It is relatively easy to get a cruiser right for a single person. No, we don’t mean someone who doesn’t have a partner. We mean someone who rides around by themselves on the bike. In fact, this has become such a big part of cruiser culture that many cruisers offer a pillion seat and footpegs as accessories. So it is understandable if, while shopping for a motorcycle for two-up riding, you’re directed to tourers rather than cruisers.
However, if it is a cruiser that you must have, there are a few things you can do to narrow your search. One, find one that is also developed for light touring. This will ensure you have a seat that is more comfortable than the baseline. Two, it will have a large enough engine with enough performance to take the weight of two people and luggage, which will help reduce rider fatigue. You can also narrow your search by reading on, because we like to do the research for you.
The Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Is The Perfect Cruiser For Couples In 2026
When you want a cruiser, you know you want one with a V-twin heart and torque for days. Taking that into consideration, we feel the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic is the perfect cruiser for couples in 2026. After all, it comes right out of the gate with the assumption that you’re going to put miles on it with a pillion. Therefore, there is space and comfort, and there is enough performance for two occupants, no matter the conditions.
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Price: $19,999
The Heritage Classic usually sat near the top of Harley’s cruiser range. It still does, but it has had a significant price drop for 2026, putting its base price at under $20,000. That makes it very difficult to ignore it as an option now. However, the pillion seat isn’t standard for this MSRP, but a $2,000 option packaged with the windshield, bringing the price up to its old $21,999. This is a necessary addition because without it, you can’t upgrade the seat to the Sundowner seat or add the sissy bar for the pillion.
You Get Proven V-Twin Power On The Heritage Classic
The Heritage Classic is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic engine. This version has oil cooling for the cylinder heads and prioritizes a high torque figure over power. It displaces the same 1,917 cc as the rest of the M8 range, but puts out 98 horsepower and a very impressive 120 pound-feet of torque at a very low 2,500 revs. It is fuel-injected and has a by-wire throttle, and a six-axis IMU is included, too. That means access to ride modes, cornering traction control, and cornering drag torque slip control. The transmission consists of a six-speed transmission and a belt final drive.
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Traditional Chassis With Quality Suspension
The Heritage Classic has a traditional double downtube frame tied with Showa suspension. At the front, 49 mm telescopic forks have dual-bending valves and dual-rate springs. At the rear, the suspension is decidedly modern, with a preload-adjustable hidden monoshock. Suspension travel stands at 5.1 inches at the front and 4.4 inches at the rear.
Elsewhere, this is one of the few cruisers that uses a 16-inch rim at both ends. We prefer the optional wire-spoke rims, though. A single 300 mm front brake disc with a four-piston fixed caliper slows the front wheel, while a 292 mm disc with a two-piston floating caliper does duty at the back. Cornering ABS is standard.
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Dimensions
This is a large motorcycle – it is over 95 inches long and weighs 728 pounds wet while featuring a 64.2-inch wheelbase. The seat height is at 26.8 inches – a little high because of the hidden rear shock. A big 5-gallon fuel tank is present for long jaunts.
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Features
The Heritage Classic has quite a few lovely features, but since we’re talking about the perfect cruiser for couples, let’s address the elephant in the room. You don’t get a pillion seat for $19,999. You need another $2,000 on top for that, and then you can add a more comfortable seat and various additions over and above that.
As a rider, though, you are greeted by a part analog, part digital circular instrument cluster that looks familiar, but is tank-mounted in this case. The analog speedo dominates it, and the reverse LCD at the bottom shows information like the fuel level, odometer, and trip meter. It also lets you toggle through all the above-mentioned electronic aids.
The options list is extensive and – dare we say it – essential to the Heritage Classic. The aux lights and the saddlebags are standard, but not much else is. The windshield is new to the options list for 2026. We’d hate to sound like we’re hating on the Heritage, but without the $2,000 black two-up option, you can’t opt for a different paint scheme, or the spoked rims – all of which are in the marketing material.
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Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Competition
There are a fair few cruisers that eye this segment because it’s such a good one to be in. The direct competitor to the Heritage Classic is the Indian Super Chief Limited, whose base price matches Harley’s when you take into account the windshield and pillion seat. It runs twin rear shocks and doesn’t have tubeless tires, but has rear cylinder deactivation, a 4-inch TFT display with Bluetooth, navigation, and connected features.
If you want more bang for your buck, then the BMW R 18 Classic makes even more sense. At just over $18,000, the value is commendable here. It does things its own way, though, with a giant longitudinal boxer engine and shaft drive. A six-axis IMU is missing, meanwhile. It is also an incredibly long and large motorcycle. Still, because of its value for money and large size, offering more comfort to two occupants, we think it is worth a look.
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Vs BMW R 18 Classic
|
Model |
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic |
BMW R 18 Classic |
|
Price |
$19,999 |
$18,395 |
|
Engine |
45° V-twin |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
|
Displacement |
1,923 cc |
1,802 cc |
|
Power |
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM |
91 HP @ 4,750 RPM |
|
Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
120 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
|
Final Drive |
Belt |
Shaft |
|
Curb Weight |
728 LBs (Wet) |
814 LBs (Wet) |
Source: Harley-Davidson USA