When you think about 250cc motorcycles, you usually think about beginner motorcycles, but 250cc bikes are a great motorcycle for anyone really: new riders, intermediate riders, veteran riders—everyone.
The reason I see 250cc as such a versatile machine is due to the fact that bikes at this displacement of engine are lightweight and fun to ride. They can do highway runs if needed and are unparalleled for commuting and urban riding. Many of them are even good off-roaders.
This is a segment of the market that has been neglected as of late. 250cc motorcycles became uncool or seen as newbie bikes, and as a result, manufacturers went with a smaller displacement or slightly larger displacement.
That’s good news for you because it means you can get a heck of a deal on a bike that can do basically anything. Here are my picks for the five best 250cc motorcycles.
Why 250cc Motorcycles are Fantastic Bikes
The various 250cc motorcycles have been the go-to for new or returning riders for decades. This has given the bikes a reputation as a “beginner’s bike.” While that’s warranted, this displacement is truly versatile. You get an engine big enough and powerful enough to scoot you around town easily, and the motorcycle is capable enough to do short highway stints, or if you stay in the slow lane, touring.
It’s the 250cc’s versatility that makes it such a widely sold machine. These bikes are easy to find on the used market. Simply search “250cc motorcycles” on a site like eBay, and you’ll find numerous options near you.
Another aspect of the 250cc motorcycle I want to point out is the lightweight nature of these machines. The bikes are extremely lightweight making them fun and easy to ride. This is appealing off-road and out on a race track if you’re trying to hone your skills. As such, 250cc bikes make for fantastic training tools. The skills you learn on these bikes will translate to other, larger machines.
With all this in mind, I often advocate for smaller displacement motorcycles. Whether you are a new rider or an older, more experienced rider, you can benefit from riding a 250cc motorcycle.
What 250cc Motorcycles Made the List and Why?
The 250cc motorcycle category used to be fairly robust, but now if you look around you’ll notice that a lot of publications are including motorcycles that are larger or lower in displacement. The 250cc category has fewer players in it, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some truly good motorcycles at this displacement.
The bikes below are all true to the 250cc motorcycle category, meaning you won’t find any 300cc or 125cc bikes. Those two displacements are popular now, and there are plenty of fantastic bikes there, but they’re not included here because they’re technically outside of this category.
So, without further ado, let’s get to the best 250cc motorcycle on sale today.
Kawasaki KLX230
Okay, so I just went on and on about 250cc motorcycles, but the Kawasaki KLX230 is extremely close in displacement and still plays in this class, so let’s kick things off here. This dual-sport machine is at home on the trails and in the city. It’s a fantastic bike no matter where you ride, and that includes the highway because this bike has enough grunt to do highway runs, although I’d hesitate to go cross country on it.
The KLX230 dual-sport is agile and ready for anything. The bike has a 233cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that’s fuel-injected and simple and easy to maintain. The engine manages to make about 20 hp and 11 lb-ft of torque, which isn’t the best in the segment, but still good numbers. This is just a good all-around bike to own and it offers quite a lot for its modest price tag.
- Price: $4,999
- Learn more at Kawasaki’s website
Suzuki GSX250R ABS
If you want to ride a sportbike and you want a 250cc motorcycle in your life, your only real option these days is the Suzuki GSX250R. Don’t be mad about having only one option, though. This is a bonafide sportbike with a low MSRP and all the equipment and features you need to have some serious thrills. It challenges bikes that are far larger and more powerful.
The motorcycle features a 248cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that manages to put out 25 hp and 17 lb-ft of torque. The best thing about this bike, though is the way it handles. It’s ready to drag a knee whenever you are, so if you want a good sportbike at a modest price in the 250cc range, this is it.
- Price: $5,099
- Learn more at Suzuki’s website
Yamaha V-Star 250
The Yamaha V-Star 250 is getting a little long in the tooth, but that doesn’t make it a bad bike to own. The motorcycle is one of the only good 250cc cruisers out there, and it brings a small V-twin to the market that is hard not to love. The bike looks good, sounds good, and has an attitude all its own. If you’re a new rider, a smaller rider, or just someone who loves smaller displacement bikes, this is a great machine to own.
The bike features a 249cc 60-degree V-twin engine that has a carburetor. It is about as simple as an engine can come, which is what makes this bike so special in these days of overcomplicated powertrains. The bike makes about 21 hp and 15.2 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to get you around town or even keep you up to speed with highway traffic.
- Price: $4,699
- Learn more at Yamaha’s website
Yamaha XT250
The Yamaha XT250 is a model that’s been out for a long time now. It’s a decades-old design that has somehow stayed relevant, which is a testament to what Yamaha built back in the 1980s. If you want a dual-sport machine that can go anywhere and the KLX mentioned above isn’t your cup of tea, then this Yamaha XT250 is the bike for you.
Today the motorcycle has a 249cc air-cooled fuel-injected two-valve single-cylinder engine that makes 19 hp and 14 lb-ft of torque. It is not a speed demon, but then it’s not meant to be. This is a dual-sport bike designed to be able to go anywhere and do anything, and it does that exceedingly well.
- Price: $5,499
- Learn more at Yamaha’s website
CSC SG250 San Gabriel
Looking for some old-school motorcycle style? Check out the CSC SG250 San Gabriel. This motorcycle is a killer-looking machine with good performance from a unique company.
The SG250 features an easily customizable platform, a 230cc vertical twin engine that makes 16hp and 13.5 lb-ft of torque. The 26-inch seat height isn’t too intimidating either. It provides you with some cafe-racer-like style at a super affordable price.
- Price: $2,495
- Learn more at CSC’s website
Are There Other 250cc Motorcycles?
There are a few other 250cc machines, but most motorcycle manufacturers are going bigger or smaller than 250cc. While I personally think 250cc is a perfect sweet spot, most manufacturers are making 125cc bikes or 300cc or 400cc motorcycles. This segment has been neglected as of late. With that in mind, the bikes you’ll want to buy are listed above.
