10 Most Extreme High-Performance Cruiser Motorcycles

[Suzuki Johnny]

10 Most Extreme High-Performance Cruiser Motorcycles
© Provided by HotCars
For many, cruisers are just machines for effortless mile-munching, with a great sense of comfort that no other type of motorcycle can provide. However, in all these years, motorcycle manufacturers have tried to push the bars of their capabilities higher by introducing extravagant cruisers, which have "XXL" evident in their size and performance. We are talking about the fast and extreme cruisers from various brands available in the market, which have been serving as the best from their respective makers.

Like some of the best tech-rich sportsbikes of the current era, these powerful cruisers are not meant for beginners, for their intimidating size and performance are not easy to tame. From meaty Suzuki and Ducati performance cruisers to unassumingly fast Harley-Davidson motorcycles, here are some of the most extreme high-performance cruisers one can buy with all the courage and money required.
How We Got Our Models Selection: All the motorcycles listed here are selected based on the power outputs claimed by their engines. These full-sized cruisers are powered by the largest engines from their respective manufacturers. This list is laid out in increasing order of top speed figures.


The Road Glide ST
Top Speed: 110 mph
Positioned just below the ultra-exclusive and top-of-the-line CVO range, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST is one great bet for those who love to explore the true potential of an extreme high-performance cruiser to the fullest.
The Road Glide ST cruiser takes the legacy and potential of the Road Glide grand American tourer to a new level with its Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine, shared with the top-spec CVO cruisers from Harley-Davidson. Currently, the largest and most powerful engine from Harley-Davidson, the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine gives the already gargantuan Road Glide ST an even more ballistic aura.
2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Harley-Davidson
Production Years
2017-Present
Configuration
Air-cooled, V-Twin
Displacement
1,923cc (117 cu-in)
Power
106 hp
Torque
127 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST, Street Glide ST, and Low Rider S

Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson and Motorcycle Specs; Top Speed referenced from RoadGlide.org

Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S.
Top Speed: 110 mph
The Suzuki Boulevard M109R is that elephant in the room, which might be old among the options listed here but is still very relevant and has the right amount of muscle and power to fit in the room. Being the largest and most powerful cruiser from Suzuki ever, the Boulevard M109R is still relevant even after existing for almost two decades now due to its mighty power and stance.
Given that it is one of the few extreme cruisers to bring Japanese engineering prowess to the cruiser world, the Boulevard M109R has refinement levels and reliability ranking high among the most extreme cruisers.
2023 Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Suzuki
Production Years
2006-Present
Configuration
Liquid-cooled, 54-degree, V-Twin
Displacement
1,783cc (108.8 cu-in)
Power
125 hp
Torque
118 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Suzuki Boulevard M109R

All specs have been taken from Bikez; Top Speed referenced from M109riders.com

BMW R 18
Top Speed: 111+ mph
When Ducati and Triumph rewrote the rules of cruisers with their bonkers powertrains, how could BMW be left behind in the race? However, unlike Ducati and Triumph, which focus more on outright power with their cruisers, BMW chose a slightly different path with the R18, its first-ever traditional cruiser motorcycle after many years.
The prime highlight of the BMW R18 is its Boxer-twin engine, which has the might in its size as sheer as the rest of the low-slung design of the cruiser. The R18 might be a German at heart, but its visual appeal and soul scream that it is a quintessential high-performance American cruiser.
2023 BMW R 18 Engine Specs
Manufacturer
BMW Motorrad
Production Years
2020-Present
Configuration
Air-cooled, twin-cylinder, Boxer engine
Displacement
1,802cc (110 cu-in)
Power
91 hp
Torque
116 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
BMW R 18, R 18 Classic, R 18 Roctane, R 18 B, R 18 Transcontinental

All specs have been taken from BMW Motorrad


Honda Gold Wing
Top Speed: 112 mph
The crowned jewel in Honda's global lineup of motorcycles, the Gold Wing is one of the best technological marvels in the modern motorcycling era. The Gold Wing has set up some high standards among cruisers with several exclusives, including its six-cylinder engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission.
For a segment dominated by old-school models, the 2024 Honda Gold Wing has carved a niche with its best-in-class tech-rich features and engine refinement. The sheer size and unique engine configuration make the Honda Gold Wing an extreme cruiser in the truest sense.
2024 Honda Gold Wing Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Honda Motorcycles
Production Years
2018-Present
Configuration
Water-cooled, flat-six
Displacement
1,833cc (111.9 cu-in)
Power
125 hp
Torque
170 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Honda Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour

Specs have been taken from Motorcycle Specs; Top Speed referenced from Motorbike Catalog

Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
Top Speed: 115 mph
Underrated is the word for Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero, a high-performance cruiser from the maker of some of the world's most aggressive and ground-breaking sports bikes. Like the high-revving, top-spec Ninjas and Zs in Kawasaki's lineup, the Vulcan 1700 Vaquero also has the aura of an extreme motorcycle.
The might of the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero is evident in its sheer size and performance from its 52-degree, V-twin engine, which is in the league of top-ranking Harley and Indian baggers. And like the Boulevard M109R, it might be old in this company, but it makes a lot of sense for all the torque and typical Japanese flair it offers.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Kawasaki
Production Years
2009-Present
Configuration
Liquid-cooled, 52-degree, V-Twin
Displacement
1,700cc (103.7 cu-in)
Power
82 hp
Torque
107.6 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager, Vulcan 1700 Vaquero

Specs referenced from Motorcycle Specs; Top Speed sourced from Kawasaki Vulcan Forum

Indian Chieftain
Top Speed: 119 mph
One of the first entrants, which was a part of the second innings of Indian Motorcycles when it came back after a long time, the Chieftain, has remained a mega-sized bagger to compete with the similarly-sized Harley-Davidsons.
Apart from its mammoth road presence, the highlight of the Indian Chieftain has always been its Thunderstroke 116 V-twin engine, which claims to offer a sea of torque in a low RPM range. This engine and its extra-large stance give the Indian Chieftain the credibility of an extremely high-performance cruiser.
2023 Indian Chieftain Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycles
Production Years
2014-Present
Configuration
Air-cooled, 60-degree, V-Twin
Displacement
1,890cc (116 cu-in)
Power
100 hp
Torque
119 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Indian Chieftain, Roadmaster, and Super Chief

All specs have been taken from Indian Motorcycles and WebBikeWorld; Top Speed sourced from Indianmotorcycles.net


Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
Top Speed: 120 mph
For those who want the extreme performance of a grand American tourer from Harley-Davidson but with less intimidating bodywork of a more conventional and low-slung cruiser, the Low Rider S is worth their attention.
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S gets the same Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine from the Road Glide ST and the extremely expensive CVO motorcycles from the brand. However, this engine is fitted to the body of a traditional cruiser, which, despite being bulky and large-sized, weighs much less than the grand American tourers powered by this engine, eventually resulting in a more impressive power-to-weight ratio.
2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Harley-Davidson
Production Years
2017-Present
Configuration
Air-cooled, V-Twin
Displacement
1,923cc (117 cu-in)
Power
103 hp
Torque
125 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline
Noteworthy Applications
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S, Road Glide ST, and Street Glide ST

Specs have been taken from Harley-Davidson and WebBikeWorld; Top Speed referenced from MCN First Ride Review

Indian Challenger
Top Speed: 125 mph
The range-topping motorcycle in the lineup of baggers from Indian Motorcycles, the Challenger is the real "challenger" to the might and aura of Harley-Davidson grand American tourers. The Indian Challenger has been a path-breaking motorcycle for the Harley-rival brand in all senses.
With a new design language and modern features, the Indian Challenger might have a smaller engine than the old stalwarts of the brand, like the Chieftain. However, the new-generation 108 cu-in V-twin powering the Challenger gives it extreme power output, making it the most powerful motorcycle in the current lineup of Indian Motorcycles.
2023 Indian Challenger Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycles
Production Years
2020-Present
Configuration
Liquid-cooled, 60-degree, V-twin
Displacement
1,768cc (108cu-in)
Power
122 hp
Torque
128 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Indian Challenger and Pursuit

All specs have been taken from Indian Motorcycles

Triumph Rocket 3
Top Speed: 138 mph
If the word "extreme" is brought into the discussion, how can the Triumph Rocket 3 cruiser be left behind? The flagship motorcycle and currently the only cruiser from Triumph, the Rocket 3 has set up a high standard in the motorcycling world with its inline-three, 2,458cc engine, which currently ranks as the largest-sized engine for a production-spec motorcycle in the world.
With a humongous wave of torque spread across its range, the mighty Rocket 3 can be intimidating for new riders. Currently offered in three variants – Standard, R, and GT, the Triumph Rocket 3 cruiser is one of the ultimate words in the world of motorcycles, whether it is its size or sheer performance.
2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Triumph
Production Years
2019-Present
Configuration
Water-cooled, inline-three
Displacement
2,458cc (150 cu-in)
Power
165 hp
Torque
163 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Triumph Rocket 3, Rocket 3 R, and Rocket 3 GT

Specs have been taken from Triumph Motorcycles; Top Speed sourced from MCN First Ride Review

Ducati Diavel V4
Top Speed: 155 mph
A maker of some of the most extreme and ridiculously expensive and tech-laden motorcycles in the world, Ducati rewrote some of the chapters of the rulebook of cruisers with the Diavel. The "power cruiser" from the Ducati arrived at the scene first with a twin-cylinder engine, like most of the Ducatis.
However, the Diavel has become even more of a devil with its new-generation V4 engine and the latest tech and features shared with the top-of-the-line V4 motorcycles from Ducati, like the Multistrada and Streetfighter. The Ducati Diavel V4 is the perfect option for those who want the best of both worlds of laid-back cruisers and maniac naked roadsters in one package.
2023 Ducati Diavel V4 Engine Specs
Manufacturer
Ducati
Production Years
2021-Present
Configuration
Liquid-cooled, 90-degree, V4
Displacement
1,158cc (71 cu-in)
Power
168 hp
Torque
93 lb-ft
Fuel
Gasoline

Noteworthy Applications
Ducati Diavel V4, Multistrada V4

All specs have been taken from Ducati; Top Speed sourced from MCN First Ride Review


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[Tbeck]

Not picking on you SJ but this article is another example of the author not being able to keep his topic in one lane again. The very first bike the Road glide ST sets the agenda from the start. ST stands for Sports Tour, not cruiser.
The next two are true Cruiser's and then he jumps back to a full blown Touring bike .
The kawi is a cruiser depending upon the model, and the Chieftain is definitely not a cruiser.

At the end of the day I think many of theses articles really do a great job of confusing consumer's who haven't been around motorcycle their entire life. Heck lot's of folk's who have been riding a while often times aren't sure how to classify a particular model.
At the end of the day if you are going to present chicken's, you shouldn't be throwing a peacock in the mix.