10 Cheapest New Motorcycles In 2024

The word ‘cheap’ is often associated with timidly put-together motorcycles that are often woeful imitations of the bikes they are originally based on. Not anymore, though. The motorcycle industry continues to expand like never before and the arrival of new models is usually a source of excitement at the beginning of the year. And if 2023 is anything to go by, 2024 appears to be a strong year for new models.

From notable brands like Triumph and Kawasaki to Chinese hotshots like CFMoto and Keeway, there are plenty of affordable releases for this model year. We’re talking about something for all skill levels and preferences, ensuring there’s something for everyone. So here is a list of the ten new, affordable motorcycles you should consider in 2024.

Pulling specifications and data directly from manufacturers, reliable news sites, and other reputable sources, we’ve put together a list of the cheapest new motorcycles. The models are listed in terms of their MSRPs, from the highest to the lowest.

10 Royal Enfield Shotgun

Price: $6,899

Royal Enfield produced an absolute banger in the form of the 650cc Meteor. The fact that this is the only Royal Enfield true-blue cruiser with a twin-cylinder engine is noteworthy. The all-new Shotgun only pushes that envelope further with its bobber styling at an exciting price point.

Compared to the Super Meteor, the Shotgun is more low-slung even though it has a shorter wheelbase and a steeper front rake. The primary variations lie in the parts utilized, which alter the bike’s feel. Thanks to the tweaked ergonomics (flat handlebar and mid-set footpegs), you also have more authority once you swing a leg.

Performance Specifications

9 Aprilia RS 457

Price: $6,799

With the release of the new RS 457 for 2024, Aprilia has filled the gap that once existed in its lineup. The sports bike is propelled by an all-new 457cc parallel twin engine which generates 47 horsepower, placing the RS457 squarely in the KTM RC390’s zone. Despite its small size, the RS457 is armed with all the finesse and skill of its larger brothers (RS 660 and RSV4 1100).

Three riding modes are present, as are three ABS and traction control settings, along with a ByBre caliper clamping the single front disc. A confidence-inspiring riding position is provided by the clip-on handlebars, which are situated above the triple clamp. The best of all is its price, which enables it to compete with comparable Japanese offerings like the Honda CBR500R.

Performance Specifications

8 CFMoto Ibex 450

Price: $6,499

On paper, the Ibex 450 seems like an explosive adventure motorbike. It has every electrical accessory that comes with a modern bike, while boasting a sizable, state-of-the-art 5-inch curved TFT display with a crystal-clear vision to keep you updated at all times. All of your systems are kept up to date without having to wait for manual updates, thanks to over-the-air update capabilities.

As for underpinnings, the motorcycle’s chromoly steel tube frame serves as a sturdy basis for off-road exploration. It has spoke rims with tubeless tires, 21 inches up front and 18 inches behind. The suspension system consists of a linkage-type shock with preload adjustments and an inverted KYB fork with damping control. All this for a price less than its competitors like the KTM 390 Adventure!

Performance Specifications

7 CFMoto 450CL-C

Price: $5,699

The 450CL-C’s traditional American appeal should sell well, especially given how much Americans like throwback motorcycles. A 450cc mill taken from the 450SS produces respectable power figures of 40 horsepower and 31 pound-feet, while the belt drive ensures you will require relatively minimal maintenance. The antique round 3.6-inch TFT instrument cluster displays all the pertinent info, and subsequently, the CFMoto app offers turn-by-turn navigation. Other necessary rider aids, including dual-channel ABS, traction control, and a slipper clutch, are included as standard features. In a class crowded with Japanese and Royal Enfield options, this is a refreshing arrival.

Performance Specifications

6 Kawasaki Ninja 500

Price: $5,299

The Ninja 500 is the newest motorcycle to join the Ninja family. It takes styling elements from the Ninja ZX-6R, ergonomics elements from the Ninja 400, and braking elements from the Ninja ZX-14R. With balanced handling, thrilling performance, and straightforward maintenance, this new sports bike should not be overly complicated or costly to live with. It sits comfortably between the smaller 400 (soon to be discontinued) and the bigger 650 Ninjas. Given that it has many genetic similarities with the incredibly capable Ninja 400, but comes with more power, it may be the ideal sports bike for a lot of riders.

Performance Specifications

5 Keeway V302 C

Price: $4,999

The V302 C is Keeway’s most recent model here. It has arrived in America at a tempting sub-$5,000 price point. But what’s behind the hood is possibly even more impressive, as a 296cc V-twin engine powers the cruiser. It’s armed with 30 horsepower and 19.5 pound-feet of torque, all sent to the wheel via a belt-driven transmission.

Bar-end mirrors, low-profile fenders, LED lighting, shorty drag bars, and blacked-out design are some of the 2024 Keeway V302 C’s visual features. The instrumentation is all digital, with a tachometer encircling a speedometer that shows the fuel gauge, gear indicator, odometer, and clock. It is a rather enticing entry-level cruiser that promises all the fancy tidbits that its competitors don’t.

Performance Specifications

4 Triumph Speed 400

Price: $4,995

Triumph finally has a couple of inexpensive entry-level offerings in the form of the 400 twins. Of the two, the Speed 400 is the naked iteration for those of you who like their contemporary classics but are only able to afford moths in your wallets. With a sub-$5,000 price tag, the Speed 400 is targeted at the market Royal Enfield has successfully dominated while offering a far more sumptuous ride. It’s more powerful and sleek, and has the premium finish Triumph is usually associated with. Based on the excellent evaluations thus far, it appears that the Speed 400 is yet another success for the British marquee. It hardly goes wrong, doesn’t it?

Performance Specifications

3 Benelli Imperiale 400

Price: $4,899

Regardless of Benelli’s newfound home in China, the brand’s essence remains unconditionally Italian. Modern engineering and classic Italian design come together beautifully in the Imperiale 400. A 374cc single-cylinder engine (generating 21 horsepower and 22 pound-feet) powers the entry-level roadster to offer a perfect mix of decent power and great fuel economy. Everywhere you go, the Imperiale 400’s vintage appearance —which includes spoke wheels and an indented sculpted fuel tank — will draw notice. It has excellent ergonomics for a bike this size and exudes retro elegance–something not many motorcycles made in China can boast about.

Performance Specifications

2 Royal Enfield Bullet 350

Price: $4,699

The upgraded Royal Enfield Bullet 350 has finally made its way to the United States after premiering in India. The new 349cc J-platform engine, which is also included in the Classic 350 and Meteor 350, gives the upgraded Bullet 350 improved performance and a refined ride. Yet it maintains the classic, vintage appearance of the previous model while undergoing considerable visual upgrades.

It also has a brand-new, more contemporary layout thanks to its dual downtube frame, drawn from the Classic. Plus, a new semi-digital cluster has been installed in place of the outdated analog one to future-proof things. It is one of those classics you ought to have if you have a soft corner for retros.

Performance Specifications

1 CFMoto Papio

Price: $3,299

Stepping back from the brand-new names in the lineup, one bike was discreetly introduced in the middle of CFMoto’s lineup’s all-new models. The Papio XO is a bike that isn’t overly serious about itself. There aren’t any staged illusions, and every functional component, including the fork and the rear suspension, is colored either silver or black.

The maximum power and torque figures for the 125cc single-cylinder engine are 9.4 horsepower and 6.8 pound-feet, respectively. To achieve any kind of speed, you must squeeze all the juice out of the engine, and that’s sort of the point here. But if a small city commuter is what you are after to run some errands, the Papio is a no-brainer, especially considering it is the cheapest new release of the 2024 model year so far.

Performance Specifications