A budget motorcycle can be any type of bike, but which is best for you? The YZF-R6 is one of the best budget bikes around, with a great combination of looks, performance, and modern technology. This bike also offers a comfortable ride for a great price, making it an excellent choice for a road trip. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is another excellent choice, offering an excellent all-round package.
Kawasaki Ninja 400
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is one of the best budget motorcycles on the market, and for good reason. The low price is reflected in its solid performance and reliability. Though it isn’t the most expensive motorcycle, it has more power than many bikes twice its price. Its 321cc twin engine is more than enough for a beginner rider, while its aggressive styling is a good addition for the style conscious.
Yamaha CB300R
The Honda CB300R is the most affordable naked motorcycle on the market. In base trim, it costs less than half as much as the KTM Duke 390 or the BMW G310R. It weighs only 286 pounds and reaches a top speed of 75 mph. And with its distinctive dual-section LED headlight, it’s the best choice for urban riding. While it doesn’t look like a world market bike, it’s made by Honda and boasts good styling and fit.
Honda CB300
The 2015 Honda CB300 is the latest budget motorcycle from Honda. It’s a single-cylinder bike with a low seat height of 30.7 inches and a light 348-pound curb weight. Hondas have great engines, and the CB300F is no exception. This motorcycle’s single-cylinder engine features fuel injection and double-overhead cams for midrange power. The Honda CB300 has a gull-wing design on the right side.
Yamaha MT-07
The Yamaha MT-07 is the perfect bike for those who are looking for a budget-friendly motorcycle with great performance and style. This motorcycle’s price is considerably lower than the Royal Enfield Interceptor, which costs nearly twice as much. With a powerful motor, the MT-07 is capable of delivering a high level of torque and tractability. Yamaha has made changes to the design of this motorcycle over the years, but it’s kept its core design philosophy intact. The MT-07’s headlamps are low, the tank shrouds are minimal, and the swingarm is attractively machined.
Yamaha MT-08
The 2019 Yamaha MT-08 is an outstanding motorcycle that retails at $9,399, just $400 more than the 2020 model. However, considering the smoother powertrain and added complexity of rider assistance systems, that $400 price increase is minuscule. It is still an excellent motorcycle to buy, and we recommend it. However, you may want to spend a little more, as the price difference isn’t as substantial as you think.
Yamaha MT-09
The Yamaha MT-09 is a fun, affordable and light motorcycle. Its predecessor was one of Yamaha’s most popular models and is now almost half the company’s European sales. The MT-09 launched in 2013, and set the precedent for the rest of the range with its grunty three-cylinder motor, minimalist bodywork and budget suspension. While the 2017 version added refinement and added a few new features, it still had room for improvement.