All the motorcycles that offer the best bang for your buck have something in common, regardless of which segment they’re in. We want to look at the used market rather than new bikes in the dealerships, as pre-owned motorcycles have already taken that initial depreciation hit.

Reliability is another essential factor, as we don’t want to spend much money on repairs and maintenance. Finally, we need to look at availability. The more bikes that are available, the cheaper they’ll be.

Since not all bikes are suitable for every rider, we’ve selected a variety of motorcycles from different classes and segments that all offer excellent value for money.

Honda NX500

Honda’s NX500, formerly known as the CB500X, is easily one of the best beginner bikes on the market. In our opinion, it’s also one of the best-looking entry-level adventure bikes available right now, resembling a proper full-size motorcycle.

You can swing a leg over the NX500 and take it on an adventure straight from the showroom floor. Add some quality upgrades, and it can be turned into a proper round-the-world adventure bike, even if it only has a 471cc engine generating 47 hp and 32 lb-ft of torque.

KTM 390 Adventure

These days, KTM has ventured into the world of on-road performance motorcycles, but the Austrian company built its entire brand by making extremely competent off-road machines back in the day.

Nestled in the KTM 390 Adventure’s frame we find the same 373cc engine that’s also been used in the 390 Duke and RC 390. With 44 hp, tubeless, spoked wheels, and knobby tires, the 390 Adventure can take longer trips off the beaten path without sacrificing everyday usability.

Honda CRF300 Rally

Speaking of capable small-displacement adventure bikes, there’s no way we could leave the Honda CRF300 Rally off this list. It has a proven track record and can handle practically anything that’s thrown at it.

The CRF300 Rally only has a 286cc single-cylinder engine, and its 27 hp and 20 lb-ft of torque doesn’t sound like much, but it’s enough for most situations. Those looking for more power will be happy to know that there are plenty of aftermarket parts available.

Kawasaki Ninja 400

If you’re looking for a great everyday bike that offers comfort during your daily commute, is fun on a twisty road, and can even handle some track day action, the Ninja 400 could be the bike for you.

Its 400cc parallel-twin engine produces 45 hp and 27 lb-ft of torque, which is not to be sniffed at, considering it’s a beginner bike that only weighs 370 lbs. It looks like a bigger bike, and the uninitiated can easily mistake it for one of the bigger Ninjas.

CFMoto 450SS / SR

CFMoto surprised the motorcycle world when it revealed its 450SS (450SR outside the North American market). I don’t think anyone expected it to be as good as it actually is, slotting straight into one of the top spots in the lightweight sportbike segment.

Granted, this being a Chinese bike, there are some uncertainties. Resale value may suffer, and the build quality hasn’t been tested over extended periods, so it’ll be some time before we truly know if it’s as good as we think, but so far, no significant issues have emerged. What we are sure of is that its 270-degree crank 450cc engine produces 50 hp and a great soundtrack.

Honda CBR500R

Unlike the previous two entry-level sportbikes, the Honda CBR500R isn’t for thrill seekers. It may look like a proper full-size sportbike, but it’s probably the most sedate full-fairing model on the market.

That’s not a bad thing, though, as the CBR500R is comfortable to ride both in the city and for long distances, making it perfect for both commuting and weekend trips. Its 471cc engine produces 47 hp and 31.7 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the more powerful bikes in the segment, but sitting at 423 lbs, it’s also the heaviest.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Royal Enfield seems to be stuck in the past. Other motorcycle manufacturers are cramming their bikes with tech and gadgets, but not Royal Enfield. They still make bikes that look like they’re 50 years old, and they’re powered by air-cooled parallel-twin engines — and that’s what makes them so good.

Since they’re so basic, not much can go wrong, and it also helps keep the price down. The Interceptor 650 follows this formula to a T, and even though it has less than 50 hp, it just works. Nobody would expect a bike that looks like this to be a speed demon anyway.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

Here, we have another Royal Enfield motorcycle that follows the same formula. The Super Meteor 650 looks like a classic British motorcycle with some American influences thrown in the mix. I like it!

It has a 29-inch seat height, which is taller than most cruisers, so it may not be ideal for those with a short inseam. The 648cc parallel-twin engine generates 46 hp and 39 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty for this style of bike. In comparison, the old 883 Sportster produced similar power, and that one is slightly heavier.

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec

Some will say the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is a better Sportster than the H-D Sportster ever was. Looking at it, it’s very noticeable that Yamaha was inspired by the Sportster, but they’ve improved practically every aspect of the original.

The Bolt R-Spec has an air-cooled 942cc V-twin engine generating 65 hp — more than enough power to have fun without getting into serious trouble. It also offers a smooth ride and excellent handling, and if something is not to your liking, plenty of aftermarket parts are available.

Honda Shadow Phantom

The Honda Shadow Phantom is another relentless metric cruiser that’ll keep running practically forever. Seriously, this is one of the most reliable bikes on the market. As an added bonus, it looks like a traditional American-style cruiser bike.

It’s powered by a 745cc V-twin that generates a reasonable 45 hp. Coupled with the low seat height and manageable weight, the Honda Shadow Phantom is very approachable to both new and experienced riders.

Suzuki SV650

Suzuki introduced the SV650 in 1999, and since then it’s gone through multiple generations. While each generation had unique styling, what made the SV650 such a great bike remained the same — it’s affordable and powered by a magnificent 650cc engine.

The Suzuki SV650 has been a popular choice among track day enthusiasts and bargain hunters alike. With around 70 hp, it’s not powerful, but thanks to the splendid chassis, you can ride it hard practically everywhere. Since it’s so simple and reliable, it also costs next to nothing to keep it running.

Harley-Davidson Sportster 883

The old Sportster is now only available on the used market, which feels strange, as it’s been around in some form since 1957. Still, if you want a modern Sportster 883, there are plenty to choose from.

It may be an entry-level Harley-Davidson, and many bearded, leather vest-wearing bikers claim it’s a “girl’s bike,” but the Sportster 883 has some tricks up its sleeve. This is arguably the most reliable Harley money can buy, it looks mean and aggressive, and it’s very affordable. While it’s not powerful in stock form, it can be turned into a proper beast with the right upgrades.

Triumph Street Scrambler

The Triumph Street Scrambler is the perfect weapon for those who want a retro-styled bike that can be ridden hard on both asphalt and gravel.

Except for the 400cc Triumph Scrambler, this is probably the Triumph motorcycle that offers the most value for money, and with 65 hp, its 900cc engine has more grunt than its smaller sibling.