Cruiser is the term for motorcycles that mimic the design style of American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s, including those made by Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior and Henderson. The market for models evocative of the early cruisers has grown to embrace 60% of the U.S. market, such that all major motorcycle manufacturers, from Honda to Suzuki to Moto Guzzi to BMW, have currently or have had important models evocative of the American cruiser. The Moto Guzzi California Jackal

The riding position on a cruiser usually, but not always, places the feet forward and the hands up, with the spine erect or leaning back slightly. Many "power cruisers" and Japanese cruisers of the 1980s have featured more neutral riding positions.