“You get what you pay for,” right? That means expensive things are better than cheaper things. That applies to motorcycles as well – if you’re paying more, you must be getting more for your money. This is an established fact: consumers will not pay for something if they don’t feel it delivers value, but value can be defined in different ways.
The expensive products deliver value through a promise of high quality and a premium level of engineering, while products that promise value for less money offer a simple proposition: they offer more for less. Is it for you, though? Expensive motorcycles can be quite intimidating because of their associated costs, so a cheaper, more value-driven alternative is something that everyone can use. Here are ten alternatives to expensive motorcycles that the smart rider will approve.
Moto Morini Calibro 700
Price: $5,999
The Calibro 700 is a cheat code. This is an almost-700 cc 270-degree liquid-cooled parallel twin engine, and it has a six-speed gearbox and final belt drive with a Gates carbon belt, no less. It has ABS as standard for that price. It has nothing you don’t need, with an analog instrument cluster doing duty. It also has all-LED lighting. To come back to the price, that is how much the competition has priced its 500cc cruisers at. You’ll have to spend at least another $1,500 to get a cruiser comparable to the Moto Morini!
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
693 cc |
|
Max Power |
68 HP @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
50.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
KTM 390 Enduro R
Price: $6,049
The 390 Enduro R might cost just a smidge over $6,000, but it remains the most powerful dual-sport under $10,000. There’s no question that it is the most advanced one right up to the $13,000 mark, what with it offering a six-speed gearbox, six-axis IMU, by-wire throttle, and a TFT instrument display with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation capabilities. Oh, and it has fully adjustable long-travel suspension, cornering ABS that can be switched off at only the rear wheel or at both ends, and traction control that can also be switched off.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
399 cc |
|
Max Power |
44 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
28.7 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
CFMoto 675SS
Price: $7,999
CFMoto is another brand like Moto Morini that manages to bang out products at eye-popping prices without quality dropping. The 675SS is another example of this. There isn’t a modern-day 600cc supersport available in the US market, so CFMoto was happy to fill the demand. The 675SS sports an inline three-cylinder engine with decent power, KYB suspension with adjustment for various parameters at both ends, a steering damper, dual-channel ABS, adjustable traction control, an upshift-only quickshifter, and radial brake calipers from J.Juan. Want more? There is a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, a USB charging port, TPMS, and all-LED lighting.
|
Engine Type |
I3 |
|
Displacement |
675 cc |
|
Max Power |
95 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
51.6 LB-FT @ 8,250 RPM |
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CFMoto Ibex 800 E
Price: $10,299
The Ibex 800 E might be a middleweight bike, but it has a ton of features that will rival premium ADVs. And it is priced toward the lower end of the middleweight segment! Let’s run through the features it offers, then: a massive 8-inch TFT touchscreen display with Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay to start things off. Then there are six ride modes, adjustable traction control, ABS, wheelie control, fully adjustable KYB suspension, J.Juan brakes, and a radar-based blind spot monitoring system.
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
799 cc |
|
Max Power |
94 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
56.8 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Honda Rebel 1100T DCT
Price: $11,599
The Rebel 1100 can be polarizing, but what is undeniable is that it appeals to a wide range of riders, even down to beginners. The Rebel 1100T adds on some touring oomph with a fairing and color-matched hard luggage, and you can have it with the six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. Along with the reliable, torquey driveline, you also get ABS and a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation as standard.
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,083 cc |
|
Max Power |
87 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Price: $10,999
The CB1000 Hornet SP has a midsize motorcycle price, but is a bona fide liter streetfighter. The “SP” in the name means it has special cycle parts. Here, it is an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock and a Brembo radial front master cylinder that are more commonly seen on motorcycles that are designed specifically for the racetrack. There are also Showa SFF-BP inverted front forks, a two-way quickshifter, and an assist and slipper clutch.
|
Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
1,000 cc |
|
Max Power |
155 HP (EU) |
|
Max Torque |
NA |
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Honda NT1100 DCT
Price: $11,999
The NT1100 was always going to be an impressive product, being a full-size sport touring motorcycle with a midsize price. However, when you look at what it offers for the price, it just keeps getting more and more impressive. It starts with a 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it has the Africa Twin’s second LCD screen underneath as well. You also get the Africa Twin’s six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and engine tune: yes, this is an automatic motorcycle. It offers manual control as well for the gearbox. A recent update has given it a six-axis IMU to go with the by-wire throttle, so the safety suite is the same as the best, but the price hasn’t changed!
|
Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,083 cc |
|
Max Power |
100 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
82 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
Yamaha YZF-R9
Price: $12,499
The YZF-R9 is ostensibly a street bike, with a riding position that isn’t as committed as an old-school 600cc supersport. It has the engine from the MT-09 in the same state of tune, and a similar chassis as well, so you know it is going to be fun. It also retains all the electronics, so there is a six-axis IMU with parameters beyond the basics like engine brake control and slide control, and the TFT screen can be configured to show lap times and messages from the pit!
|
Engine Type |
Crossplane I3 |
|
Displacement |
890 cc |
|
Max Power |
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Price: $14,399
The GSX-S1000GT is a liter sports bike-derived product, and Suzuki has managed to keep its price what it is. It has done this very intelligently by inserting electronics where needed and putting in features that will be used. It has traction control and ABS, but no six-axis IMU. It also has a 6.4-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. Those GSX-R genes show up when you rev the engine… this is a quick motorcycle!
|
Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
999 cc |
|
Max Power |
150 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
78 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM |
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Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Price: $14,999
There was a time when people would scoff if you called a Harley-Davidson an alternative to an expensive motorcycle. How times have changed! The Street Bob is a perfect example of a manufacturer learning to adapt while still holding on to the characteristics that made it popular in the first place. The Street Bob is what you’d think of when you think “Harley,” with its chrome and bobber styling and big V-twin engine. Under the skin, there is a by-wire throttle, six-axis IMU, and a full safety suite. Oh, and it can be customized any which way you’d like.
|
Engine Type |
45° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,917 cc |
|
Max Power |
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
Sources: Various Manufacturers