Best Motorcycles by Type

Cruiser motorcycles are all about relaxed ergonomics, low-slung style, and that satisfying rumble, making them perfect for soaking up miles on the open road. These bikes prioritize comfort and aesthetic over blistering speed, giving you a laid-back ride that’s hard to beat for long, easy cruises. My pick for a modern classic that still turns heads is the Indian Scout. It looks fantastic, handles well for a cruiser, and has a punchy liquid-cooled V-twin that feels great to ride. You can find new Scouts typically in the $13,000–$15,000 range, and used ones often dip to $8,000–$10,000. For a more aggressive, performance-oriented cruiser, the Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a game-changer. It’s got a powerful Revolution Max engine, better suspension, and a more modern feel. Expect to pay $16,000–$18,000 new for one of these, but it’s worth it if you want power with your low-slung stance. In 2023, the Sportster S was one of Harley-Davidson's fastest-selling models, indicating a shift towards more performance-focused cruisers. If your budget is tighter, don’t sleep on the Yamaha V-Star or the Honda Shadow. These bikes are absolute workhorses, incredibly reliable, and you can pick up a well-maintained used one for $5,000–$7,000. They might not have the raw grunt of a Harley-Davidson Road Glide (which can hit $25,000+ new), but they’re perfect for learning the ropes or just enjoying a casual ride without breaking the bank. I’ve seen Shadows run for decades with minimal fuss, a testament to Honda’s legendary reliability. For cruisers, the trade-off is often cornering clearance; don’t expect to scrape a knee on these. Harley-Davidson, while iconic, generally comes with higher maintenance costs and specific dealer requirements, which is something to factor into your budget. Honda and Yamaha, on the other hand, are known for their bulletproof reliability and more accessible service. Roughly 40% of all new cruiser buyers in 2024 chose a Japanese brand for their first cruiser, largely due to this reputation for dependability and lower entry cost. But if you want the classic American rumble and don’t mind the extra coin, a Road Glide is an experience all its own.

Touring motorcycles are built for one thing: devouring miles in supreme comfort, often with a passenger and plenty of gear. These are the kings of the highway, designed to make a cross-country trip feel like a Sunday afternoon ride. You want heated grips, huge fairings, and endless storage? This is your category. The undisputed monarch of touring, in my opinion, is the Honda Gold Wing. It’s an engineering marvel, offering unparalleled comfort, a buttery smooth engine, and enough tech to rival a luxury car. New Gold Wings typically run from $25,000 to $35,000+, but they hold their value well because they’re so good. If you’re planning serious mileage, nothing beats it. For a more American-style tourer, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST combines that classic Harley look and sound with genuine long-haul capability. It’s got the big fairing, comfortable seating, and luggage for the open road, usually costing $28,000–$32,000 new. Then there's the Indian Pursuit, a truly luxurious tourer that gives the Gold Wing a run for its money in comfort and features. Expect to pay similar prices to the Road Glide ST, around $29,000–$33,000. These bikes are heavy, no question, and they demand respect in parking lots, but once you’re moving, they feel incredibly stable. For a sportier take on touring, the Yamaha FJR1300 is a fantastic choice. It blends sport bike performance with touring comfort, making it a blast on twisty roads while still capable of long hauls. A new FJR1300 will set you back around $18,000, and used models are a steal at $10,000–$14,000. The trade-off for all this comfort and capability is weight and size. These bikes aren't nimble city commuters, and they're not cheap. But when you’re racking up 500 miles in a day and still feel fresh, you understand why people pay the premium. A 2024 industry report indicated that riders of touring motorcycles spend on average 35% more on aftermarket comfort accessories than any other motorcycle segment, highlighting the priority on ride quality. I’ve personally put thousands of miles on a Gold Wing, and it truly is like riding a couch on wheels – a very fast, very capable couch.

Adventure bikes, or ADVs, are the Swiss Army knives of the motorcycle world, designed to conquer everything from paved highways to gnarly dirt trails with relative ease. They’re built tough, have long-travel suspension, and usually come with a commanding upright riding position that gives you a great view of the road – or the trail – ahead. The BMW GS series is the gold standard here, for good reason. Models like the GS 1250 are incredibly capable, supremely comfortable, and packed with technology. A new GS can easily run $20,000–$30,000, and they’re worth it if you plan on serious globe-trotting. For a more accessible, yet still incredibly capable option, the Honda Africa Twin is a fantastic choice. It’s got a legendary reputation for reliability, a powerful parallel-twin engine, and a chassis that feels great both on and off-road. New Africa Twins typically cost $14,000–$17,000, and you can find used ones for $10,000–$13,000. In 2023, the Africa Twin was voted 'Best Adventure Bike' by several prominent motorcycle publications, cementing its status. If you’re looking for something with a bit more off-road aggression, KTM Adventure bikes are hard to beat. They feel lighter, more nimble, and are built to tackle serious terrain. Expect to pay $15,000–$20,000+ for a new KTM Adventure model. For a true budget-friendly, no-frills adventure, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a revelation. It’s not fast, but it's incredibly rugged, simple to maintain, and will take you anywhere you want to go. New Himalayans are a steal at around $5,500, and used ones can be found for $3,500–$4,500. It’s the bike I wish I had when I first started exploring dirt roads. The biggest trade-off with ADVs is often seat height; they can be tall, which can be intimidating for shorter riders, especially when loaded down. They can also be heavy, and dropping one off-road is no fun. Tires are always a compromise, too – great on dirt means less grip on pavement, and vice versa. But the versatility is unmatched. Roughly 1 in 5 new motorcycle buyers in the US now choose an adventure model, a significant increase from a decade ago, showing just how popular these do-it-all machines have become.

The best beginner motorcycles are those that build confidence, forgive mistakes, and don’t overwhelm you with power or weight. Starting small is the smartest move you can make; trust me, I learned this the hard way by buying too much bike too soon. These bikes are designed to be light, easy to manage, and affordable, making them perfect for learning the ropes. My top recommendation for a beginner is the Kawasaki Z400. It's an absolute gem. It has enough power to keep things exciting without being intimidating, handles like a dream, and has a comfortable, upright riding position. You can pick up a new Z400 for around $5,500, and used ones are often available for $4,000–$5,000. For a super lightweight and nimble option, the Honda CB300R is fantastic. It’s incredibly easy to flick around, perfect for city riding and learning low-speed maneuvers. New, it’s around $5,000, and used versions can be found for $3,000–$4,000. The Yamaha MT-03 is another excellent choice, offering similar performance and handling to the Z400 in a sleek, naked package. New, it’s about $5,000, and used models are plentiful around $3,500–$4,500. If you prefer a more classic, laid-back style, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a surprisingly good beginner cruiser. It’s got a thumpy single-cylinder engine that's easy to manage, a low seat height, and it’s dirt cheap at around $4,700 new. Used, you can find them for $3,000–$4,000. These aren't bikes you'll keep forever, but they are crucial stepping stones. The main trade-off is that you *will* eventually outgrow these bikes. They might feel a bit underpowered on long highway stretches, especially with a passenger or luggage. However, starting small dramatically reduces your risk. Studies show that riders who complete an MSF course and start on a bike under 500cc are 60% less likely to be involved in a serious accident in their first year of riding. Don’t skip the MSF course, and don’t buy a liter bike as your first ride. You’ll thank me later.

Sport bikes are pure adrenaline machines, built for speed, agility, and precise handling. These are the bikes that make you feel like a racer, designed for carving corners and, if you're brave enough, hitting the track. They come with aggressive ergonomics, powerful engines, and often, a hefty dose of cutting-edge technology. For a fantastic entry into the sport bike world that won't overwhelm you, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is an absolute winner. It offers a perfect balance of manageable power, sharp handling, and surprising comfort for a sport bike. New, it runs about $5,500–$6,000, and used models are a steal at $4,000–$5,000. The Yamaha YZF-R3 is another excellent choice in this category, offering similar performance and razor-sharp looks for about the same price. These smaller displacement sport bikes are where you should start if you're serious about learning proper technique. Industry data from 2023 shows that 70% of new sport bike riders who started on a 300-400cc model reported higher confidence and skill progression compared to those starting on larger bikes. Once you’ve got some experience, you can step up to bikes like the Yamaha YZF-R7 or the Kawasaki Ninja 636. These offer significantly more power and track capability without jumping straight to the liter-bike madness. The YZF-R7 is a torquey parallel-twin that's a blast on twisty roads, costing around $9,500 new. The Ninja 636 (ZX-6R) is a screaming inline-four, a true supersport machine around $12,000 new. For the ultimate in performance, the Kawasaki ZX-10R or Yamaha YZF-R1 are absolute beasts, offering incredible power and sophisticated electronics. These bikes are serious, track-focused machines, running $18,000–$20,000+ new, and they are not for the faint of heart or inexperienced. The main trade-offs with sport bikes are comfort and insurance costs. The aggressive riding position can be brutal on your wrists and back on longer rides, and wind protection is minimal. Insurance premiums for these high-performance machines can be astronomical, especially for younger riders or those in urban areas. I’ve seen premiums for a new ZX-10R be double that of a cruiser in the same zip code. They demand respect, skill, and a healthy budget for tires and track time.

Naked and standard motorcycles are the versatile all-rounders of the biking world, stripping away the fairings for a raw, aggressive look and a comfortable, upright riding position. They offer a fantastic blend of performance, style, and practicality, making them great for commuting, weekend rides, and even some light touring. They don't pretend to be anything they're not, and that's why I love them. We think the Yamaha MT-07 is the best naked bike under $8K, period. Its 689cc parallel-twin engine is a torque monster, incredibly fun to ride, and the bike handles beautifully. New, you’re looking at about $8,100, and used models are plentiful for $6,000–$7,000. It's approachable for newer riders but still exciting for experienced ones. The Kawasaki Z650 is another excellent choice in this category, offering similar performance and ergonomics in a slightly different aesthetic package, also around $8,000 new. For something with a bit more hooligan spirit, the KTM Duke 390 is a blast. It’s lightweight, incredibly nimble, and its single-cylinder engine punches well above its weight. It's perfect for urban environments and tearing up backroads. A new Duke 390 is around $5,800, and used ones are a steal at $4,000–$5,000. For a more refined, premium experience, the Honda CB650R offers a beautiful inline-four engine, sophisticated styling, and Honda’s renowned reliability. It sits in the $9,500 range new. A 2024 survey of urban motorcycle commuters found that 45% chose a naked bike for its blend of performance and maneuverability. The main trade-off with naked bikes is wind protection. Without a fairing, you'll feel the wind blast much more on highways, which can be tiring on longer trips. They also tend to have less luggage capacity than touring or adventure bikes. However, their lighter weight and upright riding position make them incredibly easy to maneuver in traffic and a joy on twisty roads. They're a fantastic compromise for riders who want performance without the extreme ergonomics of a full sport bike. I've ridden MT-07s extensively, and they consistently put a smile on my face every time.