We live in an age where we are seeing planned obsolescence creeping in everywhere, and much of this is down to outdated tech. Anyone who has ever owned a new smartphone or tablet will understand just how quickly such things get outdated. This simply shouldn’t happen to motorcycles. Yet, that's exactly what's happening. Over the last few years, we have witnessed massive technological advancements within the motorcycle industry. Tech features that were once reserved for halo models now come standard on entry-level bikes. Many of these features help make motorcycles more accessible than ever before, but some of them can cause a rather concerning problem. Adding big screens to our bikes adds an expensive failure point that simply is not designed to last as long as the rest of the vehicle. While we understand that there are those who want these features, if you don’t, one of these bikes from a decade ago might be a better fit. All of which still feel like modern motorcycles.Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research and proceed with caution. All the bikes below are 2016 models. Honda VFR1200X DCT Price Range: $6,000 - $8,000 Honda After Honda’s big-bore sport tourer had failed to win over fans, this crossover version represented the last roll of the dice. Unfortunately, Honda beat the trend by a few years, and the fact that the Africa Twin was selling alongside it certainly didn’t help. Today, this offers prospective buyers a thoroughly modern travel companion that has an automatic transmission and a glorious V4 engine. Kawasaki Concours 14 Price Range: $7,000 - $9,000 Kawasaki While in production, the Concours 14 established itself as one of the finest touring bikes on the market. Famed for accumulating more miles than just about any other motorcycle on the planet, high mileage is to be expected. But owners tend to look after these bikes, and while the mileage may be high, there will be a comprehensive service record. As long as the bike comes with that, there will still be a lot of life left in the motorcycle. Yamaha Super Tenere ES Price Range: $7,000 - $9,000 Yamaha By 2016, the BMW R 1250 GS was already the default choice in this space, but those bikes tend to hold their value pretty well. The Super Tenere, on the other hand, is pretty affordable, all things considered. It offers incredible touring comfort, in part thanks to its electronic suspension, and is also a fair bit quicker than most people expect, thanks to its torque-rich parallel-twin. That electronic suspension might add to the comfort, but it will be expensive to fix, so it is important to take the bike for a decent test ride before purchasing. Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Price Range: $8,000 - $10,000 DucatiThe Multistrada 1200 S is now cheaper than the new Versys 650, and desperately hard to ignore. This was very much a halo model, and it packs an impressive list of features, including lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, and Ducati’s famed Skyhook suspension. It is not without its quirks, though. With 160 horsepower, it is a monstrously powerful motorcycle, but this powertrain has a strange flat spot at around 5,000 RPM, which will annoy some riders. Honda CBR600RR Price Range: $8,000 - $10,000 Honda Not long ago, it seemed as though the supersport class was on life support. Rather than die out, like we thought it might, the class has just evolved. A new crop of more practical bikes has since emerged, but if you are after an authentic little inline-four screamer, the CBR600RR is a great option. While these bikes are still available, you can potentially save some cash by getting a used bike. Suzuki GSX-R750 Price Range: $8,000 - $10,000 SuzukiThe GSX-R750 got its last meaningful update all the way back in 2011, and the bike sold in 2016 is more or less identical to the bike currently on sale. While there will be those quick to point out how outdated the platform is, for those looking for a more simplified riding experience, there is no better option. You will need to make do without any electronics, but the chassis is razor sharp, and it has more power than you will ever need. Aprilia RSV4 RR Price Range: $8,000 - $10,000 Aprilia It is a little hard to believe how uneven depreciation can be sometimes, but whenever something is a little too cheap, there is always a reason. In the case of the 2016 RSV4, it is the damage previous models did to its reputation, and it is mostly just guilty by association. By the time this RR model came out, most of the reliability issues had been taken care of, and there is every chance you can get yourself a perfectly reliable 200-horsepower V4 superbike for under $10k. Then again, Italian wiring is a fickle beast. Yamaha VMax Price Range: $9,000 - $11,000 YamahaWhen the V-Max came out in 1985, it proved to be a game-changing motorcycle. It redefined what a power cruiser was, and then, when the second generation came out in 2009, it moved the goalposts once again. At this price, the VMax actually represents something of a bargain considering what you get for your money. While it doesn’t have much in the way of electronics, this is a motorcycle you will buy for its incredible V4. Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle Price Range: $9,000 - $11,000 Harley-Davidson Initially developed as a new flagship, the V-Rod was supposed to be the bike that brought Harley into the 21st century with its powerful liquid-cooled V-twin. It did not quite pan out that way, and always existed as something of a niche offering. Although pretty quick, the rather extreme forward controls make the bike something of a handful to ride, and it will only appeal to the select few. Yamaha YZF-R1M Price Range: $15,000 - $17,000 Yamaha Out of all the top-level superbikes currently on the market, the YZF-R1M has changed the least over the past decade. Underneath a few cosmetic changes lies pretty much the same bike. You save a lot of money by opting for a used bike, but it still isn’t exactly affordable. At this price, you will be saying no to several great options, both new and used. Albeit without the fancy electronic suspension.
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