There’s no denying that we desire exotic motorcycles. After all, who wouldn’t want the biggest, best, and most modern things on sale? However, any new tech has its drawbacks. Namely, it is young and hasn’t gone through real-world testing to mature and become reliable. Also, with new products, you never know if they’re truly going to become a success or not.
And that is why playing it safe, even with a motorcycle, might be the right thing to do. If you’re the kind of person who wants just the one bike in the garage, you’ll want it to work every time you go for a ride, you’ll want it to get you back home without hiccups, and you’ll want it to be easy and cheap to maintain. Here are ten bikes that meet these criteria.
Honda XR150L
Price: $3,399
The XR series has a reputation for being a no-nonsense, tough-as-nails series of motorcycles, and the tiny XR150L is no different. It is extremely simple, with a carbureted, air-cooled thumper and a five-speed gearbox. The suspension adjustment is just the rear preload, and the rear brake is a drum – no ABS is present, obviously. Even the instrumentation is all-analog. It might not be big enough to deal with highway runs, but it will never break, and it has the lowest maintenance costs in Honda’s current lineup.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
149 cc |
|
Max Power |
12.5 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
9.3 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
Yamaha V-Star 250
Price: $4,799
Like the XR150L, the V-Star 250 approaches motorcycling with simplicity. It has a V-twin engine, but it is otherwise similar to the Honda, with its air cooling, carburetion, and five-speed gearbox. And despite its twin cylinder engine, it is one of the most efficient motorcycles on sale today with its 80 MPG fuel efficiency. This isn’t just a good beginner’s motorcycle, but a great choice for anyone looking for a trouble-free ownership experience.
|
Engine Type |
60° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
249 cc |
|
Max Power |
21 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
15.2 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
Price: $5,449
The Himalayan 450 is a giant leap forward for Royal Enfield, and it is one of our favorite small adventure bikes, but there still exists a place for the older Himalayan 411. It doesn’t have a high power or torque figure, and neither does it have a great feature set – a compass and ABS are about the extent of it – but what it is, is nigh indestructible. The torquey engine, great chassis and suspension, and simple five-speed gearbox all combine to offer a down-to-earth experience that allows you to smell the roses as you ride by.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
411 cc |
|
Max Power |
24.3 HP @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
23.6 LB-FT @ 4,000-4,500 RPM |
10 Motorcycles That Still Prove Reliability Matters
In a market chasing innovation, these ten motorcycles remind you that reliability is the one spec that never goes out of style
Honda Rebel 500
Price: $6,799
The Rebel 500 isn’t the smallest Rebel available today, but it makes a good case for itself as the cruiser of choice for those starting their riding journey. It is docile enough to be encouraging for beginners. At the same time, it won’t allow a beginner to outgrow it quickly, thanks to its parallel twin engine. ABS used to be an option, but is now a standard feature.
|
Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
471 cc |
|
Max Power |
46.9 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
31.8 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
Kawasaki KLR650
Price: $6,999
The KLR650 was a no-brainer for this list because it is one of the unbreakable bikes out there. Although it has slowly put on the pounds over the decades, it hasn’t given up its reliability. It has also added fuel injection, ABS, and a digital instrument cluster to its repertoire, although the ABS isn’t switchable. It is also a $300 optional extra. A lowered version, the KLR650 S, is also available. It offers a lower seat at the cost of suspension travel and ground clearance.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
652 cc |
|
Max Power |
38.5 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
39.1 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
Suzuki DR650S
Price: $7,299
The DR650S is another motorcycle like the KLR, but it has followed the formula of the little Honda dual-sport here. That means a single cylinder that is air-cooled and carbureted with a five-speed gearbox. The large displacement helps it deal with highway miles quite well. There is also weight saving, as aluminum is used for the swingarm, wheel hubs, and rims. Like the KLR, a lower version is available, but as a kit at the dealer level.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
644 cc |
|
Max Power |
43.5 HP @ 6,400 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
39.8 LB-FT @ 4,600 RPM |
10 Used Motorcycles With Rock-Solid Reputations For Reliability
Explore the used motorcycle market’s hidden gems that promise years of trouble-free riding.
Kawasaki Vulcan 900
Price: $9,599
The Vulcan 900 is what Kawasaki cooked up to compete with Harley-Davidson, and we have to admit, it did a pretty good job. It has all the ingredients – V-twin engine, belt drive, wide-ratio five-speed gearbox, and belt drive. Kawasaki even threw in liquid cooling, fuel injection, and a rear disc brake when it launched 20 years ago. It hasn’t been updated in a very long time, but that also means that it is not just reliable, but also affordable to maintain.
|
Engine Type |
55° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
903 cc |
|
Max Power |
50 HP @ 5,700 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
58.2 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM |
Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Price: $14,999
The Street Bob is the entry to Harley’s Softail series, and with its price dropping by a whopping $2,200 over the last couple of years, it is now great value for money. It is also extremely reliable thanks to the Milwaukee Eight 117 Classic, which is completely air-cooled. There are modern features too, like LED lighting, tubeless spoke rims (optional), cruise control, a six-speed gearbox, and the safety features that a six-axis IMU offers. The cherry on top is how customizable it is. Its reliability and ease of maintenance will make it effortless to own.
|
Engine Type |
45° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,917 cc |
|
Max Power |
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
Suzuki Boulevard M109R
Price: $15,799
Like the Vulcan 900, the Boulevard M109R was launched two decades ago. However, its performance remains relevant even today, even at the price. It offers the most horsepower under $20,000 even today, and with features like a maintenance-free shaft final drive and a liquid-cooled engine, it is extremely reliable. You get a handlebar-mounted digital rev counter, one of the widest rear tires in motorcycling, and the front suspension and brakes from a liter sport bike. Despite the pupil-dilating performance, it remains reliable and easy on the pocket.
|
Engine Type |
54° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,783 cc |
|
Max Power |
123 HP @ 6,200 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
118 LB-FT @ 3,200 RPM |
10 Japanese Motorcycles That Last Forever
These ten Japanese have the simplest maintenance plan: don’t require one
Honda Gold Wing
Price: $25,500
The Gold Wing’s price of admission is a little high compared to the others in this list, but among its peers, it’s quite a value product. Not just that, it is also reliable enough to keep going for many years and/or miles despite the various premium electronic features. There are some truly unique features like an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, a sat-nav that continues to track you even in a tunnel, and an options list that contains a CB radio and a button that can open your garage door. However, what is standard is its reliability under all conditions.
|
Engine Type |
Longitudinal flat six |
|
Displacement |
1,833 cc |
|
Max Power |
125 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Suzuki Cycles