These are the top five budget motorcycles for 2025.
No moment has been better to buy a $5,000 motorcycle. Wallet-friendly bikes are booming, and practically every major manufacturer is vying to offer the best package at the lowest price.
This is great for motorcyclists because we no longer have to buy mini-motos or obscure overseas brands with doubtful reliability and no dealer assistance. In 2025, our biggest challenge is deciding where to spend our money, therefore here are the top five cheapest bikes we think are worth having. Want more information about all types of new and secondhand motorcycles? See our premium motorbike reviews.
Honda CRF300L: $5,449
Affordable dual sports should be adaptable and reliable. Honda’s CRF300L fits both needs and is ideal for most two-wheeled activities. This year, it gets a facelift and better suspension dampening, but it’s still the same fun dual sport.
We love the 300L as a weekday commuter, weekend trail bike, or tiny adventure rig after many kilometers. The CRF has great aftermarket support, so a few smart improvements can turn it into a cheeky super moto or a low-maintenance single-track weapon.
Triumph Speed 400: $4,995
Last year, Triumph’s Speed 400 transformed the discourse regarding affordable motorcycles’ quality. The Speed’s engine is powerful and entertaining, the chassis is fast and flickable, and the fit and finish is unthinkable for its price.
Everything on the Speed 400 is out of place on a $5,000 bike: The contrast-stitched seat is comfortable, the color is excellent, and the brushed metal trim looks like it came from a Triumph twin-cylinder model at twice the price. Triumph even included switchable traction control and Bosch ABS, enhancing an already superb purchase.
CFMoto 450NK $5,399
While many riders are still wary about buying a made-in-China motorcycle, CFMoto has made significant advances in technology and dealer assistance. Thus, on bikes like the 450NK, value is becoming increasingly important.
The 449cc 270-degree parallel twin of the CFMoto 450NK produces 50 horsepower. That would be enough to challenge Kawasaki’s Z500, but CFMoto adds a 5-inch TFT screen, complete LED lighting, dual-channel ABS, and J.Juan disc brakes. Perhaps most importantly, CFMoto’s two-year manufacturing guarantee adds peace of mind to an already outstanding buy.
Yamaha MT-03 $4,999
Yamaha’s iconic MT-03 got a few tweaks for 2025, but Tuning Fork kept the little naked affordable at little under $5,000. The 2025 model is the finest deal yet because the pricing hasn’t changed from last year.
A redesigned slip/assist clutch makes gear changes easier at the lever, but the bike is otherwise unchanged. A crisp redesigned tail section, smaller side covers (for easier ground reach), and a new LCD dash with Bluetooth connectivity for your smartphone are cosmetic enhancements.
Kawasaki Ninja 500 $5,299
Kawasaki’s Ninja 500 is the best budget sport bike. Since Kawasaki overhauled the Ninja last year, 2025 changes are slight, but its pricing and attractiveness remain unchanged.
The Ninja’s revised 451cc parallel-twin engine, which now produces 45 horsepower and more torque, is the highlight. ABS, finer paint, and a TFT dash cost extra, but the Ninja still offers the best performance for the lowest price.
