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25 Fastest Cruiser Motorcycles Your Money Can Buy

Vukasin Herbez September 21, 2017

The colorful world of motorcycles is always an interesting topic, especially cruiser bikes. In case you don’t know, cruiser motorcycles are a class of bikes characterized by their designs and bigger dimensions, as well as the fact they often come with V Twin engines. The design of cruiser bikes is like those classic American bikes from the 1950’s and 1960’s, although modern machines have an upgraded look with modern details and shapes.

The first characteristic and main advantage of cruiser bikes is the seating position, which is neutral and in combination with a softer suspension. This layout allows riding for longer periods of time without any problems. For this reason, cruiser motorcycles are a favorite with long-distance riders.

The second characteristic feature of cruisers are large engines with big displacement and lots of power. However, since these bikes are heavy and made for effortless cruising on the highways, most people don’t consider this type of bike a performance machine. But, in recent years, more and more manufacturers present fast cruiser motorcycles that can accelerate quickly and cruise at high speeds. This means that after all these years, motorcycle fans can finally enjoy the comfort, looks and feel of a cruiser, while having the power they deserve.

If you are looking for speed, here are the 25 fastest cruiser motorcycles you can buy. Most of the models are new vehicles; however, some bikes are older models, but you can find them with low miles on the clock and in perfect condition. So, put on your riding boots and helmet and enjoy the ride.

1. Harley Davidson Sportster 48

A classic amongst the cruiser motorcycles is, of course, the Harley Davidson. The Sportster model is somewhat lighter and nimbler than mainstream Harleys. The V Twin engine delivers just 60 HP, which is less than some competitors, but the Sportster 48 still manages to achieve decent performance numbers. The 0 to 60 sprint takes 5.1 seconds. It may be the slowest time on this list, but it is still quite fast in real life. And as any Harley Davidson, the Sportster looks incredible.

2. Yamaha Star Bolt R Spec

A sleek cruiser with interesting details comes from Yamaha in form of the Star Bolt R Spec. From 1994 to 2016, Yamaha presented the Star Cruiser lineup like a separate brand emphasizing their differences in style and technology from the rest of the bikes. However, today Star Cruisers are back under Yamaha’s brand. The Bolt Spec R has a V Twin engine and 47 HP. It may not sound like much, but it is enough to propel this motorcycle from 0 to 60 mph in just five seconds, which is a great acceleration time.

3. Harley Davidson FXST Softail

The FXST Softail is a true classic. It has been around for decades in a relatively unchanged form. It was always a decent bike with impressive performance and style. However, in its latest incarnation, the Softail comes in several forms and designs. But the heart of this cruiser bike is the V twin engine with 75 HP and the classic Harley rumble sound. This engine is capable to launch the Softail from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The latest versions of this bike have even more torque, so you can expect even better performance.

4. Victory Cross Country

Victory bikes are interesting motorcycles in the cruiser category. The Cross Country is big and heavy at almost 800 pounds. The heart of this bike is a 1.7-liter V Twin engine with 92 HP and 109 lb-ft of torque. That kind of power is necessary to carry that weight and still deliver satisfying performance. Going from 0 to 60 mph takes just 4.79 seconds, which is quite an achievement since this bike is close to weighing 1,000 pounds with a rider sitting on it.

5. ATK GV650

This Utah-based manufacturer is one of the less-known names in the bike industry, but it is quite familiar to the fans of cruiser bike scene. The GV650 is a modern-looking motorcycle with a low seating position, V Twin engine and 80 HP power output. The main advantage is a relatively small weight of 480 pounds, which helps the V Twin launch the GV650 to respectable 0 to 60 mph time of 4.72 seconds. Since the ATK introduces improved versions all the time, you can expect their next model will be even faster and more aggressive.

6. Victory Kingpin

Sadly, they plan to discontinue the Victory motorcycle brand by the end of 2017. This means the bike world will lose a series of cool-looking and well-performing bikes with a signature style. The Kingpin is one of the last models and a great cruiser despite its big weight. The V Twin engine delivers 76 HP, which is enough to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Although it is not brutally fast, it is a decent ride, especially since the Kingpin weighs 767 pounds without a rider.

7. Suzuki Boulevard C109RT

Suzuki is known for making some of the fastest sports bikes in the world. But, their cruisers are also fast despite the weight and the construction, which clearly puts some boundaries on their performance. The Boulevard C109RT is a classic Suzuki cruiser. The big V Twin engine with 114 HP in the 2009 model year can push the 700-pound Boulevard from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.33 seconds. Also, it has a top speed of 126 mph is respectable, as well.

8. Yamaha Star Stratoliner S

The 811-pound Stratoliner S from Yamaha is the definition of a big cruiser. It is heavy, yet it is comfortable and fast. With the big V Twin engine and 91 HP, the Stratoliner S can achieve 0 to 60 mph in just 4.31 seconds, which is better than many lighter, more powerful bikes. Yamaha has proved that horsepower is not all a motorcycle needs. In fact, torque, construction and technology also play a big role in performance output, especially with such big cruiser bikes.

9. Kawasaki Vulcan S

An impressive cruiser bike from Kawasaki comes in form of the Vulcan S. It has fantastic styling that combines a basic retro shape with modern details, colors and trim. Like the Yamaha Star Bolt R Spec, this Kawasaki is a somewhat faster and more capable cruiser motorcycle. The secret of the Vulcan S is its lightweight construction and capable transmission. This relatively small 650 cc bike accelerates to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The V Twin engine produces just 61 HP and 47 lb-ft of torque, but it shows you don’t need a lot of power to produce a respectable performing cruiser bike.

10. Triumph Thunderbird Commander

The interesting-looking and big Thunderbird Commander is one of a few cruiser-style bikes from Triumph. This one is a serious machine with a lot of weight, but also a lot of firepower to move it around quickly. The 1.7-liter parallel-twin engine is an interesting concept in a class dominated by V Twin engines.

It delivers a smooth performance with less vibration than the V Twin configuration. With 93 HP and a healthy dose of torque, the Thunderbird Commander can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.18 seconds. It has a top speed of 105 mph, but the top speed is electronically limited. Obviously, the mighty Triumph is capable of far more.

11. Yamaha Roadliner S

The Roadliner and Stratoliner featured earlier are closely related bikes, but the Roadliner has more power and less weight; thus, it brings better performance. The acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is much better at 4.12 seconds, and its top speed is 126 mph. Recently, Yamaha introduced an upgraded version, so you can expect these numbers to be slightly better.

12. Victory Judge

The Judge is a cool name because it’s a cool-looking bike, but unfortunately, it’s also a discontinued model. However, you can still find them on the used bike market with a few miles on the clock and a decent price. The Judge features much less weight than the rest of the Victory model lineup, but it has the same engine. This means it is faster and can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.09 seconds. So, the next time you see an orange bike next to you at the stop light, it could beat you in a drag race.

13. Victory Hammer 106

The Hammer is a combination racing-cruiser bike, which is an interesting concept. The construction, basic design and engine are all classic cruiser bikes, but the looks, details and performance are racing bikes. The small weight and upgraded power make the Hammer fast, so it can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.02 seconds to 60 mph. The top speed is just over 120 mph. With such a perfect combination for a bike, it is unfortunate that Victory, as a company, plans to close its doors by the end of 2017.

14. Yamaha Raider S 10/09

One of the biggest Yamaha cruiser bikes is the Raider S 10/09. This bike looks like they dipped it in chrome. It has a massive front end, a low seating position and a big V Twin engine. With a weight of just under 800 pounds, this bike has a powerful engine with 107 lb-ft of torque. The acceleration time for 0 to 60 mph is in just four seconds flat. The Raider has a top speed is over 126 mph, which is impressive for this big, heavy cruiser bike.

15. Kawasaki Vulcan 2000

Most new cars have smaller engines than the Kawasaki Vulcan. With 2.0 liters of displacement, this model is the true king of the cruiser bike class. Big, heavy, powerful and full of chrome, they discontinued this model recently. However, you can still find leftover stock from some dealers or find it as a slightly-used bike. The big V Twin engine delivers 90 HP and 118 lb-ft of torque, which moves this 818-pound beast. Amazingly, this big bike is fast, so going from 0 to 60 mph takes just 3.95 seconds, which is great.

16. Victory 8 Ball

A classic cruiser bike is the famous Victory 8 Ball. It is one of the lightest offerings from Victory at only 638 pounds without the rider. With a powerful V Twin engine that brings 110 lb-ft of torque and 105 HP, this bike is a true hot rod. The performance numbers testify to the claim that a 0 to 60 sprint is achievable in just 3.88 seconds, which is fast for a cruiser bike. It is sad that Victory motorcycles will not be available after the 2017 model year.

17. Indian Chief Scout

Chief Scout offers a classic name and a classic form, but with modern technology and performance. A good example of that is the modern Indian motorcycle. The Chief Scout has everlasting looks but a speed that its ancestors could only dream of achieving. The power comes from its V Twin engine with 100 HP and 72 lb-ft of torque to use. Its respectable firepower translates into a swift acceleration time of just 3.88 seconds, which makes this Indian a desirable cruiser bike. The top speed is 125 mph, which is also impressive.

18. Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide

The cruiser bike is the kind of bike that motorcycle fans know Harley Davidson best for – big, comfortable cruisers with powerful engines, high quality and everlasting style. Despite the fact they made the CVO Road Glide to cruise the highways and look good doing it, this bike is also quite fast. The V Twin engine can deliver 91 HP and 110 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to launch this heavy motorcycle from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds. It isn’t the fastest cruiser around or even the fastest Harley Davidson, but it is most certainly good enough to be a top 10 bike.

19. Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S.

The Suzuki Boulevard is one of the fastest cruiser bikes. In addition, it’s one of the power cruisers bike fans are the most excited about with its blacked-out style. The Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. comes with mean looks and brutal performance, making this cruiser a star in its class. The V Twin engine with 1.7-liter of displacement produces 105 HP and 97 lb-ft of torque. The combination of lightweight and big power offers respectable numbers. In fact, it only takes 3.65 seconds for it to go from 0 to 60 mph.

20. Victory Octane

As the weight goes down, the performance is going up, especially for Victory bikes. The next in line is the cool-looking Octane. Like the Suzuki Boulevard B.O.S.S, the Octane is also a blacked-out street fighter with amazing capabilities. This means this bike packs 76 lb-ft and because it is so lightweight, and it is capable of a 3.6 second, 0 to 60 mph time.

21. Harley Davidson V-Rod

The Harley Davidson V-Rod is a classic cruiser bike. Since its introduction, it has singlehandedly kickstarted the retro-futuristic cruiser bike market. The 2001 model could be the fastest of all V-Rods because it is able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.59 seconds. This means it could beat most cruiser bikes on the road today.

22. Honda Gold Wing Valkyre

This monster of a cruiser is in a class of its own. First, the design is so futuristic, yet recognizable, it brings a small revolution to the cruiser bike class. Second, this is a big, comfortable and powerful cruiser bike with a 1.8-liter engine, 110 lb-ft of torque and 110 HP. Even though the numbers are not impressive, the acceleration time is. This behemoth can get from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, which is quite an achievement.

23. Triumph Rocket Roadster

The Rocket Roadster is a special bike in the cruiser class since it has the biggest engine in the motorcycle world at 2.25 liters. It produces a whopping 148 HP and 163 lb-ft of torque. Despite the sleek design and elegant looks, this is a heavy bike at 808 pounds without the rider. Still, thanks to its sheer power and torque, it manages to get to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds.

24. Ducati Diavel

Some cruiser bike purists will argue about Ducati, insisting they are not a cruiser manufacturer. In fact, many people think the Ducati Diavel is too fast and looks too much like a sport bike to be a real cruiser. However, the Diavel deserves to be on this list because it is a modern cruiser bike and it is incredibly fast. In fact, it only takes 2.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Not only that, the top speed is an impressive 157 mph.

25. Yamaha Star VMax

Like the Harley Davidson V-Rod, the Yamaha VMax is one of the top classic cruiser bikes in this segment. With its timeless styling, strong performance and great riding dynamics, this cruiser combines tradition with power and modern technology. In fact, this bike does all that with great elegance and speed, so it deserves the first spot on this list. For numbers, it has a V twin engine with a 1.7-liter displacement that produces 114 lb-ft of torque and an astonishing 174 HP. The weight is 695 pounds without the rider, which is somewhat of a standard in this class.

For numbers, it has a V twin engine with a 1.7-liter displacement that produces 114 lb-ft of torque and an astonishing 174 HP. The weight is 695 pounds without the rider, which is somewhat of a standard in this class. However, the fast acceleration is where this bike shines. A 0 to 60 mph sprint takes just 2.5 seconds. This makes Yamaha Star VMax the champion among cruiser bikes.

If you are looking for a cruiser bike, a good place to start is one of the bikes on this list. They are fast, deliver great performance and they look great, too. If you’d like to take your next road trip in comfort and style, one of these bikes can deliver that for you.

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