Whether you’re looking for your first affordable big bike or just got your CBT and need a cheap entry model, there are literally 1000s of motorbikes out there under £1,000.
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From entry-level 125cc motorbikes to big-engined beasts, there are many inexpensive motorcycles out there. To make your life easier, we even selected the best motorbikes under £1000 in the UK. Check them out below.
BikerRated’s best motorcycles under £1,000
- Suzuki SV650S
- Honda CBF125
- Yamaha YBR125
- Kawasaki ER5
- Honda CBR600F
Here’s a full run-down of each of these great bikes:
Suzuki SV650S
Suzuki SV650S Key Specs
- Engine: Liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder
- Max power output: 69 BHP (51.45 kW)
- Displacement: 645cc
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Seat height: 805mm
- Weight: 165kg
Introduced in 1999 as an all-rounder capable of performance similar to a middleweight sportsbike but with so much more user-friendliness.
With a gorgeous 650cc v-twin the SV650S has quickly became a favourite around the world.
Sleek lines and great performance on both twisty and urban roads make it a great first bike for A2 licence holders. Excellent abilities and characterful engine will give you big grins, mile after mile.
If you don’t mind spending more than £1000 and want a newer bike, check out the latest versions of this long-running classic.
Honda CBF125
Honda CBF125 Key Specs
- Engine: Air-cooled SOHC cylinder
- Max power output: 11.3 BHP (8 kW)
- Displacement: 125cc
- Gearbox: 5-speed
- Seat height: 792mm
- Weight: 115kg
OK, so it’s not going to get passers-by staring in envy but the little CBF125 is textbook Honda; well-made, cheap to run and fuel-efficient.
A1-compliant, it’s also a perfect first bike for the CBT holders and commuters. It’s agile and reactive on the road. It’s one of the UK’s best selling motorbikes. Let’s be honest, thousands of takeaway riders can’t be wrong.
Yamaha YBR125
Yamaha YBR125 Key Specs
- Engine: Air-cooled SOHC cylinder
- Max power output: 10 BHP (7.5 kW)
- Displacement: 124cc
- Gearbox: 5-speed
- Seat height: 780mm
- Weight: 113kg
Ideal for CBT holders and commuters, Yamaha YBR125, is a simple and unpretentious motorbike similar to the CBF125. It’s certainly not the most powerful bike out there, but it’s easy to manoeuver, cheap to run and insure, and safe for the inexperienced riders. Its low seat height also makes it comfortable; just what you need for daily commutes or weekend adventures to the local cake stop.
Kawasaki ER-5
Kawasaki ER-5 Key Specs
- Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC inline cylinder
- Max power output: 50.3 BHP (37 kW)
- Displacement: 498cc
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Seat height: 800mm
- Weight: 184kg
We admit it, no-one every had a picture of an ER-5 on their wall as a kid but the ER-5 has helped launch thousands of motorcycling careers.
Never the most handsome even when launched but the ER-5 has actually aged well. It has a good blend of aesthetics and functionality making it a top entry-level motorbike.
Easy manoeuvrability make it a star among starters and a favourite of motorcycle training schools. A pleasure to ride thanks to its mid-height seat and robust enough to handle in all weathers, it’s an excellent choice for both beginners and more experienced riders.
Honda CBR600F
Honda CBR600F Key Specs
- Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC inline cylinder
- Max power output: 85.8 BHP (64 kW)
- Displacement: 599cc
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Seat height: 770mm
- Weight: 180kg
Just think: 25 years ago every new biker was lusting after a CBR600F and now, 25 years later, time has cemented just how good the CBR600 is and how well made a Honda can be.
It is definitely no longer the sharpest, lightest 600 sportsbike out there but that’s to your advantage. It’s such a good all-rounder, cheap to insure and for under £1,000 it’s a total bargain.
Whether you want to go touring, do the odd trackday or just commute, the CBR600F is a great choice.
The Best £1000 Motorcycle for You
There are plenty of decent motorbikes out there for under £1000. It is a tight budget but you can grab a really good bike if you search with these factors in mind:
- Bikes that weren’t cutting-edge back in the day, never really shook that reputation, often making them a bargain now. So don’t go looking for the bike that was the top of the class a decade ago, find the one that was runner-up. It’ll still be a great bike, but it’ll be less desirable and so far cheaper.
- Don’t try and get too much bike for your money. Anything that looks too good to be true usually is. So make sure your bike doesn’t have galactic miles or signs of being crashed.
- Bikes that had a high running cost back then, will have a higher running cost now. So don’t be tempted by anything too exotic – you’ll only end up shelling out more than you bargained for in the long run.
The 1-minute insurance estimate
Do you know roughly what you’ll need to budget to insure your budget motorbike?
We’ve created a motorcycle insurance estimator that asks no personal questions and takes just 1 minute to fill out. It’ll give you an accurate idea of what it’ll cost to insure your first motorbike.
Questions or Comments?
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