10 Hidden Gem Motorcycles You Can Score For Cheap In 2025

The used market is full of some incredible motorcycles, such as the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, the Ducati Panigale V2, and the Indian Scout Bobber. As good as their performance or reputation may be, they also don’t depreciate so much over the years. That should keep the current owners happy, but it’s not necessarily a good thing for used buyers who don’t want to spend so much on a used motorcycle.

Fortunately, not all incredible motorcycles hold their value so close to their heart. Some of the most incredible motorcycles are sold in high numbers, depreciate quickly, or are just underrated. You can have such hidden gem motorcycles for a lot cheaper compared to their more popular rivals. Here are ten such motorcycles, from a Hayabusa-hunting cruise missile to Tamburini’s finest.

1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100

Used Price: $3,000 Starting

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Between the first superbikes from Japan and the current retro-inspired trend, Japanese manufacturers offered big-bore UJM bikes that balanced performance with the muscle bike looks of the ‘80s. These bikes borrowed their inline-four engines from superbikes, detuned for street use, and replaced the aluminum frames with steel ones. One of the finest examples of that segment was the ZRX1100. Even today, it remains a terrific old-school, take-no-prisoners hooligan machine that can keep even the most experienced riders entertained with its performance and style. Look for the ZRX1100R models, which feature a bikini nose fairing with a square headlight, though.

Performance Specs

2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R

Used Price: $3,600 Starting

Kawasaki

After the Hayabusa hunted down the Super Blackbird and ZX-11, Kawasaki wasn’t about to stay silent. It responded with the Ninja ZX-12R, which was the most powerful bike for the next six years. Unfortunately, the Gentlemen’s Agreement was already in place, and this Ninja never got to spread its wings over 186 miles per hour. Rumors suggested this bike would surpass the 200 miles per hour barrier without the speed limiter. The ZX-12R is what could’ve been the world’s fastest bike, and it is available for as cheap as $4,000 on the used market today.

Performance Specs

2002 Honda CBR954RR Fireblade

Used Price: $4,000 Starting

Honda

The sixth generation of the Fireblade was the last of the CBR900RR line, marking the beginning of the Fireblade we know today. It was more powerful and lighter than its predecessors, and its excellent power-to-weight ratio earned it a few nicknames, like the Sharpened Scalpel and Wheelie Machine. While this Fireblade is cheap today, don’t take it lightly. It’s a 150+ horsepower superbike with no rider aids, and will bite back if you don’t respect its performance.

Performance Specs

2017 Aprilia Dorsoduro 900

Used Price: $4,500 Starting

Aprilia

The Aprilia Dorsoduro isn’t an easy-on-the-eyes motorcycle, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a supermoto version of the Shiver 900, which was essentially a stroked-out version of the Shiver 750, and it’s meant for serious riders. If you’re looking for a cheap yet powerful supermoto, the Dorsoduro 900 is hard to beat. Don’t let its Aprilia tag scare you, though; the bike had no significant issues, and with regular maintenance, it should be pretty reliable. Remember to pick a well-maintained model, though.

Performance Specs

2002 Honda RC51 (SP2)

Used Price: $4,500 Starting

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Homologation bikes tend to be extremely expensive in the used market, given their limited production runs. However, the RC51 is an exception. This was Honda’s response to the Ducati 916, which dominated the WSBK back in the day, but unlike other homologation specials, Honda did not limit its production run. So, many were produced and are now available on the used market at relatively low prices today. We’d pick the SP2 model since it came with fuel injection and slightly more power. And be patient when picking one out; they are race bikes and are likely to have been abused on the track.

Performance Specs

1995 Ducati 748

Used Price: $4,500 Starting

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The Ducati 916 is Massimo Tamburini’s artwork on two wheels, and its legendary status has given it an equally legendary used price tag today. Fortunately, you can enjoy the same stunning design for a lot less with the Ducati 748. This bike still produces close to 100 horsepower, with the shorter stroke giving it a higher rev ceiling of 11,500 RPM compared to the 916. Like its bigger sibling, the 748 is also quite reliable for a Ducati and features pure ‘90s supersport ergonomics (read: super committed).

Performance Specs

1999 Harley-Davidson Night Train

Used Price; $4,700

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The early 2000s were a stylistic renaissance of the Softail lineup, and the Night Train was the black sheep of the family. It featured a dark, sinister design with flat handlebars, a tall 21-inch front wheel, and everything blacked out. This gothic look was paired with a reliable Twin Cam 88 V-twin and was known for its easy highway cruising power. The only downside is that you’ll need patience when looking for one in the used market, as they don’t come up for sale very often.

Performance Specs

2015 Suzuki Bandit 1250S

Used Price: $5,000 Starting

Suzuki

The Suzuki Bandit 1250S is a sleeper hit that can do everything from touring to cornering to commuting, without sacrificing its big inline-four performance and character. It is also renowned for its bulletproof reliability, and its simple tech, upright ergos, and no-fuss design only make it better. It’s a true gem in the used market if you’re looking for old-school reliability with entertaining performance that doesn’t lean too heavily towards a sports bike. Since it was also a squid favorite, you’ll need to be careful when picking one up from the used market.

Performance Specs

2006 KTM 990 Adventure

Used Price: $5,000 Starting

Karolis Kavolelis via Shutterstock

At this price point, the KTM 990 Adventure is one of the best adventure bikes you can buy on the used market. It is a milestone bike in the segment, bringing KTM’s off-road DNA in a properly road-worthy package. Even today, it can give middleweight ADVs a run for their money in terms of performance. It’s also one of the most reliable KTM bikes ever produced, and it will take you wherever you want to go with regular maintenance. Keep some spare change aside since parts can be expensive, though.

Performance Specs

2014 EBR 1190RX

Used Price: $5,000 Starting

Mecum

One of the unique sports bikes available on the used market at a low price is the EBR 1190RX, which is based on the 1190 RS homologation special. It was an introductory product for Erick Buell Racing, complete with a 20-way adjustable TCS, trademark perimeter 8-piston brakes, Showa suspension, and fuel-carrying frame. Given its over 100 pound-feet of torque and aggressive rake/trail, it’s still a quick and agile bike that is only reserved for experienced riders. It also offers a raw sports bike experience, lacking any kind of rider aid except traction control.

Performance Specs