5 Cruiser Motorcycles to Rival a New Harley-Davidson
It’s 2024. You’re ready to hit the road on a new cruiser motorcycle. Outstanding. There’s just one problem: you’re just not that into Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Don’t fret; here are five alternatives to a new Harley-Davidson cruiser.
Harley-Davidson might have cruiser motorcycles figured out, but they’re not the only name in new, mile-munching touring bikes
The Harley-Davidson Softail. It’s one of the last words in customizable, big-twin cruiser motorcycles. It’s tough to top the formula of a 114-cubic-inch Milwaukee-Eight twin and a bare-bones classic look. Still, plenty of competitors at multiple price points will get you on the road and sailing across states.
| Make and model | Starting price |
|---|---|
| 2024 Indian Chief | $14,999 |
| 2024 BMW R 18 | $14,995 |
| 2024 Suzuki Boulevard M109R | $15,699 |
| 2024 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic | $9,399 |
| 2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 | $12,895 |
Perhaps the most natural rival for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard or Street Bob 114, the 2024 Indian Chief packs a 111 cubic-inch Thunderstroke twin producing 108 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, like the Street Bob 114, the Chief offers optional ABS, a must-have for new riders. Moreover, the Chief’s $14,999 starting price puts it on par with the starting price of the 2024 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard.
Of course, the Indian Chief isn’t alone in the modern classic cruiser space. The 2024 BMW R 18, as its name suggests, boasts an 1,802-cc Boxer engine. Also, with 116 lb-ft of torque on tap, the R 18 is an effortless cruiser motorcycle rival to the Softail Street Bob 114.
Ditching the classic cruiser motorcycle aesthetic, the 2024 Suzuki Boulevard M109R summons nearly 130 horsepower from its liquid-cooled 54-degree twin. I had the opportunity to ride a bright blue M109R along the California coast years ago. Sure, the Suzuki looks a bit like something from an H.G. Wells fiction, but it pulls like a freight train. Certainly a viable alternative to a now-discontinued Dyna or M8 Softail.
The 2024 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic might not have the big displacement that the Harley-Davidsons and Indian motorcycles have. However, the 900 Classic is a solid alternative to the now-discontinued fuel-injected Evolution Sportsters from the MoCo. From the upright riding position to the five-speed transmission and Kevlar belt drive, the Vulcan is a viable rival for the Sportster.
Finally, it might not be a big-displacement cruiser like the Indian Chief or BMW R 18, but the 2024 Triumph Bonneville T120 is still a comfortable boulevard cruiser and commuter. Plus, with no shortage of aftermarket panniers, solo bags, and windshields, the Triumph is a canvas for customization.
