Top 10 Most Beloved Big Bikes under 5000 USD

Bikes from the premium brand BMW might seem like they would cost a fortune to own, but in reality, for less than 5 thousand dollars, you can get yourself a brand-new BMW Motorrad motorcycle with remarkable performance for its price. Drawing visual inspiration from its liter-class roadster sibling, the S1000R, the G310R boasts gold-finished inverted forks, a multifunctional digital display with fuel gauge and gear position indicator, cast aluminum wheels, and a rider-controllable 30.9-inch seat height.

In addition to a lighter clutch pull, the levers are now closer by nearly a quarter-inch to accommodate riders with smaller hands. Both the brake and clutch lever can be four-way adjusted for reach. Coupled with a slipper clutch feature, this makes the BMW G310R 2021 much easier to handle for smaller riders. Offered in one of three paint options including the traditional M Racing color scheme, its 313cc single-cylinder engine allows it to reach speeds of around 90mph on the highway.

Style: Roadster / naked

Engine: 313cc single-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled

Power: 34hp & 21ft-lbs

Weight: 349lbs

Origin: Germany

Price: 4,945 USD

As a rival to Yamaha's YZF-R3 sportbike, the MT-03 is a popular and highly versatile urban commuter, suitable for everything from touring to carving up mountain passes and track days. Powered by a parallel-twin engine, the compact MT sports an aggressive-looking headlight flanked by sharp air intakes, and angular cowls and radiator shrouds that fill the negative space around the bike's 321cc two-wheeled form, giving the small-displacement motorcycle a similar demeanor to its larger 689cc, 890cc, and 998cc siblings.

The third-generation Yamaha MT-03, manufactured in Japan, was introduced last year and therefore sees few changes from the 2020 model. The 2021 model gets new paint options, slightly updated factory front fork settings, and frankly, that's about it. The Yamaha MT-03 still features the fantastic 321cc parallel-twin engine producing around 50 HP and 24 lb-ft of torque. The MT-03 still boasts one of the best headlight and front tire combos on any bike currently available, with fierce daytime running lights and a center-mounted LED headlamp.

Style: Naked

Engine: 321cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-twin

Power: 41hp & 20.2ft-lbs

Weight: 373lbs

Origin: Japan

Price: 4,599 USD

If you're into a classic standard motorcycle, you can't overlook the Suzuki TU250X. With chrome highlights, prominent headlight assembly, large fenders, spoked wheels, teardrop fuel tank, and reverse-cone exhaust all contribute to a bike that could easily pass for a model from the 1960s. That said, Hamamatsu Marque's 250cc classic also benefits from decades of technological refinement, giving it both vintage style and modern emissions and fuel efficiency reliability.

The TU250X is equipped with a 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine. This bike even comes with fuel injection with electric start, a pleasant surprise for a classic motorcycle. It puts out 14hp around and a peak torque of 11.3 ft/lbs. Suzuki has proven that a quality motorcycle doesn't have to cost a fortune to own; you just have to shell out a not-so-large sum to get the TU250X air-cooled.

Style: Standard

Engine: 249cc SOHC air-cooled single-cylinder

Power: 16.1hp & 11.5ft-lbs

Weight: 326lbs

Origin: Japan

The Yamaha V-Star 250 is an astonishing touring machine offered at a price point that's almost suspicious. This pint-sized cruiser not only comes equipped with an authentic V-Twin powertrain but also boasts touring capabilities with a fuel consumption rate rated at 78 mpg and a top speed over 85 mph. On the other hand, the 27” seat height and 324lb curb weight of the V Star also make it a worthy contender for commuting and urban riding tasks. And while it may lack the charisma or pedigree of a Harley or Indian model, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better import.

The 2021 V-Star 250 is one of Yamaha's motorcycles that transcends time with its classic style, yet also brings modernity and relative excitement to the ride. This is largely due to the fact that this bike is one of the very few you can still buy with a full-blown Mikuni BDS26-type carburetor setup. This tiny carb sits atop the air-cooled, 249cc, 60-degree V-Twin engine, giving the V-Star 250 its moniker. Regarded as a lightweight cruiser, the 2021 V-Star 250, made in Japan, is also known as one of the friendliest starter bikes in the 2021 lineup for new riders.

Style: Cruiser

Engine: Air-cooled 249cc SOHC 60°V-twin

Power: N/A & 15.2 ft-lbs

Weight: 324lbs

Origin: Japan

Price: 4,499 USD

Established in 1929, FB Mondial is Italy's legendary motorcycle manufacturer with a highly successful racing history spanning nearly a decade in the 1940s and 1950s. And although the original Milan-based outfit shuttered its doors in the late '70s, FB Mondial has since been revived (once again) by the grandchildren of the original owners and executives, and is now peddling gorgeously retro-styled products—made in China, small-displacement motorcycles like the HPS (or 'Hipster') 125.

Powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC engine, the HPS 125 boasts one of the most modern and unique designs across the entire commuter bike market. The FB Mondial HPS 125 comes with a luxurious full-color 7-inch TFT display. It features a customizable layout, as well as automatic light sensor adjustment. In terms of performance, this bike churns out 13.6 horsepower at 9,750 rpm—a common figure for entry-level bikes in this segment. It utilizes a proud 124cc single-cylinder engine compliant with Euro 5 standards and is equipped with a Dell'Orto ECU, maximizing performance and efficiency.

Style: Neo cafe racer

Engine: 124cc DOHC single-cylinder liquid-cooled

Power: 13.41hp & 7.75ft-lbs

Weight: 293lbs

Origin: Italy (Manufactured in China)

Price: 4,512 USD

Utilizing the same 8-liter air-cooled drivetrain as Big Red's Grom, Trail 125, and Super Cub, the Monkey presents a different take on a modern rendition of the beloved motorbike icon, this time evoking the spirit of the diminutive Z-series from the 1960s and '70s. While the modern version proudly sports a design closely resembling the original, the new Monkey boasts significantly more power, doubling the predecessor's electrical output and creating a zippy machine suited for short jaunts around town rather than just on the farm and off-road trails.

The Honda Monkey still comes equipped with a 125cc air-cooled SOHC fuel-injected engine. It's the same engine also found in other Honda bikes in the 2021 lineup like the Grom and Super Cub. The Monkey carries nostalgic styling, compact ergonomics, and is a 60-year heritage. First produced in 1961 with a 50cc engine and no front or rear suspension. Among the Japanese motorcycles Honda produced, this one was born in an amusement park. It then came to the U.S. for its debut as the Honda Z50A K0 in 1968.

Style: Minibike

Engine: 124.9cc air-cooled SOHC single-cylinder

Power: 9hp & 8.1ft-lbs

Weight: 231.5lbs

Origin: Japan

Price: 3,999 USD

KTM debuted the 390 Duke in 2013 and swiftly dominated the market in the premium small-displacement naked segment. Now, after the better part of a decade of success and some notable mechanical and component upgrades, the Ready To Race brand is offering the beloved Duke in a new 200cc variant, smaller, more manageable, and rider-friendly.

Even with reduced displacement and a lower price, the fifth iteration still maintains the aesthetic appeal and sharp look of its larger sibling designed with Kiosk-Design, coupled with top-tier running gear like WP inverted forks and a single shock and ABS-equipped Brembo-produced brakes. The 2021 KTM 200 Duke is a bike many in North America have been clamoring for the Austrian-based company to bring to their shores for years. Long a staple in Asia, and also popular in Europe and the UK for its accessibility to A2 license holders, the 200 Duke is a super-light naked bike designed to deliver all the thrills at a reasonable price.

Style: Naked

Engine: 200cc DOHC liquid-cooled single-cylinder

Power: 25.5hp & 14.25 ft-lbs

Weight: 331.3lbs

Origin: Austria

Price: 3,999 USD

Available in various engine displacements, with 250cc or 450cc engine sizes and in supermoto designs geared towards dual-sport or kart racing style focused on dirt, the Cleveland Cycle Werks Hooligan is a powerhouse capable of intense sensations yet affordable with a usable MSRP. Through the use of drivetrains sourced from China assembled in the US. Despite its wallet-friendly price point, the Hooligun is equipped with a surprising array of premium components, with inverted front ends, a six-speed gearbox, and a fuel-injected engine good for over 80 miles per gallon and speeds exceeding 70mph.

The Cleveland Hooligan is a modern bike with a classic style. It ticks every box for a modern dirt bike, with a fashionable appearance and an almost stripped-down physique. The Cleveland Hooligun 250 is equipped with a 250cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. It can produce a maximum power of 31.5 HP at 7000 rpm and a maximum torque of 23.5Nm at 7000 rpm. Moreover, it's paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a fuel capacity of 6.5 liters. Additionally, the Hooligun 250 comes with standard features for a dual-sport bike.

Style: Dual-sport / Supermoto

Engine: SOHC single-cylinder 450cc liquid-cooled

Power: 43.5hp & 31.4ft-lbs

Weight: 265lbs

Origin: USA

Price: 3,700 USD

With roots dating back to the early 1960s, these adorable motorcycles initially gained popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, praised for their user-friendly centrifugal clutch and automatic transmission, as well as off-road capabilities. Throughout its nearly three-decade existence, the CT/Trail series underwent several revisions and sold over 725,000 units in the US before ceasing production in 1986. Over 30 years later, the Honda Trail 125 makes its return to the US.

The Trail 125 ABS (also known as Trail CT125 Hunter Cub) is the latest addition to Honda's legendary Cub lineup, dating back to 1958 and considered the best-selling motorcycle of all time in history with over one million units sold. After debuting as a concept bike at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, this scrambler version of the eighth-liter athlete now proudly features options geared towards dirt, such as high-mounted exhaust pipes, spoked wheels, a rear luggage rack, increased suspension travel, and fuel capacity, crash bars, and a small skid plate, among various other touchpoints.

Style: Adventure Scooter

Engine: SOHC single-cylinder 124.9cc air-cooled

Power: 9hp & 8.1ft-lbs

Weight: 259lbs

Origin: Japan

Price: 3,899 USD

While the Honda Grom and Kawasaki Z125 Pro tend to garner most of the love in the minibike segment, the recent entry of Benelli with the TNT135 is worth considering if you're looking to buy a bike in this segment, offering a sleek, powerful, unmistakable style. Italy's twist on the standard minibike formula. The smallest member of the brand's hyper-naked lineup made in China, the TNT135 boasts distinctive dual exhaust setup, streetfighter-style headlights, and integrated tail lights, but what truly sets this model apart is the MSRP under 2,800 USD.

This Benelli motorcycle combines all the style, features, and technology one would expect from an Italian oddball, downsized to just 266 lbs and 2,749 USD. The engine boasts top-notch features like a 135cc displacement, air/oil cooling for consistent power, and a unique four-valve single overhead camshaft for maximum power delivery, a feature unprecedented in this segment. Classic Italian steel trellis frame. This provides the necessary stiffness for precise handling combined with unmatched comfort and road feel.

Style: Minibike

Engine: 134.7cc SOHC single-cylinder air and oil-cooled

Power: 11.3hp & 7.4ft-lbs

Weight: 255.7lbs

Origin: China

Price: 2,749 USD