Japanese cruiser bikes are reliable, comfortable and performant, but did you know they are also fast?


Cruiser bikes have a lot of fans and a thriving rider community. No other bike is so well represented as a symbol of freedom and style. Cruisers typically feature low seat heights, long wheelbases, large front tires, sloping forks, tall handlebars and copious amounts of chrome. Cruisers are intended for comfortable leisure travel, but can also be used for long-distance travel. American cruiser bikes have dominated the market since models such as Harley-Davidson and Indian were born. Japanese manufacturers recognized the high demand for cruiser bikes and entered the market in the early 1980s. The Japanese cruiser bike was initially just a modified naked bike with a low seat and tall handlebars, but over time it has evolved into a high-performance cruiser with Japanese reliability.

10 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Top Speed: 99 MPH

Suzuki is known as a brand that builds high-performance motorcycles, but they also make some of the best cruisers such as the Boulevard C50. The classic old-school cruiser style with twin exhausts gives the rider a purposeful look while offering maximum comfort. The 805cc V-twin engine makes 53 horsepower and 52 lb-ft of torque. This engine offers strong low-end torque and, combined with his wide-ratio five-speed gearbox, achieves a top speed of 160 km/h. The bike is also available as a touring model called the Boulevard C50T with all accessories for long distance touring. It features an adjustable windshield, leather textured saddlebags and a knobbed pillion with backrest.

9 Honda Fury Top Speed: 103 MPH

Honda introduced the Fury Motorcycle as its own chopper that is affordable and reliable, unlike bespoke choppers. Offers the chopper enthusiast the confidence to custom build his bike with Honda customization options and accessories. The sloping front end, teardrop fuel tank, and ultra-low seat height with stretch-back design make this bike look like a real chopper. The Fury is powered by a liquid-cooled 1,312cc V-twin engine that produces 53.7 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque. It’s a cool looking and attractive bike, but it also offers strong performance, with a large engine and his 5-speed gearbox, it can easily reach a top speed of 160 km/h.

8 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Top Speed: 106 MPH

The Volt R-Spec was introduced in 2013 as the Yamaha version of the Harley-Davidson Sportster American Cruiser with modern ergonomics, performance and electronics. The classic bobber style design and effortless riding position make it perfect for new riders looking to enter the cruiser world. 65 horsepower and he is powered by a 942cc V-twin engine that develops 59.3 lb-ft of torque and can propel the bike to a top speed of 166 mph. This compact city cruiser brings reliability combined with the latest safety technology to the entry-level cruiser bike market. Prices start at $8,899. Plus, the bike is extremely customizable, with plenty of Yamaha options on offer.

7 Suzuki Boulevard M109R Top Speed: 110 MPH

Another Suzuki cruiser on our list is the Boulevard M109R, which has a top speed of 110 mph. This bike is the ultimate style icon with a unique, classic bobber look with powerful, cutting-edge technology. The optional tail panel replaces the passenger seat for a more elegant look. This motorcycle is powered by a liquid-cooled 1,783 cc (109 cubic inch) V-twin engine that produces 128 horsepower and a whopping 118 lb-ft of torque. The low, slug look and wide, cushioned seat make for comfortable long rides. The 240mm wide rear tire gives the bike an aggressive stance and offers a smooth and controlled riding experience.

6 Honda Shadow Aero Top Speed: 111 MPH

The Honda Shadow Aero is another perfect example of classic, old-school American cruiser design with modern performance and features. This bike has all the comforts of a cruiser, including a low seat, retractable handlebars and forward footpegs. There are also dual exhausts that give the high-torque V-twin engine a strong thumb noise. This cruiser is powered by her 745cc engine that produces 44.6 horsepower and her 47.9 lb-ft of torque. With a 5-speed gearbox and a shaft-type final drive, the bike reaches top speeds of around 180 km/h. The Honda Shadow Aero is a great choice if you are looking for a modern cruiser with the look of a vintage American cruiser.

5 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Top Speed: 115 MPH

Kawasaki introduced the classic cruiser Vulcan 900 in 2006 as a complete package of competing American cruiser bikes. The company equipped this bike with a 903 cc V-twin engine that puts out 50 horsepower and 58.2 lb-ft of torque. This classic cruiser easily reaches a top speed of 115mph if you sit back and relax. This bike has a 5.3 gallon fuel tank and a comfortable, relaxed riding position with the handlebars extended back. Plus, you can easily customize your bike with a windscreen and luggage system for relaxing long highway rides.

4 Kawasaki Vulcan S Top Speed: 116 MPH

The Vulcan S is another cruiser that Kawasaki offers and is sportier compared to other cruisers within the brand. Affordable sporty cruiser is the perfect entry-level bike for experienced and novice riders alike. With its compact form factor and comfortable riding position, this bike is versatile for city commutes and high street riding. Powered by a 649cc engine, it has 60 horsepower and he effortlessly propels the bike to a top speed of 116 mph with 46.3 lb-ft of torque. Plus, you can fully customize your bike with many configurations, including adjustable seats, handlebars and footpegs.

3 Honda Rune Top Speed: 123 MPH

In the sea of ​​Honda performance bikes, the Valkyrie Rune Cruiser occupies a very special place due to its superior design and performance. She was perhaps the most unique and daring design of any cruiser ever built and was powered by a Gold Wing GL1800 engine. This bike she built and launched exclusively for the American market in 2004. This huge cruiser was powered by her 1,832cc 6-cylinder engine which produced 118 horsepower and she produced a staggering 121 lb-ft of torque. With a huge low-frequency growl and powerful midrange, the cruiser can easily reach a top speed of 193 miles per hour. Honda was forced to stop production of the Loon due to the manufacturer’s losses and the price difference. But this bike remains the most iconic cruiser the brand has ever built.

2 Honda Rebel 1100 Top Speed: 128 MPH

The Rebel 1100 is another Honda cruiser bike that takes a slightly unconventional approach unlike other cruiser bikes from the Japanese manufacturer. The cruiser has a unique design called “Sports Cruiser”, and it runs like a sporty naked bike. Painted black, the bobber delivers the power of a performance bike from a liquid-cooled 1083cc parallel-twin engine. With 85.5 horsepower and he 72.2 lb-ft of max torque, this bike can reach a top speed of 128 mph without breaking a sweat. Additionally, Honda offers his two transmission options on the Rebel 1100, allowing you to choose between his traditional six-speed manual transmission or his automatic DCT transmission. And then there’s the Bagger Touring version of the Level 1100T with a windshield, fork-mounted fairing and hard luggage.

1 Yamaha VMAX Top Speed: 150 MPH

The Yamaha VMAX is the perfect example of a motorcycle where designers and engineers are given complete freedom to create something amazing. With its futuristic design and breathtaking performance, there is no doubt that this bike has earned iconic status. With a 200 horsepower rating and 123 lb-ft of peak torque, he can easily reach a top speed of 150 mph thanks to a 1,679 cc (102 cubic inch) V4 engine. The design language of this bike is sporty, but the tall handlebars and his low 30.5-inch seat height justify some of its cruiser prowess. This bike is out of production as of his 2020, but it was equipped with cutting-edge technology. It features Yamaha’s proprietary chip-controlled throttle and intake system.

Source: topspeed.com