We live in the future. If you just look at the sort of features modern motorcycles come with these days, the mind boggles. From adaptive cruise control to lean-sensitive traction control, there really are some things nobody ever thought would get installed on a motorcycle. The rather unfortunate side effect of all this futuristic technology is that it inflates the price of a motorcycle.
Some of us don’t even want a bike that comes with all this stuff, but for certain touring motorcycle models, even the base model will come with it. While the added safety is indisputable, these “features” add weight and failure points to a motorcycle. In some extreme cases, there is also a tinge of planned obsolescence to these features, which simply won’t all last the lifetime of the motorcycle. If you prefer a touring bike that is a little less complicated, and a lot more affordable, it might be worth considering one of these used bikes.
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 Touring Bikes For Under $10,000 In The U.S.
These bikes prove that you don’t need a big expensive motorcycle to ride across the country
2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
In an effort to highlight the fact that you don’t need to completely shun technology, we have included one of the first “tall sportbikes.” The Multistrada 1200 took big strides in terms of performance, with the superbike-derived twin making 150 horsepower compared to the outgoing model’s 95 horsepower. For the time, it was a thoroughly feature-rich motorcycle, with modern features like traction control, an electronic suspension, and ride modes.
Sadly, all these features are a double-edged sword. While its detuned superbike engine is mechanically reliable, the old Multi has always been prone to a few wiring gremlins, and that is part of the reason why these bikes are so affordable. A long test ride is necessary, but you will still need to be open-minded, and willing to accept some level of Italian “charm.” At this price point, this gorgeous bike is desperately hard to ignore.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
L-Twin, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1198cc |
|
Max Power |
150 HP |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
478 lbs |
2012 Honda VFR1200F
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
Compared to modern tourers, this was a relatively simple motorcycle. Its monstrously powerful V4 could rocket this bike to a quarter mile time of just 10 seconds, but with it weighing over 600 pounds, it handled more like a freight train than a nimble sport tourer. This was also one of the first bikes equipped with Honda’s now ubiquitous DCT, but we wouldn’t recommend getting that model.
Early DCT transmissions were a little clunky in slow-moving traffic, and with a bike this heavy, that is a recipe for frustration. The DCT model is also usually more expensive, whereas the manual bike is just fast, fun, and affordable. It is not the most comfortable sport touring bike, though, nor is it particularly fuel efficient. Especially if you start enjoying that V4 a little too much.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V4, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1237cc |
|
Max Power |
170 HP |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
613 lbs |
10 Used Japanese Touring Bikes Under $5,000 In 2025
These used tourers prove that there is an affordable way to travel on a motorcycle
2014 Honda CTX1300 ABS
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
The CTX1300 is proof that even Honda, the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, can get it wrong from time to time. For this model, Honda reworked the old ST1300 V4 engine in an effort to improve torque delivery lower down in the rev range. While the torque certainly came in earlier, the overall torque figure actually went down. As a result, this bagger – which weighs more than the old ST1300 – just felt underpowered.
It was also overpriced at the time, and if measured by sales, this model was an abject failure. Today, these bikes are genuinely affordable and most of the issues these bikes had in the past would have been rectified by now. Honda ruthlessly culled the model after just one year, so even though they are affordable, they are still a little hard to find.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V4, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1261cc |
|
Max Power |
81 HP |
|
Transmission |
5-speed |
|
Weight |
734 lbs |
2015 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Bigger Japanese baggers have all but died out, and the Vaquero is one of the last of its kind currently on the market. At almost $20k, it is still a pretty expensive motorcycle. It has also remained mostly unchanged since it first came out, so if you want to save some money, it’s well worth considering a 2015 model.
Owners tend to accumulate a lot of miles on these bikes, but they also tend to look after them. As long as basic maintenance has been taken care of, these understressed twins will last forever. At this price point, you can afford to buy three of these bikes for the same price as the new model!
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
V-Twin, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1700cc |
|
Max Power |
73 HP |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
845 lbs |
How The Kawasaki Vulcan Rivals The Honda Gold Wing At A Lower Price
This touring bike boasts a charming, old-school appeal and is powered by the largest Kawasaki engine currently available.
2017 Yamaha FJR1300 ES
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
Technically, this is still available, too, just as a 2024 model and only while stocks last. With a base price of $18k, you can go out and buy two 2017 models – which are identical – for the same money. As long as you are willing to forgo the warranty, that it, and in some cases, the warranty has actually been pretty handy.
These bikes are bulletproof, but the one weak point is the electronic suspension. While it certainly adds to the comfort factor of the bike, they have been known to fail, and it will be important to take the bike for a decent test ride and make sure the suspension works as it should. Other than that, the FJR1300 is more or less the ultimate sport touring bike.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
Inline-four, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
1298cc |
|
Max Power |
142 HP |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
|
Weight |
642 lbs |
Source: KBB