Planned obsolescence seems to be everywhere these days, from washing machines to cars. Sadly, motorcycles are no longer immune to this kind of thing and there are certain “features” that will almost certainly shorten the lifespan of certain models. While it is impossible to live in a bubble, there are several great used bikes that have all already stood the test of time, and still have many good years left in them.
By the early 00s, mechanical reliability had improved to such an extent across the board that it was almost no longer an issue. Naturally, there are a few unique exceptions to this rule. But, by this time, all the Japanese brands had gotten on top of this, and it is no coincidence that they dominate this particular list. From impressive one-off cruisers to capable ADVs, these impressive used bikes are all built to last.
Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.
10 Best Used Bikes Under $5,000 In 2025
With a budget of just $5k, you can find pretty much any kind of motorcycle on the used market
2005 Honda Rune
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
When this came out, it made waves because at the time it was one of the most expensive motorcycles on sale. Even so, Honda still reportedly lost tens of thousands of dollars on each bike sold. While it might seem like a regular chrome-heavy metric cruiser from a distance, there is nothing “regular” about this bike. It featured a host of one-off parts and was made in limited numbers. It is almost certainly going to be worth something one of these days, but for now it represents a genuine bargain to the right buyer at this price.
2005 BMW F 650 GS Dakar
Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000
The upcoming BMW F 450 GS represents something of a full-circle moment for the brand. Back in 2005, the Dakar was considered a middleweight offering, but today this “middleweight” offers us a spec sheet that looks suspiciously similar to the new “entry level” ADV. With around 50 horsepower and a wet weight of a little over 400 pounds, the Dakar is a deceptively effective ADV that is also perfectly highway capable. Just, for around half as much as its modern cousin.
2008 Honda VFR800 Interceptor
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
At this price point, the VFR800 offers ultimate value to those looking for a light-duty touring bike. Its V4 engine makes it a degree more fun than any of the current middleweight offerings, and it is no less reliable, more than capable of getting past the 100,000-mile mark. With Honda giving up on the V4 engine configuration, there is actually no like-for-like modern alternative.
Why Honda Made The Limited-Run VFR750F Superbike
Honda proved that they could get the VFR750 right the second time around.
2008 Suzuki GSX-R750 (K8)
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
By the late 00s, Suzuki had perfected the sportbike. This might seem like a sweeping statement, but the only way modern bikes can keep up with the old 750 is thanks to all sorts of electronic wizardry. Compared to those bikes, the old GSX-R is fairly rudimentary, with no electronic rider aids in sight, but an experienced rider won’t mind one bit thanks to how good the chassis is.
2012 Yamaha V-Max
Price Range: $10,000 – $12,000
By 2009, the VMax power cruiser was into its second and final generation. With as near as makes no difference to 200 horsepower, it is still the most powerful production motorcycle Yamaha has ever built, and late model bikes hold their value incredibly well. Older bikes from between 2009 and 2012 are now relatively affordable, but these are still desirable motorcycles and most owners and dealers will know what they have.
2014 EBR 1190RX
Price Range: $12,000 – $14,000
Prices for this all-American superbike seem to be on the rise. Not long ago, these bikes were selling for under $10k, but for good example, you will now need to fork out closer to $14k. Even so, that would be money well spent if you are after a raw 185 horsepower monster with absolutely no modern safety features. The current Hammerhead is more or less the same bike underneath, which means you can save almost $10k with a used EBR.
2016 Kawasaki Concours 14
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
Over the years that the Concours 14 was in production, it proved to be one of the most reliable sport touring motorcycles money could buy. While they have since gone out of production, these bikes are not particularly hard to find on the used market. Most owners use these bikes for their intended purpose, but also look after their machines. High mileages are to be expected, but so are service records.
The Highest Mileage Kawasaki In The World Is A Concours 14
This machine pushed the limits of how many miles a Japanese sport-tourer can achieve, and how well it holds its value
2017 KTM 1090 Adventure R
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Before you go out and spend your hard-earned cash on a new middleweight ADV, we strongly recommend considering a used 1090 Adventure R. Technically, this should not be considered a middleweight bike, but it was briefly marketed as one purely as a stop-gap while the 790 was still in development. It might be a little heavier than most modern middleweights, but it is equally, if not more competent off-road. With its potent LC8 V-twin, it is also more effective as a tourer.
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES
Price Range: $11,000 – $13,000
For those simply looking for a big, luxurious ADV that can handle the odd dirt road, the Super Tenere is a fantastic option. It is certainly more at home on the highway than on roads less traveled, with plush electronic suspension and a beefy, torque-rich parallel-twin. While it doesn’t have a fancy TFT dash, this bike just went off sale and is still a thoroughly modern machine. It is also deceptively quick thanks to all that low-down grunt.
2020 Suzuki SV650
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
No new bike in this price range will be better than an SV650. Its trusty V-twin is both reliable and enormously fun, and 2017 was the last time the platform got a meaningful update. So, even though this is technically six years old now, the new bike is pretty much the same, say for a couple of different color options.
Source: KBB