Top 10 Best Cruiser Motorcycles of 2024 [under 1000cc]

Cruisers are the best type of motorcycle if you want a comfortable, laid-back, stylish ‘vibe’ and simply enjoy the ride.

Think of motorcycling and we can all conjure picturesque moments of chilled, sunset-soaked boulevard rides, keeping the revs low as you lazily shift up the gearbox to appreciate a view less blurry around you. 

While we can ‘blame’ Harley-Davidson for that, the iconic American firm doesn’t have a monopoly on the cruiser motorcycle silhouette. In fact, you can get all manner of low-slung sluggers anywhere between 125cc and 1000cc with prices around £4,000 all the way to (gulp!) £14,000.

With Royal Enfield growing its offering with the 650 Shotgun and Kawasaki adding its new Eliminator 500, there are some great, fresh choices out there.

10. Bluroc V-Bob 250

If you think you’ve seen the V-Bob somewhere before, we’re not entirely surprised. It’s the biggest cruiser offering from Belgian/Vinese brand Bluroc, which was formerly called Bullit and, with an authentic looking V-twin engine, chunky styling that’s unquestionably inspired by Harley’s Fat Bob and decent dealing it does a decent job as an affordable, entry-level cruiser – but for budget bike money.

The air-cooled V-twin motor is by Chinese film Lifan and even has a Harley-alike belt-drive system. The inverted forks and chunky switchgear also look good while it’s reasonably light, low and easily manageable on its 16-inch wheels and also ha s aneat analalogue/digital LCD display atop the tank.

On the downside, with just 17bhp, it’s more 125-level performance than 250, is more than a little ‘budget’ in terms of quality and finish and its durability is a little suspect. But for a cruiser that looks the part, rides OK and will do 60-70mph, it’s a lot of bike for just over £4000.

9. Kawasaki Eliminator 500

Kawasaki’s original Eliminator cruisers were 1980s, hot rod inspired four-cylinder performance machines, but for 2024 the Japanese firm has revived the name for an entry-level, novice-friendly twin-cylinder cruiser targeted at Honda’s popular CMX500 Rebel.

Based around the A2-compliant, 45bhp parallel twin used in the Ninja and Z500, the new Eliminator 500 is smart-looking, decently equipped and, with an ultra-low seat of just 735mm and light weight of 177kg, is very easy to manage.

It’s no rocketship, admittedly, but is brisk enough, comfortable, easy-handling and, with its blacked out paint, slick LCD dash and smooth controls, is a great introduction to cruiser bikes. And if you want a little more style and class, there is also an ‘SE’ version, with headlamp cowling, fork gaitors, metallic paint and textured seat for £400 more.

8. Benelli 502C

Some say Italian, some say Chinese… whatever you think of Benelli’s image these days, there is no denying the marque has become a bit of an overseas sensation in recent years.

One of the few Italian brands to have survived into the 21st Century, Benelli is thriving with Qianjiang Motors investment, carving itself a nice niche thanks in part to some handy badge engineering with its Chinese paymasters.

Among them is the Benelli 502C, the cruiser version of its 502 S naked that is one part good value, unintimidating lazy beast, another shrunken Ducati Diavel Italian pony.

A good all-rounder with handsome looks to boot, alas it lacks the romance of the charismatic Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and it doesn’t feel as well put together as the more like-for-like Honda CMX 500 Rebel.

Plus, weighing in at more than 200kg, the 502 C is one hefty motorcycle for its size and power output. On the other hand, its price has recently been cut massively - by £800!

7. Moto Guzzi V9

We’re skirting the fringes of what should be allowed here, but the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber just about counts in the cruiser category.

Everything Moto Guzzi is about - which is basically an exotic variation on any offered by its Italian counterparts - the V9 looks fantastic in an understated way, feels well screwed together and is comfortable enough for those long European journeys.

Get it in Centenario trim and you’ll enjoy the matte silver and house green colourway, with quality tanned brown trim… just be prepared to pay a little extra at £10,450.

6. Royal Enfield Meteor 350

All hail the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, which was the UK’s best-selling motorcycle between 126cc and 1000cc last year.

While the Indian marque has always enjoyed a loyal following on these shores, the Meteor 350 has been a talisman for Royal Enfield ever since its launch in 2021. 

With its classically handsome styling, simple running gear, effortlessly easy riding experience and even some nifty kit - such as the Tripper navigation that casts your phone’s map app straight onto your dials - it’s easy to see why the Meteor 350 has been such a hit. On the slight downside, it’s not now as cheap as it once was with prices rising from the original £3,500 to now starting at £4,059 and rising to £4,219 depending on colour.

5. Harley-Davidson Nightster

Think cruiser motorcycle, think Harley-Davidson… it’s pretty much the law.

Yes, the Emperor of Cruisers has a bevy of options in its range for those who like it low, languid and loud but after Euro5 regulations cleared out most of its less sophisticated entry level models, it is now in the process of rebuilding the range with more modern choices.

Chief among these is the Harley-Davidson Nightster, the first model to use the compacted 975cc version of its new Revolution Max engine architecture. 

Inspired by the 1260cc Sportster S, the Nightster is more rudimentary in a sense but it looks the part - particularly with the ostentatiously styled Revolution Max engine casing sprouting out - while it feels lighter and more agile than something from big H-D ever really should.

It’s well kitted out and feels refined… which would be great if we were talking about a motorcycle with a four figure price tag. Instead, at a whopping £13,295 it is pretty much the most expensive option here, and rises to £14,495 if you go for the upspecced Nightster Special.

4. Honda CMX 500 Rebel

Honda pulled off a bit of a trick when it launched the Rebel, coming straight in at the mid-to-low end of the cruiser market initially to test the waters.

Its success as an anomaly in both the mid-range segment and even in Honda’s range means it has a bigger 1100cc brother to look up to now.

However, far from being overshadowed, the Honda CMX 500 Rebel is a welcome well-engineered, well-built, well-thought-out option for buyers. 

Throw in an accomplished riding experience, and a competitive £6,399 price tag and those who came into the Honda showroom for a CB500 Hornet might well find themselves being wooed by something more, well, rebellious.

3. Kawasaki Vulcan S

While Suzuki and Yamaha don’t import their cruiser options to the UK from the United States, Kawasaki has persevered with its venerable Vulcan S over time.

A bit of a forgotten member of the Kawasaki family, nevertheless the firm has kept the model up to date and repositioned it as something of a cool, sporty option compared with its distant rivals here.

While it’s not a striking looker, it is understatedly handsome and more contemporary than its nearest rivals, while it comes with all of Kawasaki’s well-proven quality too and offers some punch from its 61bhp, 649cc engine.

Better equipped and more powerful than the Super Meteor 650, at just £7,299 it is only a touch pricier too.

2. Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

Though its name has the ring of a glam rock Eurovision band, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 shows just how far the Indian firm has come in recent years.

Building on the success of both the Interceptor/Continental GT 650 twins and the smaller Meteor 350, the Super Meteor 650 logically combines both to create one very attractive proposition.

As ever, Royal Enfield has nailed the low-key vintage styling - enhanced by various customisation options - and the unhurried 47bhp engine, while familiar, suits the Super Meteor 650 to a tee.

Perhaps most enticingly, the Super Meteor 650 feels like a genuine quality product and a showcase of what the brand - once old-fashioned, now fashionable - is confident in attempting amid tough competition.

At £6,799, it’s more expensive than we’re used to from Royal Enfield, but more than ever it is worth the premium.

1. Royal Enfield Shotgun 650

Indian brand Royal Enfield, partly due to its new UK-based R&D centre in the Midlands, has been on a roll in recent years, first with its twin-cylinder 650 Continental GT and Interceptor retro roadsters and most recently with its similarly powered Super Meteor cruiser (see above). But it’s boldest bike so far is the new-for-2024 Shotgun 650, which is essentially a hot rod, custom version of the Super Meteor.

The result has the same, willing 47bhp engine, which is A2-compatible, and low slung attitude, but it’s also more sporty and aggressive thanks to inverted front forks, a revised, single-seat riding position and sharpened-up styling.

The result, at well under £7000, is one of the most tempting and versatile sub-1000cc cruisers of all.