Best Motorcycles for Solo Riders in 2023

Most motorcycles are designed for two-up riding, including cruisers, tourers, and standard bikes. Most riders who love to go on long-distance rides consider buying a motorcycle capable of two-up riding to enjoy motorcycle tours with their friends. However, for performance-oriented motorcycles, a pillion is not considered an advantage. Riders prefer shedding extra weight to improve performance. A lightweight motorcycle has better maneuverability, handling, and high-speed performance.

If you often operate performance motorbikes, you know how thrilling it is to go on solo rides. Almost every motorcycle manufacturer produces two-wheelers designed for solo riders with no passenger seat. Most sports bikes, naked bikes, performance/muscle cruisers, and bobbers are designed for solo riders. Read this article to learn about the best motorcycles for solo riders in 2023.

The Indian Scout Sixty is one of the simplest stylish bobber-style motorcycles with a solo rider seat and a matte black finish. This motorcycle was inspired by the old Indian Scout model from the 1950s. The Indian Scout Sixty has a stripped-down cruiser look with a minimalist design.

The Indian Scout Sixty is also a powerful motorcycle, being fitted with a 999 cc V-Twin engine. The engine can produce an impressive torque of 88.19 Nm and a horsepower of 78 hp. It is one of the most good-looking and aesthetically pleasing cruisers in the Indian lineup with simple and neat looks. The classic look of this motorcycle is enhanced by the separate chrome dual exhaust pipes, side mirrors, and a round headlamp at the front. despite the traditional and bobber look, the Indian Scout Sixty offers a sporty riding style due to the small pulled-back angle of its handlebars. The rider has to sit slightly forward to reach the handlebars. The forward-mounted foot controls ensure comfortable legroom for both average and taller riders. The Indian Scout Sixty is one of the most stylish motorcycles if you love solo riding and is ideal for light touring, city traveling, and weekend rides.

If you want a more stylish and powerful version of the Indian Scout Sixty, Indian Motorcycle brings you the Indian Scout Bobber. This motorcycle has a pure bobber design with a bobber-style front fender and a small-sized chop rear fender. The Indian Scout Bobber is available in several attractive single- and dual-tone color schemes, along with a matte black finish, except for the silver-finished cylinder heads. It also comes with a dual-color solo rider seat and fat tires wrapped around blacked-out eight-spoke wheels. The round headlamp is enclosed inside a matte-black nacelle, giving it a bold front look. The side mirrors are mounted downwards at the ends of the handlebar. The Indian Scout Bobber is fitted with a 1,133 cc V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 100 hp and a torque of 97.7 Nm at 5,900 rpm. It is one of the coolest-looking motorcycles if you are an intermediate rider who loves solo riding. However, it is also capable of comfortable two-up riding thanks to its powerful and torquey engine.

The BMW R 18 is one of the most attractive modern cruisers. Built with a bulky and powerful look, it includes a solo rider seat. Powered by a large and iconic 1,802 cc dual-cylinder boxer engine, the BMW R 18 is best suited for long-distance rides and touring. The 1,802 cc boxer engine is capable of a torque of 157.27 Nm at 3,000 rpm and a horsepower of 91 hp at 4,750 rpm. Despite weighing 761 lbs, the BMW R 18 can attain a top speed of over 111 mph, ensuring a fun riding experience for solo riders. It has a low seat height of 27.2 inches, which makes it easy to ride for all riders. To further improve the aesthetics, the BMW R 18 comes with fishtail exhaust pipes installed on both sides. With the help of three different riding modes (Rain, Rock & Roll), you can improve and customize your riding experience.

If you are looking for the best-looking modern motorcycle with a bold and futuristic look, the Ducati Diavel V4 is one of the best contenders. For solo riders who love to ride in style and want to stand out, the Ducati Diavel V4 is the best option if you are willing to spend $26,695. It is a performance cruiser with the characteristics of a naked bike. The front end is wide with broad shrouds installed on both sides of the headlamp for better air intake. The fuel tank design and tail cowl give it a sports bike look. The elevated tail cowl provides a little dip in the rider’s seat, providing a little lumbar support for the rider. The stylish fan blade-style wheels are one of the most attractive features of this motorcycle. The Ducati Diavel V4 is powered by a 1,158 cc V4 Granturismo, V4 - 90° engine capable of horsepower of 168 hp at 10,750 rpm and a torque of 126 Nm at 7,500 rpm. This motorcycle is extremely lightweight, weighing only 465 lbs (211 kg), which makes it agile, nimble, and highly maneuverable for an impressive solo riding experience.

The road-legal variant of the most iconic and fastest track-racing motorcycle, the Kawasaki Ninja H2R, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is no less than its sibling. It also features a 998 cc supercharged, inline four-cylinder engine capable of producing a tremendous horsepower of 228 hp and an impressive torque of 142.2 Nm at 11,000 rpm. If you love to ride solo on one of the most stylish Japanese sports bikes, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is the best option. It has a carefully crafted aerodynamic body, sharp styling, and an aggressive look to attract riders.

Despite the powerful performance, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 can keep you entertained ans safe during the ride with its exclusive rider aids, including an ABS, traction control, quick shifter, slipper & assist clutch, smartphone connectivity, TFT color screen display, and much more.

If you are a Harley Davidson fan looking for a decent-looking motorcycle for solo riding, the Harley Low Rider S has what you need. While retaining the classic Harley look and powerful engine, it has a bulky build due to its taller front end and large front wheel. However, even a shorter rider can comfortably ride this motorcycle due to its low seat height of 27.95 inches (710 mm).

The Harley Low Rider S has a narrow front tire and wide rear tire wrapped around bronze-color nine-spoke wheels. There is a slight dip in the rider seat to provide lower-back support for the rider. The Harley Low Rider S also comes with a head cowl for aesthetic appeal.

The Harley Low Rider S is fitted with a 1,923 cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine capable of a horsepower of 105 hp at 5,020 rpm and a torque of 168 Nm at 3,500 rpm. This motorcycle has a wet weight of 308 kg, making it best suited for intermediate and experienced riders.

Like most Triumph motorcycles, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber is a classic bobber-style motorcycle with a minimalist design and elegant look. It is one of the few factory-made bobbers with class-leading performance. The Triumph Bonneville Bobber has a bobber-inspired front fender, headlamp, and seat. It also has a chopper-style rear-end frame design with a hard-tail look.

Despite the minimalist design, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber is fitted with a 1,200 cc parallel-twin engine capable of a horsepower of 76.9 hp at 6,100 rpm and a torque of 106 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It is fitted with two separate exhaust pipes with slash-cut mufflers on each side, giving it a balanced look. A low wet weight of 553 lbs and a low seat height of 27.2 inches (lowest setting) make the Triumph Bonneville Bobber an easy-to-ride motorcycle with superior handling. It also has a fuel mileage of 60.9 mpg, making it an economical motorcycle.

Despite the traditional look, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber has built-in features, including ABS, cruise control, traction control, and two riding modes: Rain and Road. These modern features are integrated into this motorcycle without changing the classic bobber style. The Triumph Bonneville Bobber is ideal for solo riders looking for a blend of classic styling and modern technology.

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide Highway King is a uniquely-designed classic touring bike with a front end that resembles the Harley Heritage Classic. This motorcycle includes a stock crash bar, frame guard, windshield, a bobber-inspired solo rider seat, and hard saddlebags. The glossy dual-tone color schemes, whitewall tires, wire-spoked wheels, chrome parts, chopped large fenders, and Hiawatha lamps make the Harley Electra Glide High Kind stand out from the rest of the Harley Grand American Touring lineup. It ensures a laidback solo riding experience thanks to its high-mounted, pulled-back handlebars and forward-mounted floorboards.

The 1,868 cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine is capable of a torque of 165.4 Nm at 2,750 rpm and a horsepower of 95 hp at 5,020 rpm. Due to its premium-quality fit and finish, several stock touring parts, and standard features, the Harley Electra Glide Highway King has a base price of $26,999. The standard ride-safety features include an ABS, traction control, cruise control, electronically linked braking, and a cornering management system.

The Honda Rebel 1100 is one of the best-selling models in the Honda lineup due to its high value for the money. It comes loaded with several advanced rider aids, including a slipper & assist clutch, ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control, and an ABS, along with a C-type USB charging port. The Honda Rebel 1100 is a good-looking motorcycle with exposed machinery, low seat height, a taller front end, and a solo rider seat for a standout solo riding experience.

At the heart of the Honda Rebel 1100, there is a 1,083 cc parallel-twin engine capable of producing an impressive torque of 97.6 Nm and a horsepower of 86 hp for a versatile performance. On top of top-class all-round performance, it also comes with a revolutionary Honda DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) technology to ensure a relaxed and hassle-free riding experience.

Depending on what you prefer and your riding habits, the Honda Rebel 1100 is available in three different trims, including the standard version, the DCT version, and the touring version. the standard version does not have a DCT feature and comes at a base price of $9,499. If you prefer the stripped-down look of a motorcycle, along with the DCT feature, the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT will cost you $10,099. Meanwhile, if you want to have a comfortable touring experience, the Honda Rebel 1100T DCT is an ideal option for you which will cost you $11.299. The touring model comes with a stock batwing style, wide fairing with an integrated small windscreen, hard saddlebags, and a solo rider seat.

The DCT technology in the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT eliminates the need for a clutch lever and allows the rider to ride without shifting gears. The Honda Rebel 1100 DCT has switchable automatic and manual modes. However, even when riding in manual mode, riders can easily shift gears via the left-hand controls. There is a small shifter/pedal installed that can be operated with the thumb for upshifting and a button with a minus sign on it for downshifting. The Honda Rebel 1100 DCT is ideal for a relaxed solo riding experience.

The Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. is a high-performance vehicle with a bulky and compact design. If you are a solo rider looking for a cruiser with high performance, this motorcycle has no match. The longer wheelbase, tail cowl, extended headlamp nacelle, matte black finish, long slash-cut separate dual mufflers, and race-inspired solo rider seat help the Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. stands out. It has a removable tail cowl to install a separate passenger seat. However, with the tail cowl, the Suzuki Boulevard M109R’s rear end resembles the Suzuki Hayabusa.

The Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. is powered by a 1,783 cc V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 128 hp and a torque of 160 Nm. To keep the price low, Suzuki did not include any ride-safety features. This performance cruiser has a wet weight of 764 lbs (347 kg) and a large-displacement engine, making the Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. an ideal choice for solo riders.

The Harley Davidson Sportster S is one of the coolest-looking Harley motorcycles. It is a performance cruiser with a minimalist and compact design, built specifically for solo riders. The Harley Sportster S has a flat café racer-style solo rider seat and a tail cowl. The front end has a small front fender and a rectangular-shaped headlamp with round edges. The Harley Sportster S is available in four plain color schemes and a matte-black finish with bronze cylinder heads and dull chrome silencers. It is fitted with small front and rear wheels wrapped around fat tires for better traction and maneuverability. The Harley Sportster S has a smaller overall size with a seat height of 28.9 inches and a wet weight of 502 lbs. The 1,252 cc Revolution Max 1250T engine is capable of a horsepower of 121 hp at 7,500 rpm and a torque of 127.45 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The Harley Sportster S can attain a top speed of 143 mph thanks to its aerodynamic style, minimalist design, and powerful engine.

The Harley Sportster S is best suited for solo city traveling, casual weekend rides, and quick short-distance trips due to its sporty ergonomics.

The Honda Fury is one of the few factory-made choppers currently in production. It provides comfortable ergonomics for an ideal solo cruising experience. Being a chopper, the Honda Fury has a taller front end that ensures a comfortable arm position. There is a huge dip in the riding seat that contributes to the low seat height of 26.9 in. It has a round headlight enclosed in a chrome nacelle and separate chrome dual exhaust pipes. The Honda Fury has a unique streamlined body and a narrow fuel tank. Despite the Honda Fury’s minimalist look, it is powered by a large 1,312 cc V-Twin engine capable of a torque of 98.97 Nm and a horsepower of 53.7 hp. You can buy this motorcycle at a base price of $11,499, which includes the ABS as a standard feature.

The Arch KRGT-1 is different from other motorcycles as it is a bespoke production performance cruiser, custom-built for customers with specific requirements. This motorcycle is built using premium-quality parts, resulting in a base price of $85,000. The Arch KRGT-1 has a sharp styling that ensures better aerodynamics. This motorcycle is a performance-oriented cruiser built for solo riders.

Powered by a 2,032 cc S&S Cycle T124 45° downdraft V-Twin engine, the Arch KRGT-1 is capable of a rear-wheel torque of 156.32 Nm and a horsepower of 120 hp at 5,100 rpm. For superior handling and ride performance, it is fitted with fully-adjustable ARCH/Öhlins front and rear suspensions and BOSCH ABS braking system.

Most motorcycles are designed for two-up riding since most riders consider being able to carry a passenger an advantage. However, there are also many motorcycle enthusiasts who prefer riding solo. To accommodate them, there are several popular motorcycles on the market specifically designed for solo riders. Most motorcycles designed for solo riders are performance-oriented, including the Kawasaki Ninja H2, the Ducati Diavel V4, the Suzuki Boulevard M109R, the Harley Sportster S, and the Arch KRGT-1. However, there are several classic cruisers and touring bikes fitted with a solo rider seat and touring parts, including the Indian Scout Sixty, the Scout Bobber, the Harley Low Rider S, the Honda Rebel 1100, and the Honda Fury.

If you love to go on solo rides and motorcycle tours, several aftermarket parts can make your experience more comfortable, including pulled-back handlebars, sissy bars, backrests, crash bars, fairings, and seats. You can also install saddlebags, sissy bar bags, tank bags, and motorcycle trunk bags to carry cargo on a tour.