With everything getting so expensive these days, a more affordable motorcycle makes a lot of sense. Bigger tech-heavy bikes might demand a premium, but there is still a wide selection of great options to choose from that all cost less than $10k. Many of which can also double as efficient commuters.
At this end of the market, most of the options are entry-level models, but what constitutes an “entry-level” has also evolved somewhat. Many of the bikes on this list offer the same features previously only found on halo models, and are way more capable than most people think. For the sake of variety, we limited it to one bike per manufacturer and tried to include at least one model from every segment.
Related
13 Bikes That Are Perfect For Riders Downsizing From Big Tourers
These 13 touring motorcycles are perfect for riders looking to downsize from heavyweights, offering comfort, performance, and affordability.
Benelli TNT 135
MSRP: $3,299
Benelli
Mini-bikes have surged in popularity over the past few years, and it is pretty easy to see why. Honda dominates this space with all sorts of options and a robust aftermarket, but the little Benelli actually has a lot to offer. It is the most powerful bike in this class (albeit a moot point), and it is the only bike that offers a steel trellis chassis. It is, in a word, overkill, but the best kind of overkill. The kind that makes it that much more fun to ride.
Benelli
Specifications
Engine Type
Single-cylinder, air-cooled
Displacement
135cc
Max Power
13 HP
Transmission
5-speed
Weight
256 lbs (dry)
Zero XB
MSRP: $4,395
Zero
We all thought the electric revolution would be upon us by now, but the simple reality of the matter is battery technology isn’t as far along as we thought it might be. Currently, the sheer weight of battery packs is the most limiting factor, but the tech still makes sense for short-distance commuters, and trail bikes like the XB. The XB sits somewhere between a glorified mountain bike and a gas-powered trail bike, yet somehow costs less than both. The great thing about an electric trail bike is that you will have access to trails a gas-powered bike won’t, and you will also be able to take on challenging trails a mountain bike simply can’t.
Zero
Specifications
Motor
Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Battery Capacity
2.4 kWh (swappable)
Max Power
10 HP
Transmission
Automatic
Weight
139 lbs
Kawasaki KLX230 Sherpa S ABS
MSRP: $5,899
Kawasaki
Kawasaki didn’t do much to the KLX230 platform, but the little things that have been added to the Sherpa make it a fantastic lightweight travel package. Most budding explorers would spend more to get the base model into this specification. For new riders looking for a bike that can be taken into the wild over the weekend and used as a commuter during the week, this is ideal.
Kawasaki
Specifications
Engine Type
Single-cylinder, air-cooled
Displacement
233cc
Max Power
17 HP
Transmission
6-speed
Weight
293 lbs
Related
Why Everyone’s Talking About This Kawasaki KLX In 2025
It’s approachable, affordable, and maybe the smartest way to join the ADV world right now.
KTM 390 SMC R
MSRP: $6,049
KTM/Rudi Schedl
From the outside, it looked pretty bizarre that KTM was putting out so many 390-based models last year amidst financial turmoil. In some respects, it looked like one last desperate roll of the dice. With the benefit of hindsight, it is pretty clear that this was not the last roll of the dice at all. They represent the first steps towards profitability. The SMC R, in particular, is a fun little commuter that can carve up a canyon of your choosing over the weekend. It is loaded with tech features not usually found at this price point, and offers tremendous value to the right, supermoto-loving buyer.
KTM
Specifications
Engine Type
Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement
399cc
Max Power
44 HP
Transmission
6-speed
Weight
355 lbs
Yamaha XMax
MSRP: $6,399
Yamaha
Scooters may not be the most popular choice in the US, but in the rest of the world, they are actually the default choice when it comes to basic urban transportation. When it comes to ease of use within the confines of the city limits, nothing beats an automatic scoot. But the XMax is not your average scooter. It offers impressive built-in storage and a long list of tech features, including an electronically adjustable windshield, traction control, ABS, and a TFT dash with smartphone connectivity. It is also comfortable enough to use as a short-range tourer over the weekend for those inclined.
Yamaha
Specifications
Engine Type
Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement
292cc
Max Power
28 HP
Transmission
CVT automatic
Weight
403 lbs
CFMoto Ibex 450
MSRP: $6,499
CFMoto
Nothing sums up the Ibex 450 better than CFMoto’s marketing, because it really is “the unicorn they didn’t see coming.” In some respects, it is the “unicorn” ADV everyone was asking for, but it is far from perfect. In other markets where this engine has been around for a longer period of time, some owners are running into reliability issues. This is still a motorcycle built on a budget, and expecting Japanese reliability from a Chinese bike is unreasonable.
CFMoto
Specifications
Engine Type
Parallel-twin, liquid-cooled
Displacement
449cc
Max Power
44 HP
Transmission
6-speed
Weight
386 lbs (dry)
Aprilia RS 457
MSRP: $6,849
Aprilia
On the face of it, the RS 457 might seem overpriced compared to the direct 40ish horsepower, 400ish cc crowd. But, looking beneath the surface reveals a proper aluminum twin-spar chassis. It is the only bike in this class offering something like this, and will serve those looking for a weekend canyon carver or track trainer equally well.
Aprilia
Specifications
Engine Type
Parallel-twin, liquid-cooled
Displacement
457cc
Max Power
47 HP
Transmission
6-speed
Weight
385 lbs
Related
Riding The Aprilia RS 457 Was An Eye-Opener, Here’s Why
The RS 457 is arguably the most important sports bike for Aprilia at the moment, and it does many things right
Honda SCL500
MSRP: $6,999
Honda Powersports
For buyers looking for “ultimate value”, this might not be the best option, but for those looking for a high-quality retro-styled motorcycle, this is hard to beat. Honda put this 500cc lump in pretty much every kind of motorcycle, and it is easy to see why. It is both incredibly versatile and pretty much bulletproof. In terms of features, the SCL500 is relatively sparsely equipped compared to some of the bikes on this list, but the peace of mind it offers is hard to put a dollar value on.
Honda
Specifications
Engine Type
Parallel-twin, liquid-cooled
Displacement
471cc
Max Power
46 HP
Transmission
6-speed
Weight
425 lbs
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650
MSRP: $7,299
Jared Solomon / TopSpeed
Even Royal Enfield doesn’t really know what class the Shotgun belongs to. In stock guise, it sits somewhere between a retro bike and a cruiser, but this is not a motorcycle that is meant to be left stock. The Shotgun is designed to be a blank canvas for those looking for a bike that is easy to customize. With a claimed fuel economy of around 50 MPG, it can still serve as a runabout while you gradually transform it into whatever you want it to be.
Jared Solomon / TopSpeed
Specifications
Engine Type
Parallel-twin, air-cooled
Displacement
648cc
Max Power
46 HP
Transmission
6-speed
Weight
529 lbs
Suzuki SV650
MSRP: $8,149
Suzuki Cycles
In a sea of parallel-twins, the SV650 sticks out mostly thanks to its lovely little V-twin engine. While its engine is both tractable and reliable, that is not the reason why you would spend your hard-earned cash on this bike. It is a bike you would buy for its steel trellis chassis. As good as the aforementioned Aprilia sport bike is, the SV is well worth the extra expense for more experienced riders.
Suzuki Cycles
Specifications
Engine Type
V-twin, liquid-cooled
Displacement
645cc
Max Power
75 HP
Transmission
6-speed
Weight
432 lbs
Sources: Various manufacturers
