Top 15 Fastest Cruisers in the World

Cruisers are not designed to perform on race tracks or compete with sports bikes. However, they ensure a comfortable cruising experience on open roads and during long-distance rides. Cruisers are bigger and heavier due to being fitted with large engines and several motorcycle parts. The large-displacement engine in a cruiser is not to ensure quick rides but to provide adequate torque to ensure a comfortable touring experience.

Cruisers are usually installed with saddlebags, sissy bars, backrests, crash bars, and other aftermarket parts to ensure they perform better on long-distance tours. However, certain cruisers defied the stereotype of cruisers being slow motorcycles. Some modern performance cruisers are capable of quick acceleration and can even compete with sports bikes. Read this article to learn about the top 15 fastest cruisers in the world.

The Ducati Diavel 1260 S is not a typical cruiser due to its aggressive styling and sporty touch. Ducati has been constantly improving its motorcycles to make them quicker and perform better. Unlike conventional cruisers, the Ducati Diavel 1260 S has several technological features to assist riders, including an ABS, traction control, riding modes, wheelie control, cruise control, quick shifter, and multimedia system. The 1,262 cc engine is capable of producing an impressive horsepower of 157 hp and a torque of 129 Nm. The engineers tried their best to keep the motorcycle’s weight as low as possible to ensure better performance.

The powerful engine and low weight allow the Ducati Diavel 1260 S to attain a top speed of 160 mph and accelerate from 0-60 mph in only 2.7 secs. If you are looking to buy a performance cruiser with powerful performance, advanced features, and a futuristic design, the Ducati Diavel 1260 S is an ideal choice. However, this aesthetically-engineered performance cruiser has a huge price tag of $24,895.

The Triumph Rocket 3 R is a uniquely-deigned performance cruiser and has the biggest motorcycle engine in the world. The 2,500 cc inline three-cylinder engine is capable of a horsepower of 165 hp and a torque of 221 Nm. The most prominent part of the Triumph Rocket 3 R is its engine, which gives the motorcycle an extended look. The engineers were successful in reducing the engine’s weight by 18 kg than the previous model. The Triumph Rocket 3 R can attain a top speed of 139.8 mph and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 2.73 secs. This is surprising for most riders that the Triumph Rocket 3 R is not the fastest despite being powered by the biggest engine. This is because the motorcycle is electronically restricted from going faster than 139.8 mph.

Being a cruiser, the Triumph Rocket 3 R has adjustable ergonomics and a cruise control feature. To ensure safe performance, it also comes with several safety features, including an optimized cornering ABS, traction control, shift assist, and four riding modes (Sports, Rain, Road, and Rider-Configurable). The large-displacement engine, attractive design, and modern features make the Triumph Rocket 3 R an expensive cruiser, costing $23,895.

The fastest motorcycle in the Indian lineup is the Indian FTR, a sports-style cruiser designed for quicker rides. It is ideal for daily commutes and city travel. However, it also has the characteristics of a naked and adventure bike due to its high ground clearance of 6.5 inches, a tall seat height of 30.7 inches, and lightweight cast wheels, which make it easily maneuverable.

The Indian FTR is powered by a 1,203 cc V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 120 hp and a torque of 118 Nm, ensuring a top speed of 135 mph. There is a speed limiter installed in the engine, which restricts the motorcycle from going above the top speed of 135 mph. Without the limiter, the Indian FTR is capable of a maximum speed of around 147 mph and can jump from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 sec. This motorbike can cost $13,499, including an ABS and cruiser control as standard features.

The Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. is a power cruiser with a huge 1,783 cc engine. In 2014, the company introduced the B.O.S.S model, which means “Blacked-Out Suzuki Special” due to having a blacked-out finish. The Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. is an expert-level cruiser and is designed for quick rides. The 1,783 cc 54˚ V-Twin engine is capable of a horsepower of 128 hp and a torque of 160 Nm, ensuring a top speed of 125 mph. The 2023 Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. can jump from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 secs. Being a heavyweight motorcycle weighing 764 lbs, it is difficult to handle for beginners or shorter riders.

The Indian Scout Bobber is a simple cruiser with a solo rider seat, bobber-style front fender, chopped rear fender, matte-black finish, fat tires, and blacked-out headlight nacelle. The Indian Scout Bobber has adequate legroom for riders to comfortably adjust their legs. However, it does not have ideal cruiser ergonomics as the rider has to stretch his/her arms to reach the handlebars, ensuring an aggressive riding style. The Indian Scout Bobber is one of the most appealing motorcycles in the Indian Motorcycle lineup, having a stripped-down cruiser look.

Besides the appealing look, the Indian Scout Bobber can reach a top speed of 128 mph and jump from rest to 60 mph in four seconds, thanks to its 1,133 cc engine. The 60° V-Twin engine can produce a horsepower of 100 hp and a torque of 97.7 Nm.

The Indian Scout Bobber is ideal for shorter riders due to its low seat height of 25.6 inches and wet weight of 553 lbs. You can further improve the aesthetics of this motorcycle and transform it into an ideal cruiser for two-up riding by installing a passenger seat, backrest, fairings, and sissy bars.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is also a uniquely-designed cruiser. Unlike most sporty cruisers, it ensures adequate legroom and an upright back position, making it comfortable for highway cruising. The Kawasaki Vulcan S is an entry-level cruiser, powered by a small-displacement engine of 649 cc. The parallel-twin engine can produce a horsepower of 60.14 hp and a torque of 62.77 Nm. Despite being a beginner motorcycle, the Kawasaki Vulcan S can reach a maximum speed of 116 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.21 secs. Though it is not very fast, it can ensure smooth power delivery and quicker throttle response. You can buy the ABS version of the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S for only $7,899.

The Yamaha V-Max was the fastest performance cruiser ever produced. Despite having a bulky design and conventional front-end look, it could compete with the fastest motorcycles in the cruiser category. Unfortunately, the Yamaha VMAX was discontinued in 2020 after a long production run of 35 years. However, you can still purchase a used Yamaha VMAX if you want a comfortable, high-speed cruiser. With a top speed of 150 mph, it could easily beat the Triumph Rocket 3 R and give tough competition to the Ducati Diavel 1260 S.

The Yamaha VMAX could go even faster than 150 mph. However, the top speed was restricted to 140 mph. The Yamaha VMAX could accelerate faster than the Ducati Diavel 1260 S from 0 to 60 mph, jumping from rest to 60 mph in just 2.5 secs. When it comes to the fastest quarter-mile sprint and accelerating from 0-100 mph, the Ducati Diavel 1260 S is faster. However, it largely depends on the rider’s skills and riding conditions.

The 2020 Yamaha VMAX had a large-displacement engine of 1,679 cc capable of a horsepower of 197 hp and a torque of 166.8 Nm. Due to its high-speed performance and a wet weight of 694 lbs, it only had a fuel mileage of 34 mpg.

The Harley Davidson FXDR 114 was one of the fastest Harley cruisers ever made. Its fast performance was mostly due to its lightweight and slim design. The steel parts, including the swingarm, were replaced with aluminum to help reduce a considerable amount of weight.

The Harley V-Rod was the fastest motorcycle in the Harley lineup before the Harley FXDR 114. Harley fans were dismayed by the announcement of the Harley V-Rod’s discontinuation in 2017. However, in 2018, Harley Davidson introduced the Harley FXDR 114 powered by a 1,868 cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine capable of a horsepower of 100 hp and a torque of 160 Nm. The powerful Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine allows the Harley FXDR 114 to travel at a top speed of 160 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 secs.

The Triumph Rocket III Roadster was an aerodynamically-designed classic cruiser and the predecessor of the modern Triumph Rocket 3 R. It was powered by a bulky inline three-cylinder engine capable of a horsepower of 148 hp and a torque of 221 Nm. Like its successor, the Triumph Rocket III Roadster was also a fast motorcycle, could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.3 secs, and could reach a top speed of 145 mph. It was also known as the Ultimate Muscle Streetfighter due to being built with the largest-displacement engine of 2,249 cc of its time. Despite being powerful and bulky, the Triumph Rocket III Roadster was a comfortable, nimble, and fun-to-ride cruiser.

The 2003 Honda Valkyrie GL1500C was one of the most powerful and torquey cruisers ideal for motorcycle touring. It was fitted with the same horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine installed on the Honda Gold Wing. Several upgrades were made to the Honda Valkyrie GL1500C’s engine, including the addition of six separate carburetors to improve its performance. The 1,520 cc flat-six engine was capable of producing a horsepower of 100 hp, a torque of 138.7 Nm, and a top speed of 131 mph. Despite having a wet weight of 721 lbs, the Honda Valkyrie GL1500C could jump from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 secs.

The Honda Valkyrie introduced in 2014 was upgraded with a 1,832 cc engine to make it more powerful. Its looks were completely transformed to make it a performance cruiser with a stripped-down cruiser look. The bulky front end had radiator shrouds on both ends and a horizontally opposed flat-six engine capable of a horsepower of 118 hp and a torque of 167 Nm. Despite being built with plastic parts to keep the overall weight low, the Honda Valkyrie GL1800CF F6C had a wet weight of 754 lbs. However, it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 secs and could reach a top speed of 130 mph.

The Moto Guzzi California was introduced in 1971 and continuously upgraded over time. In 2013, Moto Guzzi introduced the new California model by replacing the 1,100 cc engine with a 1,400 cc engine. The Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom’s look was also transformed. This motorcycle received several modern upgrades in 2013, including an ABS, traction control, cruise control, and ride-by-wire throttle. Unlike most cruisers, the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom is fitted with a distinctive 90° Transversal V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 96 hp and a torque of 120 Nm. The 1,380 cc engine helped this motorcycle reach a top speed of 130 mph and could jump from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 secs.

The Victory Octane shared a close resemblance with the Indian Scout. Like Indian motorcycles, it was available in a matte finish and had blacked-out parts. It was one of the quickest and lightest motorbikes in the Victory lineup, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.6 secs. The Victory Octane was capable of a top speed of 130 mph. The 1,179 cc 60° V-Twin engine was also capable of producing a horsepower of 103 hp and a torque of 103 Nm. The Victory Octane had an aggressive design with a solo rider seat, a chiseled fuel tank, and a small front fairing.

The Harley Davidson V-Rod was the most uniquely-designed model in the Harley lineup discontinued in 2018. It was quite popular among custom builders due to being easily customizable. The Harley V-Rod was a muscle cruiser with a long wheelbase and aggressive riding style. Due to its highly raked-out front end, the rider had to lean forward to reach the handlebars. The Harley V-Rod was powered by a 1,247 cc Revolution® 60° V-Twin engine, making it the fastest cruiser in the Harley lineup with a top speed of 145 mph. With a horsepower of 121 hp and a torque of 115 Nm, this motorcycle could accelerate from rest to 60 mph in only 3.59 secs.

The Yamaha Raider was the custom variant of the Yamaha Star Roadliner. Despite being produced in limited numbers, it was a popular cruiser with an aggressive and streamlined design. The Yamaha Raider had an extended wheelbase due to its raked-out front end. It was a powerful cruiser powered by a large 1,852 cc V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 95 hp and a torque of 167 Nm. Despite its classic look, the Yamaha Raider was a fast motorcycle with a top speed of 135 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 secs.

Cruisers are not primarily designed for quick rides. The main purpose of cruisers is to ensure optimal performance and comfort on long-distance rides. They are built with large-displacement engines capable of producing impressive torque to help you carry cargo on motorcycle tours. However, muscle cruisers are capable of high-speed performance and comfortable rides due to being fitted with powerful engines. They have a compact design, aerodynamic features, and aggressive stance to ensure fast performance. If you enjoy riding at high speeds and want extra comfort on long-distance rides, the cruisers mentioned in this article are ideal for this purpose.