Look at the cruiser motorcycle market, and you’ll realize almost all of them are solo-friendly first, pillion-friendly second. That’s because solo cruising can be therapeutic. You hit the open road, enjoy the rumble of the engine under you, and ride at your pace. Neither is there any distractions from someone behind you asking to take a break because they’re tired just from sitting. Nor do you have any worries about hauling extra luggage.
Sure, we’ve now got examples with hard luggage and thick pillion saddles, marketed as “cruiser” bikes. But a good cruiser will inherently be a bit biased towards solo riding at its core. We’re talking about one such bike here.
The Cruiser Bike Market Is Really Vast In 2026
Over time, all bikemakers have realized that the popularity of cruiser bikes in the US isn’t dying anytime soon. So they’ve taken the “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach. As a result, we have a vast collection of cruisers in 2026, hailing from nearly all corners of the world. Chinese, Japanese, and Indian bikemakers usually stick to the budget side of the segment, however.
Their cruisers are more beginner-friendly, cost less, and usually feature non-V-twin engines. That means if you want a “perfect” cruiser, you’ll have to look for more powerful examples that promise an OG experience. Harley-Davidson and Indian come to mind naturally then, and our pick here also hails from one of these brands.
The Most Affordable Harley-Davidson Cruiser To Own
The cheapest Harley-Davidson is also the most affordable to have in your garage.
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Is Perfect For Solo Cruising
Price: $18,999
In the Harley and Indian portfolio, we feel the Low Rider S hits the sweet spot for solo cruising shenanigans. A lot of that is down to its recent updates, where you get the new Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output engine. That means the highest power output of all 117-powered bikes on sale today. Another update brings cornering-enabled electronic aids as standard. So you can push the bike when you want to ride hard while having the mental peace of modern electronics. All this while, you don’t get pillion accommodations from the factory, meaning this is indeed a rider-first bike.
Finally, the Low Rider S has had not one but two price revisions in less than six months. First, the price dropped from $20,499 to $19,999. And now, Harley has introduced a Chrome version for $18,999. That means you get all the extra power and electronics for $1,500 less than the MY24 bike. The prices rise if you pick colors other than the base chrome Billiard Gray option, though.
The Street Bob Is A Good Alternative If You Don’t Prioritize Performance
Sporty performance with an authentic American experience is the Low Rider’s USP. But if you just want to chill around town in style, the Street Bob deserves a look. You neither get as much performance here nor do you get modern underpinnings. What you do get, though, is a bobber-like retro aesthetic with laid-back ergonomics and modern electronics. Buying this will also save you $4,000 over the Low Rider.
Whereas, The Sportster S Brings More Power For A Less Authentic Experience
Lastly, the $15,999 Sportster S is the true modern-day Harley for solo riders. A proper liquid-cooled engine takes centerstage here, promising over 120 horsepower. At the same time, you get cornering-enabled electronics, adjustable Showa suspension, and a TFT instrument cluster as standard. You miss out on the authentic Harley experience, though, since the design and ergonomics are all more roadster-like. There’s no chrome, either.
The Low Rider S Leads The Way With Mighty Performance
Coming to the nitty-gritty details, the Low Rider S is Harley-Davidson’s most powerful Milwaukee-Eight cruiser model. The 117 engine here is in the High Output state, which boasts forward-facing Heavy Breather intake, a performance-tuned 2-into-1 exhaust, high-performance SE8-511 camshaft, and a raised redline. All that equates to 114 horsepower and 128 pound-feet, where the former kicks in at 5,000 RPM and the latter at 4,000 RPM.
It Will Take You Beyond 124 Miles Per Hour
The power reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission. Keep it pinned, and you should be able to breach the 124 miles per hour mark with ease. In contrast, if you’re really on the throttle, the 117 engine will happily return 47 miles to the gallon. It should ensure a tank-to-tank range of over 230 miles.
10 Budget Cruisers That Refuse To Break Down In 2026
All of these cruisers have proven reliability while costing under $9,000 in 2026. Oh, and there’s a surprise at the end!
A Scooped Saddle Brings Solo Riding Comfort
The Low Rider S follows the cruiser norm in the ergonomics department. Your feet go on forward-set footpegs and the hands rest on a curvy handlebar. Add to this the scooped saddle with lower back support, and you should have a really comfortable riding triangle. There are other seats and handlebars on offer in the accessory range, too. So you can fine-tune things or even buy a pillion kit if you’re finally ready for that commitment.
Modern Showa Suspension Plays The Sidekick
A good riding triangle is pointless if the suspension doesn’t do its job well. So Harley has decided to go with a more modern setup than its usual Softail range here. The front end has 43 mm Showa upside-down forks, while the rear has a monoshock with preload adjustment. You also get alloy wheels (19/16-inch) instead of spoke wheels. Dual disc brakes at the front are another unique touch on the Low Rider. All that, with the sporty dimensions, ensures you can lean 31.3 degrees on each side. Speaking of dimensions, some headline figures are:
- Ground clearance: 5.7 inches
- Seat height: 27 inches
- Wheelbase: 63.6 inches
- Weight: 670 pounds (wet)
- Tire size: 110/180-section (F/R)
A Six-Axis IMU Brings A Sizable Safety Net
The Perfect Cruiser For Couples In 2026
The Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic has everything it takes to make a great ride for both rider and pillion
When you try to exploit those lean angles, the updated Low Rider’s electronic rider aids will ensure you stay right side up. The six-axis IMU serves as the crown jewel, unlocking cornering traction control, cornering ABS, and cornering drag-torque control. Ride modes help smooth out the power, meanwhile. Along with these, there are some creature comforts like cruise control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a USB port—all as standard. The only real bummer is the instrument cluster. This is essentially the same semi-digital setup as the $9,999 Nightster. The TFT from the Sportster S would be a better fit in our books.