As everything seems to be getting increasingly expensive nowadays, used motorcycles are proving to be a great way to get on two wheels for not a lot of cash.

Whilst some new bikes challenge this norm somewhat like the popular little Honda GB350S and its rivals, on the whole, getting a two-wheeled machine will typically set you back a fair chunk of cash, which is why we’ve scoured the web and taken an average price from AutoTrader & eBay listings to gather our pick of the ten best A2 bikes under £3k in 2026.

In this article, we will cover a range of naturally A2-compliant options from modern classics to sports bikes, adventure bikes, naked bikes and even a little Swedish scrambler with Austrian origins – any guesses?

So, shall we get into it?

Taking us straight into it, we have the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 from 2008 to 2016.

Whilst we currently have the Bullet 350 and the upcoming Bullet 650, the famous 500 variant was in production from 1932 until 2020, making the Bullet model the “world’s oldest motorcycle in continuous production,” according to Royal Enfield.

With a fuel-injected 500cc thumper of a single producing 27.5hp, the Bullet is nothing short of characterful, giving it a true sense of a classic from yesteryear, despite being relatively modern in the grand scheme of things.

Part of this classic feeling is because of just how basic the Bullet is. Some riders report a less-than-ideal braking setup, a vibey engine, poor suspension and lacking quality, but isn’t that what classic bikes are all about?

If a true classic were perfectly smooth and did everything right (at least in my eyes), it wouldn’t have the charm that makes it appealing, so for that alone, it deserves a spot on our list today – it’s even A2 compliant straight out of the box, just as all Bullet models are!

Taking us into ninth place is the Kawasaki Z300, effectively the Ninja 300 just without the fairings.

Much like Yamaha’s MT-03, the Z300 utilises a 296cc parallel twin where you would typically expect to find a single cylinder, like Honda’s 286cc unit used in the older CB300R, CBR300R and current line CRF duo, for example.

The little parallel twin kicks out a reasonable 39hp, so whilst nothing groundbreaking or rival matching (I’m talking about you KTM Duke 390), it does mean it is A2 compliant without any need for a restrictor whilst providing smooth, usable power that is plenty for UK roads, especially given its low 170kg kerb weight.

When searching around, you can often find the Z300 for as little as £2,500 or even less, making it brilliant value for money. Here you get a modern, Japanese naked (albeit with a few miles on it and the history of a few owners) that delivers usable power, a fun, lightweight chassis, and excellent build quality.

Eighth place is yet another from one of the ‘Big Four’ (Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda & Suzuki), it’s the V-Strom adventure bike, but not the 650, the little tiddler 250!

Despite being just 248cc, it’s a parallel twin, so in a way, it's a bit like two 125cc singles working beside each other to produce a reasonable 25hp, although it does have a hefty 188kg to shift.

Praised for its general ride comfort and 17-inch wheels, providing better road dynamics than the Versys-X 300 it goes up against, the little V-Strom is a great option for someone wanting a frugal bike with the feel of something bigger, despite reports of basic suspension, a rather reluctant engine and short service intervals.

If you want a reliable, comfortable bike to commute on, though, maybe do a little bit of touring with some luggage fitted and don’t mind about the lack of power, the V-Strom 250 could be the perfect bike for you.

We’ve had a modern classic, a naked and an adventure bike so far, so it’s about time for a sports bike, isn't it?

The Honda CBR300R was produced from 2015 until around 2017, and despite this short production run, the CBR doesn’t appear too hard to get hold of, with a fair few decent examples being available for sale at the time of writing for a maximum of around £3,000.

Being powered by a reliable 286cc single cylinder, the CBR produces a peppy 30.4hp with 27nm of torque. Pair that with the aerodynamic, Fireblade-esque bodywork (2015 year), and the little 300 will supposedly achieve a little bit north of a ton (on private land, of course).

Riders praise the CBR for its comfortable riding position, usable power, frugality and of course, its featherweight mass, which is the same as some 125ccs being produced nowadays and actually lighter than the equally sporty Lexmoto LXR 125.

For the money, if you’re a fan of sports bikes and want something fun, lightweight and usable, you can’t go far wrong with the CBR as a used buy, especially being a product from Honda.

Sixth place on the list goes to one with Italian roots, now Chinese manufacturer, Benelli – it’s the TRK 502 from around 2018-2022.

If you’re after an adventure bike that not only looks but also feels and even weighs like something of bigger capacity, then the TRK could be the ideal bike for you. Despite its hefty 235kg weight and somewhat tall seat, the TRK feels planted on the road with sharp handling, and you’ll often find models at this price point also have some form of luggage fitted too, which is a bonus.

As with all the bikes on this list, the TRK produces an A2-compliant 47hp with 45nm of torque from its parallel twin, making it a strong competitor to the likes of Honda’s CB500X (which we also feature further down).

So, if you’re after a A2 friendly two-wheeled machine that could fool the average person into thinking you’re on a bike double its capacity, enjoy adventure bikes and want something that will genuinely do everything, the Benelli could be a genuine contender for you.

Moving away from the adventure category, and leaving the Italian/Chinese Benelli behind, we move on to the German/Indian BMW G310R!

Made in collaboration with Indian TVS, the G310R now offers strong value for money on the used market, with prices often being seen for as little as £2,000 for a 2020 or 2021 model. For that, you get a shiny BMW badge and not only that, but some shiny gold upside-down forks with sharp bodywork, but that’s just appearances.

Underneath, the Motorrad offers 34hp and 28nm of torque from its 313cc liquid-cooled single, dispatching it to a top speed just short of 90mph, in other words, plenty for any UK road. It’s lightweight too, weighing in at just 164kg road-ready, fully fuelled, so it’s sure to be a hoot to ride.

If the idea of a super lightweight machine with strikingly similar specs to the CBR300R we talked about (only with a BMW badge and USD forks) sounds like your idea of fun, then the G310R could be for you, especially if you live in a rural area or the inner-city.

If the idea of the G310R captured your interest, then the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 might just take that a little further.

Weighing less than both the CBR300R and G310R, the scrambler-focused Husky also manages to make a considerable amount more power with 44hp coming from its liquid-cooled single. Again, here we have a bike that somehow manages to weigh less than some 125cc bikes, namely the similarly scrambler-like Zontes ZT125-G1, and yet, it comes with 203% more power.

So, it’s lightweight and unusually powerful for its capacity, is that all it’s got? Most definitely not. The Svartpilen also manages to squeeze in Bosch ABS, WP suspension with USD forks, radial brakes, spoked wheels and a slipper clutch. If you get one with low miles, there’s also a chance it’ll still be on its original Pirelli Scorpion Rally tyres too.

When you consider this is a bike that can occasionally be picked up for less than £2k, it soon adds up to be a great package. However, there have been a few reports of inferior build quality and iffy reliability, so bear that in mind if you opt for one.

With a catalogue adorning the caption “Built for All Roads. Built for No Roads”, it’s already pretty clear what this Enfield is all about. Of course, it is the Himalayan 411.

With a frame designed by none other than Harris Performance paired with a long stroke 410cc thumper of a single, this is every bit of what an adventure bike should be. Paired back, simplistic and almost tractor-like, the Himalayan soon grew in popularity for its charm and all-out adventure capabilities, despite its mere 24.3hp power figure.

Some have even completed round-the-world trips on the little Himmy, proving even further its do-it-all and off-road capabilities, but despite the potential for use in the dirt, it has also proved a brilliant road bike. Yes, it could be seen as a bit underpowered, but it really does depend on what you want from a bike.

With a plethora of used examples available (partly thanks to the release of the 450), the 411 brings excellent value to the used market, especially if you want something to chug along on a Sunday afternoon to grab a coffee, whilst taking the shortest route possible.

Taking us into second and just missing out on the top spot, we have the hooligan KTM 390 Duke.

Covering a span of four different model changes, the 390 Duke has seen a fair few iterations over its now 13-year model existence. The original version ran from 2013 until 2016, until it was updated with a host of upgrades like new styling, a new chassis, suspension, brakes, exhaust, airbox… it was a lot and even gained ride-by-wire.

Changes came again in 2021 with Euro5 and updated colourways, before then being updated yet again in 2024, to a practically entirely new bike altogether. Today, though, we’re focusing on the first three variants as these are typically available for as little as £2,500!

With 43-44hp on tap, the 390 Duke shares much of its platform with the Svartpilen 401 we already spoke about, meaning it's light and punchy. Unlike the scrambler-focused Svartpilen, though, the Duke is all about direct road handling, proving to be an agile tool among the urban sprawl and a machine that’ll get you from A to B in no time, all whilst having great fun.

Taking the top spot today and wearing the crown, it has to be the Honda CB500X!

Just like the KTM above, the 500X has also been out since 2013, marking 13 years of the model coming into 2026, albeit now it features a new name (NX500). The CB was originally launched alongside a sporty CBR and naked F model, all sharing the same 471cc parallel twin, but today we’re focusing on the adventure X variant.

Praised for being the bike that does it all, the original CB500X might lack in the dirt department, but it makes up for it by being the bike that will happily take whatever you throw at it. A tour? No issues. Commuting? Fine. A bit of a hoot at the weekend? Sure!

If you’re tempted to pick one up, bear in mind that there is a total of six generations if we include the latest NX500, with every generation gaining different specs, equipment, and refinements with each version, but you’ll likely only see the first three for under £3k unless you can find a higher mileage fourth gen.

It really is the definition of an all-rounder. Great on fuel, often seeing up to 80mpg, comfortable, fun, reliable and even pillion compatible, a CB500X will see you through wherever you go, which is why it deserves top spot on our list.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and now feel tempted to do some shopping, don’t forget about insurance. Head to Lexham Insurance to get your motorcycle insurance quote direct!