There was a time when cruiser motorcycles used to cost a bomb for the most part. After all, they had big engines in big frames, both of which cost serious money to make. Then, the heavyweights tried their hands at making things more approachable (the H-D Sportster was a key example), and that birthed a whole new segment of small cruisers. These were not only approachable by size, but also money-wise.
Fast forward to today, and the affordable cruiser segment is more prominent than ever. You can find loads of offerings under the $10,000 mark, and trying to choose can almost make the brain melt at times. However, only a handful of these can successfully turn heads, and if you’re in the market for one such cruiser, our list is precisely what you need. There’s even an Italian roadster-type cruiser in here!
10 Small Cruiser Bikes To Kickstart Your 2025 Riding Goals
The most powerful beginner-friendly cruiser bike on this list produces over 90 horsepower but is still very approachable.
Yamaha V-Star 250
Price: $4,799
The V-Star is super old. But that’s what helps it turn heads. The design is ultra retro, complete with oodles of chrome and petite bodywork. At the same time, its V-twin engine draws attention, being the only one of its kind in the 250cc space.
This is also a really friendly motorcycle with laid-back ergonomics, a low saddle, and seating for two occupants as standard. The power is also new rider-friendly, as you get just 21 horsepower and 15 pound-feet.
Benda Chinchilla 300
Price: $4,899
If you like budget-friendly neo-retro cruisers, the Chinchilla 300 will hit the sweet spot. It has a beautiful aesthetic for a 300cc bike, flexing oversized chunky tires, blacked-out mechanicals, and a trio of premium colorways. You also get dual slash-cut exhausts out of the V-twin mill.
Speaking of which, the Chinchilla makes an impressive 30 horsepower and 20 pound-feet. That makes it one of the most powerful cruisers under $5,000. Overall reliability is a bit of a question mark, however.
Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350
Price: $5,299
The Goan Classic is Royal Enfield’s flashiest cruiser today. That is down to its distinct liveries and a bobber-style aesthetic. We also dig the ape-hanger and whitewall tires–both being rarities in the budget side of the segment.
Under the skin, it’s just like a Classic 350. You get the J-series engine, good for 20 horsepower and 20 pound-feet. This sits inside a double-cradle frame, carved from steel.
CFMoto 450CL-C
Price: $5,799
We know the 450CL-C isn’t exactly a head-turner. But in the 450-500cc segment, we believe it trumps the Rebel 500 and Eliminator in terms of aesthetics. Credit goes to its impressive liveries, minimalistic design, and impressive attention to detail.
Meanwhile, performance is via a 449cc parallel-twin engine sourced from the 450SS sports bike. It’s been retuned to produce 40 horsepower and 30 pound-feet, both of which are concentrated well under 10,000 RPM.
Here Are The Cheapest Cruiser Bikes From All Popular Brands
The price range is wide, but many of the popular brands have cruisers in their lineup which attract the eye of budget-minded riders.
Benda Chinchilla 500
Price: $5,999
The Chinchilla 500 is what you get when you dial up the Chinchilla 300 to 11. Fatter tires, bigger proportions, and even more swagger make this a head-turner. This is topped with brilliant attention to detail, comprising upside-down bar-end mirrors, contrast graphics, and slashed fenders. In fact, this is the closest thing to a mini-Harley Forty-Eight.
Also put on full display is its V-twin engine. This is the same engine as the Napoleon Bob, with an impressive 47 horsepower output. Benda has also given the mill a contrasting copper finish to draw more attention to it.
Benda Napoleon Bob
Price: $6,399
This right here is arguably the most head-turn-worthy cruiser on the list. Bold claim, we know, but we can justify it. You get an uber-distinct aesthetic here, complete with elements like faux girder forks, a solo saddle, gold wheels, and a dual-tone livery. This is topped with minimalistic round LEDs all over.
At its heart is a liquid-cooled V-twin engine. The displacement lies at around 500cc, ensuring an output of 47 horsepower and 31 pound-feet. In a sea of parallel-twin mills, the V-twin further helps the Benda cruiser turn heads.
Kawasaki Eliminator SE
Price: $6,999
The base Eliminator is rather simple, and we’d pick the Rebel 500 over it in terms of swagger. But the SE trumps the Rebel’s SE variant. How? Primarily, thanks to its flashy red colorway. At the same time, you also get more features and power here for the same cost as the Rebel.
As a refresher, the Eliminator has a Ninja 500-sourced 451cc parallel-twin engine. It produces 51 horsepower–the highest among its peers from Europe and Asia. Yes, the Moto Morini Calibro produces more power for less money, but it is technically in a segment above.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Celestial
Price: $7,899
The Super Meteor 650 has had a price shuffle in 2026. It no longer has a sub-$7,000 base price, which rises as you get different models. Instead, you pay $7,899 regardless of the colorway or variant. And the Celestial is what you need to eye if you want to turn heads as well as maximize value.
We say because the Celestial adds a touring seat, back rest, windscreen, and dual-tone colorway to the package. These improve the visual aura while improving touring comfort over the base bike. There aren’t any mechanical changes, though.
Honda Shadow Phantom
Price: $8,699
The Shadow lineup comprised multiple models until last year. But as of now, only the Shadow Phantom remains listed. We can’t complain, as this is easily the most handsome one of the lot. The long and low stance, blacked-out mechanicals, and punchy colors all deserve credit for that. You also get retro touches like fork gaiters, an external air cleaner, spoke wheels, and a tank-mounted instrument cluster.
The motorcycle also got a recent update that brought LED lights and ABS as standard inclusions. All this while, power comes from a 745cc V-twin engine. This is an understressed and liquid-cooled mill, with a focus on torque and reliability rather than performance.
10 Best Cruiser Motorcycles For Relaxed Weekend Rides
The most powerful cruiser bike here is a torque monster, packing the biggest displacement engine and the widest rear tire among production bikes.
Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
Price: $9,690
We know $9,690 is not exactly affordable. But we think the V7 Stone can justify that moolah well. For starters, its powerhouse will perhaps turn the most heads, thanks to its protruding horizontal V layout. This also joins hands with a shaft drive that is quite rare on modern machines under $10,000. Then, there is its Italian origin and overall rarity, which simply means more eyeballs wherever you go.
Elsewhere, its latest update brings a suite of modern-day electronics to the party. We’re talking LED lights, traction control, ride modes, cruise control, and multi-map ride-by-wire. There are two other variants as well (V7 Sport and V7 Special), both of which bring extra oomph for extra money.