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Which new motorcycles can you afford with a £5,000 budget? With the price of petrol heading for a record level and public transport fares rising sharply, buying a motorcycle for the daily commute has never seemed like a more attractive option. Select the right machine and you can expect the sort of fuel economy figures car drivers can only dream of, together with lower insurance premiums and, almost certainly, free parking while you are at work. The initial purchase price should not be prohibitive either, as you will discover there is a choice of new motorcycles for less than £5,000 on the market. Low cost does not mean low quality, as there are some great machines available in this price bracket. They may not be the sportiest bikes around, but they are ideal for weaving your way through rush hour traffic and getting around town. If looks are important to you, the Yamaha YZF-R125 is likely to be your perfect choice. The £4,420 machine is styled to look like a track motorcycle and even uses some of the technology developed by the Japanese manufacturer for racing. However, its 124.66 cc four-stroke engine is limited to 11 kW, so it can be ridden by both learners and people in the restricted period of their licence. It is an excellent option if you see yourself progressing from motorcycle commuter to full-on biker, as you will be happy to ride it until you are permitted to buy a more powerful machine. Should you already possess a full licence and like the style of off-road motorbikes, the Kawasaki KLX250 is worth looking at. It is designed for dual use, so performs well on both dirt tracks and roads, and has an affordable price tag of £4,299. The 250 cc engine boasts an advanced fuel injection system for smooth acceleration, while the front forks, rear suspension and riding position are all designed with comfort in mind. Another option you should test ride if you want something a little out of the ordinary is the KTM 200 Duke. It costs just £3,995 but shares its styling with much more expensive naked bikes. The Duke's four-stroke engine can deliver 18 kW of power, so it will really shift in ordinary road conditions, and the machine boasts the kind of light handling you would expect from a renowned manufacturer of race bikes. Of course, if you are buying a motorcycle predominantly for the daily commute, you do not need that much power. You could manage perfectly well on something smaller, such as the Suzuki VanVan, a 125 cc model capable of 8.5 kW - more than enough for you to weave your way through traffic jams. The VanVan is styled to look like a beach bike, with the balloon tyres, high-level exhaust and long seat giving it a retro feel. It costs just £3,135 and also has excellent fuel efficiency, so is cheap to own. Perhaps the most practical choice of all is the Honda CBF125, which is the UK's best-selling motorcycle. That is partly due to the value for money it offers, with a price tag of just £2,500 and a host of modern features. In addition to a low seat and raised handlebars for a comfortable riding position, the CBF125 has a large, clear instrumental panel, responsive chassis and half-cowl with small, tinted windscreen. Its 8.3 kW of power means it is quick enough for urban conditions, while its exceptional fuel economy ensures running costs are rock bottom. Resources: For the best range of motorcycles for less than £5,000, take a look at what P&H Motorcycles has to offer.
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