Cruiser bikes have long been among the most beloved of all offerings, and it’s not hard to see why. Their relaxed riding style, wide handlebars and seemingly endless torque on offer are only some of the reasons why riders prefer them for shorter rides. But perhaps, the quintessential American charm of a cruiser is the dominating factor behind their popularity.
It is a category of motorcycles that has been coming out with a host of models year after year. With this article, our focus draws to the fastest cruiser motorcycles under 1000cc. It might be worth noting the fact that cruiser motorcycles have not been historically designed for speed, but rather for comfort, ease of riding and style - all factors that are considered in this list.
10 Suzuki Boulevard C50 - 99 MPH
With Boulevard C50, Suzuki has an offering for all those who crave the old-school American cruiser design. Powering the motorcycle is a 805cc fuel-injected, V-twin engine churning out 53 horsepower and 52 lb-ft of torque. The power delivery is fairly smooth, while the throttle is nice and responsive.
There is plenty of low-end torque on offer too, which makes the Suzuki Boulevard C50 a good choice for those who are keen tourers. The rear drum brake means braking is a hit-and-miss affair on this one. It is also missing a sixth gear, however, the five-speed has a wide ratio which more than makes up for it. With a curb weight of 611 pounds, expect the Boulevard C50 to reach a top speed of 99 mph.
9 Honda Shadow Phantom - 100 MPH
With the next three bikes tied at top speeds of 100 mph each, we further rank these based on their power delivery. First of these is the Honda Shadow Phantom, which comes with a 745cc V-twin which produces 44.9 horsepower and 47.9 lb-ft of peak torque. As any Honda does, expect superb, neutral handling from this bike, irrespective of the speed you are cruising at.
If you look at the Shadow Phantom purely from the perspective of design, it might come across as a retro Harley-Davidson. There aren’t particularly many frills on it. Even the instrumentation is mounted on the tank, reminding you of the early cruiser era. The low seat height means this one is a viable option for all short riders out there.
8 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber - 100 MPH
The Moto Guzzi V9 comes next in line. The Italian giant has a number of street offerings, but it is the V9 that steals the show with its modern cruiser design. It is available in three trims - the V9 Bobber and Roamer a Bobber Special Edition, with minor cosmetic changes differentiating the three models.
The company calls the V9 an “easy cruiser,” thanks to being agile and lightweight, and at the heart of the motorcycle is an all-new 850cc twin engine that is capable of 65 horsepower and 53 lb-ft of torque. While the Guzzi is in no way renowned for their cruisers, the V9 comes in as quite a decent choice for those who are looking for a rather light sub-1000cc cruiser. And with its capability of touching 100 mph on the speedo, the Moto Guzzi V9 is no slouch either.
7 Indian Scout Sixty - 100 MPH
Indian is no stranger to being regarded as one of the best motorcycle brands when it comes to cruiser bikes. So much so that the company has an offering for almost all segments, right from big, heavy, chunky cruisers to toned down, relatively light entry level bikes. The Scout Sixty is the brand’s under 1000cc offering that shines through.
The 65 lb-ft of peak torque means there is ample power on offer from the 999cc 60-degree V-twin on the Scout Sixty. The claimed top speed of 100 mph is enough to help you experience the sweet taste of freedom. On the design front, with an amalgamation of both classic and modern ideologies, this is probably one of our favorites on this list.
6 Royal Enfield Super Meteor - 105 MPH (Claimed)
Royal Enfield did quite a fair bit of homework before launching the Super Meteor. Built on the company’s 648 cc Parallel Twin platform, the company based this motorcycle on its 60-year-old roots. The British influence is predominant in the styling, and while one may mistake its on-paper power figures of 46.3 horsepower and 38.5 lb-ft of torque as ‘tame,’ the bike is anything but that (for the engine it has on offer).
It’s a solid cruiser with a bold presence on the road, and while the Indians and the Kawasakis of the market may have bigger displacement offerings, the Super Meteor does what it sets out to do well. Sources claim that the Super Meteor can reach speeds anywhere from 100-105 mph. Having said that, at the time of writing, the company has still yet to confirm if the Super Meteor will make it to the States.
5 Yamaha Bolt - 106 MPH
The Yamaha Bolt is going to be our pick for all the solo riders out there. Why? Well, because the bike comes standard with a solo bobber-style saddle, which means taking your missus along as a pillion is a no-go.
A 942cc engine is at the heart of the rather simple-looking Bolt, which spurts out 65 horses and 59.3 lb-ft of torque. These specs make it one of the fastest sub-1000cc cruisers on the market, reaching the 106 mph mark on the dial. The thing that works in the favor of this motorcycle is that it is rather un-intimidating, which makes it the perfect cruiser choice for a new rider. And if that is not you, other options may seem more appealing to you.
4 Harley-Davidson Nightster - 107 MPH
It is impossible to have any list of the best cruiser motorcycles without Harley-Davidson. Such has been the company’s influence. The Nightster is actually classified as a Sportster by the brand, but the ride quality and the rider ergonomics both make a more nimble cruiser.
A 975cc liquid-cooled engine pumps life into the motorcycle, which produces an ample 70 ft-lb torque and 90 horsepower, pushing the bike to top out at 107 mph. A wet weight of 481 lb makes it one of the lightest Harleys out there. Being the only offering under 1000cc that comes close to a cruiser, the company has made sure it has a motorcycle for all its loyalists out there.
3 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 - 115 MPH
Right, it’s time for the top three fastest cruiser motorcycles under 1000cc. Two out of the top three motorcycles on this list are Kawasakis. And they are a very specific model - the Vulcan. The first of these two is the Vulcan 900, a classic cruiser offering from the Japanese giant.
Fitted with a 903 cc V-Twin, 50 hp and 58.2 lb-ft are the power figures stated by the manufacturer. The design is a big hit with us, it is subtle and classic and oozes with old-school cruiser charm. It’s an effortless machine to maneuver, thanks to the low seat height. A tank-mounted instrument cluster and chunky tires add to the charismatic appeal of this Vulcan.
2 Kawasaki Vulcan S - 116 MPH
The second of the two Vulcans is the ‘S,’ which Kawasaki terms as a sports cruiser. Sure, with its quirky looks and a few extra bit of cosmetic changes, the Vulcan S can be classified under the sports umbrella. But it remains a good tourer nonetheless.
A smaller, 649cc engine produces 60 horsepower and 46.3 lb-ft of peak torque, but it best not be ridden hard. Clocking in at 116 mph top speed, the Vulcan S does make for a tidy small-segment cruiser. A special emphasis has been laid on the ergonomics here, with 18 possible configurations possible between the adjustable seat, handlebar and foot pegs. What makes it an attractive proposition is the affordability factor - just under $8,000 for a sub-1000cc cruiser this fast!
1 Triumph Bonneville T100 - 128 MPH
A bonnie sits at the top of the pile of fastest cruiser motorcycles under 1000cc. The T100 is simple, ageless and simply unavoidable. All of this is evident in the heart of the bike - the 900cc parallel twin which promises 64.1 horses and 59 lb-ft of torque. Its British-inspired design may spark debates, but one thing is for sure - it remains a quintessential Bonneville. Like any other motorcycle, this one too, is not perfect. The T100 lacks dual front disc brakes, while the electronics on board are bare essential, might we say. But since when does one go and get a cruiser to get top-of-the-line swanky electronics?