Top Cruiser Motorcycle Brands: Discover Your Ride

Cruiser motorcycles have long been celebrated for their iconic styles and comfortable riding experiences, attracting enthusiasts worldwide. From classic American designs to modern innovations, numerous brands have cemented their reputations in this beloved category. In our upcoming article, we explore the standout brands that consistently deliver exceptional cruiser motorcycles, blending heritage and performance seamlessly. Join us as we take a closer look at the best cruiser motorcycle brands below.

Illustration of cruiser motorcycle

Best brands of cruiser motorcycle in 2025

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson is a renowned American motorcycle manufacturer, particularly celebrated for its iconic cruiser motorcycles. Founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company has a rich history and a loyal global following. As of 2024, Harley-Davidson holds around 19.9% of the U.S. motorcycle market, making it the second-largest player in the country. Despite facing challenges in recent years, Harley-Davidson has seen a significant rebound in 2024, with global sales growing by 11.4% year-to-date as of August. The brand is known for its heavyweight, air-cooled cruiser motorcycles, traditionally with engine displacements greater than 700 cc.

Indian Motorcycle

Indian Motorcycle, acquired by Polaris Industries in 2011, has established itself as a significant competitor in the cruiser and touring motorcycle segment, particularly challenging Harley-Davidson. Despite a record annual sales of 43,219 registrations in 2022, Indian Motorcycle's global sales have declined by 12.4% in the first eight months of 2024, down to 24,805 units. The brand, originally produced from 1901 to 1953, has seen fluctuations but remains a notable player, especially in the U.S. market where it competes with Harley-Davidson's 24% market share. Indian Motorcycle's sales, though smaller than Harley-Davidson's, still impact the market significantly, with estimates suggesting they could account for a loss of over $100 million in revenue for Harley-Davidson. Indian Motorcycle's resurgence has been marked by its strong customer service and product quality. For more information about their offerings, please visit the Indian Motorcycle official site.

Honda

Honda is a leading producer of cruiser motorcycles, dominating the U.S. market with a significant share. As of December 2024, Honda holds the largest share of the U.S. motorcycle market, slightly ahead of Harley-Davidson, with Asian brands like Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki collectively making up nearly half of the market. Honda's global motorcycle sales have been robust, with 13.07 million units sold in the first eight months of 2024, marking a growth of 8.0%. In the North American market, Honda's motorcycle segment is expected to see a minor increase to 16% in 2024, driven by the popularity of sport bikes and touring motorcycles. Honda's strong market presence is further reinforced by its dominance in regions like ASEAN and India.

Yamaha

Yamaha, a renowned brand in the motorcycle industry, is notable for its significant presence in the cruiser motorcycle segment. As of 2021, the cruiser motorcycles segment, which Yamaha contributes to, dominated the market with a revenue share of more than 55.0%. Yamaha's global sales have been recovering, with a 5.0% increase in the first eight months of 2024, projecting close to 5 million sales for the year. The brand's strong performance in regions like Latin America, East Europe, and West Europe, with growth rates of 8.4%, 60.3%, and 11.6% respectively, further solidifies its position. Yamaha's commitment to innovation and quality makes it a preferred choice for cruiser motorcycle enthusiasts. For more details on Yamaha's offerings, visit their official website.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki is renowned as one of the best producers of cruiser motorcycles, known for their powerful engines and impressive performance. In 2022, Kawasaki shipped 555,000 motorcycles worldwide, with the Philippines being the largest market at 209,000 units. The brand's commitment to innovation, such as advanced electronics and supercharged models like the Ninja H2, enhances the riding experience. Kawasaki's cruiser motorcycles are praised for their reliability, solid build quality, and minimal maintenance requirements, contributing to their strong resale value. With a diverse lineup catering to various rider preferences, Kawasaki has established itself as a leading force in the motorcycle industry. For more details about their global impact, visit Kawasaki statistics.

Triumph

Triumph Motorcycles stands as a leading producer of premium motorcycles, including cruisers, with a notable record of achieving 31% sales growth since 2020 and selling 83,389 units worldwide in 2022. The brand has expanded its global presence with over 740 dealers and has seen significant growth in regions like Italy and Spain, with 18% and 22% increases respectively in 2022. Triumph is projected to hold a 6.5% market share in the global motorcycle industry and is investing $200 million in developing electric motorcycles. The company's revenue is estimated to reach $0.69 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 4.75% from 2024 to 2029. Triumph's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position in the premium motorcycle segment.

Suzuki

Suzuki is a prominent player in the motorcycle industry, particularly notable for its cruiser models. In 2023, Suzuki's motorcycle market share in Asia, including Japan and Southeast Asia, stood at around 10%, a share expected to remain stable in 2024. Globally, Suzuki rebounded from a decline, selling 1.7 million motorcycles in 2021, a 39% increase from 2020, partly due to its strong performance in the Chinese market. In the U.S. motorcycle market, Suzuki, along with other Asian brands, constitutes a significant portion, with these brands making up nearly half of the market share as of 2024. Suzuki's focus on value-oriented models has helped it maintain a loyal customer base. For more detailed insights, consider visiting this source on Suzuki statistics.

Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi, as one of the oldest and most renowned European motorcycle manufacturers, stands out for its exceptional cruiser motorcycles. Established in 1921, the company has a rich history in motorcycle production and innovation, including the development of the first motorcycle centre stand and wind tunnel. Moto Guzzi's revenue is projected to reach approximately USD 93.95 million by the end of 2024, with a volume-weighted average price of USD 14.83K per motorcycle. The brand is known for its air-cooled 90° V-twin engines and has a loyal following with over 25,000 members worldwide. In 2024, Italy is expected to generate the highest revenue for Moto Guzzi, amounting to around USD 70.63 million. For more detailed insight, visit the Moto Guzzi statistics page.

Victory Motorcycles

Victory Motorcycles, an American brand founded in 1997 and owned by Polaris Industries, was a significant producer of cruiser motorcycles designed to compete directly with Harley-Davidson. Known for its powerful V-twin engines, Victory's debut model, the V92C, featured a 92 cubic-inch (1,507 cc) engine, the second largest production motorcycle engine at the time. Despite initial success and winning 25 industry awards, Victory's market share declined to just 2 percent by 2016, leading Polaris to discontinue the brand in 2017 to focus on the Indian Motorcycle brand. Victory motorcycles were characterized by their air-cooled engines, such as the 'Freedom' engine in the Vegas model, which produced 89bhp and 110 lb-ft of torque. The brand's efforts to gain market share included innovative marketing strategies, but ultimately, the competitive pressures and lack of profitability led to its demise. For more detailed information, visit Victory Motorcycles Wikipedia page.

BMW Motorrad

BMW Motorrad, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, has solidified its position as one of the top producers of cruiser and other motorcycles, achieving a new all-time sales record with 209,257 motorcycles and scooters sold, a 3.1% increase from the previous year. The company's success is attributed to its strong product portfolio, including popular models like the BMW M 1000 R and the BMW R 1300 GS, as well as its dominant market leadership in electric motorcycles with the CE 04, which holds around 70% of the global market share for all-electric motorcycles and scooters with an output of more than 11 kW. Europe remained the strongest sales region, with 116,012 units sold, and Germany was the top individual market with 24,176 units. The Urban Mobility segment also saw significant growth, with a 17.9% increase in sales. BMW Motorrad's global presence and innovative offerings continue to drive its success. For more details on their motorcycle models.