10 Motorcycles Owners Keep Riding Long After Everyone Else Upgrades
Consumerism leads us to believe that we need to keep upgrading our motorcycles every few years. This is a lie we all like to believe, because it taps into our desire to own something new and, theoretically, better. The truth is that we simply don’t need to do this. Modern motorcycles are more reliable than ever, and if you take care of basic maintenance, they won’t somehow “wear out.”
It is, however, fair to say that some bikes are more durable than others. There is also the more subjective point of rider satisfaction that comes into play, where some riders will hold onto bikes longer purely because they are simply satisfied with the overall riding experience. The bikes on this list may not necessarily be the best at any one thing, but they all make constant upgrading seem pointless.
2009 Yamaha VMax
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
Out of all the metric cruisers that have come and gone over the years, none get quite as much love as the now-discontinued VMax. When the second generation came out all the way back in 2009, it made a scarcely believable 200 horsepower. It was the power cruiser to end all power cruisers, and anyone who bought one of these bikes knows precisely what they have, and won’t necessarily be willing to part ways with the machine unless circumstances demand it.
2012 Harley-Davidson Iron 883
Price Range $4,000 – $6,000
The demand for the old air-cooled Sportster is so crazy, it has been rumored that Harley might actually put it, or something like it, back into production. The beauty of these bikes is in their relative simplicity. Parts are also pretty easy to come by as well as affordable, even though they have been out of production for some time. There is also still an incredible aftermarket, so if you are even slightly into customization, this is a great place to start.
2015 Kawasaki Versys 650
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
The Versys is one of those motorcycles that seems rather uninteresting at first glance, but once riders own one, they seem hesitant to let it go. Capable of crossing the country at a fraction of the cost, this is a bike that has proven to be exceptionally reliable over the years. It is also light enough to zip around town during the week, and truly lives up to its “Versatile System” name.
2015 Yamaha FJR1300
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
In terms of long-distance comfort, the FJR1300 is desperately hard to beat. Over the years the FJR was in production, its silky-smooth inline-four proved to be one of the most durable engines, but it does have one weakness. We are specifically calling out the bike without electronic suspension, not because it is cheaper, but because on older models it can be something of an Achilles’ heel. The system is prone to failure and will cost more than the bike itself to replace if something goes awry.
2016 Kawasaki Concours 14
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
For several years, this was the direct rival of the aforementioned FJR1300, and this remains the case on the used market. These bikes have proven more than capable of accumulating hundreds of thousands of miles, and still pack a mighty punch when you grab a fist full of accelerator. While you can still technically buy the FJR new (old stock from 2024), the Concours 14 has bid us adieu. If you are shopping for one in this price range, you also need to be open-minded about the mileage it might have.
2017 Suzuki SV650
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
In 2017, the SV650 made a triumphant return after a couple of awkward Gladius years. It returned with an improved steel trellis chassis, and the same old V-twin. The new bike is virtually unchanged, and to be fair, nothing needs to change. It is a fun alternative to the growing parallel-twin crowd, and offers incredible value at this price point on the used market.
2017 Suzuki DR650S
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
You can consider this a placeholder for any older 650cc dual-sport. Much is made of how capable some new ADVs are off-road, yet on any given Sunday you will see one of these old workhorses sail past them. All of these older dual-sport thumpers are great off-road, but they are also all pretty tall, so if you are on the shorter side, this might be a deal-breaker. They are also uncompromising machines, so longer rides on the highway will be punishing.
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES
Price Range: $10,000 – $12,000
The Super Tenere has recently gone off sale, and presents itself as a great value-based alternative to the elite crowd. While these full-sized ADVs are not great off-road, they are incredible tourers, and the Super Tenere in particular offers impressive long-distance comfort. The most surprising thing about these bikes is not how effective they are at touring; it is how quick they are. With plenty of low-down grunt, they will give some sport bikes an almighty scare from light to light.
2020 Ducati Panigale V2
Price Range: $10,000 – $12,000
This may come as a surprise to some, but over the years it was in production, the recently replaced V2 was one of the most reliable Ducati motorcycles. It only had one recall, and that was just a minor electrical issue. Most buyers also come into this kind of purchase knowing full well what they are signing up for. This is an uncomfortable, uncompromising 150 horsepower Italian thoroughbred which offers a truly incredible riding experience.
2021 Honda Rebel 1100
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
The Rebel 1100 recently got a minor refresh, but as long as you are willing to live without a few modern features, you can save a few thousand dollars by buying used. It is one of the best cruisers on the market, largely thanks to how reliable it is. The Unicam parallel-twin is already virtually bulletproof, and with it being in a milder state of tune here in the Rebel, these bikes might actually outlive us all.
Source: KBB
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