10 Cruisers That Combine Two-Up Comfort With Strong Highway Power

These days, cruisers come in all shapes and sizes. So much so that purists might think the cruiser segment is now too diluted and has lost its soul. The reality couldn’t be far from this, though. The segment has grown vastly, and now, you can find any and all kinds of cruisers, starting from small, style-first cruisers, like the Royal Enfield Goan Classic, to mighty power cruisers, like the Ducati Diavel V4 RS.

This growth has also benefited those who are looking for a powerful highway cruiser that can also be comfortable for the pillion. And unlike before, you have a lot of variety, too. Whether you want a cruiser that is all about laid-back confidence on the straight or one that won’t hesitate to double up as a drag bike along the way. All while keeping pillion comfort in mind. Here are ten such cruisers that combine highway power with two-up comfort.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Celestial

Power Output: 46 HP

Ever since its inception, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor has stolen thunder in the sub-$10,000 cruiser segment, and rightfully so. For $7,999, you are getting a motorcycle that feels more expensive than it is, with a road presence to match. It’s powered by a peachy 648cc parallel-twin engine that produces 47 horsepower—just enough to feel confident at highway speeds, even with a pillion. What wins your heart is its linear power curve and refined character.

On the comfort front, the Super Meteor has a neutral riding position and upright ergonomics. We suggest picking the Celestial variant if you plan to go two-up touring. This version adds a touring seat, along with a windscreen and a pillion backrest. Oh, it looks tastefully charming with its retro looks, too.

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT

Power Output: 51 HP

Step over the $10,000 barrier, and you can get your hands on a metric cruiser that’s about as reliable as it is comfortable: the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT. We assume LT here stands for light touring, as this is a long-distance version of Kawasaki’s popular mid-size cruiser. Powering it is a 903cc 55-degree V-twin making 51 horsepower and 58.3 pound-feet of torque. Seems plenty for highway cruising with a pillion to us.

Comfort is taken care of by its laid-back ergonomics, complete with wide, well-cushioned seats and floorboards. Compared to the standard Vulcan 900, the Classic LT also adds a tall windscreen to keep the bugs out of your face, decently sized saddlebags for your luggage, and a padded passenger backrest to help your pillion relax a bit. Rounding off this package are the handsome, timeless looks of a classic cruiser.

Suzuki Boulevard C50T Special

Power Output: 53 HP

The Suzuki Boulevard C50T Special is very similar to the Vulcan 900 Classic LT. And it’s one of the most underrated cruisers for two-up riding available today. It features an 805cc V-twin engine, producing 53 horsepower and 52 pound-feet of torque, and is known for its smooth power delivery and laid-back character.

Where the C50T Special should truly feel special, pun intended, is its comfort. It offers an open riding triangle with spaced-out hand and foot controls, paired with well-cushioned seats designed for comfort. Put simply, the Boulevard C50T Special is the perfect combination of Japanese reliability, two-up comfort, and V-twin torquey feel, all for a killer price of just $9,779.

Triumph Speedmaster

Power Output: 77 HP

The Triumph Speedmaster is one of the most value-for-money cruisers in the midsize segment. Based on the Triumph Bonneville, the Speedmaster offers classic British looks that are compact yet commanding. Powering it is a 1,200cc parallel-twin engine producing a healthy 77 horsepower and 78 pound-feet of torque, and it’s known for its strong mid-range pull and a throaty exhaust note.

Being a roadster-type cruiser, it’s still a hefty bike, but its well-balanced chassis and ergonomics are designed to make the bike feel lighter. Meanwhile, Triumph assures that the monoshock at the back gives the bike composed and responsive handling. Even the seat height is pretty low and should offer enough comfort on your two-up tours. The Speedmaster also features two riding modes, cruise control, and lean-sensitive ABS and traction control. It’s a complete package for $14,795 if all you’re looking for is a charming, decently powerful cruiser.

BMW R 18 Classic

Power Output: 91 HP

The BMW R 18 Classic is a German-built touring-ready cruiser. It’s powered by BMW’s largest ever boxer engine, a 1,802cc unit that produces 91 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque at just 3,000 RPM. That is a recipe for effortless highway cruising, thanks to its low-end poke.

Where it differs from the standard R 18 is its touring-ready add-ons. It features a single bench seat with a modern design, a tall windscreen, full-size floorboards, 4.1 gallons of saddlebag storage, and two auxiliary lights. These will keep you comfortable for hours on the road. Even its traditional cruiser design is imposing yet gorgeous, though we still miss the standard model’s fishtail exhausts.

Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic

Power Output: 98 HP

Perhaps no other cruiser on this list carries the torque of heritage styling quite like the aptly named Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic. It’s a stunningly gorgeous cruiser that harks back to the good ol’ days of cruising, thanks to its classic fenders, chrome garnish, and vintage-inspired touring bits. Underneath all that, you’ll find the modern Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin producing most of its torque at just around 2,500 RPM.

The Heritage Classic is based on the Softail chassis, but it builds on the comfort with a bunch of extras. It gets a detachable windshield, soft saddlebags, wide cushioned seats, and floorboards. An optional backrest makes life better for your partner. Despite its heritage appeal, it also features some modern essentials, including a tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, and Drag Torque Slip Control (DTSC), all for just under $20k.

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

Power Output: 103 HP

You must be living under a rock if you don’t already know what the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is. It’s an imposing motorcycle that’s all about road presence, thanks to its iconic chrome headlight nacelle, wide Lakester wheels, and steamroller stance. It should ride just as imposingly on the highway, too, thanks to its Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine producing 126 pound-feet of torque for ever-ready roll-on power in the low- to mid-range.

This is a big bike with spaced-out hand and foot controls, and you also sit relatively low to the ground at just 25.9 inches. Meanwhile, both the rider and passenger seats are chunky enough to hold someone as bulky as Arnold Schwarzenegger, so regular-sized adults should feel plenty comfortable. The only thing you’ll miss here is wind protection, but that’s a fair price to pay for this bike’s on-road attitude. It starts at $22,599, but if you want more color, the price can rise steeply.

Indian Super Scout

Power Output: 105 HP

The Scout is perhaps Indian’s most important motorcycle ever since its revival back in 2014. Not only is it a terrific cruiser, but it has also earned a reputation as one of the most reliable American cruisers of recent years. The Super Scout takes that formula and makes it more comfortable and powerful. You get a SpeedPlus 1250 V-twin to match the cruiser’s linear character and to produce 105 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque.

Comfort is taken care of by a bunch of touring-ready essentials, which set it apart from the regular Scout lineup. Along with its low 25.7-inch seat height, it gets touring saddlebags and a quick-release windshield. For $16,999, the Super Scout also feels a bit expensive, but it has the potential to be the only bike the right buyer would ever need.

Indian Super Chief

Torque Output: 120 LB-FT

The Super Chief is the Indian Chief dialed to 11 for comfort. This light-touring cruiser brings old-school charm, especially in its powertrain. It features an air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-twin that pumps out a healthy 120 pound-feet of torque between 1,890 and 2,900 RPM. That’s plenty of punch where it’s needed the most for effortless cruising. While Indian does not reveal this engine’s horsepower output, its torque output is enough to give you the confidence for highway cruising.

Its old-school charm continues in its design, too, complete with fork covers, wire wheels, a large headlight, and more. Add to that its comfort factor, and the Super Chief looks quite tempting. It features well-cushioned touring seats, a tall windscreen, floorboards, traditional cruiser handles, and saddlebags. At $21,999, the Super Chief is a bit expensive for a dressed-up Chief, but it promises to be a confident highway cruiser for two-up riding.

Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT

Power Output: 180 HP

Sitting all the way on the other end of the two-up highway cruisers is the Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT. Powered by the largest production motorcycle engine, a chunky 2,458cc inline-triple that dumps 166 pound-feet of torque and 180 horsepower, this cruiser is a literal rocket on two wheels. It’s known for its searing acceleration and an unbothered character at way-beyond-illegal speeds. This performance is supported by Brembo Stylema brakes and premium Showa suspension units.

It doesn’t sacrifice comfort, though, especially in its Storm GT variant. This brings swept-back handlebars, adjustable feet-forward pegs, a sculpted touring seat, and a short windscreen. Don’t worry, it still gets a pillion backrest to keep your pillion from flying off under hard acceleration. Triumph also offers panniers and a tail bag as optional extras, which are worth considering for longer rides. At $27,495, the Rocket 3 Storm GT is the perfect power cruiser for two-up riding when you want to get to your destination as fast as possible.