include the “Shark Nose” fairing and LED headlamps.
1 Moto Guzzi California Touring
2020 Moto Guzzi California Touring is one of the most beautiful looking cruisers of the modern era. The design of this touring cruiser is not understated but manages to stay elegant. Powering this motorcycle is the equally beautiful 90-degree V-Twin engine which produces 96 bhp of power and 89 lb-ft of torque. The 1380 cc engine comes mated to a shaft drive 6-speed transmission.