Yamaha isn’t a two-wheeler giant like Honda is. But like Kawasaki, it is quite a large corporation, with many different businesses bearing the name. The logo is tuning forks because it is a very respected manufacturer of musical instruments. You’d have known that already, from all the jokes about it. This expertise in seemingly unrelated fields means that Yamaha is a great engineering company: it will make you an engine for your product, irrespective of the number of wheels. And the result here is reliable motorcycles that are both comfortable and quick enough to put a big grin on your face. Here are 10 examples from over the years.
2015 Yamaha Fazer 1000
Used Price: $6,532
Before the MT-10, there used to be the FZ1 naked, and the equivalent Fazer that was half-faired and positioned as a sport tourer. The second generation of Fazer with the liter displacement was the most mental of them all, with an R1-derived engine with five valves per cylinder. The 150 horsepower it generated was good for a top speed of nearly 160 miles per hour, meaning thrills like a sport bike, but at lower speeds.
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Engine Type |
I4, 5 valves/cyl |
|
Displacement |
998 cc |
|
Max Power |
150 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
78 LB-FT @ 8,000 RPM |
2019 Yamaha Niken GT
Used Price: $8,687
The Niken is one of the strangest yet most practical motorcycle substitutes ever. The Niken GT aims to take its usability a step further and make it usable for a larger part of the four seasons. It adds 6.6-gallon quick-release saddlebags, a taller windscreen that is adjustable, a better seat for long journeys, heated grips, and cruise control. It is powered by the CP3 engine that we’ve come to know and love in other Yamaha middleweight applications, and Yamaha has given it better low and midrange torque in the Niken.
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Engine Type |
Crossplane I3 |
|
Displacement |
847 cc |
|
Max Power |
115 HP @ 10,120 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
45.3 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM |
Yamaha Ténéré 700
Price: $10,999
The Tenere 700 continues to be the default choice for those looking for an adventure bike that can handle the rough stuff with no complaint. It is light enough and capable enough to almost be a dual-sport in the right hands. The 2025 update has given it a by-wire throttle, ride modes, a taller windscreen, and switchable traction control, making it a better all-around motorcycle. It even gets an optional two-way quickshifter, which makes it perform much better in situations on tarmac.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
689 cc |
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Max Power |
72.4 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
50.2 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
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2023 Yamaha Super Tenere
Used Price: $11,246
The Super Tenere was a premium product when it was being sold, and it had a price that reflected it at the time. Now, however, values have fallen to around the $10,000 if you look hard enough, which is a great deal for something with electronic suspension, shaft drive, and a full electronics suite. Think of it as a cross between a Honda Africa Twin and a BMW R 1300 GS, and you won’t be far wrong!
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,199 cc |
|
Max Power |
112 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
84 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
Yamaha YZF-R9
Price: $12,499
The YZF-R9 is Yamaha’s effort to join the ‘practical sport bike’ bandwagon. We’re far from disappointed, though: not only is the R9 quite usable in traffic, but take it to a track, and it will plaster a big grin on your face. Features include a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation, ride modes, wheelie control, engine brake control, slide control, traction control, back-slip regulation, and ABS. The six-axis IMU takes care of cornering functions wherever possible. It even has a two-way quickshifter that will work no matter the throttle position, and the front brake calipers are the same as those found on liter sport bikes!
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Engine Type |
Crossplane I3 |
|
Displacement |
890 cc |
|
Max Power |
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
Yamaha Tracer 9
Price: $12,599
The Tracer 9 remains one of our favorite motorcycles, regardless of the type of motorcycle. It is ostensibly a sport tourer, but it can stand in for a sport bike or an everyday one without breaking into a sweat. It is capable of carrying a pillion and luggage, and equally capable of attacking corners with abandon (do this preferably without the pillion). There is a six-axis IMU, standard two-way quickshifter, and a 7-inch TFT display as standard.
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Engine Type |
Crossplane I3 |
|
Displacement |
890 cc |
|
Max Power |
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
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2018 Yamaha Star Venture
Price: $13,997
The Star Venture is one of the automotive world’s biggest ‘what ifs’. Yamaha launched it at a time when the interest in two-wheeled luxury yachts was waning, especially if it wasn’t by a brand established in the segment. The Star Venture had a great mix of things going for it. These include a liquid-cooled V-twin, a TFT touchscreen display, and an electric motor that allowed the rider to walk the Venture around in a parking lot both forwards and backwards. Does any of this sound familiar in 2026? And the Star Venture was launched in 2017. The only thing it had going against it was that it was way too ahead of its time.
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Engine Type |
48° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,854 cc |
|
Max Power |
90 HP @ 4,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
126 LB-FT @ 2,250 RPM |
Yamaha MT-10 SP
Price: $17,499
Another year, and the MT-10 soldiers on without an update. Not that it needs one – in its current form, it is as close to perfect as can be humanly possible. It all begins with that CP4 crossplane engine that magically melds the torque of a V engine with the top-end rush of an inline one. It doesn’t have the pace of the quickest streetfighters today, but what it is, it encourages you to be naughty. And it allows you to do it too, with its six-axis IMU and electronic suspension. No wonder this was one of our favorite motorcycles of 2024!
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Engine Type |
Crossplane I4 |
|
Displacement |
998 cc |
|
Max Power |
164 HP @ 9,400 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
82 LB-FT @ 9,200 RPM |
Yamaha FJR1300ES
Price: $18,299
For a brief period, Yamaha took the FJR1300ES off sale, and we were quite disappointed. This is one of the last surviving old-school large-displacement inline four sport tourers left. It isn’t cheap, but it does offer a lot of kit, like electronic suspension, shaft drive, and a top speed of nearly 155 miles per hour. It even has unified brakes – not bad for something that was launched in 2014, eh? There isn’t any indication that it will survive another round of tightening emission norms, so we’re going to have to enjoy it while we can!
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Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
1,298 cc |
|
Max Power |
144 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
102 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
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The most affordable used Yamaha on this list is a plush, touring-ready cruiser with gorgeous leather saddlebags, available for as low as $1,500.
2020 Yamaha V-Max
Used Price: $20,420
2020 is a year that nobody will look back on fondly, but if you’re a fan of motorcycles, you’ll dislike it even more, because that was the year that the V-Max production was stopped. It had a run of 35 years and two generations, and it always made its opponents at the dragstrip shake in their shoes while being able to play the part of cruiser everywhere else. To this day, the V-Max remains the most powerful Yamaha in its history – and that doesn’t look likely to change anytime soon!
|
Engine Type |
70° V4 |
|
Displacement |
1,679 cc |
|
Max Power |
200 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
123 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Source: Yamaha Motorsports