The most affordable new V-twin cruiser bike today is the 2025 Yamaha V-Star 250 at $4,799. This made us wonder. What can we expect to find in the used cruiser bike market for under $5,000? For one, Yamaha’s reliability makes us worry less about the age factor because the simpler metric cruiser bikes of yesteryears were notably easier to work on.
This list accumulates ten interesting used Yamaha cruiser bikes for under $5,000. And boy, oh boy, are you in for a surprise? For the said pricing, we didn’t just stumble upon humble beginner-level cruiser bikes, but also 1,000+ cc touring-ready Harley rivals, muscle bikes, and even limited-edition models, some of which were sold for just one year. All of this for just under $5,000.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, including Yamaha Motorsports USA Archives. The used prices of the motorcycles on this list are sourced from Cycleworld. This list is organized in decreasing order of starting used prices, from the more expensive to the most affordable used Yamaha motorcycles under $5,000.
2002–2005 XV 1700PC Road Star Warrior
Used Price Range: $3,000 — $4,999
This is a grin-worthy Yamaha cruiser bike of yesteryears, because the Road Star Warrior is a muscle bike through and through. It is technically a base Road Star trim on steroids. It is powered by a robust 1,670 cc air-cooled V-twin engine that produces 84.3 horsepower and an impressive 99.5 pound-feet of torque.
The power-to-weight ratio on this Yamaha is still remarkable, courtesy of a curb weight of 568 pounds. This is achieved through features such as a lightweight aluminum frame and minimal styling components. Other sporty elements include 41 mm inverted forks, monoblock brake calipers, and sticky performance tires wrapped around three-spoke alloy wheels. All of this for under $5,000 is quite the deal. Ain’t it?
2004–2008 V-Star 1100 Silverado
Used Price Range: $2,999 — $4,999
If the V-Star 1100 Silverado were still on sale, then it would have easily been our choice of the “cruiser bike that rivals the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic at a lower price.” This was Yamaha’s take on an old-school Americanized cruiser bike. With studded leather seats, neatly integrated leather-clad saddlebags, a tall windscreen, and a relaxed rider triangle, the V-Star Silverado gave it a touring-ready side.
Powering this low-slung and plush-looking Yamaha is a 75-degree air-cooled V-twin producing a healthy 62 horsepower and 62.7 pound-feet of torque. For just over $3,000, this is a fantastic deal on a used touring-ready cruiser bike that exudes old-school American charm.
2010–2015 V-Star 650 Custom
Used Price Range: $2,500 — $4,000
If Yamaha had continued producing this low-slung cruiser bike, then there would have been a more desirable and old-school vibing V-Star offering in 2025. Packing an air-cooled 649 cc V-twin, the V-Star 650 Custom blends classic charm with custom styling elements. The stripped-down hot rod styling complements its lightweight and compact packaging.
Despite the last production model being a decade old, it still packs enough performance to stand tall against the 2025 wave of classic-vibing beginner-friendly cruiser bikes. Today, this custom-styled cruiser, featuring proven Yamaha reliability, can be purchased for as low as $2,500, which is a great deal.
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1982 XS650 Heritage Special
Used Price Range: $2,300 — $3,000
This was a limited-run model based on the Yamaha XS650 that was sold from 1978 to 1985. The Heritage Special (also known as the XS650 Special II) distinguished itself from the standard roadster with a cruiser-style makeover. Powering this retro machine is a 653 cc parallel-twin air-cooled mill that produces 53 horsepower and 39.8 pound-feet of torque.
These have better performance than most new, beginner-friendly classic roadsters and cruiser bikes. It offers a relaxed rider triangle with a fairly low seat height of 30.9 inches. This Yamaha is a very accessible offering, weighing in at under 500 pounds. Given Yamaha’s reputation for reliability, this 1980s Heritage Special is a killer deal for under $3,000.
2000–2007 Virago 250
Used Price Range: $2,000 — $3,500
This is one of the smallest modern-day Yamaha cruiser bikes made. Now, the Virago 250’s specifications may seem familiar because they are identical to those of the 2025 V-Star 250. In fact, it’s the same motorcycle overall. However, because of more relaxed emission norms in the early 2000s, the 249 cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine on the Virago produces 23 horsepower and 15.9 pound-feet of torque.
The same engine on the new V-Star 250 produces 21 horsepower and 15.2 pound-feet of torque today. The best part, however, is that you can own the same machine for a starting used price of just $2,000. The Virago 250 perfectly embodies the visual appeal of an American big-twin, but in a guise that even new riders can enjoy with ease.
1980s XJ650 Maxim
Used Price Range: $2,000 — $3,500
The Yamaha XJ650 Maxim was a distinctive and bold motorcycle, especially for its time. It was designed in the image of a custom cruiser bike with a pull-back handlebar and a teardrop fuel tank. However, things take a very different turn from its “cozy” outlook, with a transversely positioned inline-4 engine that produces 71 horsepower and 41 pound-feet of torque.
This classic-vibing motorcycle was a hardcore muscle bike of the ’80s that revved over 9,000 RPM. Yup, it is a screamer. With a chunky 130-section rear tire, this Yamaha was designed to go very fast in a straight line, too, with a claimed 13-second quarter-mile run time. For a muscle bike that preceded the mighty VMAX, a starting used price of just $2,000 is an insanely good value.
2002–2003 Yamaha Road Star Base
Used Price Range: $1,900 — $4,000
With gorgeous chrome-laden old-school styling, a big burbly air-cooled V-twin, and relaxed ergonomics, the Yamaha Road Star is the arch-rival to the old-school likes of Harley and Indian cruiser bikes. Its 1,602 cc V-twin is a long-stroke mill that produces nearly 99 pound-feet of torque, enough for a top speed of 109 mph.
The ergonomics are highly focused on comfort, with a low seat height of 28.0 inches and forward-set footboards for utmost mile-munching comfort. For the luxury appeal this Yamaha offers, used prices starting from just under $2,000 are a steal.
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1995–2006 Royal Star Deluxe
Used Price Range: $1,855 — $5,000
Before the current wave of do-it-all motorcycles, we had the likes of the Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe. In all the official images, we see a touring-ready bagger, right? Well, the Road Star Tour Deluxe was a cruiser bike that came with a quick-release touring windscreen, passenger backrest, and even hardcase saddlebags. This instantly transforms this cozy mile-muncher into a barebones cruiser, and vice versa.
Another unique feature of this Yamaha is its engine. Unlike the “norm” of plonking in a big V-twin, the Royal Star Deluxe packs a relatively high-revving short-stroke V4 engine. This liquid-cooled mill produces 98 horsepower and nearly 91 pound-feet of torque. This unique packaging can be had today for as low as $1,855, according to listings on CycleTrader.
2009–2010 V-Star 250
Used Price Range: $1,799 — $2,200
A brand-new 2025 Yamaha V-Star 250 is priced under $5,000. However, you can get the identical machine for under $2,000 if we dial things back by 15 years. The first-year models of the V-Star 250 are being sold today at a significantly reduced price due to depreciation. However, the experience is worth every penny, because you are treated to essentially a shrunken-down American V-twin experience.
The V-Star 250 packs an air-cooled 249 cc V-twin (one of the smallest modern production mills), producing 21 horsepower and 15.2 pound-feet of torque. With a curb weight of just 324 pounds and a very accessible seat height of 27.0 inches, this is a no-brainer for new riders wanting to enjoy classic-styled cruiser bikes.
2002–2005 V-Star 1100 Classic
Used Price Range: $1,500 — $5,000
We were also shocked to see this 1,000+ cc V-twin-equipped cruiser bike listed for under $2,000 on CycleTrader. While these once-in-a-blue-moon aggressive prices are for high-mileage specimens, even the well-kept and relatively lower-mileage options of the V-Star 1100 Classic don’t breach the $5,000 mark.
This is an incredible value, considering that this touring-ready cruiser bike, complete with a tall windscreen and leather-wrapped saddlebags, is powered by a robust 1,063 cc air-cooled V-twin that produces 62 horsepower and 62.7 pound-feet of torque. It utilizes durable components, including a final shaft drive, a robust and heavyweight chassis, and a durable suspension setup, to walk the mile.
Source: CycleTrader
