Japanese motorcycles became a household name not because of their performance or brands; they earned respect because of their reliability and simply how good they were for their intended purpose. They ran well, didn’t break down, and ownership costs were minimal. Yes, they can look boring sometimes, but that is the price to pay sometimes when you opt for a product designed to appeal to the biggest audience possible.
However, that isn’t true about all Japanese motorcycles. The Honda Valkyrie Rune and Fury, the Kawasaki Ninja H2, and the Suzuki Boulevard M109R are all examples of what the Japanese can do if they are given a free hand. But in all the examples given here, they remain practical motorcycles, with Japanese levels of reliability. There are still some that do this much better than others. Here are ten of the most practical Japanese motorcycles that still look the business.
10
Honda Monkey
Price: $4,349
2024 Honda Monkey static profile shotHonda
The Monkey is mechanically almost identical to the Grom, but costs a fair bit more. It isn’t difficult to see why: it looks like a tiny retro scrambler, with all the charm that only a minibike can have. This might be a tiny engine with a tiny output, but paired with the 5-speed gearbox and a 231-pound curb weight, it is a hooligan machine. The instrument cluster is a circular reverse LCD one, adding to the style. Whatever you don’t like, the massive aftermarket will take care of it for you. This is one funky Monkey!
Rider sitting on a 2021 Honda MonkeyHonda
Engine Type
Single cylinder
Displacement
125 cc
Max Power
9.6 HP @ 7,250 RPM
Max Torque
7.7 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM
9
Kawasaki KLX230 DF
Price: $5,999
2026 Kawasaki KLX230 DF Kawasaki
The KLX230 is a great first-time dual-sport motorcycle for anyone. It can even handle a little bit of highway given its six-speed gearbox. The DF is rumored to stand for ‘Dirt Focused’, which is probably why it is the only version with the longer suspension travel and engine crash protection as standard. You also get a luggage rack and a paint scheme unique to the KLX230 DF. ABS is optional and switchable, and well worth it if you’re going to have this as your only bike.
Engine Type
Single cylinder
Displacement
233 cc
Max Power
~17 HP @ 8,000 RPM
Max Torque
13.0 LB-FT @ 6,400 RPM
8
Honda CBR650R E-Clutch
Price: $9,899
2025 Honda CBR650RHonda
The CBR650R is one of the pioneers of the movement that pegs sport bikes as machines that should be usable beyond a racetrack. It has an inline four engine, but in a relaxed state of tune, the seating position isn’t aggressive, and it is now available solely with the ‘E-Clutch’, which is an automated clutch system. This means that you do not have to operate the clutch lever at all, even when stopping, but you do need to change gears manually. This feature can also be switched off via the menus. Other features include ABS, a 5-inch TFT display, and Bluetooth.
Left front 3q of red 2025 Honda CBR650RHonda
Engine Type
I4, E-Clutch
Displacement
649 cc
Max Power
93.8 HP @ 12,000 RPM
Max Torque
46.4 LB-FT @ 9,500 RPM
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7
Yamaha XSR900
Price: $10,599
Yamaha
The XSR900 is one of the best at marrying nostalgia with modern tech. It doesn’t hold back on the latter, offering a by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU, so you have access to all of Yamaha’s electronic wizardry. It is also one of the few remaining models in the segment that uses an aluminum twin spar frame. This is a die-cast, two-part frame, the two halves of which are bolted together. You can’t order the XSR900 GP kit officially in the USA, which is a real downer – it converts it into the ultimate faired neo-retro racer lookalike!
Yamaha
Engine Type
Crossplane I3
Displacement
889 cc
Max Power
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM
Max Torque
68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM
6
Yamaha Ténéré 700
Price: $10,999
A 2023 Yamaha Tenere 700 Extreme pulling a wheelie on an off-road trailYamaha
The Ténéré 700 has Dakar-inspired styling, with the four-lens headlamp and the vertical TFT display. It has also had a single-minded purpose: to be the default choice if you want a middleweight ADV to play with in the dirt. It achieved that handily, but Yamaha has made the Ténéré 700 a little more mature this year. It has gained a by-wire throttle with ride modes, switchable traction control, and an optional two-way quickshifter.
A rider standing with his Yamaha Tenere 700 on a hillYamaha
Engine Type
270° I2
Displacement
689 cc
Max Power
72.4 HP @ 9,000 RPM
Max Torque
50.2 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM
5
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Price: $10,999
2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SPHonda
The CB1000 Hornet SP is a full-size liter naked with the price of a midsize one – and it offers top-shelf suspension that any motorcycle would be proud of. The engine is capable of over 150 horsepower but is detuned for the US market, retaining the assist and slipper clutch and a two-way quickshifter. There are Showa SFF-BP front forks and a trackday-spec Öhlins TTX36 rear shock. Complementing these components are Brembo front brakes with a radial master cylinder.
Honda
Engine Type
I4
Displacement
1,000 cc
Max Power
NA
Max Torque
NA
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4
Honda Rebel 1100T DCT
Price: $11,599
Metallic Black 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T leaning into a curveHonda
The Rebel 1100T DCT uses the engine and gearbox that are also present in the Africa Twin and NT1100. Especially fitted with the six-speed dual-clutch automatic, it is an extremely practical motorcycle. You get manual control over the shifting with buttons on the handlebars as well. The fork-mounted fairing offers good wind protection, and the hard luggage offers good storage space, as does a tiny space under the seat! The recent addition of the 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation has boosted its touring credentials significantly.
Metallic Black 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T rear quarter shotHonda
Engine Type
270° I2
Displacement
1,083 cc
Max Power
87 HP @ 7,250 RPM
Max Torque
72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM
3
Suzuki Boulevard M109R
Price: $15,799
Suzuki Boulevard M109R burnoutSuzuki
The Boulevard M109R is two decades old, but its performance belies that fact. Its engine is an automotive work of art, still offering one of the highest power and torque outputs for a cruiser under $20,000. You do get an old-school 5-speed gearbox and no modern conveniences at all, not even ABS. The instrumentation is a very interesting two-part cluster that has a digital tachometer mounted on the handlebars. Between the final shaft drive, liquid cooling, and being the same for so long, its reliability is as strong as its performance.
Suzuki Boulevard M109R rear third quarterSuzuki
Engine Type
54° V-twin
Displacement
1,783 cc
Max Power
123 HP @ 6,200 RPM
Max Torque
118 LB-FT @ 3,200 RPM
2
Honda Gold Wing
Price: $25,200
2020 Honda Gold Wing with rider and pillionHonda
The Gold Wing sets the standard not just for Japanese touring motorcycles, but for almost every bagger and full-dress tourer. This is why it remains profitable for Honda despite being made in a single factory globally, with components that it mostly does not share with any other model. The unique features include a longitudinal flat six engine with its gearbox mounted underneath it, a counterrotating gearbox output shaft to negate the engine’s sideways rocking motion, a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, and a sat-nav system. And it remains as reliable as any other Honda.
2020 Honda Gold WingHonda
Engine Type
Longitudinal flat six
Displacement
1,833 cc
Max Power
124.7 HP @ 5,500 RPM
Max Torque
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM
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1
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Price: $29,999
Kawasaki
If you prefer your tourer a little sportier than the Gold Wing, Japan still has you covered. The Ninja H2 SX SE is powered by a supercharged engine, so it has power and torque figures that are the envy of any liter sport bike. You get a ton of premium features like blind spot detection, semi-active suspension, forward collision warning, and self-healing paint. Of course, this is in addition to the features, such as a 6.5-inch TFT display, six-axis IMU, by-wire throttle, and a two-way quickshifter.
Kawasaki
Engine Type
Supercharged I4
Displacement
998 cc
Max Power
207 HP @ 10,000 RPM
Max Torque
101 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM
Sources: Honda Powersports, Kawasaki USA
AloJapan.com