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Everything about Choppers and Cruisers

Choppers and cruisers are motorcycles that generally provide a more relaxed feeling while riding the bike. This means; arms raised and feet extended. The difference between them does not seem obvious to everyone. And at first glance, they seem rather similar. But once you know the difference, you can spot a chopper from a mile away.

So we will tell you all about choppers and cruisers. Where does a chopper begin and a cruiser end? Let’s dig into both types of bikes.

EVERYTHING ABOUT

CHOPPERS AND CRUISERS

When one thinks of choppers and cruisers, two big names often directly pop into one’s head. Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles. Of course, they are not the only two brands who build these kind of motorcycles. But first; what is the difference between them?

WHAT IS A CHOPPER

LET'S CHOP

When simply put, one could say choppers are motorcycles that are stripped of all unnecessary bits. Does that sound familiar? If you have been following us for a while, you will recognize that approach. Cafe racers undergo a similar one. But choppers are a different breed. They have a wider wheel base and often a modified frame. The wheels are placed further apart from each other by using a longer fork. Does one add parts to a chopper? Then those parts are often custom made. 

That said, choppers are custom made. Of modified by or for the owner. They are mostly one-of-a-kind, unique motorcycles. One can either build a chopper by modifying a factory vehicle of build a chopper from scratch. 

A chopper is one of the most extravagant types of custom motorcycles, if you will. This due to the radical changes in steering and fork length. The whole construction of the motorcycle gets lengthened.

An identifying characteristic that is often found on choppers is a sissy bar. Which is a sort of high backrest that is built on the basis of the frame and made of steel.

CHOPPERS AND CRUISERS

THE DIFFERENCE

Rather than saying choppers vs cruisers, one could better say ‘cruisers vs cafe racers’. Because a cruiser may or may not be a chopper. Let us explain.

A cruiser has a relaxed stance and long frame and wheelbase, whereas a cafe racer has a short wheelbase and a racy stance. Cruisers have wide handle bars and usually a bigger tank. It is heavily set and enables long, pretty comfortabel rides. 

choppers and cruisers / choppers en cruisers
A Harley-Davidson Cruiser

When a cruiser gets turned into a chopper, one ‘chops off’ all the unnecessary accessories. The front forks are often extended and the seat gets smaller.

So one could say, that a cruiser cannot be a chopper at the same time. Some factory designs are inspired by custom designs. But it can only ‘truly’ be a chopper when it gets modified into one, since bikes that roll out of the factory aren’t ‘real’ choppers.

A BIT OF HISTORY BEHIND THE CHOPPER

A 'THING'

Choppers were a true ‘thing’  in the 60s and 70s. And still remain true eye-catchers. The more radical, the better. One took a motorcycle – often but not always a beat-up and abandoned Harley-Davidson – and ‘chopped off’ all the unnecessary bits like fenders. Hence the name ‘chopper’. 

After chopping it all off, one would then make changes to the steering angle and frame geometry. This included changes to wheels, forks, the gas tank etcetera. All to lengthen the bike and make it more narrow. 

And yes, all these modifications often didn’t make the bike handle as well as the original. It often became considerably less comfortable and didn’t necessarily stop as well as the original did. But it would look better. And be a superior example of craftsmanship and creativity.

choppers and cruisers / choppers en cruisers
A real Chopper. Please ignore the fact that this gentleman does not wear a helmet. Let him mind his own business.

SEAT HEIGHT OF CHOPPERS AND CRUISERS

SAFELY LOW

Now this is where the tricky part comes in. Since choppers are unique, one-of-a-kind and custom made bikes, we can’t actually give you an overview of seat heights for these motorcycles. 

But we can give you an overview of seat heights when it comes to cruisers, since they are factory made. Cruisers often remind one of choppers due to their looks and their relaxed riding position. But like we said, the difference is that cruises roll out of a factory and choppers don’t. 

What we can say, is that choppers and cruisers generally have low seat heights. This due to their long and low chassis designs. They don’t need lots of road clearance like all road motorcycles need to go off road. And they weren’t made to flip from side to side like a naked or sport bike.

So they provide you with a low seat height. Which is very convenient for shorter motorcyclists. That doesn’t mean you can only ride a cruiser or chopper when you are vertically challenged. We’ve written about riding big bikes as a tiny motorcyclist before. But we won’t argue with you. It is very practical when you can reach the ground when seated on your bike.

COMPARE SEAT HEIGHT OF CRUISERS

WITH THE COMPARISON-TOOL

Do you want to know how high a certain cruiser is? In our overview below you will rind all specs related to seat height, weight and power. In search of a cruiser with the lowest seat height possible? Or are you a tall motorcyclist and looking for the biggest one? Find out which one suits you best below! Or compare two cruisers. It is up to you.

Step 1: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER ONE

Model Seat height Weight Power
BMW R18 69 cm 345 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Classic 71 cm 365 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 B 72 cm 398 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Transcontinental 74 cm 427 kg 91hp (67kW)
Ducati Diavel 1290 78 cm 230 kg 159hp (117kW)
Ducati XDiavel 75,5 cm 238 kg 160hp (118kW)
Harley-Davidson Softtail 68 cm 297 kg 86hp (64kW)
Harley-Davidson Street Bob 68 cm 297 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 68 cm 317 kg 82hp (61kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 71 cm 306 kg 93hp (69kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 71 cm 308 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST 72 cm 327 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Breakout 66,5 cm 305 kilo 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 67,5 cm 317 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 68 cm 330 kg 94hp (70kW)
Honda CMX1100 Rebel 70 cm 223 kg 87hp (64kW)
Honda CMX500 Rebel 69 cm 190 kg 46hp (34kW)
Indian Scout 64,9 cm 259 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Bobber 64,9 cm 252 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Rogue 64,9 cm 250 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Chief Dark Horse 66,2 cm 304 kg 75hp (55kW)
Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse 66,2 cm 315 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Super Chief Limited 66,5 cm 335 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Springfield 66 cm 376 kg 92hp (67,5kW)
Indian Springfield Dark Horse 65 cm 355 kg 92hp (67kW)
Indian Chieftain Dark Horse 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Chieftain Limited 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Challenger Dark Horse 67,2 cm 377 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Indian Challenger Limited 67,2 cm 381 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Kawasaki Vulcan S 70,5 cm 229 kg 61hp (44,7kW)
Triumph Rocket 3 77,3 cm 301 kg 165hp (123kW)

STEP 2: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER 2

Model Seat height Weight Power
BMW R18 69 cm 345 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Classic 71 cm 365 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 B 72 cm 398 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Transcontinental 74 cm 427 kg 91hp (67kW)
Ducati Diavel 1290 78 cm 230 kg 159hp (117kW)
Ducati XDiavel 75,5 cm 238 kg 160hp (118kW)
Harley-Davidson Softtail 68 cm 297 kg 86hp (64kW)
Harley-Davidson Street Bob 68 cm 297 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 68 cm 317 kg 82hp (61kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 71 cm 306 kg 93hp (69kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 71 cm 308 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST 72 cm 327 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Breakout 66,5 cm 305 kilo 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 67,5 cm 317 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 68 cm 330 kg 94hp (70kW)
Honda CMX1100 Rebel 70 cm 223 kg 87hp (64kW)
Honda CMX500 Rebel 69 cm 190 kg 46hp (34kW)
Indian Scout 64,9 cm 259 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Bobber 64,9 cm 252 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Rogue 64,9 cm 250 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Chief Dark Horse 66,2 cm 304 kg 75hp (55kW)
Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse 66,2 cm 315 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Super Chief Limited 66,5 cm 335 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Springfield 66 cm 376 kg 92hp (67,5kW)
Indian Springfield Dark Horse 65 cm 355 kg 92hp (67kW)
Indian Chieftain Dark Horse 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Chieftain Limited 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Challenger Dark Horse 67,2 cm 377 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Indian Challenger Limited 67,2 cm 381 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Kawasaki Vulcan S 70,5 cm 229 kg 61hp (44,7kW)
Triumph Rocket 3 77,3 cm 301 kg 165hp (123kW)

STEP 1: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER ONE

Model Seat height Weight Power
BMW R18 69 cm 345 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Classic 71 cm 365 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 B 72 cm 398 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Transcontinental 74 cm 427 kg 91hp (67kW)
Ducati Diavel 1290 78 cm 230 kg 159hp (117kW)
Ducati XDiavel 75,5 cm 238 kg 160hp (118kW)
Harley-Davidson Softtail 68 cm 297 kg 86hp (64kW)
Harley-Davidson Street Bob 68 cm 297 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 68 cm 317 kg 82hp (61kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 71 cm 306 kg 93hp (69kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 71 cm 308 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST 72 cm 327 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Breakout 66,5 cm 305 kilo 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 67,5 cm 317 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 68 cm 330 kg 94hp (70kW)
Honda CMX1100 Rebel 70 cm 223 kg 87hp (64kW)
Honda CMX500 Rebel 69 cm 190 kg 46hp (34kW)
Indian Scout 64,9 cm 259 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Bobber 64,9 cm 252 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Rogue 64,9 cm 250 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Chief Dark Horse 66,2 cm 304 kg 75hp (55kW)
Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse 66,2 cm 315 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Super Chief Limited 66,5 cm 335 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Springfield 66 cm 376 kg 92hp (67,5kW)
Indian Springfield Dark Horse 65 cm 355 kg 92hp (67kW)
Indian Chieftain Dark Horse 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Chieftain Limited 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Challenger Dark Horse 67,2 cm 377 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Indian Challenger Limited 67,2 cm 381 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Kawasaki Vulcan S 70,5 cm 229 kg 61hp (44,7kW)
Triumph Rocket 3 77,3 cm 301 kg 165hp (123kW)

STEP 2: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER TWO

Model Seat height Weight Power
BMW R18 69 cm 345 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Classic 71 cm 365 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 B 72 cm 398 kg 91hp (67kW)
BMW R18 Transcontinental 74 cm 427 kg 91hp (67kW)
Ducati Diavel 1290 78 cm 230 kg 159hp (117kW)
Ducati XDiavel 75,5 cm 238 kg 160hp (118kW)
Harley-Davidson Softtail 68 cm 297 kg 86hp (64kW)
Harley-Davidson Street Bob 68 cm 297 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 68 cm 317 kg 82hp (61kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 71 cm 306 kg 93hp (69kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 71 cm 308 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST 72 cm 327 kg 105hp (78kW)
Harley-Davidson Breakout 66,5 cm 305 kilo 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 67,5 cm 317 kg 94hp (70kW)
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 68 cm 330 kg 94hp (70kW)
Honda CMX1100 Rebel 70 cm 223 kg 87hp (64kW)
Honda CMX500 Rebel 69 cm 190 kg 46hp (34kW)
Indian Scout 64,9 cm 259 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Bobber 64,9 cm 252 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Scout Rogue 64,9 cm 250 kg 100hp (74,5kW)
Indian Chief Dark Horse 66,2 cm 304 kg 75hp (55kW)
Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse 66,2 cm 315 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Super Chief Limited 66,5 cm 335 kg 79hp (58kW)
Indian Springfield 66 cm 376 kg 92hp (67,5kW)
Indian Springfield Dark Horse 65 cm 355 kg 92hp (67kW)
Indian Chieftain Dark Horse 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Chieftain Limited 65 cm 373 kg 90hp (66kW)
Indian Challenger Dark Horse 67,2 cm 377 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Indian Challenger Limited 67,2 cm 381 kg 122hp (89,5kW)
Kawasaki Vulcan S 70,5 cm 229 kg 61hp (44,7kW)
Triumph Rocket 3 77,3 cm 301 kg 165hp (123kW)
choppers and cruisers / choppers en cruisers
Another tough-looking HD Cruiser

CONCLUSION

Choppers and cruisers might look similar at first glance, but you would notice the difference between a ‘true chopper’ and a cruiser. They’ve got the relaxed riding position and low seat height in common. But that is about it.

Cruisers roll straight out of the factory and are designed for long, relaxed rides. Choppers are heavily modified motorcycles where comfort and handling aren’t necessarily a priority. Better said; the last priority. It’s all about art, craftsmanship, and style. They were hot in the 60s and 70s, and recently started to make a come back. 

Since choppers are custom made, we couldn’t provide you with an overview of seat heights. But we can for cruisers. Looking for a motorcycle with a relaxed riding position and a low seat height? That is ready to tackle long rides? Then a cruiser is a great choice. Or go for a custom made chopper. You surely will steal the show.

Looking for similar information about other types of motorcycles? Check out our overview.

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