Boss Hoss Motorcycles
Boss Hoss motorcycles — American V8 and V12 powered bikes and trikes built in Dyersburg, Tennessee since 1990. Chevrolet-based car engines in motorcycle chassis define the brand: massive torque, auto or manual gearboxes, and a cruiser stance aimed at riders who want car power on two or three wheels.
History of Boss Hoss
Boss Hoss Cycles started in 1990 when Monte Warne began building motorcycles around Chevrolet V8 engines in Dyersburg, Tennessee. The idea was simple and extreme: put a car engine in a motorcycle frame and sell a street-legal machine with torque most sportbikes never see. The company grew from custom builds into a small-volume manufacturer of two-wheel and three-wheel Boss Hoss motorcycles.
Production stayed focused on big-displacement Chevrolet-based power. V8 models have long used LS-family and related small-block Chevy engines in multi-liter displacements. V12 versions push capacity even higher for riders who want the loudest statement in the parking lot. Many Boss Hoss motorcycles use automotive transmissions, which changes the riding feel compared with a conventional motorcycle gearbox.
In the US market, Boss Hoss sits in a niche few brands chase. Buyers compare them with other V8 motorcycle builders and high-dollar customs rather than with Harley baggers or Japanese cruisers. Used Boss Hoss motorcycles and trikes also circulate through private sales and specialty dealers because production volume has always been limited.
Key milestones
- 1990 — Monte Warne founds Boss Hoss Cycles in Dyersburg, Tennessee
- 1990s — Chevrolet V8 motorcycle platform establishes the brand identity
- 2000s — Trike models expand the lineup for three-wheel buyers
- 2010s–2020s — LS-based V8 and limited V12 builds continue as low-volume US production
What Boss Hoss motorcycles are known for
- Car engines in bike chassis — Chevrolet V8 and V12 power instead of motorcycle-specific twins or fours.
- Extreme displacement — multi-liter engines with torque aimed at roll-on acceleration, not light handling.
- Two-wheel and trike formats — standard motorcycles plus three-wheel Boss Hoss trikes.
- Automotive driveline feel — many builds use car-style transmissions rather than a conventional moto gearbox.
- US small-volume manufacturing — built in Tennessee for a niche American buyer, not mass dealer volume.
Boss Hoss motorcycle model families
V8 motorcycles
- Boss Hoss V8 cruisers — flagship two-wheel models around Chevrolet V8 power
- Variant body styles — different tanks, bars, and seating setups on the same V8 architecture
V12 motorcycles
- Boss Hoss V12 — higher-displacement flagships for collectors and power seekers
Trikes
- Boss Hoss trike models — three-wheel versions of the V8 / V12 idea for riders who want car-engine power with a trike footprint
Who Boss Hoss motorcycles are for
Boss Hoss fits riders who want a conversation-piece power cruiser more than a light canyon tool. The bikes are heavy, expensive to buy and maintain, and aimed at experienced owners comfortable with automotive-scale engines. US shoppers usually compare Boss Hoss motorcycle price and used inventory against other V8 customs rather than mainstream Harley or Indian models.
Browse Boss Hoss motorcycles for sale on Motohubs, compare V8 and trike listings, and confirm service support before you buy. These machines reward owners who treat them as specialty vehicles, not daily commuters.
Boss Hoss Engine Specs
| Configuration | Engine | Displacement | Power (approx.) | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 (entry) | Chevrolet LS3 | 6.2L (6,162 cc) | ~430 hp | GM 4L65E automatic |
| V8 (mid) | Chevrolet LS7 | 7.0L (7,011 cc) | ~505 hp | GM 4L65E automatic |
| V8 (premium) | Chevrolet ZZ6 | 5.7L (5,733 cc) | ~400 hp | Winters manual |
| V12 (flagship) | Custom V12 | 8.2L (8,200 cc) | ~600 hp | Custom automatic |
Power figures are approximate and vary by build configuration, exhaust, and tuning. All Boss Hoss motorcycles use automotive Chevrolet-based engines rather than purpose-built motorcycle powerplants.
How Boss Hoss compares to other power cruisers
Boss Hoss sits in a niche between mainstream V-twin cruisers (Harley-Davidson, Indian) and custom V8 builders. The closest comparison points are limited-production custom shops that build one-off V8 motorcycles, since no major manufacturer offers a Chevrolet-powered production bike. Buyers looking at Boss Hoss usually cross-shop used V8 customs and trikes rather than baggers or Japanese cruisers.
For riders comparing Boss Hoss to a Harley-Davidson touring bike, the practical differences are weight (Boss Hoss is 500-700 lb heavier), seat height (lower, more car-like), and service requirements (automotive driveline needs different maintenance than a V-twin). The upside is torque and displacement that no V-twin can match.