The Fastest Cruiser Motorcycles on the Market…and Fastest Ever Built!
Cruisers aren’t usually associated with raw speed — but several manufacturers have spent decades pushing the boundaries of what a cruiser can be. From power-cruisers that can outrun sportbikes off the line to V-twin bruisers with explosive torque, today’s fastest cruisers are serious performance machines.
Below are the fastest cruiser and power-cruiser motorcycles ever sold, including current models and legendary machines from the used market that still dominate drag strips.
Fastest Cruisers You Can Buy Today
The fastest currently available production cruisers or power cruisers — machines with real-world acceleration that rivals or beats many sportbikes.
1. Ducati Diavel V4 RS
Quarter-mile: ≈ 10.3–10.4 sec @ ~130+ mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 2.4 sec
Horsepower: 182 hp
The most extreme Diavel ever built. With the 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 from Ducati’s superbikes and 182 hp, the Diavel V4 RS accelerates even harder than the standard Diavel V4. Lightweight components, Öhlins suspension, and track-grade hardware make it the king of modern power cruisers.
Why it’s fast: A superbike engine in a muscle-cruiser chassis — Ducati’s fastest-accelerating cruiser ever.
2. Buell Super Cruiser 1190 (New / Limited Availability)
Quarter-mile: ≈ 10.4–10.6 sec @ 130+ mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 2.7–2.9 sec (est.)
Horsepower: ~175 hp
A new entry in the power-cruiser world — designed by Roland Sands and powered by Buell’s 1190 superbike-derived V-twin that makes 175 hp and 100 foot-pounds of torque. Lightweight, aggressive geometry, and real performance intentions aim it directly at the Diavel.
Why it’s fast: Superbike power-to-weight ratios in a cruiser silhouette. With similar power-to-weight to the Buell 1190SX, it should break deep into the tens.
Note: Deliveries are limited but it is a real production-intended motorcycle.
3. Triumph Rocket 3 R / GT
Quarter-mile: ≈ 11.1–11.2 sec @ ~124 mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 2.7–2.8 sec
Horsepower: 165 hp
With a massive 2,458cc inline-triple (the largest engine in a production motorcycle), the Rocket 3 produces monstrous torque (166 lb-ft) and shockingly quick acceleration for its size. Why it’s fast: Unmatched displacement and torque output.
4. Harley-Davidson Breakout 117
Quarter-mile: ≈ 11.5–11.9 sec
0–60 mph: ≈ 3.9–4.1 sec (est.)
Horsepower: ~103 hp (crank est.)
One of the strongest factory Big Twins in Harley’s lineup, long and stable for straight-line pulls. Why it’s fast: Strongest factory Softail engine + long wheelbase.
Fastest Power Cruisers of All Time (Used Market Legends)
These machines may no longer be in production, but they remain some of the quickest cruisers ever built — often faster than current models.
5. Yamaha VMAX 1700
Quarter-mile: ≈ 10.2–10.3 sec @ 136–140 mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 2.5–2.6 sec
Horsepower: 197 hp
One of the most powerful production motorcycles ever sold — cruiser or not. With 197 hp, the VMAX launches like a drag bike and remains a world icon in straight-line speed. Why it’s fast: Near-200 hp + short gearing + brute-force engineering.
6. Yamaha V-Max 1200 (1985–2007)
Quarter-mile: ≈ 10.7–10.9 sec @ 124 mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 3.0 sec (est.)
Horsepower: ~145 hp (with V-Boost)
The original muscle cruiser. Famous for its V-Boost system, brutal acceleration, and quarter-mile dominance, the 1200cc V-Max defined the “power cruiser” genre. This old-school drag-strip king is still shockingly fast decades later. Why it’s fast: Explosive midrange, iconic drag strip performance.
7. Harley-Davidson V-Rod / Night Rod Special
Quarter-mile: ≈ 11.2 sec @ ~120 mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 3.2 sec
Horsepower: 115–125 hp
Harley’s most performance-focused line ever, co-developed with Porsche Engineering. High revs, strong horsepower, and sportbike-style geometry make the V-Rod one of Harley’s all-time fastest machines. Why it’s fast: Revolution 60° V-twin, high-rpm power, drag-bike stance.
8. Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 (Used Market)
Quarter-mile: ≈ 11.7 sec @ ~115–118 mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 3.5–3.7 sec
Horsepower: 90+ hp
Though discontinued, the FXDR is still one of Harley’s most aggressive performance cruisers. With big torque from the Milwaukee-Eight 114 and a sportier chassis than most Harleys, it pulls hard through the quarter-mile. One of the quickest stock Harleys despite its size. Why it’s fast: Strong torque, lightened chassis, drag-inspired design.
9. Suzuki Boulevard M109R
Quarter-mile: ≈ 11.4 sec @ 118–120 mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 3.7 sec (est.)
Horsepower: ~125 hp
Long considered one of the quickest V-twin muscle cruisers. Its 109-ci engine delivers huge torque and real acceleration for a heavy cruiser. Why it’s fast: Massive pistons, strong torque curve, long gearing.
10. Honda Valkyrie Rune (Limited Production)
Quarter-mile: ≈ 12.2–12.3 sec @ ~110 mph
0–60 mph: ≈ 3.7–3.9 sec
Horsepower: 118 hp
A 1,832cc flat-six cruiser with surprisingly strong acceleration and a futuristic chassis. One of Honda’s boldest projects, built in limited numbers. Massive weight keeps it slower than the others, but the engine itself is very strong. Why it’s fast: Large displacement + unmatched smoothness.
Fastest Cruisers: Top Speed
| Motorcycle | Top Speed (approx.) | Horsepower | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducati Diavel V4 RS | ~170–175 mph (est.) | 182 hp | 1103cc V4 |
| Buell Super Cruiser 1190 | ~165–170+ mph (est.) | ~175 hp | 1190cc V-twin |
| Yamaha VMAX 1700 | ~150–165 mph | 197 hp | 1679cc V4 |
| Triumph Rocket 3 | ~145–150 mph | 165 hp | 2458cc inline-3 |
| Yamaha V-Max 1200 | ~140–150 mph | ~145 hp (with V-Boost) | 1198cc V4 |
| Suzuki Boulevard M109R | ~130–140 mph | ~125 hp | 1783cc V-twin |
| Harley-Davidson V-Rod | ~135–140 mph | 115–125 hp | 1130–1250cc V-twin |
| Honda Valkyrie Rune | ~135 mph | 118 hp | 1832cc flat-six |
| Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 | ~120–130 mph (est.) | 103 hp (crank est., high torque) | 117 ci Milwaukee-Eight V-twin |
| Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 | ~120–130 mph | 90+ hp | 1868cc Milwaukee-Eight V-twin |
Modded Record-Holding Cruisers (Dragstrip Monsters)
While the list above covers stock production cruisers, a few heavily modified machines have rewritten what a cruiser can do in the quarter-mile:
• Turbo Ducati Diavel (1st Gen & 1260 builds)
Several independent builders have created turbocharged Diavels making 250–300+ hp, with verified quarter-mile times in the 8–9 second range. These machines accelerate like full drag bikes while retaining much of the Diavel chassis.
• NOS-injected Yamaha VMAX 1700 (240–300+ hp builds)
The VMAX community has produced some of the quickest modified cruisers ever, including nitrous-assisted builds running:
- 8-second quarter-miles
- Trap speeds over 150 mph
The VMAX platform’s robust V4 bottom end makes it a favorite for extreme power adders.
• Turbo Suzuki M109R (240–300+ hp)
The big 109 ci V-twin responds extremely well to boost. Turbo M109Rs have achieved:
- 9-second quarter-mile passes
- Enormous midrange torque
- Surprisingly high stability for a long-wheelbase cruiser
• Harley V-Rod Drag Builds
The V-Rod’s Porsche-designed engine handles boost exceptionally well, and drag-prepped V-Rods routinely run:
- 8–9 second quarter-miles
- 180+ rear-wheel horsepower with turbo or big-bore setups
Some of the fastest V-Rods are nearly unrecognizable, but they start life as one of Harley’s quickest platforms.
What’s Truly the Fastest Cruiser?
If we define “fastest cruiser” by quarter-mile acceleration, three bikes stand out:
- Yamaha VMAX 1700: ≈10.2 sec
- Buell Super Cruiser 1190: ≈10.4–10.6 sec (est.)
- Ducati Diavel V4: ≈10.5 sec
If we define “fastest cruiser” by top speed, the Diavel V4 leads the modern pack, while the VMAX 1700 and V-Rod remain legendary used-market contenders.
From turbo-torque monsters to V-four muscle bikes, the world of fast cruisers runs deeper than many might expect. Whether you want a drag-strip legend, a boulevard bruiser, or a superbike-powered custom, the bikes above represent the very fastest cruisers you can actually buy — past and present.
Custom Power Cruisers
We’re big fans of power-cruisers here at BikeBound, especially the V-Max series. Here’s a selection of some of the custom muscle cruisers we’ve featured.
Mad Max: Yamaha V-Max 1200 Custom - V4 Beast from Lord Drake Kustoms… Back in the early 1980s, Yamaha wanted to develop a two-wheeled hot rod for the American market. They sent the project’s team leader, Akira Araki, stateside for research. “According […]
Rage for the Machine: Porsche-Inspired V-Max 1200 - “Cross a street dragster with an exceptional car, you will have a refined beast…” Introduced in 1985, the original Yamaha V-Max (VMX1200) remains the most legendary muscle bike of all time — a V4-powered […]
Power Cruiser: Yamaha V-Max “Musashi” - Samurai-inspired V-Max from Shoogly Shed x 78 Outlaw… When Yamaha unleashed the mighty V-Max in 1985, a legend was born. The 145-hp V4 was a fire-breather of the first order, a Mad Max muscle bike […]
The Beast: Yamaha V-Max by MotoRockers Garage - The original Yamaha V-Max remains one of the most beastly two-wheeled production bikes ever conceived, a 145-hp V4 cruiser that could blast down the 1/4 mile in a shade under 11 seconds. Unlike a […]
Urban Fighter: Yamaha V-Max by Motocrew - Old-school V4 muscle meets 21st-century style… Introduced in 1984, the original Yamaha V-Max was the ultimate muscle bike, a two-wheeled hot rod boasting an 1198cc liquid-cooled V4 that made a pavement-buckling 145 horsepower and 90 […]
“W-Max”: Yamaha V-Max Restomod by Nitro Cycles - This isn’t the gun…it’s the bullet… The Yamaha V-Max is one of the greatest muscle bikes in history. At its introduction in 1984, it was the fastest-accelerating production motorcycle ever made, a 600-pound beast capable […]
