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Jul 31, 2023

10 Great Cruiser Motorcycles for Beginners

Start your motorcycling journey by taking it easy on one of these cruisers.

Start your motorcycling journey by taking it easy on one of these cruisers.

Embarking on your journey as a new biker is an extremely exciting moment. You are part of a tight-knit community of people that take pride in being the black sheep of society, and choose to live life on their own terms by operating a vehicle only a small portion of the population understands. So you are ready and excited about getting your first motorcycle, but you must ask yourself "what kind of bike do I want?"

While some will gravitate towards high-speed sport bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja or the Honda CBR, you might want something a little more laid-back. You just got here, so you're not looking to gun it on the highway anytime soon. You just want to get your hands on something that is comfortable, easy to ride, and perfect to take out on a warm summers' day. Well luckily for you, there are plenty of bikes out there that match this description, so let's take a closer look.

Related: The 10 Best Adventure Bikes For Beginners

Widely considered one of the most popular cruiser bikes for beginners, the Honda Shadow checks off all the boxes one looks for in a beginner cruiser. Simple, but also stylish and smooth, this bike serves as the perfect vessel to introduce your inner-badass to the rest of the world. Its low seat-height makes mounting and dismounting a breeze, its pullback handlebar makes steering and maneuverability much easier, and its forward controls only amp up its comfort factor.

The 2023 version of this motorcycle also packs a 745cc liquid-cooled V-twin four-stroke engine, which delivers the right amount of kick for a new rider to make them feel in control, and not present itself as overpowering. The Shadow is ideal for beginner riders just looking to cruise around town and build their confidence operating a real motorcycle in real-life traffic without any of the intimidation.

Another entry-level cruiser stemming from Honda is the contemporary Honda Rebel 500. Designed to be more of a well-rounded motorcycle, the Rebel 500 serves as an ideal cruiser for riders to experience all kinds of riding. For the riders looking to take a casual cruise through the back roads, to the riders that are a little more adventurous on twistier roads, this motorcycle has the capabilities to deliver on both fronts.

What also makes this bike stand out from the rest is that unlike other cruiser motorcycles, the Rebel 500 does not draw from any old-school hot rod elements. Instead, it is designed to be an entry-level cruiser for the 21st century. That includes a blacked-out 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke engine (same as the CBR500R, CB500X, and CB500F), slipper clutch, an LED lighting package, and a lightweight die-cast aluminum rear subframe.

One part sportster, one part cruiser, all-parts fun. The Triumph Bonneville T100 serves as the brand's go-to bike for newer riders looking for a user-friendly entrance into the motorcycling world. Lightweight, with classic styling and an underlying performance factor, the Bonneville T100 is the kind of entry-level motorcycle that new riders can get used to very quickly. Equipped with a 900cc parallel twin engine, ABS, traction control, twin gauge instrument cluster, and LED rear lights, the T100 brings its own sense of style, comfort, and performance to the table.

By bearing a tolerable amount of power, this lightweight bike can give newer riders their speed kick once they are ready for it. If the T100 is used as a casual, local motorcycle, chances are a beginner rider will not go beyond third gear. But this bike also inspires confidence in beginner riders thanks to its responsive handling, paving the way for bigger, more powerful bikes.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Triumph Scrambler 900 Is Great For Beginners

For those that are already sold on the Bonneville, but require a little more raw power, then the Triumph Bonneville Bobber is the right cruiser for you. While the Bonneville Bobber still provides all the same benefits and learning curves as the T100, its larger 1200cc engine makes the Bobber the kind of entry-level cruiser that newer riders can hang onto for much longer.

Oftentimes beginner riders will get used to smaller motorcycles too quickly, making them feel like they've hit a ceiling in terms of power. Thankfully, the Bobber raises that ceiling, allowing riders to stick with one motorcycle instead of trading it in for a bigger one after outgrowing it in a few months. The Bobber has also been updated to enhance the riding experience with newer features like a 3.17-gallon tank, cruise control, "hard tail" styling, a floating seat, and improved suspension.

Cruiser motorcycles don't require much. They just need a decent-sized engine, a comfortable seat, and the desire to hop on and take a mini vacation just for yourself. Thankfully for newer riders, the Bobber checks off all the boxes. Simple and stripped-down, the Bobber does appear slightly larger than some of the other bikes on this list. However, it is also just as user-friendly in terms of learning and handling.

When the Scout Bobber first arrived in 2015, it became a staple in Indian's lineup thanks to its mass appeal and customers' positive feedback. Equipped with a Thunderstroke 111 engine, it can easily handle local streets and highways. Not to mention that the Scout Bobber also features three separate ride modes (Standard, Sport, and Tour), adjusting its performance settings based on the kind of riding you are looking to embark on.

Often compared to the Honda Shadow, the Yamaha V Star 250 likes to keep things light and fun, while simultaneously looking muscular and aggressive. This motorcycle is extremely popular with newer riders because it carries the classic, chrome-heavy aesthetic that many beginners find appealing, as well as being one of the best entry-level bikes on the market. The V Star owes its reputation as a sought-after cruiser to the lighter size of its body, 250cc engine, and its very affordable price tag. Commonly found in both rural and urban environments, this motorcycle has proven to be an ideal choice for riders looking for something simple.

A common pattern seen among many of the motorcycles on this list is their mass appeal. Not just in terms of power and price, but in comfort. What makes the Kawasaki Vulcan S such a popular choice for new riders is its accommodating ergonomics. While some motorcycles are better suited for certain heights, the Vulcan S has been shown to be suitable for people ranging from 5'6" to 6'1" and over. A low seat and forward controls that can be reached by anyone, certainly solidified the Vulcan as another popular choice for beginners. New riders come in all shapes and sizes, so it was smart on Kawasaki's end to develop a burly, affordable cruiser that could be ridden by nearly anyone.

Related: Moto Morini's 650cc Cruiser Wants To Take On The Kawasaki Vulcan S

Another alternative to a well-rounded entry-level bike, Suzuki has its own take on the old-school hot rod cruiser with the Boulevard C50. While it too includes a low seat, forward controls, and a decent-sized 805cc engine suitable for a new rider to build their confidence, it also has one small feature that makes a world of difference... floorboards. While many entry-level motorcycles come with footpegs, much of the rider's weight gets concentrated to a small area on the foot. With floorboards, their weight is more evenly distributed to their entire foot. This makes those easy-going rides feel even easier.

For Harley-Davidson riders, the Softail Slim is frequently viewed as the ultimate chill-out bike. Its low seat, forward controls, floorboards and long profile make it an ideal choice for newer riders looking to meet the bike they'll be obsessed with for many years. The stock Hollywood handlebars make it especially popular for some shorter riders that don't feel confident that their reach would be enough the maneuver the bike.

Not to mention that considering its size and weight, the Slim is a very well-balanced bike for riders looking to feel comfortable on the highway once they build their confidence around town. While many beginners will flock to a smaller motorcycle to get their start before upgrading to something larger, those that jump to the Softail Slim have the opportunity to take the fast track to the motorcycle they really want.

Harley-Davidson has had a diverse inventory in its 120 years as the world's leading motorcycle brand. With bikes ranging from sportsters to full-scale touring motorcycles, the most well-rounded model in its lineup is the Street Bob. What makes many newer riders gravitate towards this model is the fact that it combines the simplicity and maneuverability of Harley's sportster line, and blending it with the comfort and size of the Softail class.

Light and nimble enough to make it an effective city bike, but also heavy and durable enough to be transformed into a long-distance commuter motorcycle. The Street Bob has been a staple in Harley-Davidson's lineup since 2006, running on the Dyna platform, and has since been long revered by beginner and veteran riders alike.

Anthony has been a longtime motorcycle enthusiast for ten years where he doubled as one of the top sales associates for Harley-Davidson in New England. Aside from motorcycles, Anthony moonlights as a stand-up comedian and amateur bodybuilder. A Swiss Army Knife of a human being.