Top 10 Best Sports Cruiser Motorcycles You Can Buy in 2024

Ever found yourself bored with riding a traditional cruiser? Don’t worry! Cruisers come in many shapes and types. One of the most popular and trending cruiser variations is the Sport Cruiser. Unlike traditional cruisers with highly sweptback handlebars, well-padded seats, and forward-mounted foot controls, sports cruisers are different. They feature a bit of a sportier touch on a cruiser-style motorcycle. Continue reading this article to learn more about the 70- 10 best sports cruisers you can buy in 2024.

Sports cruisers are cruiser motorcycles in terms of design and style, but they have a sportier touch.

• Sports cruisers have less pulled-back handlebars, offering a slightly aggressive stance.
• Sport cruiser also features mid-mounted foot controls.
• They also have a slightly sportier design.
• The riding position is a blend of both cruiser and sports naked bike.
• The variation ensures agile and nimble riding performance while not compromising substantially on comfort.
• Sports cruisers are perfect for city traveling and everyday riding.

Sports bikes are designed and built to ensure speed and acceleration. They are built to ride aggressively. Riders have to lean forward completely while riding a sports bike as the handlebars are mounted too low. The foot controls on sports bikes are backward-mounted, providing tight legroom. Such a riding position is known as an aggressive style. It ensures better aerodynamics, lesser air drag, and quicker performance.

If you have ever watched sports bike racing, you must have observed riders taking corners on a circuit full of twists and turns. Sports bike racers make cornering look pretty easy and simple.

Sports bikes are designed to lean and take corners efficiently. They are one of the easiest bikes to maneuver and lean.

Meanwhile, cruisers are primarily built for comfort. They are designed to be ridden on open roads and highways. Their low ground clearance, low seat height, and low center of gravity make them more stable and upright and ensure better linear performance.

However, cruisers have low cornering clearance and do not support leaning. Turning corners at high speeds is difficult, so the rider has to slow down before entering a corner.

Cruisers may not be the most agile and nimble motorcycles. However, they are the most popular motorcycle segment in the U.S., thanks to Harley-Davidson. As younger riders shift more towards sports-style motorcycles and aggressive riding, motorcycle manufacturers have started making changes to traditional cruiser designs.

Nowadays, cruisers are made sportier and can handle curves as well. The transformation in the traditional cruiser design is welcomed by most riders. These sports cruisers are comfortable, agile, and nimble. They are also made lighter to ensure better maneuverability.

Before we get into the list of top 10 sports cruisers, this is to let you know that Muscle Cruisers or Performance Cruisers will not be included in this list. Though the muscle/performance cruisers are also sportier, they are designed specifically for speed with powerful engines. These cruisers are quite bulky and may not be suitable for beginners and city traveling. Below are some examples of Muscle/Performance Cruisers:

• Triumph Rocket 3
• Yamaha V-Max
• Ducati Diavel
• Harley-Davidson V-Rod

Let’s start the list with one of the best contenders in the sport cruiser category. The Honda Rebel 1100 is the strongest variant in the popular Rebel series. It is one of the best-selling cruiser lineups by Honda. Though the smaller siblings of the Rebel 1100, including the Rebel 500 and the Rebel 300, are more popular, it is still the best in style and technology.

The Honda Rebel 1100 is one of the most unique sports cruisers thanks to its modern and urban style. The aesthetics are so appealing for riders interested in modern-style cruisers. It is a bobber-style sport cruiser with a solo rider seat.

Overall, the Honda Rebel 1100 is a simple yet very elegant bike. It looks as simple as the Rebel 500 and the Rebel 300. However, the engine and technology make the most difference.

The part that shines the most is the 1,083 cc liquid-cooled, 22.5° parallel-twin four-stroke engine capable of producing a horsepower of 85.8 hp at 7,000 rpm and a torque of 98 Nm at 4,750 rpm. The power may not be impressive, but what will impress you the most is its agility. The Honda Rebel 1100 doesn’t accelerate like a traditional cruiser. Being a sport cruiser, you will never get bored of its top acceleration. It reaches the top speed in no time. You will be thrilled as soon as you twist the throttle.

Moreover, the Honda Rebel 1100 is one of those premium Honda bikes with the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) feature. Above all, you are getting one of the best packages for only $9,549, making it one of the most affordable bikes in this category, with great value for the money. For the DCt variant of the Rebel 1100, you have to pay an additional $600 on top of the base price.

The DCT feature allows riders to easily switch between the manual and automatic modes with only a push of a button. In the Automatic Mode, riders don’t need to do anything to shift between gears. Keep riding, and the Rebel 1100 will manage gear shifting depending on the speed.

On the other hand, if you want more control over the bike, you can also switch to the manual mode. In the Manual Mode, the rider can shift the gear with the help of a small pedal shifter installed on the handlebars. The Rebel 1100 DCT is a clutchless bike. Even in manual mode, the rider doesn’t need to engage the clutch.

Overall, the Honda Rebel 1100 is at the apex of the modern sports cruiser scene. It handles extremely smoothly. The maneuverability and cornering are exceptional. 

The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is a very familiar name in the American cruiser market. Though this bike boasts a classic H-D attitude, it still diverts from the classic design in some ways. The Low Rider S takes inspiration from the Sportster series. It is mainly built for younger riders who prefer a sportier style.

As the name suggests, the chassis is built to keep the bike lower to the ground. It features a stock solo rider seat with a little lower back support for the rider. The front end looks a bit taller, as you can see on Sportster models, thanks to the larger front wheel size of 19 inches.

The Low Rider S’s tail end sits lower due to its smaller 16-inch rear wheel. The small nose fairing provides a sporty vibe.

Talking about the riding style, the Low Rider S offers a slightly sportier and more aggressive riding position. The rider has to lean a bit forward to grab the bars. Unlike most cruisers that offer a highly comfortable stance due to being fitted with pulled-back handlebars, the H-D Low Rider S features comparatively flat-style bars.

The seat on the Low Rider S is also positioned a bit backward for a more aggressive riding style. Unlike most classic H-D cruisers, the footrests installed on the Low Rider S are not forward-mounted. The foot controls are mounted somewhere between the forward and mid-mounted positions. This bike offers legroom that is neither too tight nor too spacious.

Overall, the Harley Low Rider S provides a perfect balance between comfort and performance. This riding style makes it perfect for both city travel and highway cruising.

Above all, the H-D Low Rider S features one of the most powerful Milwaukee-Eight engines. The 1,917 cc V-Twin engine delivers 103 horsepower at 4,750 rpm and 170 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. The Low Rider S also has standard ABS, electronic cruise control, and traction control for a safe and fun riding experience.

The latest Indian Sport Scout is a modern take on the very classic Indian Scout model. It is more like a customized version of the Indian Scout . Despite having a truly modern vibe, a compact style, and a completely blacked-out finish, it can still be easily identified as a classic Indian cruiser.

The Indian Sport Scout sits quite low to the ground with a seat height of 25.7 inches. Being a modern sports cruiser, this bike is fitted with a solo rider seat. The smooth and aggressive front nose fairing is installed to give it a sportier vibe.

Meanwhile, the front end is slightly raked-out as you would find on a typical cruiser. Most heavyweight parts as you would find on a typical cruiser are chopped to reduce extra weight. The front and rear fenders are nicely chopped to make the bike look sporty.

Overall, the Indian Sport Scout has a simple and clean look. There is nothing on this bike that adds extra weight to this bike. Towards the front is a 19-inch wheel with a slim, narrow tire, ensuring better agility. Meanwhile, the 16-inch rear wheel features a fat tire to maintain balance.

The Indian Sport Scout’s handlebars are one of the most attractive features of this bike. The handlebar is decently wide and taller thanks to the appropriate-sized risers. For a completely unique look, the bar-end-mounted side mirrors are installed downward.

The Indian Sport Scout offers a bit sportier stance. As the handlebars are not tilted backward, the rider will have to lean a bit forward. Meanwhile, the foot controls are forward-mounted, ensuring a spacious legroom. The Indian Sport Scout will surely turn heads with its smart and sporty look.

Considering the size of the Indian Sport Scout, the 1,250 cc liquid-cooled 60° V-Twin engine is more than enough for quick rides. The engine is capable of generating 105 hp of horsepower and a torque of 111.17 Nm at 6,300 rpm. This bike is kept simple with only the ABS as a standard feature.

The Indian Sport Chief is another sport cruiser designed for performance and comfort. It is another modern take on a classic Indian motorcycle by the company. Like the Indian Sport Scout, this bike also has a solo rider seat, mid-mounted foot controls, and wide, taller handlebars with risers. The nose fairing and windscreen are slightly taller than the Sport Scout model.

The seat on this bike is also stretched a bit backward for the passenger. The bike's rods or bones are visible from the outside, providing a rough look.

Being a classic Indian cruiser, the front wheel is three inches bigger than the rear wheel, ensuring a slightly raked-out front fork. The fenders are pretty nicely chopped for a sportier vibe. The front fender has a sporty style but mimics the large-sized traditional Indian front fenders.

Unlike the Indian Sport Scout, the teardrop-shaped side mirrors are installed on top of the bars, as is common with most motorcycles.

Being one of the premium cruisers in the Indian lineup, the Indian Sport Chief features a 1,890 cc air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-Twin engine capable of producing a horsepower of 122 hp and a torque of 162.7 Nm.

Starting at $19,999, the Indian Sport Chief has several tech features, including ABS, ride modes, a 4-inch display screen, and much more.

The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is one of the most classic-looking sport cruiser. Also, it is one of the simplest-looking bikes on this list. There is nothing fancy on this bike. It features a bobber-style solo rider seat, a small gas tank, a small classic round headlamp, and lightweight fenders.

The best part of the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec that grabs the most attention is its V-Twin engine and exhaust system. Being a low-powered, beginner-friendly, and affordable sport cruiser, it comes with a 942 cc air-cooled, 60° V-Twin. The engine delivers 65 hp of horsepower and 79.5 Nm of torque.

Unlike most cruisers, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is equipped with a five-speed transmission. Being a simple, budget-friendly sport cruiser, it doesn’t even have the ABS. However, Yamaha’s reliability, smooth engine power, and better handling capability make it competitive in its category. This bike takes turns and corners exceptionally well.

If you are looking for one of the best sports cruisers in the beginner and intermediate category, the Kawasaki Vulcan S stands out. It is one of the most modern-looking sports cruisers with an aggressive design and features.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S looks completely unique. It looks like a bike from the future. It is a type of motorcycle that even beginners can ride with pride and confidence.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S looks quite planted. Every part of this bike looks perfectly integrated into the overall motorcycle’s design. Despite being an aggressive and sports cruiser, it doesn’t compromise at all on comfort.

Like other superior Kawasaki motorcycles, the Vulcan S also features the smart Ergo-Fit package. Riders can adjust this bike's ergonomics and rider triangle as per their preferences.

Like most motorcycles in the list that we have discussed, the Kawasaki Vulcan S also comes with a solo rider seat. The blacked-out engine and machinery provide a compact look to this bike. The fenders are also quite light and sporty.

For a sportier performance, the Kawasaki Vulcan S is equipped with a 649 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine capable of producing 61 hp of horsepower and 62.77 Nm of torque.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is smart, stylish, aggressive, and feels lighter than its claimed wet weight while riding. The throttle response is perfect, the power delivery is smooth, and it accelerates exceptionally well. Being a sports cruiser, it also handles pretty well. You can use the Kawasaki Vulcan S for both comfortable and sporty riding.

There is one thing that you must know about the Kawasaki Vulcan S its superior engine braking. You may not like this particular feature of this bike. It decelerates pretty quickly compared to other motorbikes. As soon as you leave the throttle, the Kawasaki Vulcan S takes less time to come to 0 mph without engaging brakes.

The recently introduced BMW R 12 is a smaller cruiser version of the BMW R 18. The BMW R 12 cruiser is introduced to fill the gap in the BMW cruiser segment. Before the R12, there was only a BMW R18 cruiser that targeted the experienced rider market. However, to attract both beginners and intermediate riders, BMW has nothing to offer before the R 12.

The BMW R 12 cruiser is based on one of the most popular BMW platforms, the R NineT. This is the reason it has both classic and modern vibes. Though the R 12 is a cruiser, it performs like a sporty bike.

The BMW R 12 is a sport cruiser version of the R NineT. It ensures an exciting riding experience, smooth power delivery, and quick throttle response, just like the R NineT. However, it still feels quite comfortable.

The BMW R 12 also carries the same 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled, Boxer engine as the R NineT. The engine delivers an impressive horsepower of 95 hp and a torque of 110 Nm. The robust engine technology can help you attain a top speed of 126 mph for aggressive rides.

Being a sports cruiser, the R 12 offers a sporty riding style. The foot controls are mid-mounted, offering restricted legroom due to being fitted with horizontally opposed engine cylinders.

The handlebars on the R 12 are also considerably flatter compared to the R 18. The rider has to sit in a slightly forward position to grab the bars. However, they are adequately tall for a comfortable arm position.

The BMW R 12 also costs way less than the BMW R 18 , so those who want an affordable BMW cruiser with a slightly sporty touch should go for the R 12. It also comes standard with BMW ABS Pro, traction control, engine brake control, and two ride does (Rock & Roll).

As the name suggests, the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber is a bobber-style sport cruiser. Being a bobber, it doesn’t look as modern as other sports cruisers on our list. It is more of a classic motorcycle from Moto Guzzi.

The Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber’s design is inspired by the original bobbers of the past. It features a flat bench-style saddle, small and lighter front and rear fenders, a minimal single-dial gauge, and a classic round headlamp with a trademark Moto Guzzi logo. The gas tank is also uniquely designed with sharp curves and edges.

As a Moto Guzzi sport cruiser, the V9 Bobber features an 853 cc air-cooled Transversal 90° V-twin engine capable of delivering 64 hp of horsepower and 73 Nm of torque. This bike also features double-channel ABS and a traction control system.

To complement its classic look, the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber is fitted with 6-inch lightweight alloy front and rear 22-spoked wheels. It has mid-mounted foot controls and a flat handlebar with risers to ensure an aggressive riding style and position.

The RE Shotgun 650 is the company's latest endeavor after a series of successful models like the Interceptor , Himalayan, and Bullet. It is a bobber-style motorbike based on the RE Super Meteor platform.

The Shotgun 650 is another affordable sport cruiser in the RE lineup. It is also the cheapest motorcycle on our list. However, being cheaper doesn’t mean that it compromises on parts and ride quality.

The offered paint jobs, black finish, and the overall look of the RE Shotgun 650 make this bike quite desirable.

The minimalist bobber design, small round headlamp, and blacked-out upside-down chunky forks give it a modern vibe. The company markets it as a custom bike built for custom builders or riders who love to customize their bikes.

Though the riding position is comfortable, it ensures a sporty vibe. The foot controls on this bike are mid-mounted, providing compact legroom. Meanwhile, the Shotgun 650’s handlebars are quite low-mounted and flat, ensuring a sporty riding style. The rider has to lean a bit forward to grab the bars.

The low weight is one of the biggest advantages of this bike. It feels more lighter than it actually is when you are riding it. Due to being a lightweight sport cruiser, the RE Shotgun 650 is quite agile and nimble around the corners and while leaning.

Above all, the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 also offers smooth gear shifting, and the power delivered by the engine is quite smooth. It is an ideal sports cruiser for beginners, offering a perfect balance of power and size.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is one of the lightest Harley motorcycles. It is a sports cruiser with a unique design. It is light and compact, designed ideally for quick rides. It is a fun-to-ride motorcycle around town.

For those looking for a performance-oriented Harley-Davidson, it is an ideal choice for them. As soon as you start riding this bike, you will not feel like a traditional Harley. It is a complete makeover of a modern Harley-Davidson sport cruiser that is a step forward toward modern Sportster designs.

The current Sportster S is different from the previous Sportster models. The ride has been enhanced with the installation of adjustable front and rear suspensions. The braking performance has been improved with the help of Brembo brakes, ABS, and cornering ABS features.

The 1,252 cc Revolution® Max 1250T V-Twin engine is considered a powerful powerplant, ensuring thrilling ride performance. It produces a claimed horsepower of 121 hp and torque of 126.09 Nm.

You can comfortably ride the Sportster S on straight roads. However, despite being a sports cruiser, it is not very forgiving while turning corners. Firstly, because the suspensions are stiffer, they make riding over bumpy roads a bit challenging.

The H-D Sportster S has forward-mounted foot controls, providing substantial legroom. The handlebars are also quite low-mounted and are adequately flat. The rider has to adequately lean forward to grab the bars, ensuring a sporty ride position.

However, the riding stance sometimes becomes very uncomfortable as it puts pressure on the hamstrings. For a lean forward riding position, the foot controls should be mid-mounted for a proper sportier stance. If you are facing this issue, you can opt for the optional mid-mounted foot control kit.

Sports cruisers are one of the most appealing forms of cruisers. They offer both comfort and sportier performance to riders looking for a modern cruising experience. It is not a new idea, as it has been previously implemented by a few motorcycle manufacturers. H-D Sportster is one good example.

However, almost every motorcycle brand, expert in manufacturing cruisers, is exploring the sport cruiser segment. Whether it is Honda, Indian, Kawasaki, or BMW, every top manufacturer wants to attract young and new riders with its sport cruiser lineup.

If you want a perfect blend of comfort, sportier performance, superb handling, agility, and adequate cornering performance, you should get a sports cruiser. These motorbikes are highly suitable for daily commuting and cruising. If you are interested in riding a sports cruiser, the above-mentioned top 10 sports cruisers are the perfect options to buy in 2024.

Sports cruisers are also quite capable of customization. Riders can customize them to be perfectly suitable according to their preferences.