Some of us yearn for the good ol’ days. Those were the days when fast food wasn’t priced like a gourmet meal, and gas was priced reasonably. Motorcycles are a luxury item in the US market, so it makes sense that their prices will increase over time, and maybe increase at a higher rate than is normal for necessary items. This means that a decent motorcycle, whether cruiser or sport bike is now priced out of reach for the common beginner rider. We also have to remember that someone purchasing a car needs to only buy a car. A motorcycle rider has additional costs by way of a helmet and riding gear.
However, motorcycle manufacturers have been working on this problem, and pretty much all of them have learned to tune in to customers’ needs. They have come up with models that pack in performance and features but without compromising on quality, and all of this is put on sale at a exceedingly reasonable price. Here are ten new bikes that redefine value without cutting corners in 2025.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Honda Powersports, Harley-Davidson USA, and Kawasaki Motorcycles.
Moto Morini Calibro 700
Price: $5,999
The Calibro 700 is one of the bargains of the automotive world, not just its segment. At under $6,000, it offers the highest displacement, a 270-degree firing order that is unique, and at 69 horsepower, this is also the most powerful bike available for under $6,000. That’s a strange record for a cruiser to have, but such is the modern world. You also get ABS, a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch, Gates carbon belt final drive, an analog/LCD, and all-LED lighting.
Engine Type |
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
693 cc |
Max Power |
69 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
Max Torque |
50.1 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speeds, slipper clutch |
Final Drive |
Gates carbon belt drive |
KTM 390 Adventure R
Price: $6,999
The 390 Adventure R is based on an all-new platform, which makes it a completely different animal to the model it replaces. The current model has fully adjustable long-travel suspension, a 21/18-inch spoke wheel setup, a six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, traction control, and a 5-inch TFT color display. A by-wire throttle offers ride modes that have smoothened out the engine’s power delivery, and the 44 horsepower output is enough to keep up with highway traffic.
Engine Type |
Single cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
399 cc |
Max Power |
44 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
Max Torque |
28.7 LB-FT @ 6,700 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speeds, assist and slipper clutch, two-way quickshifter |
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Harley-Davidson Nightster
Price: $9,999
The Nightster got a price drop earlier this year. It now costs less than $10,000, which actually makes it good value for money. At the heart of the matter is the Revolution Max 975T engine that generates 91 horsepower, putting it among the most powerful motorcycles at its price. It is also the only one to offer variable valve timing, which is present on the intake valves. ABS, traction control, and drag torque slip control are present even on the base Nightster, as are a trellis frame, brakes by Brembo, and a by-wire throttle with three ride modes.
Engine Type |
Revolution Max 975T 60 degree V-twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, intake VVT |
Displacement |
975 cc |
Max Power |
91 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
Max Torque |
72 LB-FT @ 5,750 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speed manual |
Final Drive |
Belt drive |
Kawasaki Z900
Price: $9,999
The Z900 is the most powerful motorcycle available for under $10,000 with 123 horsepower, and its inline four engine displaces 948 cc, which makes it among the largest engines available at the price as well. A recent upgrade saw some modern features added to it like a six-axis IMU, a by-wire throttle, and a 5-inch TFT color display. This means it now has cruise control, a two-way quickshifter, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, Bluetooth connectivity, and navigation. The steel trellis frame offers weight reduction and agility, and the torque spread makes a great motorcycle in varied situations.
Engine Type |
Inline four cylinder, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
948 cc |
Max Power |
123 HP @ 9,500 RPM |
Max Torque |
73.1 LB-FT @ 7,700 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speeds, slipper clutch, two-way quickshifter |
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
Price: $10,299
The Rebel 1100 could be many things to many people. Its low price and lower seat height make it approachable to even first time cruiser buyers. The horsepower figure isn’t very high, either, but that is because Honda preferred to give it more torque. We know this driveline is capable of so much more because it does duty in the Africa Twin as well as the NT1100, so reliability is a given. The automatic gearbox will make life so much simpler, and it offers manual control for whenever you’d like to have it, so spending the extra $700 is absolutely worth it.
Engine Type |
270-degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, Unicam SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
Max Power |
87.1 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
Max Torque |
72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speed manual/dual clutch automatic |
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
CFMoto Ibex 800 E
Price: $10,299
The Ibex 800 was always going to deliver value, being a CFMoto product. However, with the manufacturer’s decision to sell only the top-spec Ibex 800 E variant in the US market, it has become the middleweight bike with the most features. The list includes an 8-inch TFT touchscreen TFT display with Apple CarPlay, a 94 horsepower engine with a by-wire throttle, six ride modes, cruise control, a six axis IMU (meaning cornering ABS and traction control), fully adjustable suspension by KYB, a steering damper, and an adjustable windscreen. The highlight is the radar-based blind spot monitoring system.
Engine Type |
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
799 cc |
Max Power |
94 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
Max Torque |
56.8 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speeds, slipper clutch |
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Kove 800X Pro
Price: $10,999
Kove is a little-known Chinese manufacturer, but boy does it make some impressive products. The 800X Pro is ostensibly a product that slots into the middleweight adventure bike category like the Ibex 800 above, but it couldn’t possibly be a more different bike. This is a Dakar Rally-type product that is tamed to make it street legal and good on tarmac. It has a really light 408-pound curb weight, meaning its 95 horsepower offers a lot more performance than you’d expect.
You can switch off the ABS not just at the rear, but at the front as well. Moving on, the 5 gallon fuel tank is under the seat, and a steering damper, crash bars, and a skid plate are all standard. KYB provides the fully adjustable suspension, the spoke tubeless rims have a 21/18 inch size, there are ride modes and traction control, and a TFT display offers all the information you need.
Engine Type |
Parallel twin cylinder, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
799 cc |
Max Power |
95 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
Max Torque |
59 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speeds |
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Price: $10,999
The CB1000 Hornet SP is right up there with the Calibro 700 and Ibex 800 E when it comes to bang for your buck. Honda has developed this all-new motorcycle not as a true replacement for the CB1000R, but as an affordable liter-class naked for the world. In the US, it is sold with under 130 horsepower, but that figure is nearer 160 horsepower globally. And the ‘SP’ in the Hornet’s name means that it gets some really quality cycle parts, like Showa SFF-BP front forks, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, and Brembo front brakes with a Brembo radial master cylinder as well.
Engine Type |
Inline four cylinder, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
1,000 cc |
Max Power |
129 HP @ NA RPM |
Max Torque |
NA LB-FT @ NA RPM |
Transmission |
6 speed manual transmission, assist and slipper clutch, standard two-way quickshifter |
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Price: $15,999
The Street Bob got a recent price cut, and with it, it has become genuinely great value. It now retails for the same amount as the Sportster S, but you get a Harley ‘Big Twin’ experience thanks to the Milwaukee Eight 117 engine. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox and final belt drive, like a traditional Harley should be. What isn’t traditional is the modern LED lighting, the tubeless spoke rims that are optional, cruise control, and the Showa dual bending valve front forks.
Engine Type |
‘Milwaukee Eight 117 Classic’ 45 degree V-twin, air-cooled, pushrod OHV, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
1,917 cc |
Max Power |
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM |
Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
Transmission |
6 speed manual |
Final Drive |
Belt drive |
Honda Africa Twin DCT
Price: $15,599
The Africa Twin flies under the radar because it doesn’t have a headlining power figure, or a massive feature list. It hasn’t even had a major change for many years now. But that’s exactly what makes it so good for its purpose; if you want an adventure bike that can tackle anything you throw at it without throwing a mechanical or electronic tantrum, and which is easy to ride even in traffic, this is it. The automatic gearbox remains the only one at its price, and has a G Switch that allows you to slip the clutch for walking-speed work as well.
Engine Type |
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooled, Unicam SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
Max Power |
100.5 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
Max Torque |
82.6 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
Transmission |
6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shift control and ‘G switch’ |
Final Drive |
Chain drive |