Forgotten Used Motorcycles That Are Absolute Steals Right Now
The motorcycle market has a way of creating opportunity for savvy buyers. The post-pandemic sales surge that lifted the industry has since cooled, and that correction is now working its way through dealerships and private listings alike — pushing prices on older, overlooked bikes to genuinely tempting levels. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger on a used motorcycle, that moment may well be now.
There will always be exceptions, of course. Several middleweight adventure bikes and cruisers hold their value stubbornly well. But, conversely, there are a number of lesser-known machines that are absolute steals on the used market right now. Some of these bikes are starting to show their age, but we feel they are still well worth a second look.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including official brand websites. 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.
1996 Honda CBR919RR FireBlade
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
The first-generation FireBlade has become a collectible classic, and in good or near-original condition is worth a fortune. This, the third generation with the 919cc engine, is an objectively better motorcycle. While it can’t match modern sportbikes for outright performance, it remains a genuinely fun ride, and at this price it offers fantastic value for money.
2002 Honda RC51 (SP2)
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
Homologation specials are usually produced in limited numbers and tend to command a fortune. Honda bucked that trend when the RC51 was built to take on the rule-bending V-twin Ducatis that dominated WorldSBK through the ’90s. It was relatively affordable in the early 2000s, and it’s an absolute bargain today. There will be exceptions, though — bikes that have been restored or were never raced or crashed are worth considerably more.
2004 BMW F 650 GS Dakar
Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000
With BMW releasing what looks to be an off-road-ready F 450 GS, it’s easy to forget that two decades ago BMW built something remarkably similar. The engine architecture is quite different, but the power output and weight are in the same ballpark as the newer machine. The upside? You won’t lose any sleep when you drop this one.
2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
The styling is undeniably dated, but there is nothing outdated about the torque on offer. With around 140 pound-feet of torque, this is a genuine monster. Even so, it failed to pull buyers away from Harley and became something of a sales flop. Today, with used prices this low, it delivers impressive bang for the buck.
2010 Aprilia Tuono 1000 R
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
This certainly won’t be the most dependable option on this list, but it will likely be the most fun. The Rotax-sourced V-twin was very much the finished article by 2010 — as refined and reliable as it ever got. For those unfamiliar with the particular “charms” of Italian motorcycles, this might not be the wisest first move, but for riders willing to tolerate the occasional foible, it’s a rewarding buy.
2014 Husqvarna TR650 Terra
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
Just before Pierer Mobility acquired Husqvarna, BMW briefly owned the brand. The TR650 was developed during that period and was largely based on the aforementioned BMW F 650 GS — which is certainly not a bad foundation. It was a competent off-roader and well-built, if a little expensive when new. Today, price is no longer a barrier, making it a great option for anyone seeking a cut-price ADV.
2014 Moto Guzzi California 1400
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Like the massive Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi also tried to take on Harley and fell short — at least in terms of sales. Look at the bike on its own merits, though, and this is no ordinary metric imitation. Build quality is genuinely impressive, it handles well, and it’s respectably powerful for an air-cooled V-twin. The one caveat we can’t overlook is Italian wiring; with these bikes now well over a decade old, that could sour an otherwise sweet deal.
2015 Aprilia Caponord 1200
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
Another Italian bike, another sales disappointment. When it launched, the Caponord 1200 was a genuinely forward-thinking motorcycle, equipped with traction control, semi-active suspension, and multiple ride modes — features that were far from standard at the time. With adventure-crossovers far more popular today, this is a bike that might have fared considerably better had it arrived on the market a few years later. It isn’t quite as powerful as some of the newer crossovers, but it still offers a lot of value at this price point.
2015 Motus MST
Price Range: $13,000 – $15,000
This is by far the most expensive motorcycle on this list, but for the right buyer it may also be the best deal. Motus was only in business for a short time, and only produced a handful of these remarkable V4 sport tourers. It’s difficult to say exactly what each customer paid when these were new — they were built to order — but it stands to reason that it was significantly more than the current asking price.
2016 Honda VFR1200X DCT
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
Much like the Caponord, this crossover might have found a larger audience had it arrived today. As other manufacturers continue to demonstrate what a V4 can do in a versatile package, it’s hard to understand why Honda effectively shelved what was a significant head start in R&D. Fit some street tires, add luggage if it isn’t already equipped, and embrace the DCT. The result is a fantastic tourer at a bargain price.
Sources: OEMs
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