Buying a used motorcycle can be a rather daunting experience. Even bikes with fantastic reputations for reliability can still come back to bite you if they were neglected in their past life. The bikes within our budget of $5k, may have had more than one past life.
If you are looking for something that needs to still function properly, and not an ongoing project, it is best to at least start with a bike that has a good track record. Generally speaking, Japanese bikes offer exceptional durability, and parts remain relatively inexpensive. There are always exceptions to this rule, and we have included a couple of these exceptions mostly for the sake of variety.
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 Bulletproof Used Bikes Perfect For Daily Riders
If you are after a reliable commuter, here are some uber-cheap used bike options
2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
Price Range: $1,000 – $3,000
If you were to close your eyes and imagine what a metric cruiser might look like, this is most likely what you would conjure. All the way through the 90s, this was one of the most popular metric bikes, and it is pretty easy to see why. These bikes were always affordable, approachable, comfortable, and incredibly durable. They are the epitome of basic transport. Unfortunately, they were also often treated as if they were disposable items, so it is important to assess the bike (and owner) carefully.
2002 Suzuki Hayabusa (1st Generation)
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
On the one hand, it is pretty surprising that a high-performance motorcycle like this is so cheap, and on the other, it maybe isn’t. These bikes sold in huge numbers, offering unrivaled bang for the buck back when they were new. Today, you can actually find examples for a lot less than the indicated price, but when it comes to a Hayabusa, there really is such a thing as too cheap. With over 170 horsepower on tap, it can be genuinely dangerous if it is in poor condition.
2005 Yamaha FJR1300
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
Technically, you might be able to find newer examples for around the same price, but this is more or less what you will pay for a bike in good condition with a normal sort of mileage. Some of these bikes will have an enormous amount of miles on them because they really are ideal highway touring bikes. While a high mileage might not be a dealbreaker, if there are no service records, it is.
The Used Budget Tourer That Feels Like A Luxury Motorcycle
Discover the hidden gem of budget-friendly luxury touring motorcycles that offers an unparalleled riding experience.
2005 BMW R 1200 GS
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
This generation GS is what really kick-started the adventure bike craze. Its air-cooled boxer twin is both reliable and easy to work on, but that was not what made it so successful. It was, and still is, a very comfortable motorcycle, yet has the ability to go pretty much anywhere, and to cap it all off, it has 100 horsepower. More than enough to get the relatively light ADV moving at a fair clip.
2006 Yamaha YZF-R1
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
By 2006, Yamaha’s engineers had extracted everything they possibly could out of the old 20-valve Genesis engine. Not only had it given life to the famous YZF-R1, but to other superbikes before it – suffice to say, it was proven. With ram-air fitted, it could make as much as 180 horsepower, which is far too much for a bike devoid of electronic rider aids. In the wrong hands, this is a dangerous machine. But, to the right buyer, it offers irresistible bang for the buck.
2008 Honda VFR800 Interceptor
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
Honda was obsessed with the V4 engine configuration for more than three decades. This is significant because Honda played around with virtually every engine configuration imaginable between the 60s and 70s, from tiny inline-sixes to a pseudo V8 that used four oval pistons. The fact that the brand poured so much time and effort into this V4 lump only serves to underscore how much the brand believed in it. Unfortunately, emissions brought about the demise of this version of the lump, but there is hope that Honda will eventually build another, more efficient V4. If you are after a middleweight tourer, forget the Versys, get this!
2014 Husqvarna TR650 Terra
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
At its core, the TR650 is just a more modern version of the BMW F 650 GS. This is not a bad thing at all, because that GS was actually an excellent motorcycle. The Husky simply took those good bones, shaved a bit of weight, gave it more power, and gave the design a funky Swedish twist. Sadly, by the time it went into production, Husqvarna had been sold to KTM, and we all know how that turned out. While this certainly wasn’t the last original Husky – it is mostly a BMW – it was a lot better than most people give it credit for, and well worth considering… if you can find one.
Why The Husqvarna 701 Enduro Is The Forgotten Dual-Sport Motorcycle That’s Still A Beast
This European brand’s first big adventure bike certainly turned heads, but its smaller cousin has loads of power to satisfy any dual-sport rider.
2017 Triumph Bonneville T100
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
Considering how popular this modernized T100 is, it is a little surprising that these bikes are so affordable. By 2017, Triumph had already built a solid reputation for build quality and reliability, especially with these relatively simple retro machines. While well-kept original bikes from the 60s and 70s can cost a fair bit, the modern reboot offers retro buyers a genuinely affordable alternative.
2020 Yamaha WR250R
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
There is a lot of talk among off-road adventure enthusiasts about which new dual-sport or ADV offers the ideal balance between price and performance. Back when the WR250R was new, it was actually relatively expensive for what it was, but now that depreciation has worked its magic, it has evolved into the “unicorn” so many enthusiasts desire. While it is still not the most powerful, it is lighter than most of the new bikes on offer, and its off-road competence was never in doubt.
2022 Suzuki SV650
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
The SV650 is still available and offers pretty good value, but it offers even more value on the used market. While you will need to forgo your warranty, that is not much of a concern when you take into account the fact that this is one of the most reliable motorcycles on the market. It also looks and handles like an old Ducati Monster, which is not a bad thing at all, and it is going to be a lot more reliable than any sub $5k Monster!