Mid-term report 2018: Top 6 Cruisers tested

Top 6 Cruisers tested

Laidback, relaxed and travelling to distant destinations; a perfect description of what a human expects from life. Enter cruiser motorcycles. They offer a laidback riding position making you feel relaxed as you ride to faraway destinations. And in the seven months that have passed this year, here are the six cruisers that we loved to get our hands on (and snuggle our behinds into). 

Kawasaki Vulcan S

The Vulcan S is Kawasaki’s version of how an American cruiser should be. However, unlike its western counterparts, the Vulcan S uses a parallel-twin engine to propel itself. But how does this middleweight cruiser perform in the real world? Find out here. 

Harley-Davidson Low Rider

The Low Rider looks exactly like the first thing that comes to mind when you read ‘American Cruiser’. It sports tons of chrome, a near 300kg kerb weight, sweptback handlebars and a 1745cc V-twin placed in between the rider’s legs. The Harley-Davidson Low Rider may be all show, but how is it on the go? 

Suzuki Intruder 150

The Suzuki Intruder 150 does borrow its name from the bigger M1800R and is said to borrow its design from the latter as well. While the front to mid -section does look similar, the rear end is a far cry from the design of the M1800R. On the bright side, the Intruder 150 is powered by the 154cc, single-cylinder engine from the Gixxer. So what is our expert’s view about the small-capacity cruiser?

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X 

The Thunderbird 350X is the standard Thunderbird 350’s alter ego, per se. Drawing inspiration from custom motorcycles, the 350X gets tubeless tyres with alloy wheels, a short handlebar and revised grab rails. Do these changes make the Thunderbird 350X behave differently too?

Bajaj Avenger Street 180

The Avenger Street 180 is Bajaj’s answer to the Suzuki Intruder. The bike uses a retuned version of the 180cc, single-cylinder engine from the Pulsar 180 and the blacked-out urban cruiser styling of the Street 220. The Avenger 180 is more affordable than its biggest rival, the Suzuki Intruder. So should you buy one?

Indian Scout Bobber

The Scout Bobber looks like something Ghost Rider would ride. It has a dark theme all through with the matte black wheels, exhaust, engine and frame. Adding to its character, the Scout Bobber also gets a set of beefy tyres. While the bike is youthful and boisterous does it ride as handsomely too?