The commute isn’t what it used to be today. Traffic has become worse, and gas prices keep rising. If you still want to ride in the city, though, a calm and collected cruiser that sips fuel like a teetotaller at a bar would be just the solution. Learner bikes tend to skew to the cruiser end of the spectrum precisely because of this very character. They’re easygoing, aren’t nervous-handling, and are easy on the pocket when it is time to fill up. They also tend to have a really low cost of ownership, so if you’re going to stick to city limits, they can make for some great bikes. Here then are ten cheap and fuel-efficient cruiser bikes for the city in 2026.
10
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Celestial
Fuel Efficiency: 46 MPG
The Super Meteor 650 is a midsize motorcycle, but it also has good fuel efficiency thanks to its high-torque, low-power engine. Other things contributing to its efficiency are the choice of a six-speed gearbox, fuel injection, and a four-valve per cylinder layout. We prefer the Celestial variant because, for the same amount of money, you get a much more comfortable touring seat, windshield, and a pillion backrest.
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
648 cc |
|
Max Power |
47 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
38.6 LB-FT @ 5,650 RPM |
|
Price |
$7,899 |
9
Kawasaki Vulcan S
Fuel Efficiency: 47 MPG
The Vulcan S has a chassis and driveline derived from a sport bike and naked bike, which is why it is light and efficient. This also makes it a very fun motorcycle to ride around in the city – let the engine rev, and it has good performance. ABS is an option, while a TFT is missing from the features list. The Ergo-Fit tech allows riders of various sizes to find a comfortable rider triangle on the Vulcan S.
|
Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
649 cc |
|
Max Power |
61 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
46.3 LB-FT @ 6,600 RPM |
|
Price |
$7,649 |
8
Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
Fuel Efficiency: 48 MPG
The Rebel 1100 has a lot of things going for it. It costs as much as a mid-size bike but is a full-size one. It has a high-torque, unstressed engine. And it has the option of a dual-clutch automatic gearbox for a mere $600 over the base model’s price. ABS is standard, as is a TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. Is there anything else you’ll need, other than a fuel efficiency figure that midsize cruisers would be proud of?
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
|
Max Power |
87.1 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
|
Price |
$9,699 |
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7
Honda Shadow Phantom
Fuel Efficiency: 56 MPG
The Shadow lives on – but now it is only available as the Phantom. That means a modern, blacked-out look with alloy wheels. In turn, that allows for tubeless tires, which is always a good thing. The 745 cc engine uses only five speeds, but is very efficient nevertheless. A rear disc brake and ABS are standard now, and welcome additions to a popular cruiser.
|
Engine Type |
52° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
745 cc |
|
Max Power |
44.9 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
47.9 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM |
|
Price |
$8,699 |
6
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Fuel Efficiency: 60 MPG
The Meteor 350 is one of the most accessible cruisers for anyone. It is rugged, simple, and takes its ‘retro’ brief quite seriously. It uses a five-speed transmission, has two valves, an analog/digital instrument cluster, and twin rear shocks. There are also nods to modernity, with an assist and slipper clutch, the ‘Tripper’ TFT display, all-LED lighting, and a fast-charging USB-C port.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
349 cc |
|
Max Power |
20.2 HP @ 6,100 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
19.9 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM |
|
Price |
$4,899 |
5
CFMoto 450 CL-C
Fuel Efficiency: 60 MPG
The CFMoto CL-C offers the same fuel efficiency as the Meteor 350, but it does it with twice as many cylinders. And this is a modern 270-degree parallel twin! It manages that with additional features like a six-speed gearbox and belt drive via a Gates carbon belt. It also sports traction control and a circular 3.6-inch TFT display.
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
449 cc |
|
Max Power |
40 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
30 LB-FT @ 6,250 RPM |
|
Price |
$5,799 |
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4
Kawasaki Eliminator
Fuel Efficiency: 61 MPG
While the prices of most imported motorcycles have gone up after Trump’s tariffs, Kawasaki has somehow managed to keep the Eliminator’s price steady. It shares its driveline with the Ninja 500/Z500, but has a traditional and simple cruiser frame, with telescopic forks and twin rear shocks. Kawasaki has also stuck to an LCD instead of upgrading to a TFT screen to keep things simple, but riding it in the city will be quite effortless thanks to features like an assist and slipper clutch.
|
Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
451 cc |
|
Max Power |
51 HP @ 10,000 RPM (est) |
|
Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Price |
$6,499 |
3
Honda Rebel 500
Fuel Efficiency: 67 MPG
The Rebel 500 is possibly the best motorcycle to start your riding career with. It is easygoing, has an efficient engine that is also smooth, and is reliable. It helps that it is fun to ride as well as easy to hang out with for a beginner. The icing on the cake is the high fuel efficiency figure, which outdoes some of the single-cylinder motorcycles on this list!
|
Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
471 cc |
|
Max Power |
46.9 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
43.3 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
|
Price |
$6,799 |
2
Yamaha V-Star 250
Fuel Efficiency: 78 MPG
The phrase ‘old is gold’ should have a photo of the V-Star 250 next to it in the dictionary. This little cruiser is the most affordable Japanese cruiser today, hasn’t changed much, uses carburetors and a V-twin engine with two valves per cylinder, air cooling, and a five-speed gearbox, and still manages to be as efficient as anything else. It’s a true head-scratcher. We love it anyway, despite the lack of modern amenities like a digital screen, ABS, or even a rear disc brake.
|
Engine Type |
60° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
249 cc |
|
Max Power |
21 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
15.2 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
|
Price |
$4,799 |
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1
Honda Rebel 300 E-Clutch
Fuel Efficiency: 78 MPG
The Rebel 300 is the baby of the Honda cruiser lineup, and it is now available exclusively with the E-Clutch system in the USA. This makes it an even easier choice for beginners because it eliminates the need to operate the clutch, even when you stop. The single-cylinder engine is liquid-cooled, has a DOHC head, and a six-speed gearbox. ABS is now standard as well, making it a very good value overall.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
286 cc |
|
Max Power |
27 HP |
|
Max Torque |
20 LB-FT |
|
Price |
$5,349 |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Kawasaki USA