What is a cruiser motorcycle? You've seen plenty of them. That's guaranteed. These bikes are some of the most popular on the roads today. If you've ever laid eyes on a model or two produced by Harley Davidson or Indian, then you've seen a cruiser. These upright and comfortable riding motorcycles were originally engineered and offered for sale in Europe and Japan back in the early days, but they're widely available in the United States today (by the aforementioned brands, among others). They're notorious for their larger v-twin engines that pump out tons of power. They're also known for their comfort, as alluded to above. They offer very relaxed seating that is easy on the rider's body over long distances. While riding, you'll recline in your seated position and place your feet forward. Your handlebars will be level with your shoulders, which lends the entire experience to one of durability and long lasting enjoyment.
While Harley Davidson and Indian are huge cruiser motorcycle makers in the U.S., it should be stated that Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki have been building these types of motorcycles and have been selling them overseas for years and years. Some of the most popular and earliest models have been sold be the Big Four.
What makes this type of motorcycle different than other types? As stated above, it's all about comfort and the ability to last while riding over long distances without becoming tired or fatigued. Another area in which cruiser motorcycles are known is their history and ability to be customized. This type of motorcycle is quite possibly the most customized type in the world. The TV show American Chopper proved that, along with the dozens of copy-cat companies, Youtube channels and other shows that have attempted to capitalize in their success. Think hand-built customization from scratch. Many folks have paid big dollars for these types of bikes. While many modifications are created with saws and welders, there are plenty of aftermarket parts an owner can buy to do the work themselves. Just check out sites like J&P Cycles, RevZilla and Dennis Kirk.
If you're looking to buy a new or used cruiser motorcycle, check out these brands. They are the most popular globally: Harley Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, BMW, Triumph, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki.
Harley Davidson
If there's one name that's synonymous with cruiser and cruising motorcycles, it's got to be Harley Davidson. Harley's got dozens of models of this style on their website right now and they're all pretty awesome. So many of the available bikes have demonstrated their dominance through the years that there's little debate surrounding their supremacy today. They're big, they turn heads, they're powerful and you don't want to compete on the road with someone who's riding one of these baggers.
We've all seen them. Cruiser motorcycles by Harley Davidson are reminiscent of hot rod cars. They've got the chrome, they're aggressive and they're all style with their powder coating and anodized finishes. They're also fairly customizable when it comes to which type of handlebars and other accessories you'd like to bolt onto one of these bad boys. Sure, these types of customizations won't do much as far as power and speed goes, but they'll make the bike look more interesting.
The Harley Davidson cruiser motorcycle is a powerful machine. These bikes are built to allow larger engines to sit in the chassis so you'll have the ability to customize the bike with some beefy torque. Much larger than an engine with 1000ccs. When compared to other bikes on the road, you'll have a leg up. You'll get wherever you're going in a rush, but please beware that you'll pay for that rush with by way of additional fuel.
Harley's are built with easy and straightforward future customizations in mind and there are countless aftermarket companies that offer tons of cruiser parts and accessories. Engines can be customized for more power or a different feel, you can add bells and whistles to the body and you can even alter the ride of the bike by way of changing the suspension, tires and seat. The point is, you can definitely and fairly easily make a standard Harley Davidson cruiser motorcycle your own.
Throughout all of our time managing the listings and advertisements of Harley Davidson cruisers, we've seen a lot of things. We've seen many very fairly priced bikes, but we've seen hundreds that were priced quite cheap or even free. In order to snatch up one of these bargain or free motorcycles, you'll need to constantly scour our website for the best deals. They do happen. Some dealers who list with us even offer financing, so it's important to read through their ads carefully.
Interested in what makes and models Harley Davidson is currently selling under the cruiser umbrella? Here they are: Harley Davidson Street: Street Rod, Street 750. Sportster: Iron 883, Forty-Eight, Iron 1200, Roadster. Softail: Low Rider S, Deluxe, Fat Bob 114, Sport Glide, Softail Slim, Low Rider, Street Bob, Heritage Classic, Breakout 114, Fat Boy 114 and FXDR 114.
Honda
If there's one thing that almost everyone can agree on, it's that Honda cruiser motorcycles are built to last. That's for sure. This is what Honda strives for and this is the legacy they want, whether it be applied to their v-twin cruisers, sport bikes, dirt bikes or their luxurious Goldwing motorcycles. All these bikes have been engineered and built with an eye toward quality and as a result, they perform well and they last a very long time. This is exactly the reason Hondas are so popular on the streets and in the dirt today. Riders want comfort, power, excitement and quality in a cruiser motorcycle.
Honda engineers have worked diligently through the years to design cruiser motorcycles that not only meet, but exceed the stringent demands of motorcycle riding enthusiasts. Today's rider knows exactly what he or she wants and they look over every last detail when making a purchase. They're tough customers when it comes to buying their next cruiser motorcycle and Honda knows that. The company wants a customer for life, so they manufacture to that end. Honda recognizes that their customers want the power, comfort and design they've come to expect in a modern cruiser motorcycle. With that, Honda offers a well-balanced machine that has got a good feel to its suspension. Honda's cruisers have excellent weight distribution for even better control of the road. They also look great. Not many riders have complained about how Honda cruiser motorcycles look on the streets and in the garage. They've got appealing design, style and aesthetics.
Honda has got a lot of exciting things in store for their brand new motorcycle line-up, but what's almost as exciting is their line of used cruiser motorcycles. Whether it be the Honda Shadow, Rebel or Gold Wing, the advertisements on our website will tell you all you need to know. Browse through our many used Honda cruiser motorcycle listings to see if anything catches your eye. If something does, reply to the ad and ask the seller any questions you'd like answered, such as things that pertain to technical specifications, how the bike rides and what kind of condition it's in.
So, what separates the Honda cruiser motorcycle from the competitors' bikes? Well, that's easy. Honda has always focused on the freedom and passion of riding. Their bikes represent those things with their lower and more comfortable seats, smooth acceleration and comfortable riding position. Honda's bikes come with a classic stylish appearance as well as a more modern one as well. And really, there's no shortage of models to choose from that will coincide with your height, weight and riding preferences. From entry-level motorcycles to larger models that were built for long trips on the highway, Honda has it all.
Honda's most recent cruiser motorcycle line-up includes the following models: Gold Wing F6B, Gold Wing Valkyrie, Fury, Stateline, Interstate, NM4, Shadow Phantom, Shadow Aero, CTX700N, Rebel 500 and the Rebel 300. Some recent models include: CB1000RA (ABS), CB500F, CB500FA, CMX300 Rebel, CMX300A Rebel (ABS), CMX500 Rebel, CMX500A Rebel (ABS), VT1300CX Fury, VT1300CX Fury (ABS), VT750C Shadow Aero, VT750C2B Shadow Phantom and the VT750CS Shadow Aero (ABS). And finally, some older Honda cruiser models from the year 2000 include: CB250Y Nighthawk, CB750Y Nighthawk, CMX250C2Y Rebel, CMX250CY Rebel, VF750C2Y Magna, VF750CY Magna, VT1100C2Y Shadow Sabre, VT1100C3Y Shadow Aero, VT1100CY Shadow Spirit, VT1100TY Shadow Ace Tour, VT11C2AY Shadow Sabre, VT11C3AY Shadow Aero, VT11CAY Shadow Spirit, VT600CD2Y Shadow VLX Deluxe, VT600CDY Shadow VLX Deluxe, VT600CY Shadow Velorex, VT750CD2Y Shadow Ace Deluxe, VT750CDY Shadow Ace Deluxe and the VT750CY Shadow Ace.
Kawasaki
When we think of Kawasaki motorcycles, most of us think of the Ninja line of sport bikes. That's for good reason; it's an awesome line full of awesome bikes. The thing is though, while Kawasaki does make great street bikes, it also produces very high quality and quite popular cruiser motorcycles as well. These are some of the best and most popular in the entire industry, so they're definitely worth a look. And the best part is, there's a lot to choose from when it comes to Kawasaki's cruiser motorcycle line up. Quite a lot indeed.
The Kawasaki Vulcan is one of their most purchased cruisers. Of this line, there are a few from which to choose; the Vaquero, Voyager and the Classic. Of course, these three models can be tweaked here and there and can be outfitted with different engines and accessories to refine the look and feel. What they end up like is akin to some great looking cruiser motorcycles as well as some retro styled ones.
When looking through our motorcycle classifieds website for a new to you motorcycle, be sure to check out the new Kawasaki bikes from the dealers who list, but also be sure to take a look at all the used motorcycles for sale as well. While new bikes are the best, you can really get some great deals with the pre-owned models at a much better price than new. Also, be sure to check out all the cruiser motorcycle accessories we have for sale. We oftentimes have listings for both new and used riding gear, equipment and all types of accessories to keep you covered when you're out riding.
What type of rider enjoys Kawasaki cruiser motorcycles? Well, that's difficult to say because this isn't an exact science, but from what dealers tell us, it's folks who want to hearken back to an era of larger and more powerful motorcycles. Also, many riders who have outgrown the sport bikes they once rode tend to buy the larger, smoother and more mature feeling Kawasaki cruiser. These bikes are more comfortable and they offer an easier to handle and more upright sitting position. No more of that hunched over sport bike feel. Finally, they say that as riders mature, they gravitate towards cruiser motorcycles that have a classic look and feel about them with modern amenities. It's easy to understand why. It's the best of both worlds.
Remember, when browsing through our classifieds, be sure to look closely at each advertisement you come across. Some bikes are cheap, some are even free and some are sold brand new from a dealer who offers financing options. If you're interested in any Kawasaki bike you see, be sure to contact the seller for full details.
Kawasaki's most recent cruiser line up includes: Vulcan Sport Cruisers, Classic Cruisers, Bagger Cruisers and Touring Cruisers. Models include the Vulcan S ABS, Vulcan 900 Classic, Classic LT and 900 Custom, Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS and the Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS. Used cruiser models from back in 2000 include the EJ650A2 W650, EN500C5 Vulcan Limited, VN1500E3 Vulcan Classic, VN1500G2A Vulcan Nomad, VN1500J2 Vulcan Drifter, VN1500L1 Vulcan Nomad, VN1500N1 Vulcan Classic (Electronic Fuel Injection), VN750A16 Vulcan, VN800A6 Vulcan, VN800B5 Vulcan Classic, VN800C2 Vulcan Drifter and the ZG1200B14 Voyager XII.
Suzuki
When speaking to other riders about Suzuki cruiser motorcycles, the name "Boulevard" invariably comes up. There's good reason for that. It's Suzuki's cruiser. It's the one everyone rides. And it's awesome. Suzuki claims the Boulevard is the "cruiser other bikes wish they were." With a huge and powerful v-twin engine, the Boulevard will get your blood pumping. Depending on the model you buy, this cruiser will come with a large cc engine that's encased in some serious blacked-out styling. There'll be some incredible looking handlebars, a comfortable seat and some unique headlights. But it really doesn't stop there. The front forks are inverted for a smooth ride and great handling, the rear suspension is hidden and the bike just performs well. It's fast and comfortable for a full package.
It all began in 2005 when Suzuki decided to merge a number of other models of motorcycles together to create the Boulevard. Lots of the bikes were already being sold under different model names, but after the engineers were finished with them, this Suzuki cruiser motorcycle was born. Of course there were changes to each of the motorcycles in the way of cosmetics and power-plants (engines, transmissions), but much stayed the same. When the engineers were finished, this awesome motorcycle hit the road.
Suzuki cruisers comes stock with a few commonalities. They're equipped with 5-speed manual transmissions, very comfortable seats and styling and engineering for the long ride. While these bikes are great for extended trips on the highway with their specially designed handlebars, footrests and engines, they're also perfect for buzzing around town or the city streets. These cruisers are the culmination of years of very deliberate research and development.
Take a look through our classifieds and check out the ads. You'll surely find some well-priced Suzuki cruiser models. You may even find some bikes that you consider cheap and perhaps one or two that are free. That's been known to happen. Since we also have motorcycle dealers who advertise with us, you'll run into offers where the seller is willing to finance your purchase. Whether they offer financing or not is up to them, so you'll need to contact them to ask questions.
Current Suzuki cruiser motorcycle models are as following: LS650BL9 Boulevard S40, RV200L9 Van Van, TU250XL9, VL1500BL9 Boulevard C90 BOSS, VL1500L9 Boulevard M90, VL1500TL9 Boulevard C90T, VL800L9 Boulevard C50, VL800TL9 Boulevard C50T, VZ800L9 Boulevard M50 and the VZR1800BZL9 Boulevard M109R BOSS. Some sample cruiser models from the year 2000 include: GZ250Y, LS650PY Savage, SV650Y, VL1500Y Intruder LC, VS1400GLPY Intruder, VS800GLY Intruder and the VZ800Y Marauder.
Yamaha
If you're the type of person who's shopping for a new or used cruiser motorcycle, you're likely someone who knows what they're doing. You don't just go out and buy a cruiser. You first look around in an effort to gain as much knowledge as possible to make the best decision. By the end of your research, you settle on what you think you want. For many, that's one of the brand new models or a used classic cruiser model from Yamaha. This brand has got a rich history with this style of bike that goes back decades and it should be taken into account when shopping for a motorcycle.
It all began in 1955 when Yamaha Motor Company produced its first motorcycle - a 125cc bike that won the 3rd Mount Fuji Ascent Race in its class. Since then, Yamaha has been making and selling all types of products with pretty awesome motorcycles being one class of them. Through the years, Yamaha, has engineered, produced and has sold very popular cruiser styled bikes that have been a big hit in the United States. From the V-Max to the Virago to the brand new Bolt, riders are getting what the need in comfort, power and affordability with Yamaha.
Yamaha's got some very slick bikes being released to the market. Sure, they've got the comfortable seats that cruisers are known for as well as the more upright posture that mature riders like, but they've also got some huge engines that are going to give you the rush you might not even think you need. For example, the new VMAX comes with a 1679cc V-4 engine that's sure to inspire. Imagine the rumble of this bike. With the Matte Raven Black paint it's offered in, people are definitely going to stare, wondering what you're riding. And this is just one example of many. You'll need to do your homework to see all of the nuts and bolts of Yamaha's current cruiser motorcycle offering.
As you browse our classifieds, be sure to search for Yamaha cruisers that are in your budget. We've been running this classifieds website for years and we've seen hundreds, if not thousand, of motorcycles listed for sale. Most are very fairly priced, but it must be noted that some are extremely cheap at fire sale prices and there have been a few listings here and there that have offered motorcycles for free. Keep your eye out for them. If you're looking at a listing that's been posted by a dealer, read carefully to see if the dealer offers financing. If they do, be sure to contact them for details because you just may be able to finance that new or used bike you're interested in.
Current Yamaha cruiser motorcycle models include: Bolt, Bolt R-Spec, V Star 250 and the mighty VMAX. A sampling of some of the past Yamaha cruiser models include: VMX12M V-Max, XV16AM Road Star, XV16AMM Road Star Limited Edition, XV250M Virago, XV535M Virago, XVS1100AM V-Star Classic, XVS1100M V-Star Custom, XVS65AM V-Star Classic and the XVS65M V-Star Custom.