We all want to get our money’s worth, especially when it comes time to make a bigger purchase. In terms of buying a new motorcycle, a good deal can mean extra money for gear upgrades, accessory add-ons, or simply the peace of mind that you haven’t exhausted your entire bank account on a new ride.
But what makes a motorcycle a good deal? In my eyes, a good deal would mean you get a bike that remains enjoyable to ride for at least a few years, if not longer. It would be easy to upgrade with aftermarket accessories, it would be reliable, and it would be fairly priced for the amenities it offers. Because a good deal doesn’t always mean a low price. Riders who want the full suite of electronic aids, travel chops, infotainment, etc., will be looking for the best value at a much different price point than a weekend hobbyist or fair-weather commuter.
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So below we’ve compiled new bikes that we feel are the best value motorcycles of 2020 for a variety of ride styles. If after taking a look at our choices you feel we’ve missed a model, be sure to let us know in the comments.
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Best Value Small-Bore Commuter: 2020 Yamaha MT-03
The Yamaha MT-03 may not be the cheapest lightweight naked on the market, but its $4,599 price tag is highly competitive. And for the price you get a nimble machine with styling to match the larger-displacement members of the MT line and a 321cc parallel-twin engine that’s amenable to newer and more experienced riders alike. If this is one of your first motorcycles, it’s a bike you’ll grow to appreciate even more as your skills improve because it is an absolute blast to rip through corners. It can serve dual duty as a commuter and a weekend road tripper, and would even be a great machine during a trackday. You won’t get a lot of electronic bells and whistles beyond ABS, but that’s par for the course in this segment. This bike’s spirit above 7,000 rpm, its dialed suspension, grown-up good looks, and long-term appeal make it a hard machine to pass up.
Best Value Metric Cruiser: 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S
Starting at $7,099, the 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S provides a unique cruising experience for a broad variety of riders. The Ergo Fit system allows you to easily adjust the footrest, handlebar, and seat positions, allowing folks of different proportions to find their rider triangle sweet spot. The Ninja-derived 649cc parallel-twin engine is fun and punchy, and there is an extensive selection of Kawasaki upgrades available to make this mount more travel friendly and passenger capable. It’s not super dated in the styling department either, unlike some metric options from other brands. Granted, you lose some of the aural appeal of a rumbling V-twin when you go the Vulcan S route, but in exchange you get a reliable, customizable, and well-rounded machine that’s competitively priced in the midsize cruiser segment.
Best Value American Cruiser: 2020 Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber Sixty
Even though the Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber Sixty is one of the smallest mounts in the brand’s lineup, it’s still a full-size, 1,000cc V-twin-powered bike that has all the classic hallmarks of an American cruiser. Low-slung build, throaty exhaust note, relaxed ride position, and aggressive cruiser styling are all there. And even though it’s the trimmed-down version of the standard Scout, it loses little in the way of performance. The chassis is solid, the ride comfortable, the power delivery smooth, and the fit and finish something to be proud of as an owner. It’s a little spendy at $8,999, but compared to comparable models from H-D listed over $10 grand, it’s an enticing offer. It’s been on the market a few years now, so there are lots of aftermarket upgrades available too. For a little over 100 bucks a month when financed, this bike will prove its value every time you make it through a corner without scraping pegs, and for the heads that turn when you roll down the street.
Best Value Middleweight Naked: 2020 Suzuki SV650 ABS
The 2020 Suzuki SV650 ABS starts at $7,499 (deduct $400 from the MSRP if you want an SV without ABS). It’s a venerable model that has earned a cadre of devoted fans all over the world. And for good reason. The 645cc V-twin engine has great pull in the low- and midrange, making it an unmitigated joy to ride in the curves, its suspension setup is well dialed right off the showroom floor, and since its return-to-roots update in 2015, the bike looks damn good. Suzuki sweetens the deal by adding in low-rpm assist and easy start features, and it stands up to some of the fiercest competitors in the class. It’s one of the least expensive middleweight naked bikes currently on the market, but it provides truly competitive performance. For some, this is the only motorcycle they’d ever need.
Best Value Big-Bore Adventure: 2020 Honda Africa Twin
The big-bore adventure market takes some cash to get into, but one of the best values you’re going to find this year is the 2020 Honda Africa Twin. It starts at $14,399, but for the price you get amenities you’d expect to see on a machine costing closer to $20 grand. It’s now up to 1,086cc, is lighter than previous model years, has an impressive roster of electronic riding aids, and is one of the most capable on/off-road large adventure-touring rigs on the market. There are plenty of accessories on the market available to make this a truly competent long-range touring machine if desired. Plus, it’s comfortable and agile enough to function beautifully as an urban commuter. This is a true do-it-all bike that’s competitively priced for the segment.
Best Value Small-Bore Adventure: 2020 KTM 390 Adventure
The 2020 KTM 390 Adventure is one of the latest entries in the growing small-bore adventure segment, and to date it’s one of the best we’ve sampled. It’s a little more costly than competitors at $6,199 ($700 more than the Kawasaki Versys X-300), but that extra cash gets you some seriously useful upgrades. Traction control, off-road ABS, cornering ABS, fully adjustable suspension, great power delivery from the 373cc single, a TFT display, and adjustable windscreen, just to name a few. During our first ride on the 390 Adventure, we found the bike to be right at home on the road and off. It’s an impressive amount of motorcycle for the price, making it a fantastic value in the class.
Best Value Sportbike: 2020 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
The ongoing arms race among literbikes means most models are now costing upwards of $17,000 or more. But you can have a brand-new 2020 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R for $15,399. The competitive price will get you a competitive bike too; the ZX-10R comes equipped with a full suite of race-developed electronics and race-derived engine architecture and chassis elements. It’s been a regular contender for top marks in our comparison reviews over the years, and the 2020 model is the most refined version to date. If you want a world-class sportbike that delivers in the power, handling, and price departments, the ZX-10R is one of the best values on the market today.
Best Value European Naked: 2020 BMW F 900 R
At first glance, BMW may seem a little out of place on a best value list, but for 2020 the Bavarian brand comes through with an incredible deal in its $8,995 F 900 R. This bike offers features like Brembo brakes, adjustable suspension settings, up-spec Bridgestone Battlax S21 tires, a sophisticated TFT display, a slipper clutch, and on-road performance chops that would be lauded on a bike at a much higher price point. It’s been one of our favorite bikes of the year so far, in fact, because it really is the total package if you’re in the market for a lively, well-appointed naked.
Best Value Long-Range Luxury Tourer: 2020 Honda Gold Wing
Honda’s Gold Wing has been a mainstay of the long-range touring segment for decades, and though the 2020 base model costs $23,800, it’s one of the most price competitive in the class. And you get a lot of machine for all that money. When Honda launched the massively updated 2018 Gold Wing, riders were treated to a lighter, better handling machine than expected. It’s powerful right from the start and keeps pulling all the way through the rev range; it has a sophisticated infotainment setup and electronics package, top-quality creature comforts for rider and passenger, and plenty of storage capacity. If your dream is to drive coast to coast then back again in style and comfort, the 2020 Gold Wing will be worth every penny.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com