Japanese motorcycles became a household name not because of their performance or brands; they earned respect because of their reliability and simply how good they were for their intended purpose. They ran well, didn’t break down, and ownership costs were minimal. Yes, they can look boring sometimes, but that is the price to pay sometimes when you opt for a product designed to appeal to the biggest audience possible.
However, that isn’t true about all Japanese motorcycles. The Honda Valkyrie Rune and Fury, the Kawasaki Ninja H2, and the Suzuki Boulevard M109R are all examples of what the Japanese can do if they are given a free hand. But in all the examples given here, they remain practical motorcycles, with Japanese levels of reliability. There are still some that do this much better than others. Here are ten of the most practical Japanese motorcycles that still look the business.
10
Honda Monkey
Price: $4,349
The Monkey is mechanically almost identical to the Grom, but costs a fair bit more. It isn’t difficult to see why: it looks like a tiny retro scrambler, with all the charm that only a minibike can have. This might be a tiny engine with a tiny output, but paired with the 5-speed gearbox and a 231-pound curb weight, it is a hooligan machine. The instrument cluster is a circular reverse LCD one, adding to the style. Whatever you don’t like, the massive aftermarket will take care of it for you. This is one funky Monkey!
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
125 cc |
|
Max Power |
9.6 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
7.7 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
9
Kawasaki KLX230 DF
Price: $5,999
The KLX230 is a great first-time dual-sport motorcycle for anyone. It can even handle a little bit of highway given its six-speed gearbox. The DF is rumored to stand for ‘Dirt Focused’, which is probably why it is the only version with the longer suspension travel and engine crash protection as standard. You also get a luggage rack and a paint scheme unique to the KLX230 DF. ABS is optional and switchable, and well worth it if you’re going to have this as your only bike.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
233 cc |
|
Max Power |
~17 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
13.0 LB-FT @ 6,400 RPM |
8
Honda CBR650R E-Clutch
Price: $9,899
The CBR650R is one of the pioneers of the movement that pegs sport bikes as machines that should be usable beyond a racetrack. It has an inline four engine, but in a relaxed state of tune, the seating position isn’t aggressive, and it is now available solely with the ‘E-Clutch’, which is an automated clutch system. This means that you do not have to operate the clutch lever at all, even when stopping, but you do need to change gears manually. This feature can also be switched off via the menus. Other features include ABS, a 5-inch TFT display, and Bluetooth.
|
Engine Type |
I4, E-Clutch |
|
Displacement |
649 cc |
|
Max Power |
93.8 HP @ 12,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
46.4 LB-FT @ 9,500 RPM |
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7
Yamaha XSR900
Price: $10,599
The XSR900 is one of the best at marrying nostalgia with modern tech. It doesn’t hold back on the latter, offering a by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU, so you have access to all of Yamaha’s electronic wizardry. It is also one of the few remaining models in the segment that uses an aluminum twin spar frame. This is a die-cast, two-part frame, the two halves of which are bolted together. You can’t order the XSR900 GP kit officially in the USA, which is a real downer – it converts it into the ultimate faired neo-retro racer lookalike!
|
Engine Type |
Crossplane I3 |
|
Displacement |
889 cc |
|
Max Power |
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
6
Yamaha Ténéré 700
Price: $10,999
The Ténéré 700 has Dakar-inspired styling, with the four-lens headlamp and the vertical TFT display. It has also had a single-minded purpose: to be the default choice if you want a middleweight ADV to play with in the dirt. It achieved that handily, but Yamaha has made the Ténéré 700 a little more mature this year. It has gained a by-wire throttle with ride modes, switchable traction control, and an optional two-way quickshifter.
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
689 cc |
|
Max Power |
72.4 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
50.2 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
5
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Price: $10,999
The CB1000 Hornet SP is a full-size liter naked with the price of a midsize one – and it offers top-shelf suspension that any motorcycle would be proud of. The engine is capable of over 150 horsepower but is detuned for the US market, retaining the assist and slipper clutch and a two-way quickshifter. There are Showa SFF-BP front forks and a trackday-spec Öhlins TTX36 rear shock. Complementing these components are Brembo front brakes with a radial master cylinder.
|
Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
1,000 cc |
|
Max Power |
NA |
|
Max Torque |
NA |
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4
Honda Rebel 1100T DCT
Price: $11,599
The Rebel 1100T DCT uses the engine and gearbox that are also present in the Africa Twin and NT1100. Especially fitted with the six-speed dual-clutch automatic, it is an extremely practical motorcycle. You get manual control over the shifting with buttons on the handlebars as well. The fork-mounted fairing offers good wind protection, and the hard luggage offers good storage space, as does a tiny space under the seat! The recent addition of the 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation has boosted its touring credentials significantly.
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,083 cc |
|
Max Power |
87 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
3
Suzuki Boulevard M109R
Price: $15,799
The Boulevard M109R is two decades old, but its performance belies that fact. Its engine is an automotive work of art, still offering one of the highest power and torque outputs for a cruiser under $20,000. You do get an old-school 5-speed gearbox and no modern conveniences at all, not even ABS. The instrumentation is a very interesting two-part cluster that has a digital tachometer mounted on the handlebars. Between the final shaft drive, liquid cooling, and being the same for so long, its reliability is as strong as its performance.
|
Engine Type |
54° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,783 cc |
|
Max Power |
123 HP @ 6,200 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
118 LB-FT @ 3,200 RPM |
2
Honda Gold Wing
Price: $25,200
The Gold Wing sets the standard not just for Japanese touring motorcycles, but for almost every bagger and full-dress tourer. This is why it remains profitable for Honda despite being made in a single factory globally, with components that it mostly does not share with any other model. The unique features include a longitudinal flat six engine with its gearbox mounted underneath it, a counterrotating gearbox output shaft to negate the engine’s sideways rocking motion, a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, and a sat-nav system. And it remains as reliable as any other Honda.
|
Engine Type |
Longitudinal flat six |
|
Displacement |
1,833 cc |
|
Max Power |
124.7 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
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1
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Price: $29,999
If you prefer your tourer a little sportier than the Gold Wing, Japan still has you covered. The Ninja H2 SX SE is powered by a supercharged engine, so it has power and torque figures that are the envy of any liter sport bike. You get a ton of premium features like blind spot detection, semi-active suspension, forward collision warning, and self-healing paint. Of course, this is in addition to the features, such as a 6.5-inch TFT display, six-axis IMU, by-wire throttle, and a two-way quickshifter.
|
Engine Type |
Supercharged I4 |
|
Displacement |
998 cc |
|
Max Power |
207 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
101 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Kawasaki USA