10 V-Twins Known For Legendary Durability 

Ever since Indian developed a V-twin engine in 1903, this architecture has been powering hundreds of motorcycles, from laid-back cruisers to high-strung superbikes, and everything in between. Such popularity is often attributed to its narrow layout, which is easier to fit in a frame, and punchy, versatile torque delivery. Though other engine types have caught up today, they still lag behind the V-twin in one regard: character. That’s what makes them so appealing even today.

But it’s easy to associate V-twins with being unreliable. Countless iterations of Harley-Davidsons (*ahem* AMF era) and Ducatis have made sure V-twins are associated first with marking their territory in oil and second with performance. But that’s not always the case. For every unreliable V-twin out there, the world has a V-twin that can give other bulletproof motorcycles a run for their money, at least in recent decades. Here are 10 such V-twin-powered motorcycles that are known for their dependability.

Ducati Monster M900

Typical Listing Price: $3,000

Maga dj, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hear us out. Although not the most reliable model on this list, the first-generation Monster has certainly stood the test of time. It’s one of the most iconic Ducati motorcycles ever, and it started its life as a parts bin special that prioritized riding experience over everything else. Thanks to this philosophy, it is a raw, straightforward motorcycle that will keep running for years to come. In return, all it asks of you is preventative maintenance and an occasional wrench session. It’s also a great, cheap way to get the Ducati experience while learning how to work on motorcycles.

Performance Specs

KTM 990 Adventure

Average Used Price: $4,000

KTM

Wait, an old KTM on a list of durable motorcycles? Yep, the 990 Adventure is one of the most reliable KTM motorcycles ever built. For many adventure enthusiasts, it is also the greatest KTM adventure bike to date. This ADV is a result of the brand’s rally and endurance races, and it can take you around the country without breaking down. Like the M900, it’s a straightforward motorcycle, so even if something does break down, you can easily take care of it. Like any old European ADV, it’s got a few niggles, but if you take good care of it, it can easily last you a lifetime. Just make sure you don’t pick one of the 990 Lemons, which are the antithesis of durability.

Performance Specs

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

Typical Listing Price: $4,540

Harley-Davidson

For Harley enthusiasts, the Evo era is considered the golden years of reliability, and in that, the Iron 883 stands out the most. It uses an understressed Evo V-twin that produces humble power figures despite its relatively large displacement. As a result, it is less likely to break down, as long as you’re not gunning it and servicing it on time. Given the bike’s blank canvas approach, it also lacks electronics, so there are fewer things that can go wrong with the bike.

If the Iron 883 isn’t up to your liking, and you want something more powerful and bigger, look for an Evo-era Fat Boy. It’s one of the most legendary motorcycles ever made, as much a part of motorcycling as pop culture. This beefy big-twin Evo cruiser brings all the benefits of an understressed V-twin and adds a dash of badass road presence and a bit more power.

Performance Specs

Yamaha V Star 250

Starting Price: $4,799

Yamaha Motorsports

The Yamaha V Star 250 is the kind of bike that has been on sale for a long time, yet seeing a brand new one out in the open is like spotting a hyperbike. Usually, this bike is handed down from one new biker to the next one, and for good reason. It’s the ultimate learner cruiser with an honest-to-goodness Japanese V-twin engine, a low seat height, and an even lower maintenance cost. And it can take a lot of abuse from beginners without breaking a sweat. Though it lacks the appeal of modern cruisers, you can’t deny the fact that it will outlast the rest when being thrashed by a learner rider in a parking lot.

Performance Specs

Suzuki SV 650

Starting Price: $7,399

Suzuki

Like the V Star 250, the SV 650 is the quintessential naked learner that is often considered the go-to MSF bike. It was first introduced in 1999, and since then, it has guided new riders to the intermediate level. The lightweight frame and minimal design put minimal strain on the 90-degree V-twin engine, which is known for being forgiving and peppy. It’s this combination that has given it the reputation of being bulletproof and lasting well beyond 75,000 miles. While you can buy this brand-new even in 2025, you can’t go wrong with a used SV 650, either, since it has hardly seen any changes since 2004.

Performance Specs

Honda Shadow Phantom

Starting Price: $8,699

Honda

The Honda Shadow Phantom has been on sale in the US since 2010, even earning a rear disc brake and dual-channel ABS along the way. This bike is loved for many reasons, starting with its V-twin engine. It’s low-stress and backed by Honda’s reliability, so it can go on for years with a simple oil change. It’s also one of the few cruisers to feature a maintenance-free shaft drive! The Shadow Phantom is the perfect metric cruiser to get if you’re looking for Honda’s dependability, decent V-twin performance, and black canvas style.

Performance Specs

Suzuki V-Strom 650

Starting Price: $9,299

Suzuki

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the SV 650 are not too dissimilar, since they share the same powerplant, which is already one of the most reliable engines ever made. The V-Strom adds to it with its durable adventure design, complete with long-travel suspension, a sturdy twin-spar frame, and strong wheels. So, not only can the V-Strom 650 handle abuse from the rider, but even everything the road throws at it. Suzuki also offers the V-Strom 650 in a more dirt-focused XT variant that is. Though the V-Strom 650 is a dinosaur in the segment today, it can still keep up with modern middleweight ADVs on the road while outlasting most of them in mileage.

Performance Specs

Kawasaki Vulcan 900

Starting Price: $9,399

Kawasaki

Think of the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 as a slightly larger version of the Honda Shadow. Like the Honda cruiser, this Kawasaki has been around for a while, featuring an understressed V-twin engine that has a reputation for reliability. As a result, it appeals to a section of cruiser enthusiasts looking for something that’s a V-twin, super reliable, and easy on the pocket. Kawasaki offers the Vulcan 900 in three flavors, with the base Classic featuring a retro design. On the other hand, the 900 Custom features a more custom style, while the 900 LT focuses more on touring comfort.

Performance Specs

Indian Scout

Starting Price: $9,999

Indian Motorcycle

As a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1919 Indian Scout, the current-gen Scout is one of the prettiest cruisers in the segment. Though fans love it not just for its neo-retro looks, it is also one of the most reliable cruisers coming out of America. The liquid-cooled V-twin engine, despite focusing on top-end power, has proven to be reliable over the years. In fact, the more common issues raised by owners on forums include a few corrosion spots or handlebar grips coming off mid-ride, not the engine grenading itself or marking its territory with oil stains. That’s a testament to how durable the Indian Scout is.

Indian Scout Sixty Bobber Performance Specs

Harley-Davidson Street Bob

Starting Price: $15,999

Harley-Davidson

The Street Bob might just be Harley’s most underrated cruiser, delivering a Big Twin experience for the price of a Sportster S. Adding cherry to this American pie is its dependability, thanks to its Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic engine. This engine features the mildest state of tune among all M8 117 variants, paired with air cooling and pushrod-actuated valves. That means less stress, less heat, and fewer things to go wrong compared to the more powerful H.O. or Custom versions. Add in the bike’s straightforward design, and you have a modern Harley-Davidson that promises to last for years with minimal maintenance.

Performance Specs