Traditionally, delivery riding is focused on small capacity scooters and mopeds, in line with the requirements set out by some of the big hitters of the food courier world, such as Deliveroo and Just Eat, but motorcycles can also have their place in that.

Whilst not technically permitted for those companies, smaller independent restaurants, other companies like Uber Eats and other general courier work can be more flexible, which is where this article comes in to show my pick of the ten best motorbikes for couriers and food delivery.

While targeted towards the adventure market and off-road trails, the 2025 CFMoto 450MT can also be great for courier work. With a luggage rack fitted as standard, a reasonably low dry weight of 175kg, and an approachable 800mm seat height, the stats begin to add up to make this a great package, all for £5,699.

Powering the 450MT is a liquid-cooled, parallel twin 449.5cc engine with a 270-degree crankshaft, making just under 42hp and 42nm of torque, ideal if you’re on an A2 licence. It also comes with a 14.5L fuel tank and manages between 50-60mpg, allowing for around 150 miles between fill-ups.

It also has some top-spec equipment like Bosch ABS, a 5-inch TFT display and switchable traction control with an adjustable seat and windscreen, which, when you consider the price, is a decent list and a top choice for delivering and a proper blast when you’re not.

At 9 and coming down in capacity to the 125cc market, the 2025 Italian-designed Benelli Leoncino offers a great option for couriers and at a very reasonable price tag of £2,999, too.

Coming with a liquid-cooled, 125cc single cylinder, the Benelli makes 12.8hp and 10nm of torque, which, when paired with its 12.5L fuel tank and 128mpg (according to Benelli), you could expect up to 300 miles per tank, allowing you to focus on deliveries and not where the next fuel station is. It also comes with upside-down forks and a single rear monoshock paired with 17” wheels for agile handling when zipping through traffic.

It doesn’t come with a luggage rack as standard, but third-party options are available for your delivery box. At less than three grand, it’s a solid option.

Bringing us to 8, and on the higher end of the 125cc market, we have the 2025 KTM 125 Duke. At £4,899, it certainly is a premium choice but also comes with some premium quality equipment to justify it.

Starting with the Michelin Road 5 tyres, oversized 320mm front disc, 43mm upside-down WP Apex forks and WP Apex rear shock, we start to see why it is the price that is, especially with the 5-inch TFT display too. It’s also powered by a liquid-cooled 125cc single-cylinder, making just under 15hp and 11.5nm of torque with a 6-speed gearbox to power you through traffic.

It’s not all show, though, as the Duke is also practical for courier work, too, with its low 154kg weight and reported rider figures of around 75-80mpg allowing it to get in the region of 200 miles before you see the forecourt again.

Luggage racks are also available from third-party manufacturers to mount your delivery box, and with the sharp handling of the Duke, it’s sure to get you there on time.

At 7 on the list and sticking in line with the 125 Duke, we have another model from KTM Group in the form of the 2025 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.

With agile handling, an upright riding position and an efficient liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine making 44hp, it can achieve up to 70mpg, which, when paired with its 13L tank, the Svartpilen can get up to 180 miles on a tank of fuel, great for a day of delivering.

It’s sharp too, and can cut through traffic with ease, thanks to its small frame and agile handling courtesy of WP Apex upside-down forks and WP Apex rear monoshock. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that it can be a little on the tall side with an 820mm seat height.

In terms of storage, we get a tank-mounted luggage rack as standard, but no rear rack, although third-party options are available to mount a box. At £5,599, it’s similar in price to the CFMoto, making it, again, a somewhat premium option but one great for couriering, nonetheless.

Taking us to 6 and for a little less than the KTM 125 Duke, you could get your hands on the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 for £4,850. Not a particularly obvious choice, but when you consider its spec, it starts to make sense.

Powered by Royal Enfield’s ‘Sherpa’ 452cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, it makes 39.5hp with 40nm of torque, which gets transferred to its nimble 17” wheels via a 6-speed gearbox. This, in turn, gets 83mpg according to Royal Enfield, translating to around 180 miles of range out of its 11L tank.

If you spend a bit extra (£4,995-£5,050), you get a choice of different colourways and RE’s ‘Tripper’ circular TFT dash with Google Maps integration, allowing navigation of those tight city streets easier and safer without the risk of mounting your phone in busy environments.

Storage is again based on external options, but rear racks are available from third-party manufacturers, which should allow a box to be fitted.

At number 5 and taking the middle position, we have the 2025 Honda NX500. A succession to the ever-popular CB500X, now sporting a new name, design and features.

At £6,899, there’s no denying this is a premium choice, but with an A2-compliant 471cc liquid-cooled parallel twin making 47hp and 43nm of torque, what’s not to love? It’s also super-efficient, achieving nearly 80mpg and packing a massive 17.5L fuel tank, allowing the NX to get in the region of 280 miles between fill-ups.

With all this fuel to carry, though, the NX is a bit on the heavy side with a kerb weight of 196kg. Being in the adventure category, the seat height is reasonably tall at 830mm, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you’re on the shorter side.

To justify that cost, however, Honda has fitted 41mm big piston Showa upside-down forks, traction control and a 5-inch TFT display with RoadSync for navigation, calls and music.

There is also a plethora of optional extras, including a genuine Honda rear rack, but as with most bikes on this list, third-party options are typically available, and that’s no different on the NX.

Number 4 on the list is yet another Royal Enfield, but this time sporting an air-cooled long-stroke 350cc J-engine – it’s the 2025 Royal Enfield HNTR 350.

With a short wheelbase, 17-inch wheels and low 790mm seat height, the Hunter is clearly built for the urban sprawl. Just shy of 20hp, it is no power machine but instead prioritises torque from its long stroke engine, producing 27nm; plenty for nipping around town or city and making deliveries.

It’s super efficient too, especially for a 350 with figures coming from Royal Enfield stating 106mpg, bearing in mind this is also a bike that undercuts the 125 Duke on this list by £1,000 at a price of £3,899 (depending on colourway).

Tech-wise, it is pretty basic, just coming with a USB port for charging, but you can opt for the ‘Tripper’ pod for phone connectivity and Google navigation. Likewise, storage is limited to a third-party luggage rack to mount a food delivery box, but given how nimble and reasonably priced the Hunter is, it is certainly a good choice.

Kicking off the top 3 today is the 2025 BMW G 310 GS. Whilst not a low-priced option at £5,890, it does come with some key features for couriering.

Starting with the overall manoeuvrability of the 310, it has a 19-inch front wheel, 17-inch rear wheel, upside-down forks and a 175kg unladen weight, so while it’s built for taking off the beaten track, it’s also as nimble in the city.

Powering the GS is a 313cc liquid-cooled single cylinder, making 34hp and 28nm of torque that’s super nippy among traffic and also efficient, too, with a stated figure of 80mpg from BMW. It also comes with an 11.5L fuel tank, allowing it to get an approximate range of up to 180 miles.

Another great feature of the 310 is that it comes standard with a large rear luggage rack, saving additional cost for mounting your delivery box. Being a GS, however, it does come with a somewhat tall 835mm seat height, although this will give a clear view of traffic, adding an element of safety in built-up environments.

Just missing out on top place, we have the ever-popular 2025 Honda NC750X DCT. A large 750cc adventure bike may not always first come to mind when considering options for delivering, but this isn’t your ordinary 750.

Hiding a ‘frunk’ compartment, the NC750X has its fuel tank mounted under the seat, allowing for 23L of storage where the tank would conventionally be placed. That’s not its only party trick, however, as it also has Honda’s dual clutch (DCT) gearbox (also comes as manual), taking the thought of changing gear away in the city, which is especially good for filtering through traffic, although you do also have the option for a manual override with buttons.

It’s the most powerful option on the list, too, with 58hp and 69nm of torque coming from its 745cc liquid-cooled parallel twin that may initially sound thirsty but somehow manages to get 80mpg and a near 250-mile range according to Honda. To further justify its expense, you also get traction control, 4 rider modes, a 5-inch TFT display with Honda’s RoadSync phone connectivity for navigation, calls and music, long travel Showa forks and a Pro-Link rear shock to soak up the city streets.

To mount your delivery box, Honda also makes a specially designed rear carrier available as an optional extra or, as before, third-party options are available.

All this does come at a price, however, making this the most expensive bike on the list at £8,399 before options.

Taking the crown today is the 2026 Honda CB125F, Honda’s most fuel-efficient bike. Having already proved popular with us when we had the 2024/2025 model in for review recently, it excels at simplicity, ease of riding and frankly ridiculous efficiency.

With further updates coming soon, we will shortly have a 4.2-inch TFT with Honda’s RoadSync that we mentioned above, a USB-C port and an ‘Auto Idle Stop function’ to save fuel and cut down on emissions.

Whilst no speed machine with its single-cylinder air-cooled 124cc producing just 10.7hp and 10.9nm of torque, we found it plenty quick enough for most roads with a top speed of around 60mph. Its main party trick is its economy, though with Honda stating 188mpg, yes, that’s correct. 188mpg.

This pushes the CB125F to get up to 455 miles on a single 11L tank of fuel for £14.52 or 157 miles for a fiver, a key decider in many urban delivery riders' checklists. Another bonus on the Honda is that, because these are so popular with delivery riders, rear racks are plentiful, so there’s a lot of choice when it comes to mounting your rear box, too.

How much does this all cost? You get all of this for £3,299, which is why I think it deserves top place on this list.

If you’ve enjoyed this top 10 and are ready to go out and get your very own delivery motorcycle, or even if you have one already and need to insure it, make sure you head to Lexham to get Delivery Rider Insurance direct.