It’s January, 2023, and over the past couple of years, both new and used motorcycle sales have been going more than a little nuts. Frequent reports of shops having trouble keeping bikes on the floor for people to look at in person have been common. Sellers that have been able to move bikes have been having a great time, but unfortunately, buyers may have had no choice but to take a lesson in patience.
You might think that would make it harder to find even a handful of decent sport touring prospects for under $5,000 for riders to consider. While all of the bikes listed here are more than 10 years old, each has something to offer for the right rider.
Obviously, we can only go by the information that’s offered in each classified listing—so we can’t make any promises about any of these bikes. If you’re thinking about adding a new (well, new to you) sport touring machine to your garage in early 2023, here are a few good options for you.
Get Ready:
2002 Kawasaki Concours
Mileage: 31,886
Asking Price: $4,100
The Kawasaki Concours has long been one of the recognized pillars of the sport touring category, and for good reason, as they typically give you a whole lot of bang for your buck. This example comes in a striking metallic phantom silver and pearl cosmic gray colorway, along with those great Concours hard bags that look like suitcases. The thin silver stripes around the edges of the bags add just the right kind of something to the look, almost like it’s urging you to go on your next trip.
2008 Triumph Sprint ST ABS
Mileage: 23,979
Asking Price: $4,950
So, you think you can’t have a sport touring bike and also indulge your love for the sweet, sweet riding characteristics and sound of a triple? My friend, think again. Triumph thought of you when it created the Sprint ST and installed its 1,050cc triple as the heart of this machine. The dark gray color is quite appealing, particularly in the sun—and is unlikely to face the same kind of UV-related fading issues that some colors (particularly red, which this bike also came in) might.
2004 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
Mileage: 26,716
Asking Price: $4,999
When the seller first listed it, they were originally asking a price that was out of range for the purposes of this list—but not anymore. This particular bike comes with a set of black Givi hard side cases and a Zero Gravity windscreen, visible in the photographs. The bags show some slight scuffs, as though the bike had a minor brush with a wall (or a driveway). Black and silver are a classic color combination for a reason, as you can see here.
2007 Ducati Multistrada 1100 S
Mileage: 16,169
Asking Price: $5,000
This example of a first-gen Multistrada combines the charms of the early Terblanche-penned bikes with the upgraded Öhlins suspension that first graced the line with the introduction of the S version in 2005. The color-matched hard bags are ready to carry your necessities, and the seller already has a handy milk crate strapped to the back to act as a top carrier.
2003 BMW R 1150 RT
Mileage: 48,785
Asking Price: $4,495
If you’re looking for a stalwart BMW sport tourer with all kinds of bells and whistles to make touring that much nicer, then this bike probably belongs on your list. It comes with a full set of BMW hard luggage, including two panniers and a capacious top box, which also provides a back rest for your pillion (should you decide to take one). The silver color works particularly well with the streamlined look of the fairing, and it comes with an adjustable windscreen, heated grips, and an aftermarket exhaust that the seller describes as “deep-toned.”