No matter how popular other categories get, cruiser motorcycles continue to hold a special place in the world. This remains particularly true in the US. Accordingly, we tend to see new bikers migrate from other categories to cruisers. Or first-time riders looking to get a cruiser as a first bike, given how easy these bikes are to live with. If you belong to either group, this article is exactly for you, as we’ll take you through 10 cruisers that are great for first-time buyers. Some of these are perfect for brand-new riders, while others are for first-time cruiser buyers who already have two-wheeler experience. We’ll also try to focus on the not-so-popular examples.
Benda Chinchilla 300
Price: $4,899
V-twin performance on a budget is rare. And it’s rarer in the entry-level space. Yet, the Chinchilla promises exactly that. You get a 298cc, V-twin powerhouse with liquid cooling that produces 30 horsepower and 19.5 pound-feet. That’s the highest figure for a sub-300cc cruiser today.
Other than this, the Chinchilla looks the part, too. It has oversized beefy tires, modern USD forks, double-barrel exhausts, and chopped fenders. At the same time, there are three color options, all of which look quite premium for a sub-$5,000 bike.
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Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350
Price: $5,299
If you’re a first-time buyer looking for a swagger-loaded cruiser on a budget, the Goan Classic 350 is the one true answer. Even though it costs just under $5,500, you get a properly stylish design with high levels of attention to detail. This is evident from the ape-hanger bars, bobber-like saddle, whitewall tires, and a hefty use of chrome.
At its heart is RE’s trusty 350cc J-series engine. It has 20 horsepower and 20 pound-feet, all of which sit low in the rev range. Having experienced the engine, we can confirm it is smooth, punchy, and frugal. This is topped with a simple suspension straight from the normal Classic 350.
Honda Rebel 300 E-Clutch
Price: $5,349
The Rebel 300 is arguably one of the most advanced cruisers for first-time riders. Credit for that goes to its new-for-2026 E-clutch technology. That means you don’t have to use the clutch at all while riding, not even when starting off from a standstill. No other bike in the segment (or even a segment above) offers this tech.
As for mechanicals, you get a proven 286cc, single-cylinder engine. This is good for 27 horsepower, while ensuring a claimed efficiency of around 75 miles per gallon. A steel chassis, simple suspension, and alloy wheels make up the underpinnings, meanwhile.
CFMoto 450CL-C
Price: $5,799
Jumping to a segment above, the 450CL-C presents itself as a highly capable cruiser under $6,000. It looks good with impressive attention to detail, along with modern features. The former comprises dual-tone colors, spoke-like alloy wheels, and bar-end mirrors, whereas the latter includes a TFT instrument cluster, dual-channel ABS, and traction control.
Meanwhile, at its heart lies a 449cc, parallel-twin engine. This has a 270-degree crankshaft to mimic V-twin-like power delivery, while the output stands at 40 horsepower and 30 pound-feet. What’s also impressive is the 399-pound curb weight!
Benda Napoleon Bob 500
Price: $6,499
The Napoleon Bob is Benda’s flagship cruiser in the US. And it has the swagger to match that. The design is what you will lust over first, thanks to distinct elements like girder-type forks, contrast engine heads, a clean rear-end with swingarm-mounted plate holder, and upside-down bar-end mirrors. You can also have it with golden wheels for added oomph.
What you’ll appreciate next is the powerhouse. This is a liquid-cooled V-twin engine that produces 47 horsepower and 31 pound-feet. These numbers are more than its direct rivals, and the V-twin nature should mean added tractability.
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Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
Price: $7,899
The Super Meteor is the perfect cruiser if you want the presence of big bikes without the price or snappy performance. It runs a 648cc, parallel-twin engine in an understressed way with a 9.5:1 compression ratio, similar to the big American V-twins. The 270-degree crank helps with oodles of low-end grunt, although the output is average for a 650cc bike (47 horsepower and 38 pound-feet).
Topping this is a likable design. It is properly retro, with oodles of chrome and a focus on road presence rather than saving weight. Steel is the dominant material all over, with long and low dimensions just like a full-size cruiser. In fact, the wheelbase here is just 1.7 inches shorter than the 975cc Harley-Davidson Nightster.
Honda Shadow Phantom
Price: $8,699
We’re now getting into first-time cruiser buyers with some experience rather than someone new to motorcycling itself. And the Shadow Phantom fits the bill well. It is Honda’s spin on an American cruiser, evident from the long and low structure as well as the retro design elements. You also get a V-twin engine here instead of the usual parallel-twin mills we see from Honda.
The displacement lies at 745cc, but this focuses on being uber-understressed. As a result, the power lies at just 45 horsepower and 48 pound-feet. Both these kick in very early in the rev range, though. The torque, in particular, peaks at just 3,500 RPM!
Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
Price: $9,690
The V7 Stone is an underrated cruiser gem in the market. It follows the roadster-type cruiser approach we see nowadays, but does its own spin on the matter with some standout elements. The engine is a prime example, which breaks the norm by featuring a horizontal V layout. You also get a final shaft drive here.
Sweetening the pot is a unique design and modern features. LED lights, traction control, ride modes, cruise control, and multi-map ride-by-wire are all standard inclusions, even on the base variant. Speaking of which, there are two other variants on sale.
Indian Scout Sixty Bobber
Price: $9,999
Now, we finally have the two cheapest American cruisers built to be an experienced rider’s first cruiser bike. The Scout Sixty Bobber kicks things off by being an easygoing machine. Its liquid-cooled mill produces 85 horsepower and 64 pound-feet to keep you entertained.
Everything else is pretty basic, as you’d expect from a budget American bike. Telescopic forks, dual rear shocks, and a double-cradle chassis make up the underpinnings, while the feature list comprises just LED lights and ABS. Surprisingly, you don’t even get a sixth gear here!
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Harley-Davidson Nightster
Price: $9,999
Harley-Davidson made the Nightster cheaper after the Scout Sixty Bobber debuted. But between the two, the Harley offers more of almost everything at the same price. Its 975cc Revolution Max engine has more oomph (91 horsepower and 72 pound-feet), and it works in tandem with a six-speed transmission.
The same trend follows elsewhere. You get more features here (traction control, ABS, drag-torque slip control, all-LED lights), along with more color options. Even with these, the Nightster is lighter than the Scout, too.