Motorcycles are quick. That’s their draw for the most part. But that isn’t all that is good about them. They tug at the heartstrings, not in spite of how impractical they are, but because of it. You have to work and earn the ability to extract the best out of them. You’ll be hot, cold, and wet, depending on the day. And you’ll return home happy anyway.
The best part is that this love and feelings are not limited to motorcycles that cost an arm and a leg. Sure, the odds of getting a motorcycle that makes you weak at the knees both when you look at it and when you ride go way up when your budget is unlimited. But do enough research, and you will find those emotions with budget vehicles as well. Here are ten motorcycles, irrespective of whether cruiser, tourer, or ADV, that bleed style, soul, and pure charisma.
Honda Monkey
Price: $4,349
The Monkey might not seem like much, but it is so much fun that other manufacturers like Livewire are building their own take on the Monkey. This little Honda has a tiny, low-tech engine, but it is a blast to ride because of the low weight. Surprisingly, ABS is a standard feature. The aftermarket is huge for it, so you can customize it any which way you want.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
125 cc |
|
Max Power |
9.6 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
7.7 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
5 speeds |
Benda Napoleon Bob 500
Price: $6,399
The Napoleon Bob is a small-displacement motorcycle, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it. It’s got everything going for it in the looks department: the faux girder front forks, the fat tires, and the gold-on-black contrast. It even has a bona fide liquid-cooled, DOHC V-twin engine, slipper clutch, and belt final drive!
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Engine Type |
60° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
476 cc |
|
Max Power |
47 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
31 LB-FT @ 7,200 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds |
Janus Halcyon 250
Price: $7,495
Janus Motorcycles is a boutique American motorcycle firm, and you can order a customized product right from the factory. Not that you’d need to, with the way the Halcyon looks! It might not be very practical, with its leading-link front forks and hardtail rear. It might not even be very quick, with its air-cooled, five-speed engine and gearbox, but it can do 70 miles per hour.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder, carbureted |
|
Displacement |
229 cc |
|
Max Power |
14 HP @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
11.65 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
5 speeds |
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BMW CE 04
Price: $12,195
BMW has some interesting solutions for urban mobility as well as its fast motorcycles. The CE 04 is an electric scooter that looks almost like a concept vehicle. It has some interesting features like a massive 10.25-inch TFT display, a storage compartment on the side where you can store a helmet, and ride modes.
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled electric motor |
|
Max Power |
42 HP @ 4,900 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
45.7 LB-FT @ 1,500 RPM |
|
Range |
80 Miles (city) |
|
Charge Time |
100 minutes (min, 0-100%) |
Janus Gryffin 450
Price: $13,495
The Gryffin is the scrambler in Janus’s lineup, and it follows the same steampunk aesthetic. Since it is designed for off-road use as well, the 450 cc engine makes more sense. This is also a high-quality product despite the leading-link front forks, and it certainly looks unique, added to the high front fender and exhausts. Brembo brakes are present, which is a lovely modern touch.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
445 cc |
|
Max Power |
30 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
NA |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds |
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
Price: $14,795
The Bonneville is one of our favorite motorcycles because of the charm it has. It isn’t nostalgic in the way it rides and handles, though, with a great chassis and brakes. The looks are deceiving: this is a liquid-cooled and fuel-injected engine, and there is a hidden rear shock. But the Bonneville Bobber’s best feature still remains the way it looks.
|
Engine Type |
270° parallel twin |
|
Displacement |
1,200 cc |
|
Max Power |
77 HP @ 6,100 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
78.2 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds |
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BMW R 12 G/S
Price: $16,995
The R12 G/S harks back to the original R 80 G/S that invented the modern adventure bike. It is quite the throwback, with an air/oil-cooled engine and shaft drive just like the original. However, it has modern tech included, like a six-axis IMU and a by-wire throttle. This might just be the perfect scrambler right now.
|
Engine Type |
‘Boxer’ twin |
|
Displacement |
1,170 cc |
|
Max Power |
109 HP @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
85 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds |
Triumph Thruxton RS
Price: $16,995
Triumph’s newest Thruxton is a small beginner’s café racer, but the Thruxton RS sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, priced as much as a liter superbike. It has a similar driveline to the Bonneville but is tuned for more performance. If you’re a fan of retro racers, then the Thruxton RS should be at the top of your list, because this is as close as you can get to the real thing today.
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Engine Type |
270° parallel twin |
|
Displacement |
1,200 cc |
|
Max Power |
103 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
83 LB-FT @ 4,250 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds |
Verge TS Pro
Price: $29,900
The Verge TS is undeniably cool and more than a little sci-fi. It even translates its claims to real-world usage, unlike a lot of EVs. The TS Pro is the sensible choice, with the lower power output, but it still gets features like OTA updates. For an extra $1,000, the California Edition will offer you more style as well as substance, with bright colors, a distinctive seat cover, and Öhlins suspension.
|
Engine Type |
Hubless air cooled electric rim motor |
|
Max Power |
137 HP |
|
Max Torque |
737.6 LB-FT |
|
Range |
217 Miles |
|
Charge Time |
35 Minutes |
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Ducati Diavel V4 RS
Price: $39,995
The Diavel V4 was already a very quick motorcycle, and the Diavel V4 RS turns it up to 11 with the Desmosedici Stradale engine. This is the one with the Desmodromic valvetrain. Ducati has given it the twin pulse firing order for better torque, a semi-dry sump, and the counterrotating crankshaft – in a power cruiser. Of course, you get the Diavel’s distinctive looks, only now in a package that is one of the fastest-accelerating motorcycles on the planet.
|
Engine Type |
90° V4 |
|
Displacement |
1,103 cc |
|
Max Power |
182 HP @ 11,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
89 LB-FT @ 9,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds |
Sources: Janus Motorcycles, Triumph Motorcycles