Riding a quality bike doesn’t have to cost you a ton of money. There are plenty of scooters and motorcycles under $3,000 that you can buy brand new.
That said, your options are somewhat limited. If you shop on the used market, you can usually find a serviceable motorcycle for even less, but I’ll say that you can still buy some excellent new bikes for under $3,000.
I’ve pulled together a list of bikes that are the highest quality and best performing for this tight budget. Let’s dive into the list.
I discussed the Honda Navi when the company first announced it, and I have to say it’s one of the most interesting motorcycles any company has come out with in recent years. The bike is simple, features a CVT, drum brakes, and a 109cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine that’s carburated. The bike is perhaps the perfect commuter motorcycle out there, complete with a removable storage compartment and an MSRP of only $1,807.
Learn more at Honda’s website.
Shop for the Navi on eBay.
Honda Ruckus
If the Navi isn’t your cup of tea, and you want some badass style in scooter form, then you should check out the Honda Ruckus. This is perhaps the only scooter with some badass attitude out there. It has a tubular frame, dual headlights, a 50cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine that’s carbureted. The scooter has a CVT to make it easy to ride. The Ruckus has a $2,799 MSRP. This scooter makes the cut for my list of best 50cc scooters.
Learn more at Honda’s website.
Shop for a Ruckus on eBay.
Honda Metropolitan
Last of the Hondas on this list is the Metropolitan. This scooter brings classic, Vespa-like style in a super affordable and easy to ride package. It’s the small scooter with European styling from the frugal Japanese company and I love it. The scooter features a 49cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a CVT transmission. This one is fuel-injected, too, which makes it a little more modern than the Navi or the Ruckus. It has a super affordable $2,499 MSRP. This bike is also one listed on my best 50cc scooters.
Learn more at Honda’s website.
Shop for a Metropolitan on eBay.
Kymco K-Pipe
They Kymco K-Pipe is a fantastic option if you want a small affordable motorcycle with large 17-inch wheels. The bike is a great option if you’re looking for something on a budget, too. The bike features a 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine that’s carbureted and mated to a four-speed transmission. This bike isn’t a speed demon, but it’s fun in its own right, and cheaper than other 125cc motorcycles on the market, with a MSRP of only $2,249.
Learn more at Kymco’s website.
Shop for a K-Pipe on eBay.
Genuine Scooter Company Buddy 50
If you like Vespa scooter styling, but don’t want to pay the premium price that comes with one of those scooters, then I highly recommend the Genuine Scooter Company Buddy 50. This scooter is the only two-stroke bike you’ll find on this list, and heck, there aren’t many two-strokes for sale today. The little scooter makes good power and scoots around like the fantastic commuter bike that it is. Also, it’s one of the most affordable bikes here. The Buddy 50 has a two-stroke single-cylinder engine with a displacement of 49cc. It is carbureted and has a CVT, giving you twist-and-go capability. At $1,999, this is a super affordable scooter. It also features on my list of the best 50cc scooters.
Learn more at Genuine Scooter Company’s website.
Shop for a Buddy 50 on eBay.
SSR Motorsports Razkull 125
If you’re looking for something a little different, then look no further than the Razkull 125 from SSR Motorsports. This company has some interesting bikes and the Razkull tops the list. It’s a Honda Grom competitor, and it has somewhat monkey bike proportions, but it manages to pack a punch from its single-cylinder four-stroke air-cooled 125cc engine. It’s carbureted and features a four-speed manual transmission. If the Honda Grom is too expensive for you this bike has a super affordable MSRP of only $1,999.
Learn more at SSR Motorsports’s website.
Shop for a Razukll on eBay.
