Best Beginner Cruiser Motorcycles 2024 | Expert Reviews & Guide
Choosing the right beginner cruiser motorcycle can set the tone for an exhilarating and enjoyable riding experience. As a newcomer to the world of cruisers, finding a bike that offers a perfect blend of style, comfort, and ease of handling is crucial. Beginner-friendly cruisers are designed to provide a smooth ride with manageable power, allowing new riders to build confidence and hone their skills. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best beginner cruiser motorcycles that promise not only a comfortable ride but also the iconic look and feel that make cruisers so beloved. Whether you’re drawn to classic designs or modern aesthetics, there’s a perfect cruiser out there waiting for you to hit the open road.
#1 Honda Rebel 300/500
The Honda Rebel 300 and 500 are quintessential beginner bikes, offering a perfect blend of style, performance, and ease of use. Both models sport a minimalist design that’s ready for customization, allowing riders to make these bikes truly their own. The low seat height of 27.2 inches ensures that even shorter riders can handle the bike with confidence, while the high-ish handlebars provide a relaxed, upright riding position. The Rebel 300, with its 286cc single-cylinder engine, is light and nimble, making it an excellent choice for city commuting and weekend joyrides, earning it the title of the best beginner cruiser motorcycle.
Moving up to the Rebel 500 introduces a 471cc twin-cylinder engine, offering more power and better highway performance while retaining the same user-friendly characteristics as the Rebel 300. The bike’s low center of gravity and manageable weight make it easy to handle, even for novice riders. Priced at $4,499 for the Rebel 300 and $6,199 for the Rebel 500, these bikes offer great value for money, especially considering Honda’s reputation for reliability and build quality. The Rebels also come with optional ABS for enhanced safety, which is a thoughtful inclusion for beginners.
#2 Kawasaki Vulcan S
The Kawasaki Vulcan S stands out with its innovative Ergo-Fit system, which allows for a customized fit tailored to the rider’s specific body size. This is a game-changer for beginners, as it ensures a comfortable and confidence-inspiring ride. The Vulcan S is powered by a 649cc parallel-twin engine, shared with the sporty Ninja 650, providing a spirited performance that new riders can grow into. Despite its larger engine, the Vulcan S remains approachable and easy to handle, making it a great choice for those looking to progress their skills.
What truly sets the Vulcan S apart is its adaptability. Whether you’re 5’6” or towering over six feet, the adjustable handlebars, seat, and foot pegs can be configured to fit your frame perfectly. This attention to ergonomic detail means that riders of all sizes can find their ideal riding position, enhancing both comfort and control. The Vulcan S’s modern styling, with its sleek lines and aggressive stance, also adds to its appeal, making it a bike that looks as good as it feels.
#3 Yamaha V Star 250
The Yamaha V Star 250 brings a touch of nostalgia to the beginner cruiser segment, with its classic design and carbureted 249cc V-twin engine. This bike is perfect for those who appreciate the aesthetics of traditional cruisers but want something manageable and efficient. The V Star 250’s low seat height of 27 inches and lightweight construction make it incredibly easy to handle, even for riders with little to no experience. Its compact size and smooth power delivery make it an ideal bike for city commuting and casual weekend rides.
One of the key highlights of the V Star 250 is its impressive fuel efficiency, offering up to 78 mpg. This makes it not only a great bike for beginners but also an economical choice for anyone looking to keep running costs low. Despite its small size, the V Star 250 boasts a robust build with plenty of chrome accents and a traditional cruiser look that’s sure to turn heads. The bike’s V-twin engine produces a satisfying rumble, adding to the overall riding experience.
#4 Suzuki Boulevard S40
The Suzuki Boulevard S40 is a timeless classic, known for its straightforward design and dependable performance. With a 652cc single-cylinder engine that has remained largely unchanged since its debut in the mid-1980s, the S40 offers a sense of nostalgia and simplicity that many new riders will appreciate. This bike is perfect for those who prefer a no-frills approach to motorcycling, with its easy-to-maintain belt drive and carbureted engine providing a raw, authentic riding experience.
What makes the Boulevard S40 stand out is its lightweight and manageable size, with a curb weight of just 381 lbs and a low seat height of 27.6 inches. These features make it an excellent choice for beginners who might feel intimidated by larger, heavier bikes. The S40’s design is straightforward, with a focus on functionality and reliability, ensuring that new riders can build their confidence without worrying about complex systems or high maintenance.
#5 Royal Enfield Meteor 350
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a modern classic, combining vintage aesthetics with contemporary features. Powered by a 349cc single-cylinder engine, the Meteor 350 delivers a smooth and relaxed ride, making it ideal for beginners. Its retro-inspired design, complete with a teardrop fuel tank, round headlamp, and comfortable saddle, pays homage to the classic cruisers of yesteryear while offering modern reliability and performance.
One of the standout features of the Meteor 350 is its comfortable riding position, with mid-mounted footpegs and a well-padded seat ensuring that long rides are a pleasure. The bike also comes equipped with a host of modern amenities, including a digital-analog instrument cluster, Tripper navigation system, and LED lighting. These features make the Meteor 350 a great choice for new riders who want the charm of a classic bike with the convenience of modern technology.
#6 Harley-Davidson Street 500/750
The Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750 bring the iconic Harley experience to new riders, offering a perfect blend of urban style and performance. The Street series is designed for the city, with a liquid-cooled V-twin engine that delivers smooth power and responsive handling. The Street 500, with its 500cc engine, is approachable and easy to handle, making it a great choice for beginners. For those seeking a bit more power, the Street 750, with its 750cc engine, offers a more spirited ride while still being manageable for new riders.
One of the key attractions of the Street series is its modern design, which features a sleek, blacked-out look that’s both stylish and practical. The bikes come with a low seat height and a narrow profile, making them easy to maneuver through traffic and tight spaces. Priced at $6,899 for the Street 500 and $7,599 for the Street 750, these bikes offer a great entry into the Harley-Davidson brand, known for its heritage and quality.
#7 Honda Shadow Phantom
The Honda Shadow Phantom is a cruiser with attitude, featuring a blacked-out style and a powerful 745cc V-twin engine. This bike is designed to turn heads, with its sleek, dark look and minimalist design. The Shadow Phantom offers a low seat height and a comfortable riding position, making it accessible for new riders. Its engine delivers smooth and predictable power, ensuring that beginners can handle it with confidence.
What makes the Shadow Phantom a great choice for new riders is its blend of style and performance. The bike’s low center of gravity and user-friendly handling make it easy to maneuver, while its powerful V-twin engine provides enough power to keep things exciting as skills improve. Priced at $7,999, the Shadow Phantom offers a high-quality ride.
#8 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec
The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec offers a modern take on the classic bobber style, featuring a 942cc air-cooled V-twin engine that provides robust performance and a distinctive look. This bike is designed for those who want a bit of edge with their ride, combining powerful performance with a compact chassis. The Bolt R-Spec’s low seat height and upright riding position make it accessible for beginners, while its muscular engine ensures it’s a bike you can grow into.
One of the standout features of the Bolt R-Spec is its minimalist design, which highlights the bike’s engine and mechanical components. This stripped-down approach gives the bike a raw and aggressive appearance that appeals to riders looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense cruiser. The bike also features modern touches like LED lighting and a digital instrument panel, blending the best of old-school cool with contemporary convenience.
