They say there's no replacement for displacement, and I agree! These used brutes prove it

To some riders, big is most certainly better when it comes to engine size. And you can’t get much bigger than this week’s selection. Powered by monster motors, these five used bikes prove the old adage ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ and deliver enormous amounts of grunt.

Related: Retro clothing buying guide

If you want a bike that has a huge heart and serious street presence, look no further. Just try not to think too much about the fuel bill.

Read on for our expert guide to big-engine brutes!

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MCN Recommended: 2004-2017 Triumph Rocket III – £4500 – £11,000

Big, ballsy and record-breaking muscle cruiser

Spec:

• Power 140bhp
• Engine capacity 2294cc
• Seat height 740mm
• Kerb weight 345kg (wet)

Spectacular with enormous amounts of street presence, everything about the Triumph Rocket III is big but the star of the show is its engine. Smooth and with mountainlevelling torque, it is staggering to use and looks amazing. Although one heck of a heavy bike, the Rocket is stable and its low 740mm seat helps when it comes to getting both feet securely on the ground. Although the new Rocket 3 (note the name) is more tech-heavy, the original is wonderfully old-school.

Triumph Rocket III used buying advice

● The gearbox and shaft drive can suffer due to the enormous torque, so check both well. Ensure that all five gears (not six!) engage smoothly and there are no false neutrals or gears that hop out and feel for vibes that may hint at a worn output shaft. After the ride, check the shaft drive for leaks.
● The reg/rec is weak on early bikes and the coils are also known to pack-up, so look for a misfire. Owners also report that the ignition barrel can be quite fragile.
● Inspect the brake discs for wear – stopping this behemoth from speed takes a lot out of them.

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2002-2008 Suzuki GSX1400 – £3000-£6000

A big-engine retro delight with bags of character

Spec:

• Power 105bhp
• Engine capacity 1402cc
• Seat height 790mm
• Kerb weight 250kg (wet)

A proper old-school naked bike in looks and attitude, the Suzuki GSX1400 is powered by a huge 1402cc inline four redolent of a time when the size of a bike’s engine was all that mattered. A superb bike for cruising around on, the engine has bags of smooth low and mid-range performance and its large physical size makes it extremely comfortable for both a rider and pillion.

Suzuki GSX1400 used buying advice

● There were two shock designs: the early silver spring and the later red one. The silver ones are very prone to seized preload adjusters.
● The six-piston calipers love to seize. Check for signs of a pad dragging, and feel for pulsing through the lever that indicates a warped disc. Caliper rebuild kits are less than £100 and you can order ones with stainless steel pistons to help minimise seizures.
● Watch for Fi warnings, sensors on the fuel-injection system are costly.

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2014-2016 Honda F6C – £9500-£13,000

Honda’s stripped-back Wing is huge in every way

Spec:

• Power 114bhp
• Engine capacity 1832cc
• Seat height 734mm
• Kerb weight 341kg (wet)

The Honda F6C is a futuristic muscle cruiser that only lasted a few years in the UK before being discontinued. An enormous bike in every way, it has huge kerb appeal and is remarkably good fun. That flat-six engine is the star of the show and although it is unaltered in its spec from the GoldWing, Honda did at least give it a bit of a throatier exhaust note. Undeniably head-turning…

Honda F6C used buying advice

● Check the thickness of the discs, it’s a heavy bike and that can mean they get worn out quite quickly.
● The flat-six has 32,000-mile valve-clearance intervals, buy with a full service history although most bikes are fairly low mileage.
● Check there are no fault codes showing. Some owners fit heated grips, which puts extra strain on the already weak alternator, but generally any electrical worries are caused by loose wires after the bike has been serviced.

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2005-2010 Yamaha MT-01 – £5000-£8000

Yamaha’s big-engined sporty naked cruiser

Spec:

• Power 90bhp
• Engine capacity 1670cc
• Seat height 825mm
• Kerb weight 265kg (wet)

The Yamaha MT-01 is powered by the biggest V-twin Yamaha have ever made and although its origins are in the cruiser world, the MT features a sporty chassis. A strange juxtaposition of a bike that never really took off, the MT is surprisingly nimble considering its weight and the 48° V-twin thumps along at a merry pace. It sounds, looks and feels special and has built a cult following.

Yamaha MT-01 used buying advice

● An MT-01 SP version was released in 2009, and is basically a stock MT with Öhlins suspension.
● There are a few reports of gearbox issues, which isn’t surprising as it’s a cruiser gearbox being asked to deal with sporty changes. While the action is quite clunky as standard, be wary of any false neutrals or gears that hop out under load.
● Ensure the red ‘master’ immobiliser key is included in the sale as you will struggle to easily create black ‘copies’ without it.

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2004-2009 Kawasaki VN2000 – £5000-£8000

Monster cruiser is a ballsy Harley alternative

Spec:

• Power 103bhp
• Engine capacity 2053cc
• Seat height 690mm
• Kerb weight 354kg (wet)

When the VN2000 joined Kawasaki’s cruiser line-up in 2004, it was powered by the biggest V-twin engine in the world. The 2053cc V-twin is liquid-cooled yet runs pushrods (operated by chain-driven cams), has a four-valve head with fuel injection and packs 130lb.ft of torque. If you are after a big-capacity cruiser that’s not got Harley on its tank, the VN is worth checking out.

Kawasaki VN2000 used buying advice

● Check the belt drive for wear or damage, which generally manifests itself as frayed edges or holes in the belt itself. A new belt costs roughly £200 plus fitting.
● The quality of the chrome finish on the VN comes in for criticism. Some have experienced flaking issues.
● The regulator/rectifier is very exposed, leading to its wires corroding and the unit failing. Early bikes experienced a few issues with the drive pulley, Kawasaki updated the system in 2006.