Bargain brilliance

In the mood for some second-hand excellence? Us too. Here’s this year’s expert pick of fabulous pre-loved metal

By Jon Urry Photography Bauer Archive

State of constant choosing. We’re all familiar with it, helplessly drawn to small ads and online listings, musing over what else we could slip into the garage – and what we could stretch to.

And temptation is greater than ever. The used market is awash with staggeringly capable and desirable motorcycles for prices that make you check it’s not 1 April. In the bad old days, buying pre-loved involved crossed fingers and sweaty palms, but modern machines – by which we mean those of the past 15 years or so – have reliability, durability and lasting appeal. Can you remember the last time a manufacturer wheeled out a clunker? Us neither.

To help navigate the temptation, we’ve assembled this year’s top used buys – and picked the 2025 Used Bike of the Year. Bring your wallet this way – much joy awaits…

Nailed-on safest bet

Unbreakable, well-priced, incredibly practical – it has to be a Honda NC750X

SPECIFICATION

Unsung hero? Not really – the NC750X has always sold well for Honda, just like the 700 version before it. Part of Britain’s biking backbone, the 750X is incredibly hard to fault; with lashings of well-considered and useful features, it just cracks on without fuss, drama or niggle. If practicality, quality, reliability and the ability to make a good fist in any situation are high on your shopping list, it’s head, shoulders and much of its torso above rivals. Consistently a bestseller throughout Europe, the NC750X combines adventure bike comfort levels and control with assured 17in-wheel handling and big-scooter practicality. And if this isn’t attractive enough, there’s the option of Honda’s slick DCT gearbox – which more than half of NC buyers choose in the showroom.

The 745cc parallel-twin motor won’t win races with 53bhp (58bhp on later models), but it’s tuned for super-easy thrust. It’s nigh-on apocalypse-proof, will run fault-free for tens of thousands of miles, and happily record 70mpg. At service time, its single overhead cam design and ‘nut and screw’ valve clearance adjustment makes even major services far from wallet-busting. The X has use-it-daily practicality, too. It has a very handy lockable 22-litre stashing space where you’d normally expect to pour fuel, with storage for a full-face helmet. Most used examples have a top box and/or panniers as well, plus accessory heated grips and maybe a taller screen.

Yet despite being so sensible, the NC750X is still a ‘proper’ bike. It’s still fun to ride. Faults are few and far between, prices reasonable due to them being so plentiful, running costs minimal, and it never fails to accomplish what you ask of it.

Do-it-all, ride-all-the-time second-hand buys don’t get any safer.

What to look for

1 If the bike stutters in hot weather, the fuel pump and lines may need replacing.
2 Check for wobbly rear wheel bearings. The fit is poor, leading to premature wear.
3 Service intervals are 8000 miles, with the valve clearance check at 16,000 miles.
4 Ensure the storage lock operates smoothly and hasn’t been forced open by a toerag.
5 DCT adds about £500 to a used NC’s value.

Which one exactly?

2012’s NC700X was replaced by the NC750X in 2014. Two years later it gained a more ‘adventurous’ look, new clocks and DCT upgrades. In 2018, two-level traction control arrived alongside an A2-legal version, while 2021 brought ride-by-wire, a touch more torque, power modes, a higher redline, 30mm lower seat height and a 6kg weight loss thanks to a new chassis. So yes, later is better – but they’re all ace.

What to pay:

Three more tempters

Yamaha TDM900 (2002-2010): £2500-£5000
The old 850 version was the first to do the upright-sports-tourer/adventure-sports thing. The later 900 is better. It’s spirited, funky, reliable and comfy. Coils can be weak, causing starting issues, but otherwise it’s very solid.

Honda Crossrunner (2015-2021): £5000-£9000
Effectively a VFR800 on stilts, the X-model ‘crossover’ (awful term) is desperately overlooked and a great all-rounder. There’s only one thing to really watch out for: the valve clearance major service. It can be a bit salty.

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016): £2000-£6000
A cheap mile muncher, the GSX is what the legendary Bandit morphed into. Finish isn’t too hot, and you’ll probably find corrosion. But the motor is stonkingly dependable. Find a good ’un and it’ll run and run and run…

Best for cheap speed

Hyperbike performance with a bargain price tag? Snap up aBMW K1300S

SPECIFICATION

Early examples of Suzuki’s Hayabusa are affordable, the venerable Honda Blackbird still attracts, however it’s BMW’s Autobahn-swallowing rocket ship that offers the most value for money. Not only does the K1300S have a far better spec than any rivals and just as much speed, it’s also generally cheaper to boot and has some always welcome exclusivity.

Replacing the K1200S, the 1300 ironed out many of the original model’s faults (there were quite a few…) and is a much safer used buy. Along with boasting a bigger capacity inline four, the K1300S upped the equipment levels and brought far more creature comforts. Naturally, most were optional extras, but luckily for used buyers most people ticked all the boxes.

As well as ABS and the option of second-generation electronic suspension (ESA II), the K1300S can be found with heated grips, quickshifter, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring and more. Add to this a centrestand and shaft drive and the K1300S is a blisteringly fast device even your sensible head will approve of.

And it handles, too. Few front ends have the rock-solid reassurance of BMW’s load separating Duolever system – the 1300’s roadholding is exemplary. The potent engine is gargly, raspy, with a unique feel, and delivers scorching performance.

Fancy smashing out miles with minimal effort and maximum velocity? This is the choice. With prices starting at just £3000, it’s an unmatched package.

What to look for

1 Low-speed weaving? The Duolever may need a rebuild.
2 Check the radiator for corrosion, damage and holes. New units are more than £600…
3 Ensure the ESA system works (if fitted) as technically it’s not rebuildable.
4 Inspect the wheel rims for dings – they can be a bit weak due to their light weight.
5 Walk away from bikes with ABS fault codes – a new unit costs more than £1500.

Which one exactly?

Replacing the K1200S in 2009, the 1300 ran until 2016 alongside a naked R and a touring GT. All were based around the same four-pot K-Series platform. Although the S was never updated, some extra options and a few special models – such as the Motorsport Edition and HP – were released later in its model life. We’d find a regular bike with all the official accessories.

What to pay:

Three more tempters

Kawasaki ZZR1200 (2002–2004): £1000-£3000
Tremendously good value for money, the ZZR1200 looks a bit dated but it is fast, cheap, secure in corners, and very comfortable for you and yours. The fuel pumps (there are two) are a bit weak, otherwise thrash and grin.

Kawasaki 1400GTR (2008-2017): £4000-£9000
Powered by a ZZR1400 motor with variable valve timing, the overlooked GTR is as fast as a ZZR but brings extra practicality alongside traction control and ABS (on post-2010 models). Think tourist with warp-speed potential.

Honda Super Blackbird (1996-2007): £1500-£7000
Fast, classy and reliable, the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird is a fabulous sports tourer. While not as speedy as the K1300S or a Hayabusa, the quality is top notch – and prices are starting to do that modern classic thing.

The most tech for your money

Nothing gives as many widgets and gizmos for your quids as Kawasaki’s H2 SX SE

SPECIFICATION

How does owning a supercharged inline four with lean-aware traction control and ABS, power modes, two-way quickshifter, heated grips, cruise, cornering lights, launch control, anti-wheelie, fully adjustable suspension and panniers for less than £9000 sound? And not something dated, but a motorcycle you can still buy box-fresh?

Launched in 2018, the H2 SX brought Kawasaki’s bewildering supercharged inline-four engine into the sports-touring market. Sold in both base guise and in higher-spec SE form with some extra tech, the H2 SX SE’s price tag of over £18,000 brought slow sales. Many buyers just went for the cheaper and oh-so-popular Ninja 1000SX instead.

They missed out. Yes, the blown bike cost more, but that’s because nothing matches the part-throttle response of the chirping motor. It is utterly sensational.

And the lack of showroom popularity is good news for savvy used-bike buyers now, as the H2 SX SE is a total bargain. If you are happy to buy from a private seller, you can get an early SE with around 15,000 miles clicked off for £8500. It’ll probably have panniers, too. No other machine offers as much tech – both electronic and mechanical – for your money. Consider this: a new H2 SX has an RRP of £22,649…

It’s not all about that supercharged motor either. The Kawasaki’s chassis has plush high-quality suspension and a classy ride. Its finish will have you reaching for the Autoglym, and all that desirable tech is up to date and spot on. Fuel economy could be better, but you’ll overlook this minor niggle every time you touch the twistgrip.

What to look for

1 Get an insurance quote before buying – the H2 SX can be expensive to cover.
2 Overall finish is high, but some owners grumble about tarnished fasteners.
3 The 15,000-mile service is almost £1000. Keep this front of mind when looking.
4 That blown engine chomps rear tyres. If it’s showing wear, it won’t have long left.
5 Ensure the eccentric adjuster on the swingarm moves freely and hasn’t seized.

Which one exactly?

In 2019 the SE+ model introduced semi-active suspension. In 2022 the H2 SX got front and rear radars to add adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and collision warning. Hill hold and a new TFT with connectivity were also introduced, while the SE gained semi-active suspension (the + was discontinued). Oh, and in 2023 an auto high beam feature arrived. Newer bikes therefore have the most bling, but early ones have the best tech/price ratio.

What to pay:

Three more tempters

Yamaha Tracer 9GT (2021-2024): £7000-£10,000
With semi-active suspension, panniers, an up/down quickshifter, cruise control, angle-responsive electronics and more, the 9GT is both excellent and excellent value for money.

Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX (2020-2024): £6000-£11,000
Replacing the Z1000SX, the Ninja 1000SX has extra tech in the shape of cruise control, a two-way quickshifter and colour dash with connectivity. It’s popular, proven, and affordable.

Aprilia Caponord 1200 (2013-2017): £4500-£7000
The Travel Pack adds panniers, super-luxurious semi-active suspension and cruise to this underrated tech-heavy adventure tourer. The later Rally version is the one to get if you can.

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