10 Used Motorcycles That Have Earned Their Legendary Reliability

Many motorcyclists think buying a used bike is a bad idea, and for good reasons. Some motorcycles, like KTM and Ducati models, are high-maintenance by design, and they don’t last very long without extensive engine overhauls. It’s not like bikers are known for being gentle on the throttle, either. We all know at least one rider who likes to ride like they’re sponsored by a factory team and being filmed by a crew.

Not all used motorcycles have to be a gamble of your time and money, though. Many owners actually take care of their motorcycles, and, more importantly, there are many motorcycles that can live for years with regular maintenance. Heck, some motorcycles can live for years even without proper maintenance! Here are ten such motorcycles that have earned a reputation for reliability, but dig deeper, and you’ll find many more.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Suzuki Cycles, Kawasaki, and Honda Powersports. Typical listing prices are sourced from JD Power and Kelly Blue Book. The models are listed based on their model year, from old to new.

2003 Suzuki DR650SE

Typical Listing Price: $3,110

In its 30+ year production run, Suzuki hasn’t updated the DR650SE much, and it doesn’t need to. Why fix what isn’t broken, right? The DR650SE is a big-bore dual sport with simple mechanics that just work, whether you’re abusing it on trials or puttering around in the city. Its legendary reliability is why many riders, even in 2025, pick a DR650SE over a proper ADV to explore the world.

If you want to keep things simple, you can just pick a color and be done with it when it comes to used DR650SE models. But it’s best to pick post-1997 models, since earlier models had issues with the starter gear. Some 1997 to 2003 models can also have a weeping gasket issue, which is an easy fix if you don’t mind tinkering around a bit. For the least headache, pick anything from 2003 to 2025; they’re all mostly the same.

2000 Honda XR400R

Typical Listing Price: $2,385

If big-bore dual sport isn’t your jam, and you still want an unkillable off-roader, pick an old XR400R. This legendary dual-sport features a simple yet powerful air-cooled engine, decent suspension, and a lightweight frame, making it an excellent, versatile off-roader. It’s also one of the most reliable dual sports ever made. According to one owner, if there were ever a natural disaster that wiped out the world’s cockroach population, the XR400R would still survive.

2001 Honda CBR600 F4i

Typical Listing Price: $4,370

The CBR600 F4i has been one of the go-to stunt bikes, and it has more to do with its reliability than manic performance. It features a bulletproof inline-four engine, paired with a PFM-FI system and Honda’s solid build quality, which has earned it a reputation for being one of the most reliable sports bikes of its time. What makes the CR600 F4i even better in our books is that it is said to offer all the high-RPM supersport drama without the committed riding position. Just make sure you pick a non-stunt bike example.

2001 Honda VTX1800

Typical Listing Price: $5,215

The VTX1800 is a one-of-a-kind Honda cruiser assembled in Maryville, Ohio, and not Japan. It features a powerful V-twin engine, which was the largest production V-twin of its time. According to owners, the engine’s understressed character, along with high fit and finish, makes the VTX a very reliable motorcycle even today. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find reports of owners covering 100,000+ miles within a few years on their VTX cruisers.

The VTX1800 isn’t perfect, though. It can be a bit too heavy for beginners, and the ergonomics may stretch you out if you’re vertically challenged. You can also go for the VTX1300, which features a smaller engine, if you don’t want a lot of performance. In terms of production years, all model years are more or less the same, with minor changes here and there. You’d have to be seriously unlucky to land a lemon VTX, though.

2001 Honda Gold Wing

Typical Listing Price: $6,054

Talk about over-engineered brilliance, and the Gold Wing comes to mind, especially the fifth-gen variant. This version is much closer to the Gold Wing we’ve come to love today, and unlike its predecessor, it features everything you’d expect from your modern cross-country tourer. It gets a large fairing, couch-like comfort, and a butter-smooth flat-six engine, as well as an array of features, sometimes including an airbag.

What makes the Gold Wing even more special is its reliability. Owners say the engine is smooth and well-built, and with regular maintenance, the bike can cross continents without throwing any tantrums. It’s the reason why you’ll still find this generation of Gold Wings plying around with six-digit miles on them. If long-distance touring is the goal, this Gold Wing is hard to beat. Though you can’t go wrong with an older model, either; they’re dirt cheap in the used market.

2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5

Typical Listing Price: $5,714

Every once in a while comes a superbike that’s surprisingly low-maintenance, and there’s hardly a better example than the GSX-R1000 K5. This was the last of the long-stroke inline-four liter-class Gixxers, known for its torquey performance and solid engine, which also made it quite reliable in the long run.

Given its accessible performance, the Gixxer K5 also fell into the hands of squids. You might want to judge the owner more than the bike itself when looking for a used K5 to avoid poorly maintained examples. The bike is also very raw, lacking modern rider aids, so it’s best reserved for experienced riders.

2009 Kawasaki KLR650

Typical Listing Price: $3,884

For many, the KLR is hands down the most reliable motorcycle ever made. This is one of those motorcycles that simply refuses to die, even if you don’t take care of it. There are cases where the 650 has survived being dropped, submerged in water, and losing all the oil due to an engine casing puncture. Since it is also the most long-distance friendly model of the Japanese 650 dual sports, it makes for a terrific tank-like adventure bike that can go around the world.

Unlike the DR650SE, Kawasaki has given a few updates to the KLR over the years. For example, the 2009 model introduced a new design and improvements in comfort and build quality. According to owners, the older models were known to burn oil when ridden at high RPMs for extended periods. That’s why we’ve picked the 2009 KLR 650, but as long as the KLR is well-maintained, you can go with whichever model year strikes your fancy.

2014 Harley-Davidson Road King

Typical Listing Price: $10,865

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Road King is one of the most reliable Harley-Davidson motorcycles you can buy today. The 2014 to 2016 model years of this bike featured all the major Rushmore updates and none of the early M8 oil pump issues of the later years.

While we’ve picked the Road King, you can choose other Harley models from these model years, too. 2014 to 2016 is the sweet spot for used Harley-Davidsons. Your options include the Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Fat Boy, or Softail Slim. Just make sure whichever bike you pick has all the Project Rushmore updates and later Twin Cam engines, not early M8 examples.

2016 Suzuki SV650

Typical Listing Price: $4,721

The Suzuki SV650 is often considered the poor rider’s Ducati Monster, thanks to its minimal design, trellis frame, and V-twin engine. Unlike the Italian naked, the SV650 promises a lot less maintenance headache, though. It is known for its peppy yet forgiving character, and it can take beginner abuse pretty well, too. This durability is one of the reasons why the SV650 is regarded as one of the best beginner motorcycles ever.

The SV650 is still alive today, but it hasn’t received any significant updates since 2016. So, you can’t go wrong with a used model, either. Look for the third-gen, post-2016 model if you want the new design and frame, slightly more power, and modern features like low-RPM assist. If you simply want a little naked that works, you can even go for older variants.

2019 Honda Super Cub C125

Typical Listing Price: $3,285

The Super Cub is easily the most influential motorcycle ever built. It made cheap transportation accessible for everyone, effectively liberating many countries. And to do this, it had to be super reliable and inexpensive to maintain, capable of handling the worst road conditions and fuel quality the world has to offer. The modern Super Cub C125 still retains that personality, now with modern features like a front disc brake and a PGM-FI system.

If you’re looking for a cheap, easy-to-maintain, and super reliable urban roundabout, there’s hardly anything better than the Super Cub. We’ve picked the 2019 model because it is the latest generation, but you can go for older models for a bit of retro charm, too. In any case, you can rest assured that this workhorse will never give you trouble, even if you run it on the lowest grade of oil and fuel.