Most Affordable American Motorcycles

Buying a big-ticket item like a motorcycle can be exciting and affordable, and not overwhelming and financially draining. There are plenty of options that won’t break the bank!

Continue reading below to learn more about the most budget-friendly American motorcycles. 

Standards

When it comes down to it, the most affordable type of motorcycle is the standard. 

Standard motorcycles are great for daily commuting. Plus, they have that signature“bare design” that exposes the inner hardware for a bold and rugged look. 

These bikes have small frames and therefore have small fuel tanks. They hold approximately three gallons of gas, which is considered low-capacity. 

The larger the bike, the larger the gas tank. And, of course, larger models are more expensive. 

However, the good thing about having a small bike is that it’s easy to maneuver through city traffic.

And, if you’re interested in a larger motorcycle, don’t sweat it. We’ll discuss affordable mid-size models later on in this post. 

2020 Harley-Davidson Street 750

This is the most affordable motorcycle on the H-D website. It has an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of $7,599. 

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 has a seat height of 25.7 inches, which is considered to be quite low. So, this bike is perfect for you if you are small in stature or have a short inseam. 

This motorcycle is considered to be small and lightweight. It has a length of 87.2 inches and a weight of 514 pounds in running order. 

Motorcycles can weigh anywhere from 500 to 1,000 pounds. Therefore, this model is perfect if you are small in stature or are new to riding. 

Furthermore, its fuel capacity is 3.5 gallons, and it has a 55 mpg fuel economy. 

Last but not least, this model features the liquid-cooled, Revolution X V-twin engine. This engine has a 46 cubic inch displacement and torque of 43.5 ft-lb at 4,000 rpm. 

2020 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty

Currently, the most affordable bike on the Indian website is the Indian Scout Bobber Sixty. It has an MSRP of $8,999.

This model has a seat height of 25.6 inches. This is also considered quite low. As we mentioned above, this is ideal for short/small and beginner riders. 

The Scout Bobber Sixty is 87.5 inches long and weighs 548 pounds in running order. This is also an ideal size for small/short and beginner riders. 

The Sixty has a fuel capacity of 3.3 gallons. Again, this fuel tank seems quite small. But, unlike tourers and cruisers, standard bikes aren’t quite comfortable for long-distance rides anyway. 

Their size makes them more suitable for daily commutes, which only requires small amounts of fuel at a time. Plus, the small frames of standard motorcycles make them perfect for lane splitting and filtering.

Moreover, this bike has a liquid-cooled V-Twin with 61 cubic inch displacement and 65 ft-lb torque at 5,800 rpm. 

Cruisers

So, maybe you’re on a budget but are not willing to settle for a smaller bike. Perhaps you want more legroom, a more powerful engine or greater fuel capacity.

If this is the case, you should consider purchasing a cruiser. Now, the price tag is a bit heftier, but there are affordable options available. 

2020 Softail Standard

This is the most affordable cruiser currently available on the Harley-Davidson website. Its MSRP is $13,599.

The height of the seat is 25.8 inches. This is considered low, but if you’re a tall rider don’t fret. Although this seat height is similar to that of smaller standard models, this bike is much larger. 

It is 91.3 inches long and weighs 655 pounds in running order. Therefore, you should have more legroom. 

The Softail Standard has a 3.5-gallon fuel tank. So, although it’s a cruiser, its fuel capacity is comparable to that of a small standard motorcycle. 

Lastly, it has a Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine with a 107 Cubic inch displacement and 110 ft-lb torque at 3,000 rpm.

2020 Indian Chief Dark Horse 

The least expensive cruiser available on the Indian Motorcycle website is the Indian Chief Dark Horse. It has an MSRP of $18,499. This is almost $5,000 more than the cheapest H-D cruiser, the Softail Standard. 

Consequently, if you are on a strict budget, stick to the Softail. However, if Indian is your favorite motorcycle manufacturer, it doesn’t hurt to take a look and weigh your options. 

The Indian Chief Dark Horse has a 26-inch seat height, which is almost identical to that of the H-D Softail Standard. However, it’s a bit larger, weighing in at 768 pounds and measuring 101.7 inches long. 

Being that it’s a larger bike, the gas tank is also larger. It has a fuel capacity of 5.5 gallons, which is two gallons more than the Softail Standard. 

This model also features Indian’s Thunderstroke 111 engine, which has a 111 cubic inch displacement and 119 ft-lb torque at 3,000 rpm. 

Alternative Options 

If the above-mentioned bikes aren’t exactly your cup of tea, no worries. There are other options available. 

Continue reading below to see other ways you can get the motorcycle of your dreams for less. 

Buy Used

If you don’t see the need to cough up the coins for a brand new model, consider purchasing a used motorcycle instead. 

If you’re interested in a more expensive bike, such as a tourer, special-edition or factory-custom, buying a used model could cut the price in half. 

For even more savings, consider purchasing a used standard or cruiser. Depending on the model year, you could end up spending as little as $5,000 for a used standard model. 

Tourers

Since you’re on a budget, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to break the bank on a tourer, being that they are on the more expensive side of the spectrum. 

However, if your curiosity is getting the best of you, these are the most affordable 2020 Harley and Indian tourers. 

• Electra Glide – $18,999 MSRP (tourer)
• Heritage Standard – $18,999 MSRP (tourer)
• Indian Challenger – $21,999 MSRP (“bagger”)
• Indian Roadmaster Darkhouse – $34,999 MSRP (tourer)

Special Edition 

And, if you’ve got your heart stuck on a Harley CVO or Indian Elite motorcycle, buying used is your best bet. 

And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice quality when purchasing a used bike. There are plenty of used motorcycles for sale that are in excellent condition with very low mileage. 

Many times, people may purchase brand new bikes, then they, unfortunately, stop riding due to health reasons. Often these bikes were rarely ridden and have been covered and kept in the garage, safe from pests and the elements. 

Choppers/Customs

These bikes are often built by smaller companies that manufacture parts for self-assembly and/or factory-built motorcycles in small quantities. 

Due to the lower quantity of bikes and high demand, factory-built choppers can often be expensive. They can cost $35,000 or more depending on the manufacturer. It can also be quite expensive and time-consuming to build your own custom chopper. 

The good news is, private sellers often have a hard time selling their custom motorcycles. This is because everyone’s style is unique and it can be difficult to find someone who has similar taste. 

You can take advantage of this. A seller who isn’t getting buyer inquiries will be more willing to compromise on the price. And, if you like the build of the motorcycle but not the paint, you can always get a fresh paint job with the money you saved from buying a used bike. 

Negotiate 

Negotiation is also a great way to reduce the price of a motorcycle. Always attempt to negotiate whether buying privately or at a dealership. 

Although, it may be easier to negotiate with a private seller because. Chances are, they are not expert salespeople. 

For detailed tips and advice, check out our post on how to negotiate when purchasing a motorcycle. 

Time Your Purchase 

Also, consider purchasing a motorcycle outside of the spring and summer months. People are more willing to sell at lower prices during the offseason. 

There are also other times that you can get great deals on motorcycles. To learn more about this, check out our post on the best times to purchase a motorcycle. 

In Conclusion 

Purchasing a motorcycle is an exciting process. But, it’s easy to get bogged down when you think about the price. 

Hopefully, you can use the advice above to find an affordable bike that’s the perfect fit for you. 

And, if you find yourself using ChopperExchange to locate an affordable motorcycle, make sure you use the search filters to your advantage by selecting used or new models, as well as the year range, to narrow down your results. 

You can also select a maximum price or use the sort tool to list results from the lowest to highest prices. 

What model are you currently interested in? Let us know in the comments below. 

Happy shopping!