Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
Entry-level cruisers have come a long way in the last couple of years, with improved performance, features, and build quality. Honda’s Rebel series remains a top choice for newbies however. (Honda/)Once regarded as a motley collection of 250cc air-cooled singles boasting painfully sloppy finishes and acres of cheap plastic, the entry-level cruiser class has evolved over the last few years into a more coherent—and capable—group, yielding bikes with better designs, improved build quality, and more importantly, better ride characteristics. Sure, you’ll still find more than a few five-speed gearboxes and air-cooled engines here, but some of the latest bikes offer liquid-cooling, TFT displays, the occasional slipper clutch, and even traction control. For our list, we’ve kept the parameters to 500cc and under, as stepping up to a 650cc model comes with a substantial increase in performance, features, and of course, price.Although the Japanese arguably perfected the US entry-level cruiser formula over 30 years ago, other foreign manufacturers—particularly Chinese brands—have doubled down recently (though Royal Enfield has always been relevant in the category) with more small-bore classic cruiser models. In fact there are so many 300–500cc cruisers set to hit our shores this year, we’re wondering how long it will take for US manufacturers—which currently offer nothing under 900cc—to jump into the fray.Related: 8 Best Cruisers for Beginner Motorcycle RidersA girder fork and a liquid-cooled DOHC V-twin engine on an entry-level cruiser? Bring it on, we say. (Benda/)2024 Benda Napoleon 250 | 250cc | N/ABefore you go slagging Benda as another Chinese company with subpar products, consider the firm’s Napoleon bobber, a wild design that blows the idea of a price-point, stripped-back 250 out of the water. The Napoleon rocks a liquid-cooled DOHC V-twin engine, clever front and rear suspension designs, and styling that wouldn’t look out of place on a more expensive, bigger-bore bike.Cycle World has confirmed that Benda is coming to the US market, having filed documents with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last year, and the brand’s existing portfolio is focused mainly on cruisers, including the recent Napoleon 450 bobber and the Dark Flag 500 V-4. The newer Napoleon 250 uses a smaller engine in a different chassis with dual coilover shocks at the rear, a single seat, and what looks like an old-fashioned girder front end. In reality there’s a conventional fork tucked behind those cast-aluminum pieces, which are in fact hinged linkages with a kneelike joint in the middle. We don’t have performance numbers yet, but we’re certainly hoping the company brings this model to the US market.The Imperiale is almost retro to a fault, with an air-cooled single-cylinder engine, five-speed gearbox, spoke wheels, peashooters, and so on. (Benelli/)2024 Benelli Imperiale 400 | 374cc | $4,899Although Benelli has had some version of the Imperiale 400 in its global lineup for years, 2024 is the first time we’ll be seeing it on US shores. Benelli calls it “a spiritual successor to the Benelli-Motobi Imperiales of the 1950s,” and the modern bike’s design is not too far removed from that era, with its 374cc air-cooled single, steel tube frame, five-speed gearbox, and exposed dual shocks. Understandably, it’s listed in the Classic category on Benelli’s US website.But retro sells well over here, and the Imperiale makes no bones about its throwback simplicity, with the single-overhead-cam single-cylinder engine good for 21 hp at 5,500 rpm (while being Euro 5 compliant), and the conventional 41mm fork is good for 4.8 inches of travel, all while rolling on 19/18 tire sizes mounted onto wire wheels. Period bits like a two-piece seat with rear grab rail, rubber knee pads on the fuel tank, a peashooter muffler, and large single headlight really emphasize the Imperiale’s 20th-century origins, and an MSRP of $4,899 makes it sort of period correct as well.Due to hit our shores this fall, the 2024 CFMoto 450CL-C should appeal to those looking for a fairly well-equipped entry-level cruiser. (CFMoto/)2024 CFMoto 450CL-C | 449cc | $5,699 (base)Another bike that we’re hoping punches well above its weight when it gets here this year is the 450CL-C cruiser from China-based CFMoto. The model is already sold in Mexico, and its specs are promising: a liquid-cooled 449cc twin-cylinder engine with a 270-degree crank and dual counterbalancers, producing a claimed 40 hp at 8,000 rpm.The styling is pure cruiser, with classic riffs like a low 27-inch seat height, chunky tires on spoke wheels, a teardrop tank, wide bars, and blacked-out components. Even nicer are components like a 37mm upside-down fork, full-color TFT dash, traction control, and standard ABS. The braking layout includes a single 320mm disc with a four-piston caliper up front and 240mm disc with single-pot caliper out back, and the bike gets LED lighting all around.The price has already been announced too, with the 450CL-C listed at a very accessible $5,699. CFMoto USA expects models to arrive in dealerships this fall, when we hope to stack it up against Kawasaki’s Eliminator and Honda’s Rebel 500.Despite its consistent excellence, the tried-and-true Honda Rebel (in both 300 and 500 varieties) is definitely going to have some competition very soon. (Honda/)2024 Honda Rebel 500 | 471cc | $6,499Honda’s Rebels—both the 300 and the 500 model—are perennial favorites on entry-level lists because they’re consistently reliable, well built, priced right, and are supremely rideable for pilots of various skill levels. The last major update was back in 2020, when the middle Rebel got a revised seat and suspension settings, plus a new headlight and taillight.But even without those improvements, the Rebel has always been blessed with an appealing feature set, like a low 27.2-inch seat, responsive handling, and a friendly 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine with a linear power delivery helped by a standard slipper/assist clutch. A relaxed riding position with mid-mounted footpegs, and the Rebel’s recognizably stripped-back, “bobber” styling also won it many positive reviews over the years.The 500 remains a solid choice for commuting riders, newbies entering the sport, and even older, experienced folks looking for a simple, easy-riding machine, and the 300 model is a fine option for riders just starting out.Low, lightweight, and easy to manage, the 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator is tailor-made for new riders or those looking for an easy-handling cruiser. (Kawasaki/)2024 Kawasaki Eliminator | 451cc | $6,649 (base)Entry-level riders in the market for a lightweight, unintimidating rig will find Kawasaki’s 2024 Eliminator a compelling choice with a solid feature set. We’re talking a Ninja 400–derived 451cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine packed into a steel trellis frame, a low 28.9-inch seat height and a neutral riding position, and all of it clocking in at under 400 pounds.Some of the components are fairly vanilla, with a 41mm nonadjustable fork, dual exposed shocks, and single disc brakes front and rear, but there’s LED lighting all around, and the Eliminator does come with a slipper/assist clutch, making things even easier for first-time riders. Unfortunately, ABS is optional.The Eliminator also manages to look a bit more modern than its classically styled rivals, and matches up well against the Honda Rebel 500 in terms of performance, riding position, and price. For example, the Rebel will cost you $6,499 for the non-ABS model, while the Eliminator—which is available in three trims—has a starting price of $6,649 (non-ABS).Do Keeway and Benda have a not-so-secret sharing agreement in their home country? Anyway, the Keeway V302 C is well equipped and nicely priced. (Keeway Motorcycles/)2024 Keeway V302 C | 298cc | $4,999Remember Benda, at the top of the list? Well, it turns out Keeway’s V302 C model is simply a rebadged Benda BD300, powered by the same liquid-cooled fuel-injected SOHC 298cc V-twin engine. Look closely, and you’ll see “Benda” right there on the tank badge.Anyway, Keeway claims it generates 30 hp at 8,500 rpm and 19.5 lb.-ft. of torque flowing through a manual six-speed transmission via belt final drive, which is all in line with Benda’s stated specs. The impressive component list also includes stout upside-down fork legs with 4.5 inches of travel, preload-adjustable dual shocks, a slipper clutch, and meaty 300mm front brake disc mated to a radial-mounted caliper backed up by a 240mm rear disc, each with ABS. The V302 C goes for a modern look with its blacked-out bars, wheels, exhaust, fork, and engine, though all lighting is LED. The V302 C’s low profile is enhanced by its super-low 27.2-inch seat height, with the whole package weighs in at a very manageable 367 pounds, and MSRP is just $4,999.As Harley-like as it gets for a 300cc bike, the SRV300C brings a liquid-cooled V-twin engine, a low seat, and light weight. (QJMotor/)2024 QJMotor SRV300 | 296cc | $4,999Is this the bike that QJ was rumored to build for Harley-Davidson in Asian markets? The images look close, but the SRV300 has in fact been sold in the US as a QJMotor-branded bike for a while now. The smallest bike on our list comes with a 296cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected V-twin engine rated at 30.3 hp at 9,000 rpm, an inverted fork, standard ABS, and weighs in at a totally manageable 359 pounds.The SRV also definitely adopts a Harley-like design language, from the 3.6-gallon tank to the seat to the fenders, offering classic V-twin cruiser style but in a more accessible size. Belt drive, low-slung pipes, and blacked-out features give the SRV300 a modern feel, while the low 27.5-inch seat height ensures an easy reach to the ground. The torquey 300cc V-twin engine is said to produce mellow power that’s easy to manage, making the SRV300 a good choice for entry-level riders looking for an affordable V-twin that doesn’t completely skimp on modern features.The 2024 Classic 350 shares its engine and some other parts with the other RE 350 singles but changes up the bodywork. It’s probably the best looking, but also the heaviest, of the 350s. (Royal Enfield/)2024 Royal Enfield Classic 350 | 349cc | $4,599You can slot any of Enfield’s 350 singles into this slot, as they share the same powertrains as well as some other components. The only real differences are in styling and weight; the Meteor is what you’d call a classic cruiser, while the Hunter leans standard (RE calls it “retro-metro”). But to us, the unabashedly retro Classic 350 is the best looking of the bunch, and a great option for new riders who want a forgiving, inexpensive bike. The Classic’s aesthetic will definitely appeal to those looking for nostalgic styling, and RE brings it in nine different variations—including the slick spoke wheel and chrome tank option seen here—so one is bound to strike your fancy if you’re in this market.The Classic 350′s single-cylinder SOHC air/oil-cooled and fuel-injected 349cc engine bolts into a new, steel twin-downtube spine frame, and puts out a claimed 20.2 hp at 6,100 rpm, with power sent to a five-speed transmission and chain final drive. The bike’s low 31.7-inch seat height helps riders get their feet on the ground, and the biggest downside to the Classic is that it’s the heaviest of Enfield’s 350 models: a porky 430 pounds.
