Cruisers are a type of motorcycle born on the west coast of America in the early 1900s. These bikes have become popular amongst people who prefer comfortable and relaxing rides. Cruisers generally have a long wheelbase, fatter tires, and lower seats, all of which come together to provide a smooth riding experience.
So now, we might be thinking, if these bikes have been around for so long, what was the first Cruiser to be manufactured? It was around the 1920s, when Indian released the Scout – an old fashioned Cruiser, with a similar riding posture. After this, Indian released the Chief and Ace in 1922 and 1927 respectively.
In 1906, Indian released their first V-Twin Factory Racing motorcycle which had a 633cc engine. This was the first American V-Twin Factory Racing Engine. From 1916 to 1924, Indian manufactured the Powerplus models for World War 1.
Another trait the cruiser motorcycle possesses is its larger fuel tank capacity which is more “convenient” than bikes from other classes. The long-range fuel tank gives it the ability to travel long distances without the need for a refuelling stop.
Harley Davidson, Indian, Royal Enfield, Bajaj, Jawa etc. are some well-known brands that are releasing new models and fresh lines of cruisers. The Bajaj Avenger series cruiser motorcycles have been the biggest success in India. However, Harley Davidson and Indian continue their dominance amongst the cruiser line-up globally.
Let’s talk a little about the Harley Davidsons. Harleys are an icon of cruiser motorcycles. In 1903, they came up with the Harley Davidson Serial Number One, a bicycle-looking motorcycle. In 1917, 50% of Harley’s bikes was bought by the American Government to be used in World War 1.
Harley Davidson’s first successful engine was a V-Twin used in the 7D model. The 7D was launched in 1911. Harley continued the use of the V-Twin engines since then and kept improving on it as years went by.
In India, the first cruiser to be manufactured was by Yamaha. Yamaha released the Enticer in 2002, an entry-level cruiser motorcycle. The Enticer had a 123.7cc air-cooled engine. This was the first look of India-Manufactured cruisers and since then, we’ve seen the Bajaj Avenger, Jawa Perak, Jawa 42 and a variety of others.
Cruiser motorcycles are usually powered by a V-Twin or a parallel twin engine. These engines are tuned to produce low-end torque for a smooth and easy ride. However, to keep the cost low, cruiser motorcycles manufactured in India are generally powered by a single-cylinder engine.
The design and performance of these engines also help with providing the rider with a comfortable time on the bike. The seating position is lower with high and wide handlebars and foot pegs in front putting the rider in a slightly reclined and relaxed riding position.
Looking at everyday life and commuting, the question might be raised, are cruisers practical? The short answer is, yes! Despite cruisers’ relatively big dimensions, they are surprisingly manoeuvrable.
Having lowered seats and a long wheelbase results in a lower centre of gravity, which increases balance. This helps the rider significantly while moving in traffic and when having to navigate around obstacles making it a decent pick for the city.
However, cruisers fall short of fuel efficiency and ground clearance. These bikes tend to have a more weighted frame which adds to the already heavy engine. Also, because of the low ground clearance, cruisers tend to scrape the road a lot in India due to the number of potholes and speed-breakers.
Apart from this, the performance levels of these bikes are not very high. The engine is tuned towards torque and is not a high-revving unit. Generally, they can cruise at around 120kmph all-day making it ideal for long-distance travelling and munching miles.
In my opinion, cruisers are bikes that should be ridden, not for the thrill of riding, but to relax, enjoy and take in one’s surroundings, all while having a comfortable time. The increasing popularity of cruiser motorcycles in India has encouraged manufactures to offer more options with larger engine capacities.
