How frequently do you see the Golden Gate Bridge on your way to work or running errands around town? How often do you appreciate the scenery around Fisherman’s Wharf? It’s easy to take the area's beauty for granted when you’re stuck behind the wheel of a car, truck, or SUV. However, when you’re on a motorcycle, the world looks vastly different, and the scenery comes to life.
SF Moto is home to many used Honda motorcycles for sale near Alameda, each capable of breathing new life into your weekday commute or daily errands. Honda’s cruiser lineup is especially attractive and runs the entire spectrum of skill, budget, style, and performance, from entry-level models to expert powerhouses, each with head-turning style and many features. What makes these cruisers so enticing to Bay Area riders? What can you expect as you explore our selection?
Cruiser 101: Cruising Comfortably and in Style
Before diving into our inventory of used Honda cruisers, there’s the question of what a cruiser is and how it differs from a standard motorcycle, an adventurer like the Africa Twin, or even a sport bike in the CBR family. For starters, cruisers earn their name because they’re designed to cruise around town in style and stick to the pavement, unlike an adventurer like the Africa Twin, which can tackle almost any terrain. Cruisers typically have lower seat heights and broader bodies, giving the bike a lower center of gravity and the rider more control in the saddle. The riding position is also comfortable and more relaxed. Usually, the footpegs are positioned slightly forward to mitigate rider fatigue.
Beyond their comfortable riding position, cruisers are widely popular because they are ideal for commuters, incredibly stylish, and easily customized. Honda adds to this by offering a diverse lineup of cruisers that accommodate a wide variety of riding needs. For example, you’ll find Honda cruisers deliver a broad band of power and come in various sizes and designs with and without saddlebags. This makes it easier to find a cruiser that fits your particular skill level and needs, whether new or experienced, cruising around town or going the distance.
New Riders: Check Out the Honda Rebel 300 and Rebel 500
We often encourage new riders to hone their talents on a used motorcycle, steering many riders to used Honda cruisers like the Rebel 300 and Rebel 500. As a new rider, you’re more apt to drop the bike as you learn the basics. Dropping a used motorcycle is much easier on the heart and wallet than dropping a new bike that costs a pretty penny. Moreover, a used cruiser like the Rebel 300 and Rebel 500 are incredibly affordable. If you decide that riding isn’t something you enjoy, the investment is minimal, and you can easily sell your bike back to the dealership.
Beyond their practicality, the Rebel 300 and Rebel 500 are everything you expect from Honda. The Rebel 300 is the smallest in Honda’s lineup of cruisers, boasting a 286-cc single-cylinder engine that delivers around 25 horsepower. This output is perfect for new riders with little to no experience because it’s not enough to overpower or overwhelm them. Moreover, Honda designs the Rebel 300 as a blank canvas, making it easy to customize as you perfect your skills and decide exactly what you want out of your motorcycle. This customization is an excellent advantage that adds to the appeal of joining the riding community because the aftermarket support is incredible as you tailor the Rebel to your specific style and riding needs.
The Rebel 500 is the logical next step for riders as they become more confident. Its 471-cc parallel-twin engine offers nearly double the horsepower. It’s also better-equipped than the Rebel 300, with the mid-size cruiser easily found in our used inventory with LED lighting and antilock brakes. But what if you’re looking for something slightly more powerful and stylistically unique?
Budget-Savvy Shoppers: Look at the Shadow Lineup
Honda introduced its Shadow family of cruisers in the early 1980s, but tariffs on imported bikes in the United States hindered the popularity and potency of the lineup for years. Fortunately, things shifted in 1995 when Honda debuted the Shadow ACE, a 750 cc bike with a distinct style and a remarkable penchant for cruising. ACE stands for “American Classic Edition” and was a shot directly across Harley-Davidson’s bow. Today, the Shadow family lives on in bikes like the Phantom and Aero, which boast uniquely different styles catering to a broad demographic of riders.
Riders looking to cruise Alameda and the surrounding areas in stealth mode won’t have a problem with the Shadow Phantom. With blacked-out design elements and very little chrome, the Phantom lives up to its name and gives the appearance of a stealthy night rider powered by a 745-cc V-twin engine. The Shadow Aero sits on the opposite end of the spectrum, offering a more traditional cruiser aesthetic with its relaxed seating position, swept-back handlebars, and flashy chrome elements.
Experienced Riders Ready to Chase the Horizon: Don’t Miss the Fury and Rebel 1100
Experienced Alameda riders looking for the perfect used Honda cruiser will enjoy exploring options like the Fury and Rebel 1100. Honda knocks it out of the park with these two-wheeled powerhouses that offer higher outputs courtesy of bigger, beefier engines. The Rebel 1100 features a 1083 cc parallel-twin engine, with the Fury sitting at the top of the cruiser lineup with its 1312 cc V-Twin heartbeat. Delivering north of 80 hp, these bikes can handle every condition and situation, whether venturing down California Route 1 or navigating rush-hour traffic across the Bay.
Sharing the contemporary design of its Rebel siblings, the Rebel 1100 is the most capable in the Rebel lineup and is one of Honda’s most popular cruisers. Its modern styling, low seat height, and advanced features add to its appeal on our used lot, especially since you can find models with Honda’s revolutionary dual-clutch transmission that automates shifting gears without compromising the feel or power delivery of a manual transmission. It’s the best of both worlds, and it only gets better with the Rebel 1100T, which doubles as a long-distance cruiser with saddlebags that can carry the necessities and more.
The Fury reigns as king of the Honda cruisers, and rightly so, with its V-Twin engine and custom aesthetic. Designed to look like a chopper, the Fury is a modern powerhouse that lives up to the mantra, “Go big or go home.” Alameda riders excited to upgrade their commutes and explore beyond the city limits can do so in style, knowing a cruiser like the Fury will certainly turn heads and exceed expectations mile after mile.
Choosing the Perfect Cruiser
What used Honda motorcycle will you find on our showroom floor? Our incredible selection is home to a wide variety of used Honda powerhouses, from touring bikes like the Gold Wing to adventurers like the Africa Twin. However, Honda cruisers are easily the most popular because of their incredible diversity. There’s genuinely a Honda cruiser for every rider, from beginners looking to hone their skills to veterans looking for a customizable powerhouse.
Choosing the perfect used Honda cruiser is straightforward because the most challenging part is done. You’ve chosen to invest in the world’s leading motorcycle brand since the 1950s. Honda’s reputation is unparalleled, and when you’re in the saddle of a Honda cruiser, you reap the benefits of that legacy. Honda cruisers, whether the Shadow Phantom, Fury, or Rebel, are stylish, capable, agile, and incredibly reliable.
Because of this, selecting the right bike is a matter of working with our team and recognizing your riding needs. Do you want a cruiser that will build your confidence and help you get a better feel for riding? Or do you need a cruiser that will satiate your need for speed without compromise? Answering these questions leads you to the perfect Honda, with a test ride painting a clearer picture of the bike’s ability to accommodate your needs. In any case, the goal is always to put yourself in the saddle of a used Honda cruiser you can’t live without.
