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 3,263 Custom Cruiser bikes available on Auto Trader, we have the best range of bikes for sale across the UK.

10
£2,500
Honda VT125 Shadow Petrol Manual (14 bhp) 125cc
2005 | Custom Cruiser
2005 (55 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 125cc | 14BHP | 9,450 miles | Manual | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
16
£6,995
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 883cc
2003 | Custom Cruiser
2003 (53 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 883cc | 188 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
Churchill Motorcycles Limited
23
£12,995
Harley-Davidson Softail 1600 FXCWC Rocker C 1584cc
2009 | Custom Cruiser
2009 (09 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1584cc | 11,301 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(9)
RNC Motorcycles
4
£2,775
Suzuki Intruder 400 399cc
1994 | Custom Cruiser
1994 (L reg) | Custom Cruiser | 399cc | 19,000 miles | Manual | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
6
£1,000
Lexmoto Michigan 125 Custom Cruiser Petrol Manual (9.4 bhp) 125cc
2020 | Custom Cruiser
2020 (20 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 125cc | 9.4BHP | 4,570 miles | Manual | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
15
£8,995
Harley-Davidson VR 1130 SCR Street Rod 1130cc
2007 | Custom Cruiser
2007 (07 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1130cc | 121BHP | 2,260 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(36)
Hunts Motorcycles
10
£6,075
Yamaha XV1900 Petrol Manual (89 bhp) 1854cc
2007 | Custom Cruiser
2007 (07 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1854cc | 89BHP | 28,200 miles | Manual | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
6
£950
Keeway Superlight 125cc
2019 | Custom Cruiser
2019 (19 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 125cc | 4,532 miles | Manual | Petrol
Private Seller
Private seller
13
£5,791
Kawasaki VULCAN 650 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 649cc
2021 | Custom Cruiser
2021 (21 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 649cc | 61BHP | 1,156 miles | Other | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
13
£5,491
Kawasaki VULCAN 650 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 649cc
2019 | Custom Cruiser
2019 (69 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 649cc | 61BHP | 1,255 miles | Other | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
13
£1,991
Keeway SUPERLIGHT 125 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 125cc
2020 | Custom Cruiser
2020 (70 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 125cc | 10BHP | 694 miles | Other | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
2
£9,995
Indian SCOUT 1000cc LE SIXTY 76 BHP Loaded with Great Extras!! 999cc
2019 | Custom Cruiser
2019 (19 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 999cc | 76BHP | 3,000 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
Rideworx Ltd
12
£9,299
Triumph Bobber 1200 1200cc
2018 | Custom Cruiser
2018 (18 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 1200cc | 76BHP | 8,003 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(16)
David Sykes Superbikes
18
£4,288
Triumph Speedmaster 865 865cc
2009 | Custom Cruiser
2009 (00 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 865cc | 61BHP | 14,215 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
(4)
KH Motorcycles Sandiacre
13
£5,491
Suzuki INTRUDER 800 BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 805cc
2015 | Custom Cruiser
2015 (15 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 805cc | 3,304 miles | Other | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
13
£4,991
Triumph Speedmaster 865 BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 865cc
2011 | Custom Cruiser
2011 (11 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 865cc | 9,471 miles | Other | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
13
£7,591
Triumph STREET SCRAMBLER 900 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 900cc
2021 | Custom Cruiser
2021 (21 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 900cc | 64BHP | 4,145 miles | Other | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
13
£6,491
Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER XL 883 L SUPERLOW - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 883cc
2015 | Custom Cruiser
2015 (65 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 883cc | 1,965 miles | Other | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
13
£5,291
Honda CMX500 REBEL BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 471cc
2022 | Custom Cruiser
2022 (22 reg) | Custom Cruiser | 471cc | 46BHP | 1,000 miles | Manual | Petrol
Trade Seller
SuperBike Factory New Stock
9
£3,299
Royal Enfield METEOR 350 350cc
Custom Cruiser
Brand new | Custom Cruiser | 350cc | 3 miles
Trade Seller
(5)
Bob Minion Limited

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

£2,500

Honda VT125 Shadow Petrol Manual (14 bhp) 125cc

£6,995

Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 883cc

£12,995

Harley-Davidson Softail 1600 FXCWC Rocker C 1584cc

£2,775

Suzuki Intruder 400 399cc

£1,000

Lexmoto Michigan 125 Custom Cruiser Petrol Manual (9.4 bhp) 125cc

£8,995

Harley-Davidson VR 1130 SCR Street Rod 1130cc

£6,075

Yamaha XV1900 Petrol Manual (89 bhp) 1854cc

£950

Keeway Superlight 125cc

£5,791

Kawasaki VULCAN 650 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 649cc

£5,491

Kawasaki VULCAN 650 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 649cc

£1,991

Keeway SUPERLIGHT 125 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 125cc

£9,995

Indian SCOUT 1000cc LE SIXTY 76 BHP Loaded with Great Extras!! 999cc

£9,299

Triumph Bobber 1200 1200cc

£4,288

Triumph Speedmaster 865 865cc

£5,491

Suzuki INTRUDER 800 BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 805cc

£4,991

Triumph Speedmaster 865 BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 865cc

£7,591

Triumph STREET SCRAMBLER 900 - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 900cc

£6,491

Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER XL 883 L SUPERLOW - BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 883cc

£5,291

Honda CMX500 REBEL BUY ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY 471cc

£3,299

Royal Enfield METEOR 350 350cc

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?