Neither wins universally — they hurt in different ways, and which one hurts you depends on your body and what your back specifically dislikes.
The cruiser's problem: feet-forward controls take your legs out of the suspension equation. You can't press into the pegs to soften a hit, so every pothole travels straight up your spine at full strength. Meanwhile the leaned-back posture rolls your pelvis backward and rounds your lower back into a slouch you then hold for hours. Comfortable in the showroom, expensive at mile 120.
The sport bike's problem: the aggressive lean shifts weight onto your wrists, neck, and shoulders, and holding the crouch is real muscular work. Interestingly, some riders find the forward hip hinge easier on their lower back than a cruiser slouch — while others can't tolerate it for twenty minutes. Bodies differ; there's no rule.
The honest answer is that fit beats category. A cruiser with the bars brought back to you, mid controls or highway pegs so your legs get options, suspension set for your weight, and a contact point that spreads seat pressure can treat a back better than a poorly fitted anything. The bike style sets the starting point; the setup decides the outcome. And if this question is really "what can I still ride with my back?" — that version is worth running past your doctor, who knows what your spine prefers.
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