Automobiles and motorcycles seem to be going the way of consumer tech, with annual updates that promise more, and a better experience. And of course, the price keeps creeping higher and higher. However, what happens if you aren’t blinded by the shine of a spanking-new motorcycle every few months? What should you choose if you want to keep your motorcycle for a very long time?
You get something that is reliable, requires minimal maintenance, has reasonable service costs, and is engineered to minimize man-hours for service and repair. Of course, spares need to be priced well and be readily available as well. These motorcycles really do exist, and we’ve listed down ten of the best on sale today. We’ve given preference to those that have ABS at least as an option, as that is one feature that should be on all motorcycles.
Honda CRF300L
Price: $5,749
The CRF300L has established itself as one of the no-nonsense purchases that make a lot of sense if you want something simple yet fun that will last. It isn’t down on tech either, with liquid cooling, a DOHC head, 4 valves, all-LED lighting, switchable ABS, and a USB-C charging socket. The instrument cluster might seem a little outdated because it is an all-LCD one, but it plays its part in contributing to the CRF300L’s reliability.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
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Displacement |
286 cc |
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Max Power |
27 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
19.6 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Kawasaki Ninja 500
Price: $5,799
The Ninja 500 might not seem like the most exciting baby sport bike, but its parallel twin engine generates the most horsepower among its peers. Not only this, but it has been around for so long that it has a low cost of ownership. That means it is reliable, service is cheap, and parts are accessible. Like the CRF300L above, it is available with an LCD screen, but an upgrade to a TFT display and keyless ignition is also possible, with the Ninja 500 SE ABS.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
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Displacement |
451 cc |
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Max Power |
51 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
Honda NX500
Price: $6,899
The NX500 is one of the few bikes that have seen a price drop over time. That means not only do you get great value, but it also looks good, and it stays in its lane. It doesn’t pretend to be anything that it is not, and what it is is a tarmac tourer. Still, Honda has now given it switchable traction control, which should be fun on loose surfaces, and the ABS and 5-inch TFT display help while touring.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
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Displacement |
471 cc |
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Max Power |
46.9 HP @ 8,600 RPM |
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Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
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Kawasaki KLR650
Price: $7,299
Another year, and the KLR650 soldiers on like it has for over three decades. It has branched out into different variants – one with a lower seat height and another with aspirations to be a tough-as-nails adventure bike. With its weight going up over the years, that is what it has become. The tech also points towards that shift, with ABS, fuel injection, and a digital instrument cluster all being added. If all you want is something that will take you there and back twice over without complaint, the KLR is what you need.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
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Displacement |
652 cc |
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Max Power |
38.5 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
39.1 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
Yamaha MT-07
Price: $8,599
The MT-07 is a surprise pick for a list like this, but dig a little deeper, and it isn’t difficult to see why. It is Yamaha’s most popular naked, despite it seeming like it is down on power. It is light, has a fun engine, and it is loaded with features like a five-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. You also get self-canceling indicators, but you won’t be bothered with their features a lot, simply because it is that much fun. The cherry on top is how reliable the CP2 mill has proven to be.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
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Displacement |
689 cc |
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Max Power |
73.4 HP @ 8,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
50 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Honda Shadow Phantom
Price: $8,699
The Shadow is always high on the list when you’re looking for a bike that will last for a very long time. Honda deliberately chose a simple layout for everything – twin shocks at the rear, shaft drive to the wheel, five-speed wide ratio gearbox – so that it would last longer than you’d expect. And that’s saying something for a Honda. It even has a rear disc brake and standard ABS now. The only real missing thing is tubeless tires.
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Engine Type |
52° V-twin |
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Displacement |
745 cc |
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Max Power |
44.9 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
47.9 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM |
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Suzuki V-Strom 650
Price: $9,299
The V-Strom is another model like the Shadow – it feels like the manufacturer simply forgot about it, but then you ride one, and it all becomes clear. This might be old, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way. The V-Strom 650 in particular has traction control, ABS, and even tubeless spoke rims in the V-Strom 650XT, which even the V-Strom 800 doesn’t have! Change is coming, though, with this lovely 90-degree V-twin getting big updates in another model for this model year, thanks to emission norms.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
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Displacement |
645 cc |
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Max Power |
70 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
46 LB-FT @ 6,400 RPM |
Indian Scout Bobber
Price: $12,999
The Scout Bobber is the full-fat Scout experience on a budget. It gets the larger SpeedPlus engine with liquid cooling, with a six-speed gearbox. The base variant offers great looks, too, but if you really want to exploit this model, you have to get the top-spec variant, called the Limited+Tech. You’ll have to shell out an extra $2,200 for it, but you will get more colorways, keyless ignition, a 4-inch TFT display with connected tech, a USB charger, and all the features you’ll get with a by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU.
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Engine Type |
60° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,250 cc |
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Max Power |
105 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
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Max Torque |
79.7 LB-FT @ 6,300 RPM |
Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Price: $14,999
The Street Bob might be marketed as a blank canvas with which to paint your Harley-Davidson cruiser fantasies, but it is so much more than a mere entry point to the Softail range. It is powered by the venerable Milwaukee Eight 117 and has a six-speed gearbox. There is all-LED lighting, cruise control, and Showa front forks. And you can spec it with optional tubeless lace rims. Did we mention that the customization opportunities are endless? But if you leave it stock, it will last you forever.
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Engine Type |
45° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,917 cc |
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Max Power |
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM |
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Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
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Honda Gold Wing
Price: $25,500
Whether new or used, the Gold Wing is a great buy. The entry price delivers a lot of value, and the dual-clutch automatic gearbox will cost you just another $1,000. You get a number of unique things when you get a Gold Wing. First, the flat-six engine is like no other. Then, the seven-speed DCT gearbox is unique. There is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too. The biggest thing, though, is the fact that despite so much tech, it never fails on the owner, and will keep rolling for decades.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal flat six |
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Displacement |
1,833 cc |
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Max Power |
124.7 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Kawasaki USA