The Top Classic Baggers of 2024

Big-bore, fully faired performance baggers have been the rage for years now, but you can trace the genre’s true origin’s back to the 1950s, when big windshields and leather saddlebags marked what would become a uniquely American style of motorcycle. By strapping on a clear shield and tossing a pair of saddlebags over the seat, almost any bike could become a ready-made bagger back in the day, and the examples here are just that; the base models of each series enhanced with the aforementioned add-ons. The class has waned in popularity of late, and has taken heat from the young ‘uns (something about being an “old man’s bike”) but you can still find perfectly competent current-day examples, which feature touring-style clear windshields (not the frame-mounted fairings of full-boat tourers), full fenders over wide tires, teardrop fuel tanks, plush saddles, and saddlebags to complete the touring intent.

Harley used to own this class, but now it’s Indian offering the most options in the classic bagger category. With prices stretching from $20K and engine sizes of almost 2 liters all the way down to 650cc and under $7K, there’s sure to be something here for any type of rider. So if you’re looking to cover miles in comfort and with heaps of retro style but without the extra bodywork and distracting tech, these deserve a closer look.

Engine: 1,802cc boxer twin

Fuel tank: 4.2 gal.

Shield: Removable

Bags: Faux leather; semi-rigid, 4.1 gal.capacity

ABS: Standard

Sitting at the upper end of this group—in both displacement and price—is BMW’s take on the traditional touring cruiser, the R 18 Classic. The nostalgia-tinged 1,802cc bruiser from Bavaria is essentially an optioned R 18, slapping on amenities like a large windscreen, two-up touring saddle, mini floorboards, and double-buckle soft saddlebags to the base model. Other touring-friendly bits include LED auxiliary lights, a reasonably large 4.2-gallon fuel tank, and a plush, roomy cockpit with a wide handlebar, plus a classic, wire-spoke 16-inch wheel rolling on either end of the lengthy 68.1-inch wheelbase.

The visual and motivational heart of the beast is that 1,802cc boxer twin engine, good for a claimed 91 hp and upward of 100 lb.-ft. of torque, flowing through a six-speed transmission and mechanical drive shaft; coincidentally, those numbers are pretty close to Milwaukee’s V-twins. The roomy leather soft bags hold a decent amount of gear as well, though they’re not lockable.

Related: 2021 BMW R 18 First Ride Review

Engine: 1,868cc 45-degree V-twin

Fuel tank: 5 gal.

Shield: Quick-release

Bags: Leather-wrapped; rigid, lockable, 4.1-gal. capacity

ABS: Standard

Harley’s been perfecting this class for decades, and the Heritage leverages that knowledge while adding a few modern touches and traveling goodies to improve on the formula. You get the requisite 16-inch wire wheels, teardrop tank, and deep front fender paired with several well-designed extras, like a quick-detachable windshield; locking, rigid, weatherproof saddlebags; floorboards; and an adjustable rear shock. Cruise control and ABS are also standard, though true to its name, the Heritage keeps other electronics to a minimum.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine gives the bike a claimed output of 94 hp, which is plenty of shove for you, your passenger, and a weekend’s worth of supplies. The Heritage also manages to blend old and new styling cues seamlessly, with blacked-out finishes adding a touch of modernity, and the whole package exudes solid build quality. If you want to go even more retro, check out H-D’s tarted-up limited-edition Hydra-Glide Revival, which uses the Heritage as a platform.

Related: 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival First Ride

Engine: 1,768cc air-cooled V-twin

Fuel tank: 5.5 gal.

Shield: Quick-release

Bags: Fiberglass; remote locking

ABS: Standard

The Springfield dips both wheels deeply into Indian’s past with its whitewall tires, acres of chrome, floorboards, and a studded leather saddle, though—spoiler alert—it rolls on a 17/16-inch wheel combo, of the cast variety. That’s so the bike can utilize a tire pressure monitoring system as well as being able to run tubeless tires, but there are other nods to the modern world here as well, like keyless ignition, selectable ride modes, remote locking hard bags, cruise control, and ABS.

There’s no missing the Springfield’s heavy retro vibe though, thanks to valanced fenders (complete with warbonnet fender light), a light bar with auxiliary lights, tall removable windshield, and lots of shiny bits. On the base-model Springfield, motivation comes courtesy of the familiar air-cooled 49-degree Thunderstroke 111 V-twin, good for a reported 92 hp and 119 lb.-ft. of torque, while the up-spec (and shield-less) Springfield Dark Horse ditches the windshield and swaps in the brawnier Thunderstroke 116 engine.

Related: 2017 Indian Springfield Review

Engine: 1,811cc / 1,890cc air-cooled V-twin

Fuel tank: 4.0 gal.

Shield: Quick-release

Bags: Soft leather; 9.7-gal. capacity (total), not lockable

ABS: Optional (base); standard on Limited

Although all these bikes adopt very similar aesthetics and design languages, there are subtle differences between them. As quintessentially cruiser as the Super Chief is, you can see that it leans into a more muscular, stripped-down attitude, with a sculptural, V-twin motor, black-rimmed headlight, bobbed fenders, and a compact saddle with a small passenger pillion. The classic 16-inch wire-spoke wheels, floorboards, and teardrop gas tank fulfill the expected feature set, with a quick-detach clear shield and soft leather saddlebags added for travel convenience. Thanks to the long floorboards and a swept-back handlebar, the riding position is especially accommodating for longer trips.

As with the Springfield, the base Super Chief rolls with the air-cooled, pushrod Thunderstroke 111 powerplant, while the Limited throws down with the torquier, 1,890cc Thunderstroke 116, though both bikes offer selectable ride modes, cruise control, and keyless ignition. The Super Chief Limited also integrates a 4-inch touchscreen display powered by Indian’s Ride Command user interface, and ABS is standard.

Engine: 1,250cc liquid-cooled V-twin

Fuel tank: 3.4 gal.

Shield: Quick-releaseBags: Leather-look; semi-rigid, not lockable

ABS: Standard

Although it’s officially a 2025 model, the Super Scout slides perfectly into this group, generally adhering to the same classic bagger mold as the others. Of the three Indians here, this is the smallest in size, capacity, and price, and that’s not a bad thing. You still get retrolicious 16-inch spoke wheels, leather-look saddlebags, windshield, and passenger pillion as standard equipment, though the smaller gas tank, fat tires, and bobbed fenders give it a more custom vibe.

The new liquid-cooled Speed Plus engine pumps out a healthy 105 horses (claimed) and, with under 600 pounds to push around, should make short work of long trips. You also get a pair of fairly generic-looking saddlebags to swallow weekend essentials, while the SS’ shorter-height windshield can be easily swapped out when you want a different look. Premium finishes and paint schemes give the Super Scout a classic but updated look, though you will have to settle for footpegs rather than floorboards.

Related: 2025 Indian Motorcycle Scout First Ride Review

Engine: 903cc liquid-cooled V-twin

Fuel tank: 5.3 gal.

Shield: Height adjustableBags: Leather; semi-rigid (internal frame)

ABS: No

Talk about staying power: the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic has remained essentially unchanged for 18 years, so if you like your cruisers classically styled, big-boned, and without frills or distracting tech, here’s your ride. The 900 Classic and Classic LT models ride on the same foundation, powered by a 903cc liquid-cooled engine, and both are equipped with rider floorboards sporting a heel/toe shifter, tank-mounted instrumentation, and a 16/15 wire-spoke wheel combo, with a 180mm tire out back.

The touring-biased Classic LT ladles touring amenities onto the Classic base, with features like a studded touring seat with a standard passenger backrest, leather (studded) saddlebags, and a height-adjustable windscreen. There’s a generous fuel tank holding more than 5 gallons of go juice, but just a five-speed transmission, single disc brake front and rear, and no ABS. Still, you’re looking at a full-size cruiser with the potential for pure, uncluttered cruising and touring, and at a smoking price.

Engine: 805cc liquid-cooled V-twin

Fuel tank: 4.1 gal.

Shield: Standard, removableBags: Faux leather; 4.1-gallon capacity

ABS: No

Another 20+ year-old warhorse, the Boulevard C50T essentially apes the same build-a-bagger formula by bolting on a few assorted touring bits onto the base model. The donor bike is Suzuki’s C50, a perfectly competent, classically styled metric V-twin that’s on the receiving end of a barn door windscreen, studded seats, and matching leather-look saddlebags. The fuel-injected 50ci V-twin engine has proven itself to be an able and torquey companion in our past tests, and it’s more than up to the task of ferrying around a rider, passenger, and their assorted bits.

The wide, pulled-back handlebar and forward-mounted floorboards make for a spacious riding position, while a removable windshield and top-loading saddlebags serve up weather protection and storage capability. The look is all retro, with a classic teardrop 4.1-gallon fuel tank and valanced fenders to cover 15/16-inch whitewall tires and spoke-style wheels. Unfortunately, there are some concessions to price, with a five-speed transmission and an underwhelming drum-style rear brake.

Related: Great Eights: Suzuki Boulevard C50T and M50 Motorcycle Tests