If you are like most motorcycle riders, chances are your motivation to riding is to just get out and chill. You’re not looking to do anything crazy like gun it down the highway at 90+ mph or jump the Grand Canyon like Evil Knievel. You just want to relax on your motorcycle around town, jump on the highway, go to a concert, a motorcycle rally, or your favorite restaurant on a warm summer afternoon. In other words, you want a cruiser. What is great about cruisers is that the selection is so big because nearly every brand has their own cruiser line, each with their own unique designs and intended riding styles. Some like to take it easy, while others can go back and forth between chilling out and burning rubber. Some models value simplicity, while others set themselves up to be blank canvases for personal customization. So while there are plenty of cruisers to pick from, how do you know which one you want? Below are ten of some of the most popular and desired cruisers on the market today. So let’s take a closer look at each one and see if it is the right cruiser for you!

Related: Most Comfortable Cruisers You Can Buy

1 2023 Yamaha V-Star

What makes cruisers so great is that they are not complicated to operate. They are as simple as “sit, start the bike, go.” It is because of this approach why the Yamaha V-Star is widely known for being an extremely popular model for beginners. Simple and affordable, the Yamaha V-Star may be the quintessential entry-level bike for new riders looking to explore the cruiser class in the long-term. Though slightly smaller than that of your typical cruiser, most riders would recommend that the V-Star should be used for strictly urban and suburban riding. These are the kinds of environments where many of us first got our start, and a bike like the V-Star is perfect to build up your confidence. In case you were wondering, it is certainly possible to take this bike on the highway. But the thing is, if you are still new to motorcycles, you are probably not going to like it.

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2 2024 BMW R 18

If you thought that the only motorcycles BMW was known for producing were sport bikes and adventure bikes, you’d be mistaken. The BMW R 18 is a refreshing German take on your standard all-American cruiser. It’s muscular, lean, comfortable, and you can ride it all day. Not to mention that BMW is the standard for German engineering. So you know that this bike is going to be packing some heat in that 1800cc air-cooled engine. This is the kind of bike for someone that wants to just get out can cruise around for years, but doesn’t necessarily want the same bike that everyone else has. So the next time you show up at a charity ride or motorcycle rally and park your R 18, many passers-by will give it a second look, not realizing that BMW even made cruisers in the first place!

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3 2024 Honda Shadow Phantom

Another widely-adored traditional-style cruiser is the Honda Shadow Phantom. This bike has built one of the strongest reputations in the motorcycling world thanks to its reliability, handling, and affordability. The Shadow is another very popular choice for newer riders looking to get their bearings before leveling up, as well as sport bike riders looking to transition to the cruising world without breaking the bank. Simplistic in its design, as well as its mission as a cruiser, the Shadow is another straightforward, get-on-and-go style of motorcycle. The newer models have some noticeable modern upgrades like anti-lock brakes, a new headlight cover, new instrumentation, new air cleaner, and more. This bike has amassed such a large following that it has consistently been in production for over 40 years, and it doesn’t appear that it will be stopping anytime soon!

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Related: 5 Reasons Why We Love The New Honda Shadow (And 5 Why We’d Rather Buy A Used Harley-Davidson Sportster)

4 2023 Honda Rebel 1100

Honda‘s long-running Rebel line is another very popular section for current and prospective cruiser riders. While its siblings (Rebel 300 and Rebel 500) are both solid choices for laid-back cruisers as well, it is the Rebel 1100 that many new riders get the most bang for their buck. Featuring a low seat height, relaxed riding position, and a very responsive engine, this is a bike built for the modern biker hungry for a little extra power when they need it. The handling on this bike especially shines in both tight, urban environments, and through twisty back roads, making it a very reliable and responsive model that goes exactly where its rider commands. Its design is another touch of modern. While most brands will favor the classic-chromed out look of a traditional cruiser from the old days, the Rebel 1100 favors the blacked-out flavor of today.

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5 2023 Indian Scout

Indian is one of the all-American motorcycle brands paving the way for cruisers around the world, and the 2023 Indian Scout is a compact cruiser with a lot of capabilities. Build on a lightweight, aluminum frame, this bike is a very well-rounded cruiser that can come in very handy for the busy streets of the big city and suburbs. Much like some of the other cruisers on this list, the Indian Scout is another choice model for newer riders looking to get their start on a solid cruiser. Newer riders will find this bike to be very generous as they raise their confidence in being able to learn all the dos and don’ts. Meanwhile, more experienced riders will be able to appreciate the amount of performance lurking underneath that friendly and welcoming exterior. Rest assured, this bike isn’t the kind of model that will overwhelm beginners. But it is also not underwhelming for veteran riders either.

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6 2023 Indian Chief Bobber

Another well-respected cruiser by Indian is the Chief Bobber. With more muscle and power, think of it as the Scout’s bigger brother. Thanks to its larger size, the Chief Bobber brings more comfort and style for a rider looking to truly understand what it means to cruise. Inspired by old-school hot rods, the Indian Chief Bobber is a modern take on an old classic. This bike, much like many other cruisers, is also a blank canvas for personal customization. Whether riders want to tune up the engine, give it more power, add some saddlebags, an additional passenger seat, the options are limitless. But then again, lots of owners are happy with it just the way it is once it leaves the factory. As long as it can cruise through the neighborhood, the city, or the highway, what else do you need?

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Related: The 2023 Indian Sport Chief Is Their Sportiest Cruiser Yet

7 2023 Harley-Davidson Breakout 117

Just by looking at the Harley-Davidson Breakout 117, you can tell that is bike might as well be the visual representation of all cruiser motorcycles. With its low-profile seat and chromed-out exterior, this factory-made chopper is one of the rare times in which flashiness, comfort, and performance work cohesively together to be one of the most desired motorcycles of the year. The reasoning behind this is the 2023 model is the first version of this bike after it went on a three-year hiatus from Harley-Davidson’s production line. Now that it is back, it has a whole new attitude. This time it has a Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, multiple color options, as well as available parts for customization. This is the kind of cruiser that you want when you’ve got miles and miles of empty highway all to yourself, and you can switch between rolling that throttle into sixth gear and switching on its cruise control feature.

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8 2023 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

It has been well-established that Harley-Davidson is one of the biggest motorcycle brands in the world, building some of the best bikes to hit the road. With 120 years of experience behind it, building a diverse range of cruisers has always been one of its strongest selling points. Among all the cruisers to leave the factory, the one that is probably the best all-around cruiser would have to be the Street Bob 114. While slightly lighter than the rest of its brethren, the Street Bob brings the best of both the medium-sized softails and the very agile sportsters. Having some of the best handling in Harley-Davidson’s lineup, the Street Bob is a sure hit with both beginner riders and veterans alike. No to mention that it is also one of the most customizable models around!

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