We all know the motorcycle market is changing rapidly each year. Just look at sports bikes, for example. They used to be lap time chasing machines, but most of the new kids focus on blending comfort and performance instead. However, the cruiser motorcycle segment remains rather traditional in its ways in the US.
Preference still belongs to OG American brands, V-twin engines, and chrome-laden aesthetics. That doesn’t bode well for new cruisers, inevitably meaning several overlooked examples. We’re talking about one such bike today, and it deserves your attention in 2026.
Why There Is No Shortage Of Overlooked Cruisers In America Today
The American cruiser market has plenty of overlooked bikes today, ranging from different countries worldwide. Why is that, you ask? Because of a traditional approach, as we said above. The entry-level range is dominated by trusty Japanese bikemakers, while the top-tier segment has big boys like Harley-Davidson and Indian.
So the new kids on the block rarely get the attention they deserve, no matter how good the package is. The BMW R 18 is a prime example of this. It technically does everything right, while undercutting its American rivals by a sizable chunk. Yet, the cruiser hasn’t had a lot of sales success worldwide.
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The Moto Morini Calibro Nails Comfort, Speed, And Value
Among the overlooked cruisers, when you think of comfort, speed, and value, the Moto Morini Calibro takes the top spot in our books. Comfort is strong here, thanks to the low 28.3-inch saddle height and forward-set footpegs. Whereas, speed is courtesy of the 693cc, parallel-twin engine that produces more power than its immediate rivals, like the Kawasaki Vulcan S. You also get more power than bigger, more expensive bikes like the Suzuki Boulevard C50, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, and Yamaha Bolt R-Spec.
Finally, the value is what will impress you the most. The MSRP is just $5,999 here. That positions this below cruisers like the $6,799 Honda Rebel 500 and $6,499 Kawasaki Eliminator, which otherwise belong to a segment below. At the same time, it is cheaper than the Kawasaki Vulcan S and Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 by a massive chunk. You should also remember that Moto Morini has left the Calibro’s price as is, while all of its rivals have bumped MSRPs in 2026.
Aside from the Calibro, the Suzuki Boulevard M109R comes to mind, too. It nails the speed side of things, thanks to the massive V-twin engine with over 120 horsepower. You also get GSX-R-derived underpinnings. As for comfort, you get an uber-low saddle, a raked-out front-end, and forward-set footpegs. You pay for these things, though, as the base price is over $15,000. While cheap if you look at other power cruisers, this is still a lot of money for what is essentially an uber-old platform with no updates.
An Impressive 693cc, Twin-Cylinder Engine Powers The Calibro
Jumping into the deets, the Calibro employs Moto Morini’s staple powerhouse. This is a 693cc, liquid-cooled engine with two parallel cylinders and Bosch fuel injection. It’s good enough for an output of 68 horsepower and 50.2 pound-feet, both of which are concentrated low down (8,500 RPM and 6,500 RPM). As a reference, the Kawasaki Vulcan S produces its 60 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 46.5 pound-feet at 6,600 RPM.
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It Can Take You To Over 100 Miles Per Hour
All that power reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission, driven by a Gates carbon belt. The gearing helps you achieve a claimed top speed of 108 miles per hour. That means cruising at freeway speeds (75 miles per hour) should be fairly stress-free for the Calibro.
Simple Suspension And Steel Suspension Make Up The Underpinnings
Joining hands with the engine is a simple set of underpinnings. The Calibro hides a double-cradle chassis, carved from steel. The swingarm has the same material. This relies on 41 mm telescopic forks up top and preload-adjustable dual shock absorbers outback to iron out bumps. The wheels comprise 18/16-inch (F/R) wheels, shod with beefy 130/180-section rubber. Braking, meanwhile, is courtesy of a 320 mm front and 255 mm rear disc, with two-piston and single-piston calipers, respectively.
The Curb Weight Is Under 450 Pounds
Although the Calibro uses simple materials, the Calibro weighs quite less at 443 pounds (around 50 pounds less than the Vulcan S). At the same time, the seat height is low (28.3 inches), and the wheelbase is tight (58.6 inches). Understandably, the ground clearance is just average (5.5 inches).
Just The Right Assortment Of Features
We’ve come to expect a long list of features from Chinese bikemakers. But the Calibro keeps things really simple. A semi-digital instrument cluster takes centerstage, which gives you the tachometer in an analog form. Slipper clutch, LED lights, USB port, and dual-channel ABS round things off. The latter is particularly impressive, considering Japanese bikemakers sell ABS as an optional extra.
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It’s the same story with the design. You get a neutral design with neo-retro elements. A round light sits up top, housed in a headlight cowl with a tinted windscreen. In the middle is a curvy fuel tank that drops into a ribbed saddle. A chopped rear fender and dual-tone alloy wheels complete the design. There are two colors on offer: Metallic Red and Metallic Gray.