What Are the Best Cheap Motorcycles Today?

Are you looking to buy your first motorcycle or is this the big day you are going for the upgrade? First, you can get more for less. That’s right. Bike technology is on the upswing, and you can benefit. Some riders only buy new. It is easy to understand why a new bike is a great pick. The bike has a warranty and a large available stock of mods to make it your own.

You can find better-quality, cheap used motorcycles and still have plenty of dollars left to buy all the mods you want. Some used bikes come with dream mods, and you can get a steal of a deal when you find one of these gold mines.

Think Big, Dream Hard

You may want a cruiser to munch miles up the scenic Baja, California peninsula for an incredible 775-mile coast trip. Or maybe you just broke into stunting and want a bike with a supersized weight to power ratio. Come on; admit it. We all have the vision of our dream ride floating in the back of our brains–if we only had the dream budget to afford it!

Like everything in life, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is good, too, you just don’t know it yet.

The Good News

You’re looking for a cruiser so you can enjoy cross-country rides. Other riders want a blazing fast sports bike to tear up the asphalt. Whatever your riding style, you may not find a better time to buy. Motorbike technology is taking off like never before. Last week’s new models are flying out of shops to make room for newer models, and the manager shoves the newer bikes of yesterday out the door to the sales lot as today’s newest models roar into the showroom. Motorcycle fever is big business. U.S. consumers are buying motorcycles instead of second cars for commuting or vacation fun.

All this activity is good for one thing: Cash benefits. The best motorcycle for the money you could ever want is out there waiting for you. There are always riders who don’t mind sacrificing a powerhouse model to buy the tricked out cruiser on the front of this month’s Cycle World. A smart rider is standing in line behind him, ready to grab his former ride for half the price. And did we mention all the mods the bigshot added? They’re going along for the ride if you’re in the market for a classic performer at an amazing price.

Excellent Used Motorcycles

Your supreme challenge lies in choosing which bike to buy because the market is super-saturated with great deals. Let’s examine some of the best options while the paramedics are recharging your heart.

Twenty years ago, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found women owned only 6 percent of all motorcycles. A new study by the Motorcycle Industry Council rates women owners at closer to 20 percent today. Millennium females are nearing 25 percent, and their numbers are growing. Get ready to do some fast talking, men, if you want to beat out a sister for an amazing street racer deal!

When you size up the market, look for common makes and models that are known for consistent reliability; these are most often the cheapest street-legal motorcycles you can buy. If you’re interested in buying an off-road dirt bike, do not assume anything without documented proof the bike was modified and is now street-legal.

When looking at used motorcycles, expect to replace the suspension, as these are wear items on older bikes. Surfaces may need some minor cosmetic bodywork in paint or dent repair for bikes to look their finest. Check for corrosion; while it doesn’t cost a lot to replace a few bolts here and there, significant rust may affect the motorcycle’s structural integrity.

Quality Cruisers for Low Prices

There are models available for memorable tours that won’t shred your budget. Prices average around $2,500 for some good cruisers:

2000+ year models of Kawasaki Vulcan have a solid, big V-twin and fuel injection.

2004 Suzuki SV6505 provides a smooth, enjoyable commuter ride.

2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 has fantastic power and handling; though priced on the higher end, if you can find one, grab it.

Reasonably-priced Stunt or Sports Bikes

For cheap fast motorcycles or sports stunt fun, used sports bikes in the $2,500 range that stand out include:

2002 Ducati Monster, lightweight, with a powerful engine and an excellent braking system.

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 R is fun to ride and suitable for learners; the carburetor engine makes it inexpensive to run.

1996 Suzuki GSX-R750 provides a strong power-to-weight ratio

2003 Yamaha YZF-R6 is a supersport track-ripper; used Yamaha superbikes are still impressive contenders.

2002 Yamaha YZF-R1 comes with a fuel injection system, and the handling is nicely responsive.

Favorite Rides Under a Grand

There are also motorcycles for sale under $1,000 that are definitely worth riding and won’t require you to take on three extra side-hustles. It is likely that a new bike at this price will come from a factory and dealer in China. These bikes do come with warranties, which may be a better way to go if your only choice is an iffy old model that was worn hard and ejects a rusty bolt at your head during the walk-around. Let it retire in peace.

There are still recyclable models under a grand for those who have the right tools and are reasonably confident motorcycle mechanics. Your primary objective, if you want to put some work in on a used bike, is to make sure it is new enough that parts are still easy to find. You may spend another grand getting the vehicle up to street-legal code with an engine that runs. But you could end up with a sturdy, long-lasting ride if you find the right deal and the best OEM parts to restore your motorcycle to maximum performance.