10 Used Motorcycles That Marry Reliability With Bargain Pricing

There is no denying the allure of buying a new motorcycle. It comes with the latest innovation, styling, and, in most cases, a more powerful engine. Having said that, all these things come at a cost, literally and figuratively. If you are someone who is not swayed by the latest technology or a manufacturer’s marketing attempt to make you buy a new vehicle, used motorcycles start to make a lot of sense. Apart from being cheaper to buy, there are other benefits to buying a used motorcycle, like a wider variety of options, cheaper insurance, and maintenance thanks to less complex technology on the motorcycle.

On the flip side, finding a good used motorcycle can be a time-consuming task and comes with its own set of risks. That’s why we recommend you pick motorcycles that are known to be reliable, especially if you are a beginner rider learning the ropes of owning a bike. We all know Japanese machines, be it a car or a motorcycle, are synonymous with reliability, and the same is reflected in the options you’ll see below. However, there are a couple of Harley-Davidson bikes that have managed to find a place on the list.

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

Price Range: $3,000 – $4,000

Kawasaki

This is yet another sports bike dressed up as a tourer, which you can use to travel across the country without breaking your back. Lots of effort was put into balancing the Concours 14‘s performance and comfort. For instance, the aluminum monocoque frame underpinning the motorcycle was borrowed from the ZX-12R, but further strengthened to take care of the extra weight of the motorcycle. The wheelbase was extended to offer stability on straight roads and maintain the front/rear weight distribution. Power comes from a ZZR1400-based engine tuned for more low- and mid-range torque, which means you don’t have to rev the engine hard to access all the power.

Specifications

2017 Suzuki DR650S

Price Range: $3,750 – $5,450

Suzuki

The Suzuki DR650 traces its roots all the way back to the early 1990s. The dual-sport motorcycle has remained largely unchanged after a few updates in the early years of its existence. After all, why fix something that’s not broken, right? At least that’s what Suzuki believes. Its simplicity is what helps it run for miles without breaking down. There is no radiator, no fuel pump, or complicated electronics. The 35-horsepower output from its 644cc air/oil-cooled engine, and a curb weight of 366 pounds, may feel commuter-like, but existing owners will tell you that the DR650S can easily cruise at 65-70 MPH on the freeway.

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2022 Harley-Davidson Iron 883

Price Range: $5,500 – $7,500

Harley-Davidson

Before the Nightster and Sportster S models, the Iron 883 was the entry-level Harley-Davidson. It was a quintessential old-school Harley with a simple, stripped-down, and retro styling that can be easily customized to suit your taste. The lack of electronics might feel out of place in today’s tech-savvy world, but it is one of the reasons behind the motorcycle’s strong reliability. Another reason is the cruiser’s 883cc Evolution V-Twin engine, which produces 54 horsepower and 54 pound-feet. Given the relatively large displacement engine puts out humble outputs, it should be understressed, and hence less likely to face a breakdown.

Specifications

2014 Honda CBR600RR

Price Range: $5,500 – $7,500

Honda

The Honda CBR600RR is one of the few motorcycles of its kind — a middleweight supersport with an inline-four screamer at its heart, yet something you can live with on a day-to-day basis. The motorcycle boasts a strong racing pedigree, which has contributed to the impressive reliability of its engine. The 599cc power mill on the 2014 model puts out close to 100 horsepower and 44 pound-feet of torque. It surprisingly misses out on a slipper-clutch, but there’s nothing good riding skills can’t fix. If you are looking to upgrade to a middleweight supersport on a limited budget, the Honda CBR600RR could be one of the best options to consider.

Specifications

2013 Honda VFR1200F

Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000

Honda

The Honda VFR range of sports tourers is famous for the blend of performance and comfort they provide for long-distance touring. The VFR1200F was the largest capacity motorcycle in this range. Unfortunately, it didn’t become as popular as its smaller siblings like the VFR750. That doesn’t mean it was a bad motorcycle, though. The 1,237cc liquid-cooled inline four-engine powering the motorcycle puts out close to 170 horsepower, which means it would be faster than most vehicles on a freeway. Being a Honda, reliability won’t be an issue either. Given that you can buy a used 2013 VFR1200F for under $8,000, makes it an absolute steal deal.

Specifications

2012 Yamaha Super Tenere

Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000

Yamaha

In case you do see yourself doing a little bit of off-roading along with munching miles on a freeway, an adventure tourer like the Super Tenere makes a lot of sense. It may not have the flashiest of styling like the BMW GS, but it sure makes up for that with its impressive on-road and off-road performance, and reliability. Powering the motorcycle is a 1,199 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin with a 270-degree firing order. It puts out close to 111 horsepower, which is more than sufficient to make quick progress almost anywhere. The 19/17-inch tire setup, long travel suspension, and ample ground clearance mean it is capable of traversing difficult terrains. Additionally, the 2012 model was equipped with decent modern-day features like ride-by-wire throttle and traction control.

Specifications

2012 Yamaha Royal Star Venture S

Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000

Yamaha

Over the years, Japanese manufacturers have introduced some iconic full-size cruisers to the market. The Yamaha Royal Star Venture S is one such example. In an era where American cruisers featured air/oil-cooled V-twins, Yamaha was selling a more modern liquid-cooled V-twin. This cruiser uses a 1,294cc liquid-cooled, DOHC V-twin that puts out 97 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. Given Yamaha’s expertise in making some great sports bikes, its cruiser also boasts good handling characteristics. There are air-adjustable telescopic forks up front and a link-type rear suspension to offer good touring comfort for both the rider and pillion.

Specifications

2008 Suzuki Hayabusa

Price Range: $6,300 – $9,000

Suzuki

It is a well-known fact that the Hayabusa was once the fastest production motorcycle with a top speed of 193.86 MPH. Suzuki managed to achieve this feat thanks to the Busa’s aerodynamic bodywork and, following the old adage – there’s no replacement for displacement. Powering the motorcycle was a 1340cc inline-four, which produced close to 200 horsepower, lending it impressive straight-line acceleration. The engine in its stock form is very reliable, but we have seen ample examples of owners turbocharging the power mill to extract more power. The motorcycle remained virtually unchanged for 20 years before it received a significant update in 2021.

Specifications

2015 Yamaha FJR1300

Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000

Yamaha Powersports

Despite the increasing popularity of adventure touring motorcycles, sports tourers like the FJR1300 make a lot of sense. This is especially true for riders who hardly venture off-road. The FJR1300 had been in existence for more than 20 years before it was discontinued last year. Over the years, it has received significant updates. With the 2015 model, you get almost everything you could ask for in a sports tourer, including modern features like traction control, cruise control, YCC-T, and D-mode. The only thing missing is a six-speed gearbox, which was introduced in the 2016 update. For less than $9,000, you essentially get a full-size tourer with a liquid-cooled, 1,298cc inline-four engine that produces 146 horsepower and 102 pound-feet of torque, making it a bargain deal.

Specifications

2012 Harley-Davidson Street Glide

Price Range: $10,000 – $12,000

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson makes some of the most iconic touring motorcycles, and the Street Glide is one of them. Actually, it’s a bagger with a large batwing fairing and hard saddlebags provided as standard. The 2012 model uses Harley-Davidson’s Twin Cam 103 V-twin paired to a six-speed manual transmission. Highlight features on the model include a 40-watt, Harmon-Kardon two-speaker audio system, ABS, and an air-adjustable rear suspension. Given their popularity, Harley-Davidson tourers retain their value quite well. Having said that, buying a new Street Glide will easily set you back by over $25,000. Meanwhile, a well-maintained used example from 2012 costs around $12,000.

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