10 Hondas that still feel modern years later

Honda has made a habit of producing overbuilt motorcycles. Usually this is meant as a compliment, but this is not always the case. This conservative approach is also where innovation dies, and in some unique cases when the brand has tried to innovate, there has been some pushback.

The most recent example of this is the very concept of an automatic motorcycle. Initially, these automatic motorcycles were not well received, but over time these bikes have proven to be completely reliable. Innovation is always needed, and it’s these more innovative models that still feel modern today.

In order to provide you with the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources including KBB. Buying a used motorcycle always comes with some risk, so do your research and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.

CBR1100XX from 1998

Price range: $3,000 – $5,000

Speed ​​already sold motorcycles in the 90s, and in an effort to gain an edge over the competition, Honda developed this legendary superbike. By modern standards it is a large, heavy motorcycle and not particularly sporty, but still fast. It’s also overbuilt and comfortable. So today it’s commonly used as a budget sports tourer, and given the chance it’ll still give modern sports bikes a clean pair of heels on the straights.

Specifications

Gold Wing GL1800 from 2005

Price range: $8,000 – $10,000

With the introduction of the smooth-running flat six, Honda had more or less perfected the Gold Wing. While the brand continues to add innovative new features to the latest model, if you’re just looking for a comfortable long-distance touring bike, the old bike will suffice. These motorcycles are designed to rack up the miles, so as long as you stay on top of basic maintenance, they will last forever.

Specifications

2005 Honda Rune

Price range: $11,000 – $13,000

The Rune is a pretty good example of why giving engineers free rein doesn’t always work. From a distance this looks like your average chrome metric cruiser, but once you get closer you quickly realize that this is simply not the case. It has a lot of one off parts and everything was put together so well. These bikes all still look like new, even after twenty years of use. While this may seem like a lot of money for a bike of this age, Honda reportedly lost tens of thousands of dollars on every bike sold. Moreover, they will almost certainly increase in value over the next decade.

Specifications

2008 VFR800 interceptor

Price range: $5,000 – $7,000

Honda’s 750cc V4 got off to a somewhat inauspicious start in the 1980s. The cams tended to dissolve over time, and these early models are often referred to as “chocolate cam bikes.” This ‘chocolate cam’ fiasco was quickly remedied and over the years its displacement increased, but so did its weight. By the early 2000s, the VFR800 had become one of the best mid-displacement sport tourers money could buy. Both comfortable and reliable enough for the long term.

Specifications

2009 DN-01

Price range: $4,000 – $6,000

The Dream New concept 1, or DN-01 for short, is a truly bizarre motorcycle. With maxi scooters selling well across Europe and cruisers selling well in the US, Honda came up with the bright idea of ​​combining the two platforms. The people-friendly automatic transmission – HFT for short (Honda likes an acronym) – was mated to a relatively underperforming twin. Although automatic motorcycles have caught on since then, this was and is a bridge too far for most riders. But if you want something different…

Specifications

CBR600RR from 2013

Price range: $7,000 – $9,000

Throughout the 2000s, huge amounts of money were thrown at supersports, with racing success, or even just race attendance, generating revenue. Over time, the buying public became aware of the fact that these bikes, while fun, were incredibly impractical. Consumer trends changed, development slowed, and emissions restrictions limited real-world performance. The death of the original inline-four supersport has been long and painful, but for now they are still around. Although a new version is sold in other markets, the CBR600RR currently sold in the US is identical to the 2013 model.

Specifications

2016 VFR1200X DCT

Price range: $6,000 – $8,000

Honda’s venerable V4 and state-of-the-art DCT transmission briefly overlapped. Crossover motorcycles were still a relatively new concept in 2016 and sales of this enormous machine were far from exceptional. These days, crossovers can be found in all shapes and sizes, and if you want one in XL, this could be a good option as they certainly offer great value for money these days.

Specifications

Africa Twin 2017

Price range: $6,000 – $8,000

Honda has effectively replaced the aforementioned VFR1200X with the new Africa Twin, a real ADV. Over time it has proven to be as reliable as any other Honda product, and this original version is slightly less complex than the modern equivalent. It’s taken Honda a while to join the adventure bike trend, but we can say that the Africa Twin has proven to be one of the very best ADVs money can buy.

Specifications

2017 CBR1000RR Fireblade

Price range: $11,000 – $13,000

Like the supersport, the CBR1000RR is still on sale today as a more budget-friendly liter bike option. In 2017 this was the halo model Fireblade, and while it no longer carries that coveted name, it’s still just as good. The used value underlines this fact as it has not depreciated as much as all the other bikes on this list. After all, it is still a thoroughly modern sports bike.

Specifications

2020 Rebel 500 ABS

Price range: $3,000 – $5,000

The Rebel 500 is one of the best entry-level cruisers on the market today. It’s one of those bikes that you could possibly learn to ride and keep for a very long time. While it’s not exactly the most powerful motorcycle in the world, it can get up to speed on the highway and stay there for as long as your butt will allow it. Unfortunately, it’s a fairly compact motorcycle, so if you’re on the taller side it may feel too cramped.

Specifications