There are a few small cruiser style motorcycles to choose from and some are better than others. Choosing the right one for you would almost require you to do a personality test as they fit some people better than others. One of the best and most popular small cruisers is the Honda Rebel 500.
Overview
In this article, we look at some of the best small cruiser motorcycles on the market and try to compare them in a way that would make it easier for you to see what you really need or desire from a motorcycle.
These are some of the best small cruiser motorcycles that you could buy (A-Z):
- Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
- Harley-Davidson 883 Iron
- Honda Rebel 500
- Honda Shadow Phantom
Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
Spec sheet
| Max power | 44.5 kW / 61 hp @ 7500 rpm |
| Max torque | 63 Nm / 46.5 ft.lb @ 6600 rpm |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Seat height | 706 mm / 27.8 in |
| Wet weight | 223 kg / 492 lbs |
| Price (est.) | $6,555 |
If you like the look of a muscle bike and want something with a similar style, then you might consider the Vulcan S 650. It has a sleek aerodynamic design that isn’t like most cruisers. It kind of makes me think of the first bullet trains that were designed for speed.
The Vulcan S 650 could take you up to a top speed of 165 km/h 105 mph which is considerably satisfying for a cruiser. Although, the sound it makes is not delightful at all.
If you are worried about whether this motorcycle is too big or too small for you, Kawasaki has you covered. They have what they call Ergo-Fit which is basically different footpegs, seats and handlebars to fit the specific rider. So the bike is tailored to your own size.
Harley-Davidson 883 Iron
Spec sheet
| Max power | 33.6 kW / 45 hp |
| Max torque | 73 Nm / 53.8 ft.lb @ 3750 rpm |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Seat height | 683 mm / 26.9 in |
| Wet weight | 256 kg / 565 lbs |
| Price (est.) | $8,999 |
If you insist on riding a Harley-Davidson and love the sound they make, you might consider the Iron 883. Although it’s not a traditional style cruiser, it still has many of the looks that other Harley-Davidsons have. You could think of it as the baby brother of Harleys who decided that black is the new black.
This is a perfect starter bike for Harley enthusiasts who don’t have much experience riding. The seat is also quite low which makes it a suitable bike for shorter riders as well.
The 883 Iron could take you to a top speed of 170 km/h or 106 mph but speed is not what makes it attractive to potential buyers. This is a bike that people like because of how it sounds. Yet, it still doesn’t have that exact unique rhythm that other Harleys have. You might be interested in this article: Why do Harley-Davidson motorcycles sound so distinct?
Honda Rebel 500
Spec sheet
| Max power | 29 kW / 39 hp @ 7650 rpm |
| Max torque | 40 Nm / 29.9 ft.lb @ 6200 rpm |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Seat height | 691 mm / 27.2 in |
| Wet weight | 185 kg / 408 lbs |
| Price (est.) | $6,499 |
If you are someone who wants to get from point A to point B and don’t care much about performance, you might consider the Rebel 500. It’s a good motorcycle for commuting. Not only that but, it is the perfect starter bike for any beginner rider. If you want to know why, you should read this article: Is the Honda Rebel 500 a good starter bike?
If you are wondering why the Rebel 300 isn’t also on this list, it’s because the Rebel 300 is for a specific group of riders that need the bike to be as light as possible. This doesn’t mean that it is easier to ride, though.
The Rebel 500 could be perfect if you swapped the stock exhaust for something that doesn’t make it sound like Justin Bieber and if you had some decent brakes on it. Still, it looks really good and gets you where you need to be.
Honda Shadow Phantom
Spec sheet
| Max power | 33.5 kW / 44.9 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Max torque | 65 Nm / 47.9 ft.lb @ 3500 rpm |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Seat height | 655 mm / 25.8 in |
| Wet weight | 251 kg / 549 lbs |
| Price (est.) | $7,899 |
If you are into sleek bikes that resemble the style of WW2 motorcycles, then you might consider the Honda Shadow Phantom. It’s style isn’t all that historical, it reminds me of something between old and new, kind of like a hot rod. It has the aesthetics of the old but inside is all the new tech.
It’s perfect for cruising down those routs that none else cares to ride but it’s still quite capable on the highway.
The Shadow Phantom doesn’t do much more than what most road speed limits allow. It only has a top speed of 145 km/h or 90 mph which is alright if you want to cruise, right? What this bike really needs is saddlebags and that’s about it.
Final words
I don’t think there is a bike that suits everyone but some are better than others in various ways. These four motorcycles are what I believe to be the best small cruiser motorcycles and one of them might fit your style and personality. I hope this article was helpful to you.
Featured image by herr_beard on Instagram.
I always try to keep my articles interesting and informative. And I’m always thankful when they are shared on social media platforms or Pinterest.
