Whether you're looking for the perfect motorcycle to manage your daily commute or dreaming of a luxurious tourer to navigate your cross-country road trip, Honda has a bike that can meet your demands and exceed your expectations. Introducing its first motorcycle in the late 1940s, Honda has established itself as an industry pioneer renowned for building versatile and reliable bikes that are capable, agile, and affordable. You know what you're getting with a Honda motorcycle, and that's decades of success behind the Honda name.
Affordability is one of the defining characteristics of Honda's motorcycles, but that affordability is even more impressive when shopping for used Honda motorcycles for sale. While it's easy to be enticed by a new bike, there's incredible value when you shop from our used inventory. The budget-friendly MSRP on new models like the Gold Wing, Rebel 500, Africa Twin, and CB300R translate to more savings when purchased as pre-owned models, which means exchanging a few miles on the odometer for a bike that's broken in and ready for its next adventure.
So, which models can you expect to find as you shop for a used Honda motorcycle? It all depends on what you're looking for in your next ride. From touring bikes like the Gold Wing to cruisers like the Rebel 500 and adventure bikes like the Africa Twin, here's a closer look at some of Honda's most popular used models.
Gold Wing (2018 or Newer)
First introduced in the 1970s as the world's biggest motorcycle, the Gold Wing has lived up to its reputation as a luxurious touring bike destined for the long haul. Because of its penchant for longer journeys, Gold Wings are designed much like Honda's automobiles; to log thousands of miles with ease. This engineering and Honda's reputation for reliability make this luxury tourer a great find as a used model, especially a 2018 or newer model.
Honda introduced the sixth-generation Gold Wing in 2018, completely redesigning the bike and celebrating the occasion with the Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour families. The models feature a sportier aesthetic and a variety of luxuries and technologies but differentiate themselves in several unique ways. For example, the Gold Wing positions itself as the base model but is far from bare bones. It comes with saddlebags, an electric windscreen, four riding modes, heated grips, cruise control, Apple CarPlay integration, and navigation.
For riders looking for the ultimate tourer, the Gold Wing Tour answers those needs and exceeds every expectation. As the ultimate long-distance companion, the Gold Wing Tour features a taller electric windscreen for optimal comfort and saddlebags with a removable top case. The top-tier model also adds a four-speaker audio system, heated seats, and Honda's Selectable Torque Control system.
Rebel 500 (2017 or Newer)
Honda gained widespread acclaim in the mid-1980s when it introduced the Rebel 250, a cruiser-style bike designed to attract a younger demographic to riding and the Honda lineup. The Rebel 250 accomplished this feat and so much more, sealing the Rebel's fate in the Honda lineup as the manufacturer expanded the Rebel family with the Rebel 300 and Rebel 500. Like its predecessor, the Rebel 500 is designed for younger riders with its incredible balance of old-school style and modern features that complement its agility and handling.
The Rebel 500's introduction in 2017 makes it more appealing as a used model because of its youthfulness. You can't go wrong with the Rebel because Honda got it right the first time. The Rebel 500 features a distinct silhouette with an aggressive front end and a 471cc parallel-twin engine that delivers plenty of low-end torque. It's easy to add to the bike's already bold aesthetic if you find a blacked-out model that puts the Rebel 500 in proper stealth mode.
Honda made a few improvements to the Rebel 500 in 2020, adding to its appeal without skyrocketing its price on the used lot. For example, the newer model features a denser seat that's more comfortable and an updated LCD meter that's easier to read. In addition, its new LED headlight and taillight complement the LED turn signals. Likewise, Honda made several performance-oriented improvements, like revising the fork, stiffening the spring rate, and adjusting the shock damper for better handling and responsiveness.
Africa Twin (2016 or Newer)
The Africa Twin is a legend in the Honda lineup, making its debut in the late 1980s as the XR650 with a 650cc V-twin engine. Over the years, Honda has updated the motorcycle to reflect our ever-growing demand for more speed and capability. The result is a continual progression, with Honda increasing the Africa Twin's power output from a 650cc to a 750cc V-Twin in the 1990s and then transforming it again in 2016 into a go-anywhere powerhouse with a parallel-twin.
The Africa Twin's latest transformation is incredible, making models built since 2016 a must-have for riders looking for an iconic adventurer. Officially known as the CRF1000L, this iteration of the Africa Twin is destined for on and off-road adventures. Its lightweight parallel-twin 999cc engine delivers next-level capability that's easily harnessed by Honda's Selectable Torque Control technology and S-mode. This three-level performance mode lets you tailor how the gearbox responds based on your riding style.
Beyond its performance, the Africa Twin blends its adventurous capability with a distinct style and ample technology that appeals to a variety of riders. For example, you'll find the Africa Twin with either a six-speed manual transmission or Honda's unique Dual Clutch Transmission, which offers a manual and two automatic modes. You can even find more comfort-oriented alternatives, like the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. This unique model combines the off-road performance expected of the Africa Twin with comforts like heated grips, an adjustable windscreen, and an electronically controlled suspension for improved ride quality and handling.
The Not-So-Secret Appeal of Shopping Used
New riders are often encouraged to shop for a used bike instead of investing in the latest model with all the bells and whistles. While buying a new model is exciting, new riders don't have the experience to gauge their investment or interest. It's like spending a small fortune on photography equipment only to discover you prefer taking photos with your smartphone. Investing in a used model is more practical because it's easier on your wallet when you drop the bike or if you find that riding a motorcycle isn't what thrills you.
But are new riders the only ones to benefit from shopping for a used motorcycle from the Honda fleet? Absolutely not. Experienced riders know one of the industry's best tricks; the power of investing in a used bike. Like automobiles, motorcycles start losing value or depreciating as soon as they leave the lot. Depending on the bike type (cruiser, tourer, adventurer, etc.), a motorcycle can lose 5% in value before you get home and up to 27% after its second year on the road.
Investing in a used Honda motorcycle helps you avoid this rapid depreciation and makes for a sounder financial investment. Moreover, it gives you more opportunities to ride different types of bikes, a popular pastime among veteran riders who take pride in having ridden various styles of bikes over the years. Purchasing a used bike makes this possible, leaving riders to worry less about the investment and focus more on enjoying their next adventure in the saddle.
