New Bike Buyer's Guide: Best Cruiser Motorcycles

For riders looking for a real spring in their riding step, Harley-Davidson’s cruiser family delivers a lot more than the sum of its parts.

We’re not talking a pure sports bike experience by any stretch – the range still lives by the cruiser mantra and is designed for touring pleasure with its integrated panniers – but there’s just a zeal about the models that’s tangible and extremely satisfying.

The solo-seat – it’s an extremely accessible 715mm high – Low Rider ST embodies that spirit and passion. Although, there’s ample carriage (323kg wet) and relaxed geometry, it feels quite light and flickable when the intensity rises, challenging riders to get the most out of the hulking package. Even some hearty souls have attempted to tame the Low Rider ST on a racetrack!

That’s foreign territory, but what isn’t are the waves of creamy torque emitted by the Low Rider ST’s enormous Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin. The 1923cc engine is rated at 85kW (114hp) at 5020rpm, with a whopping 173Nm of torque at a lowly 4000rpm.

That makes blasting out of corners irresistibly satisfying, even in a taller gear or two. You don’t have to put a ‘race face’ on, either, as the V-twin does all the hard work – the only major stress felt through the 17-inch Michelin Scorcher rear tyre!

However, there is the safety net of cornering traction control, and at higher speeds the front fairing does a great job of eliminating?wind noise and maintaining stability.

Tyre pressure monitoring is another safety feature on the $38,995 ride away ST, and it also has cruise control, all-LED lighting and lustrous paint.

The 2026 model also has new ride modes, rider safety enhancements and new liveries.

2026 Harley-Davidson at a glance:
Price: $38,995 ride away
Engine: 1923cc, liquid-cooled, Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin
Fuel capacity: 18.9 litres
Seat height: 715mm
Weight (wet): 323kg
Tyres: Michelin Scorcher, 110/90-19 front, 180/70-16 rear
Suspension: 43mm telescopic fork, monoshock
Rider aids: Cornering ABS and traction control, tyre pressure monitoring
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres

The Indian Sc out family has recently enjoyed its first major update in a decade, a colossal ground-up effort that has produced, among others, the brilliant Scout 101. The family may still be instantly recognisable, but in terms of performance, handling and steering the shift has been seismic.

The belt-driven Scout 101 isn’t just a seriously potent cruiser: it’s a fast motorcycle, achieved with not only the new ‘1250 SpeedPlus’ engine but updates to the frame, brakes and suspension. If you’re thinking unwieldy cruiser, think again. And we shouldn’t be surprised, given that Indian is active in the American road and dirt racing landscapes, so it knows how to win.

The elegant hand-stitched solo seat – all the Scouts are single-seaters except for the Super Scout – sits low at just 680mm, too, so it’s a flat-feet experience for everyone.

The 1250cc SpeedPlus V-twin replaced the former 1300cc unit, and not only does it look absolutely sensational in the new tubular steel frame – the smooth and clean finish absolutely eye-catching – but there’s also double-digit performance increases out to 82.8kW (112.6hp) and 109Nm.

That energy catapults the $28,995 ride away Scout 101 out of corners as it powers to the 9000rpm deadline – but of course you can adopt a more leisurely mode in such a flexible powerplant. Some bigger V-twins feel ‘lumpy’ and difficult to manage, but this isn’t one of them. The Scout 101 also has traction control.

With Brembo brakes, a Sachs fork (with numbered rebound and compression adjusters), in-house piggyback shocks, Brembo brakes and Metzeler Cruisetec tyres, the rest of the package is top notch.

It’s a consummate all-round motorcycle.

2026 Indian Scout 101 at a glance:
Price: $28,995 ride away
Engine: 1250cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin
Fuel capacity: 13 litres
Seat height: 680mm
Weight (dry): 240kg
Tyres: Metzeler Cruisetec, 150/80-16 front, 130/90-19 rear
Suspension: 43mm Sachs fork, twin piggyback shocks
Rider aids: ABS and traction control
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres

The CMX1100 may not turn heads like other cruisers on the market but never judge a book by its cover. It’s not a show off, but it’s enterprising and a lot of fun.

Available locally in manual ($20,2549 plus on-road costs) and dual clutch transmission ($21,349 plus on-road costs) configurations, the CMX11100 (also known as, the Rebel in overseas markets) uses the same 1084cc parallel-twin that powers the Africa Twin adventure machine.

In CM1100 mode, the engine produces lower 64kW(84hp) at 7000rpm and 98Nm at 4750rpm outputs – bit it still feels fast and punchy thanks to peak torque arriving 1500rpm earlier. In real-world riding, that’s a huge tick.

The machine carries an impressive level of tech. It comes standard with ride-by-wire throttle, ABS, traction control and cruise control, but it also features three standard ride modes and a custom user mode.

Other key parts of the package include 330mm/256mm discs, a 13.6-litre fuel tank, 120mm ground clearance, 700mm seat height and digital LCD screen.

The dual clutch transmission – which uses two individual clutches to manage odd and even gears respectively in concert with a shift motor – is refreshing, but if you’re still not convinced the traditional manual transmission is always available.

The sporty narrative continues with the mid-mount foot controls and a decent amount of ground clearance. Experienced riders will have a blast, but newer riders won’t feel like they are out of their depth.

Equal parts thrilling and user-friendly, the CMX1100 is a winner.

2026 Honda CMX1100 at a glance:
Price: $20,249 plus on-road costs (DCT: $21,349)
Engine: 1084cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin
Fuel capacity: 13.6 litres
Seat height: 700mm
Weight (dry): 223kg
Tyres: Dunlop, 150/80-16 front, 130/90-16 rear
Suspension: 43mm fork, twin shocks
Rider aids: ABS and traction control
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres

Royal Enfield’s inimitable range of 648cc parallel twins, kickstarted by the Interceptor and Continental GT in 2018, enjoys a wide-ranging flavour.

One model which is front and centre in the line-up is the Super Meteor 650, inspired aesthetically by the Meteor 350 (released in 2021) and, to a lesser extent, the original Super Meteor 700 of the 1950s.

Pricing starts at $11,590 ride away, and you can add another $500 for two colourways – Celestial Blue and Celestial Red – which also come standard with a touring screen and pillion backrest.

Stupendously affordable pricing, and all on a fuss-free and simple machine which has more fire in the belly than what the specs sheets would suggest.

Actually, it's sometimes easy to forget that the Meteor 650 is a learner-friendly machine such is the rewarding ‘big-bike’ experience it delivers – but at the same time it’s also a brilliant machine for those new to the caper, hiding its 241kg (wet) weight well.

The engine, rated at a modest 34.6kW (47hp) and 52.3Nm, bats way above its average – we’ve seen an Australia Isle of Man winner extract more out of the drivetrain than we thought humanely possible! – while the chassis has been designed specifically for relaxed highway cruising with a low seat height, forward-mounted foot controls and a wide handlebar. And it also has a premium Showa upside-down fork which helps to make it enjoyable when corners beckon.

The Super Meteor 650 also has LED lighting, a Tripper navigation module as standard, a USB charging port and dual-channel ABS.

It looks great, it rides great, and it will not blow your budget. And really, when you think about it, that is all you need in a motorcycle.

2026 Royal Enfield Meteor 650 at a glance:
Price: $11,990 ride away
Engine: 648cc, air/oil-cooled, SOHC, eight-valve, four-stroke parallel-twin
Fuel capacity: 15.7 litres
Seat height: 740mm
Weight (dry): 241kg
Tyres: Dunlop, 150/80-16 front, 130/90-16 rear
Suspension: 43mm fork, twin shocks
Rider aids: ABS and traction control
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres

When Triumph was in the midst of a new-model frenzy at the turn of the century, the colossal Rocket III was one of them. A 2.3-litre production bike with stratospheric torque was the essence of the equation, but the enormous machine wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Now, two decades later, the Rocket badge still lives on with the Rocket 3 Storm, but in a much lighter and more stylish package.

And, just because it can, Triumph’s also added another along the evolutionary pathway to increase performance to 134kW (180hp) and a whopping 225Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

The triple will forever remain the main talking point in Rocket 3 chatter, and with good reason, but it handles quite nicely too. It takes a bit of physical effort to get those big fat tyres from one side to the other, but it holds a nice line and never feels too slow in the twisties.

And, with the R weighing in at 317kg, based on power- and torque-to-weight rations the Rocket 3 Storm isn’t quite as untameable as the figures might suggest.

There are two variants of the Rocket 3 - the R and the GT. The R ($39,690 ride away) is the racier of the two, with mid-mount foot controls, a more aggressive handlebar, and a taller seat height.

Meanwhile, the GT ($40,690 ride away) has forward foot controls, a lower seat height, and swept-back bar. It is more of a deluxe power cruiser with heated grips as standard, a pillion backrest, and a bigger windshield.

The Brembo Stylema brakes do an excellent job, while electronics include traction control, cornering ABS, switchable ride modes and a TFT display. The likes of a quickshifter and smartphone connectivity are optional extras.

2026 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm at a glance:
Price: $39,690 ride away (GT Storm: $40,690 ride away)
Engine: 2458cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 12-valve, inline triple
Fuel capacity: 18 litres
Seat height: 773mm (GT Storm: 750mm)
Weight (wet): 317kg (GT Storm: 320kg)
Tyres: Avon Cobra Chrome, 180/80-17 front, 240/50-16 rear
Suspension: Showa fork, Showa monoshock
Rider aids: Cornering ABS, traction control, rider modes and hill hold control
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres

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