What is a cruiser motorcycle?

Cruiser motorcycles are a definition that applies to bikes modelled after American brands popular in the 1930s-50s, with the Harley Davidson perhaps being the most popular amongst them. They are famous for their riding position which puts the hands up and the feet forward, often with a backward lean to the seat, as well as their wide handlebars. They are primarily known for their easy rideability, accessible shifting, and low-end torque, though they rarely meet the horsepower expected of other types of bikes like sports bikes.

What's the difference between a cruiser and touring motorcycle?

Touring bikes can look a lot like cruisers, given that both are large, powerful bikes that are easy to ride, especially on the highway. However, touring motorcycles are built more specifically for long-distance rides, and are outfitted as such. They have more cargo room, are ergonomically designed to make them more comfortable on long rides, and tend to have room to an additional rider with two-up seats.

Are cruiser motorcycles good for beginners?

Cruisers are relatively easy to ride and to shift, though they are, on average, quite large. There are smaller cruiser bikes that are easier to handle, however, which can be a good fit for a beginner. The Keeway Superlight 125 is a good example of a cruiser suitable for A1 licence holders.

What is a good cruiser motorcycle?

The Yamaha V-Star 250 Cruiser is considered not only one of the more beginner friendly bikes of this kind due to its smaller size, but it’s also thought to be one of the best examples of what makes a cruiser bike. This 250cc motorcycle is praised for its maneuverability, good mileage per gallon, and a comfort low seat that keeps the ride straight backed and comfortable, perhaps for flat open roads.

Custom Cruiser bikes for sale

With 2,312 Custom Cruiser bikes available on Auto Trader, we have the best range of bikes for sale across the UK.

5
£5,495
Kawasaki VULCAN 650 S 2017 SPECIAL EN650DHFA 649cc
2017 | Custom Cruiser
2017 (17 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 649cc | 314 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
Bournemouth Kawasaki
43
£7,750
Triumph Bobber 1200 1200cc
2017 | Custom Cruiser
2017 (17 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1200cc | 76BHP | 1,460 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(18)
CA Motorcycles
12
£13,995
Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER S 1250cc
Custom Cruiser
null | Custom Cruiser | 1250cc | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(2)
Sykes Harley-Davidson
14
£6,695
Harley-Davidson Street ROD XG 750 A 20 749cc
2020 | Custom Cruiser
2020 (71 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 749cc | 135 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(2)
Sykes Harley-Davidson
£5,995
Triumph Rocket III 2300 Classic 2294cc
2006 | Custom Cruiser
2006 (06 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 2294cc | 140BHP | 30,633 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
Morven Motorcycles
21
£4,291
Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER XL883L - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 883cc
2006 | Custom Cruiser
2006 (56 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 883cc | 13,090 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory Donington Park
40
£3,450
Honda VT125 Shadow 125cc
2005 | Custom Cruiser
2005 (05 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 125cc | 14BHP | 3,500 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(10)
Ace Motorcycles Macclesfield
5
£9,600
Moto Guzzi V9 850 Bobber Sport ABS 850cc
Custom Cruiser
null | Custom Cruiser | 850cc | 55BHP | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
The Scooter Cafe
£18,544
Harley-Davidson Street HARLEY DAVIDSON FATBOY 1868cc
2020 | Custom Cruiser
2020 (70 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1868cc | 1,147 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(25)
Robinsons Of Rochdale
7
£16,995
Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout 114 1868cc
2019 | Custom Cruiser
2019 (19 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1868cc | 6,629 miles | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
5
£11,250
Harley-Davidson Softail FLSTC 1450cc
2002 | Custom Cruiser
2002 (52 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1450cc | 28,000 miles | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
15
£4,889
Triumph THUNDERBIRD 900 SPORT - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 885cc
2003 | Custom Cruiser
2003 (52 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 885cc | 4,211 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory Donington Park
21
£5,091
Suzuki INTRUDER 800 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 805cc
2011 | Custom Cruiser
2011 (61 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 805cc | 14,045 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory Donington Park
15
£8,887
Triumph ROCKET TOURING - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 2294cc
2010 | Custom Cruiser
2010 (60 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 2294cc | 7,674 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory Donington Park
£19,895
Ducati XDiavel 1260 Black Star ABS 1262cc
Custom Cruiser
null | Custom Cruiser | 1262cc | 156BHP | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
Ducati Cambridge
9
£14,073
Harley-Davidson Sportster S 1250cc
2021 | Custom Cruiser
2021 (71 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1250cc | 1 mile | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(4)
Maidstone Harley Davidson
7
£5,200
Honda CMX500 Rebel 471cc
2020 | Custom Cruiser
2020 (20 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 471cc | 3,655 miles | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
11
£6,544
Triumph Speedmaster 865 865cc
2013 | Custom Cruiser
2013 (13 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 865cc | 7,778 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
Wheels
18
£9,995
Ducati Diavel 1198cc
2017 | Custom Cruiser
2017 (67 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1198cc | 16,645 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
Blade Ducati
18
£4,388
Suzuki VZ800 INTRUDER 805cc
2006 | Custom Cruiser
2006 (55 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 805cc | 8,712 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(21)
KH Motorcycles Ltd

Your questions answered

Cruiser motorcycles are a definition that applies to bikes modelled after American brands popular in the 1930s-50s, with the Harley Davidson perhaps being the most popular amongst them. They are famous for their riding position which puts the hands up and the feet forward, often with a backward lean to the seat, as well as their wide handlebars. They are primarily known for their easy rideability, accessible shifting, and low-end torque, though they rarely meet the horsepower expected of other types of bikes like sports bikes.
Touring bikes can look a lot like cruisers, given that both are large, powerful bikes that are easy to ride, especially on the highway. However, touring motorcycles are built more specifically for long-distance rides, and are outfitted as such. They have more cargo room, are ergonomically designed to make them more comfortable on long rides, and tend to have room to an additional rider with two-up seats.
The Yamaha V-Star 250 Cruiser is considered not only one of the more beginner friendly bikes of this kind due to its smaller size, but it’s also thought to be one of the best examples of what makes a cruiser bike. This 250cc motorcycle is praised for its maneuverability, good mileage per gallon, and a comfort low seat that keeps the ride straight backed and comfortable, perhaps for flat open roads.

Custom Cruiser bikes for sale

£5,495

Kawasaki VULCAN 650 S 2017 SPECIAL EN650DHFA 649cc

£7,750

Triumph Bobber 1200 1200cc

£13,995

Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER S 1250cc

£6,695

Harley-Davidson Street ROD XG 750 A 20 749cc

£5,995

Triumph Rocket III 2300 Classic 2294cc

£4,291

Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER XL883L - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 883cc

£3,450

Honda VT125 Shadow 125cc

£9,600

Moto Guzzi V9 850 Bobber Sport ABS 850cc

£18,544

Harley-Davidson Street HARLEY DAVIDSON FATBOY 1868cc

£16,995

Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout 114 1868cc

£11,250

Harley-Davidson Softail FLSTC 1450cc

£4,889

Triumph THUNDERBIRD 900 SPORT - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 885cc

£5,091

Suzuki INTRUDER 800 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 805cc

£8,887

Triumph ROCKET TOURING - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 2294cc

£19,895

Ducati XDiavel 1260 Black Star ABS 1262cc

£14,073

Harley-Davidson Sportster S 1250cc

£5,200

Honda CMX500 Rebel 471cc

£6,544

Triumph Speedmaster 865 865cc

£9,995

Ducati Diavel 1198cc

£4,388

Suzuki VZ800 INTRUDER 805cc

addWhat is a cruiser motorcycle?

addWhat's the difference between a cruiser and touring motorcycle?

addAre cruiser motorcycles good for beginners?

addWhat is a good cruiser motorcycle?