6 Thrilling Motorcycles Under $4000: Your Next Ride Awaits!

The feeling of riding on two wheels is unlike anything else, and vintage bikes can make the experience even more special. Even better, motorcycles are generally more affordable and easier to store than cars. This means picking up a bike for the first time, or just looking to try a different type for a bit, can be done without breaking the bank. Don’t believe us? Here are six motorcycles that can be had in #3 (good) condition for less $4000, according to our motorcycle price guide, the latest update of which went live this month.

Early 1980s Harley-Davidson XLH

Harley-Davidson motorcycles have an undeniable presence and always offer riders something unique. Riding one for a while is an experience worth having, especially when it’s possible to get one of the most true-to-form Harleys for under $4K. An early 1980s XLH is simple, durable, and fun. That makes sense from a brand that was just coming out from under the AMF ownership that did few favors to HD’s reputation or image among enthusiasts. The 1984-and-on models got significant updates, but those come with a premium that might not make sense if a 45-degree V-twin providing the soundtrack to an evening ride is all you need.

1976–77 Honda GL1000

Early Goldwing models were a little misunderstood. Honda put the GL lineup out first and seemingly afterward decided what the bike was actually going to be. The wire-spoke GL1000s are more cafe racer than touring bike, and when thinking that way it’s easy to end up sidetracked by CB models, but those are priced accordingly for the few survivors and the heaps of hacked-up project bikes. Instead, the small weight penalty of stepping up to a GL1000 will disappear once the durability and low-maintenance engine gets you underway. These bikes are ready for anything you want to do. Find one with a fairing for a great backroad touring machine, or an un-faired model for a do-it-all standard with smooth power.

1967–76 Yamaha AT/DT

Who could talk about affordable fun without mentioning a two-stroke enduro? Certainly not us. Yamaha’s addition of street-legal gear to one of its off-road models created a fun bike that enables chasing adventure down just about any road, path, or trail you can find through the glare on your visor. The AT model features a simple and spunky 125cc engine, while the DT packs 246 cc of power. The engines are not the story, though, as the suspension and gearing encouraged riders to explore and ride new places. These bikes could do the same for you.

1990s Honda VFR750 Interceptor

Sporty machines of the 1990s have been heating up for long enough that many of the obvious favorites have accelerated right out of affordable fun territory. Luckily, a few models are hiding in plain sight, and they provide not only great value but a great riding experience with interesting technical features. Honda’s VFR750 features an elegant single-sided swingarm and alloy bodywork that hides a smooth-running V-4, of which Cycle World wrote: “Its torque output is so strong and consistent that the actual powerband is almost impossible to detect.” A comfortable and capable machine with retro flavor that can run with modern traffic: Who could ask for more?

1963–70 BSA A50

If your version of fun is about tinkering in the garage in addition to riding, a vintage BSA twin is right up your alley. Although these are not nearly as needy as some would have you believe, it is best to be prepared and have tools handy if a #3 condition Brit bike is on your shopping list. The thrum from the exhaust when one of these is running right is a special sound, and regardless of your motorcycle interests, it should be experienced at some point. With lots of knowledge and club support out there for vintage Brit twins, it has never been easier to make a fun statement pulling into cars and coffee.

1969–70 Suzuki T350

Two-stroke street bikes are all but dead, but for under our price point you can experience the heyday of these engines. Suzuki calls the T350 a “high-speed touring” model, and based on the double-cradle steel frame and six-speed transmission, it would be a comfortable and approachable bike for riders of all skill levels. Larger cooling fins help keep the air-cooled twin under melting point, even during extended steady-throttle cruising where most two-strokes struggle. Get some oil-burning character in your life without going all the way to a pipe-y, high-strung race replica. And they are pretty classy looking, too.

The post 6 Fun Motorcycles You Could Be Riding for Less Than $4000 appeared first on Hagerty Media .

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