CUSTOM Bike Reviews
New riders
Rated at least
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HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 883 Iron (2015-2021)
New price: N/AUsed price: £6,000 - £9,400- 883cc
- 51.2 bhp
- 49 mpg
- Low seat height
Riding the 883 feels good – and that's what matters most
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HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER S 1250 (2021-on)
New price: £13,995- 1252cc
- 120 bhp
- 49 mpg
- Low seat height
The new Harley-Davidson Sportster S couldn’t be further away from the air-cooled dinosaur it’s replaced
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HONDA CMX1100 REBEL (2021-on)
New price: £8,999Used price: £8,500- 1084cc
- 85.8 bhp
- Low seat height
As nonchalantly non-plussed by bimbling along a seafront basking in its bassy tones and admiring glances, as it is capable of blitzing a mountain road
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YAMAHA XV535 VIRAGO (1988-2004)
New price: N/AUsed price: £2,400 - £5,000- 535cc
- 38 bhp
- 47 mpg
- Low seat height
Basic, trusted, easy to ride and with unchallenging but enjoyable performance
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HONDA VT750 SHADOW (2004-2015)
New price: N/AUsed price: £3,500 - £6,100- 745cc
- 45 bhp
- 47 mpg
- Low seat height
Looks the part, rides well and lacks the agricultural feel of its, ahem, American counterparts
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MOTO-GUZZI CALIFORNIA (1997-2012)
New price: N/A- 1064cc
- 75 bhp
- 44 mpg
- Low seat height
Italian with real history; not superb at anything it's a great all rounder
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SUZUKI M800 INTRUDER (1997-2012)
New price: N/A- 805cc
- 52 bhp
- 42 mpg
- Low seat height
Strong engine, great styling and a decent ride add up to a worthwhile competitor
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HARLEY-DAVIDSON LOW RIDER S (2020-on)
New price: £15,825Used price: £8,500 - £15,700- 1868cc
- 93 bhp
- 41 mpg
- Low seat height
A stripped-down muscle-cruiser with a generous serving of West Coast cool and a modest slice of sporting intent
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HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL Standard (2020-on)
New price: £12,995Used price: £11,000 - £13,000- 1745cc
- Low seat height
The £13k Softail Standard is the most affordable model in Harley-Davidson’s 2021 UK lineup
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SUZUKI GN125 (1994-2001)
New price: N/A- 124cc
- 12 bhp
- 80 mpg
- Low seat height
Incredibly easy to ride, with a reliable engine and minimal maintenance
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TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER 1200 Bonneville Speedmaster (2018-on)
New price: £11,850Used price: £9,300 - £11,900- 1200cc
- 77 bhp
- 52 mpg
- Low seat height
The Speedmaster’s grunty engine and laid-back riding position are at their most joyful when you’re taking it easy
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DUCATI DIAVEL 1260 S (2019-on)
New price: £16,795Used price: £16,500- 1262cc
- 159 bhp
- 52.3 mpg
- Low seat height
More beef, more brawn but now even better handling
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KAWASAKI VN900 CUSTOM (2007-2016)
New price: N/AUsed price: £3,800 - £7,000- 903cc
- 53 bhp
- 55 mpg
- Low seat height
Laid back, chopper style is down largely to its distinctive, cast alloy big 21-inch front wheel
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DUCATI DIAVEL (2011-2019)
New price: N/AUsed price: £7,500 - £11,500- 1198cc
- 162 bhp
- 35 mpg
- Low seat height
Blows away class stereotypes by being light, fast, fine handling and sophisticated – awesome
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BMW R18 first edition (2020-on)
New price: £18,995Used price: £15,200 - £19,000- 1802cc
- 89.8 bhp
- 50.4 mpg
- Low seat height
All the foundations of an instant classic
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BMW R18 CLASSIC (2021-on)
New price: £20,980Used price: £18,500 - £19,000- 1802cc
- 91 bhp
- Low seat height
The distance-ready BMW R18 Classic is challenging the Harley-Davidson Road King and Street Glide head on
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HARLEY-DAVIDSON NIGHT ROD (2006-2018)
New price: N/AUsed price: £10,000 - £15,000- 1130cc
- 115 bhp
- 37 mpg
- Low seat height
For those who like their bikes hot-rod style and black
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INDIAN CHIEFTAIN (2014-on)
New price: £20,499Used price: £18,300 - £20,500- 1811cc
- 100 bhp
- 44 mpg
- Low seat height
The heritage and imposing styling makes a Harley look almost meek when compared.
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TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD 1700 STORM (2011-on)
New price: £13,100Used price: £8,600 - £10,800- 1699cc
- 97 bhp
- 43 mpg
- Low seat height
Hot rod-styled version of Triumph's big Thunderbird cruiser
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HONDA CMX500 REBEL (2020-on)
New price: £5,799Used price: £4,700 - £5,800- 471cc
- 45.6 bhp
- 54 mpg
- Low seat height
An unintimidating slice of the bobber experience to A2 licence holders
