Cheapest Motorcycles Around Come Back for 2025, And They're Branded Honda

2 months ago - 25 January 2025, autoevolution

For most of us in the market for a new motorcycle, the definition of affordable probably puts the price of one in the $10,000 - $15,000 range. For those who think that's still a lot, there are a number of worthwhile options on the market, some of them so cheap they won't even make a dent in your budget. And many of these rides wear the Honda logo.

The Japanese have been at the forefront of affordable rides for ages now, and they plan to keep going. In fact, this segment of the market is so important for them that, in the first new product announcement of the calendar year, cheap bikes take center stage.

Honda announced this week several returning models for 2025, playing in three distinct categories. The bulk of them are priced (well) under $5,000, in the hopes that the momentum gained over the years will be maintained.

In the minimoto world, the Trail125 will continue to rock the sales charts, flaunting its 1960s-style, unassuming look for all to see. There are no changes to the ride compared to before, so when it comes here in March we'll still be dealing with a bodywork in Glowing Red or Pearl Smoky Gray, and a 125cc engine to get it going. All for just $4,099.

Three years ago, Honda took a risk and introduced the Navi pocket bike to the American market. Called by some a scooter, it offers a 109cc single-cylinder engine handled by an automatic transmission and enough thrills to have made it one of Honda's best-selling rides in the U.S. Hopes are it will continue to do this year as well, and the $2,099 asking price ($1,999 for the white version) is hoped will bring about that reality.

At $3,099 for the new model year, the XR150L is described by Honda as the most affordable option on the dual sport market. For so few bucks, riders get access to a single-cylinder four-stroke engine, long travel suspension, and the promise of being friendly to riders new and old. For 2025, the bike comes in white or gray, and it will be available in March.

Not all the bikes announced by Honda this week are dirt cheap. Two of them, the Montesa Cota 301RR and 4RT 260R, will sell this year for three times as much as the rest of the rides on our list, $11,899 and $9,299, respectively.

Trial bikes by trade, these things have been designed with help from FIM Trials World Champion Toni Bou. The 301RR is the competition-ready version, while the 4RT 260R adopts a more user-friendly approach. Both of them will be available in February, wearing the color red, and packing inside their frames the 259cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine.