Top 20 Most Sold Used Motorcycles in 2024! Middle Cruisers’ Popularity Continues Unabated

The BIKE O & Company, Ltd. (Location: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Operated by BIKE O & COMPANY.), which conducts activities with the aim of considering a better future for the motorcycle industry, researching new values, and disseminating its analysis to society at large, has released an overall ranking of the most popular used motorcycles sold at BIKE O stores in Japan, targeting motorcycles 126cc and larger, which can be ridden with an automatic motorcycle license. The ranking is based on the total number of motorcycles sold at BIKE O stores in Japan* (period: January 1~December 31, 2024), and the overall ranking of used motorcycles with the highest number of sales is now available.

The HONDA Rebel Series Took First and Second Place in the Overall Ranking!

In the overall ranking of displacements above 126cc, the HONDA Rebel series took first and second place. The Rebel is a 250cc cruiser-type motorcycle, and since its introduction in 2017, it has been a very popular model that continues to rank high in new 250cc motorcycle sales rankings. Thanks to many factors such as its good footing, easy-to-manage chassis with a low center of gravity and heavy tires for a stable ride, and trendy coloring, it has attracted support from a wide range of riders, including veteran riders as well as female riders and novice riders.
The number of Rebel in circulation in the used motorcycle market is large, and there is a wide range of model years and color variations, so it is easy to find a motorcycle that meets your needs when you come to the store. The BIKE O stores have a stable inventory and a wide price range depending on the model year, making it easy to find a motorcycle that fits your needs.

No. 1 HONDA Rebel 250 and No. 2 HONDA Rebel 250 S Edition

The HONDA Rebel 250, launched in Japan in 2017, is an ambitious new cruiser style, rather than the so-called American motorcycle style adopted by the first model.

It has a diamond-type frame and a tank designed like a sports model that follows the lines of that frame. The seat rail section is quite low, and the seat height is 690 mm, which is extremely low for the 250 cc class. The step is mid-mounted rather than forward-mounted, and together with the low seat height and moderately high handlebars, it creates a relaxed position. This low seat height was the Rebel 250's greatest asset, and was well accepted by many female riders and return riders. The engine is a liquid-cooled, DOHC 4-valve, single-cylinder 249cc engine derived from the CBR250R (MC41), which delivers a maximum output of 19kW (26PS)/9500rpm and maximum torque of 22N-m (2.2kgm)/7750rpm, delivering a lively performance.

The 2020 model features full LED transparency and ABS as standard equipment; the 2023 model complies with 2020 emission regulations; and the 2025 model features HONDA E-Clutch, which enables starting, shifting, and stopping without operating the clutch lever. The lineup includes models equipped with HONDA E-Clutch, which enables starting, shifting and stopping without operating the clutch lever.

The Rebel 250 S Edition, ranked second, was added to the lineup in 2020 and is a custom model with a headlight cowl, fork covers + fork boots, and a special seat.

Popular Models such as the HONDA CB400 SuperFour (NC42) and Kawasaki Ninja 400 (EX400G) also Ranked High!

The "HONDA CB400 Super Fore (NC42)," a famous naked motorcycle that has long led the 400cc class, ranked in 3rd place. Although the production of this vehicle, which is equipped with a liquid-cooled 4-cylinder engine and has been used as a training vehicle for many riders for a long time, will be regrettably discontinued in 2022, it has maintained unwavering popularity in the liquid-cooled 4-cylinder engine 400cc class in the used motorcycle sales ranking. In the used motorcycle market, this model has been highly evaluated by many riders for its completeness and durability as a motorcycle, and its popularity can be attributed to the fact that there are a large number of used bodies in circulation and an abundance of used and custom parts.

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 (EX400G) came in 5th place. Despite being a 400cc model, the Ninja 400 (EX400G) is a sports model with a high output engine mounted on a lightweight chassis that is equivalent in weight to the Ninja 250, which is the same model year as the Ninja 400.

While Ninja series motorcycles such as Ninja 250 (EX250P) and Ninja 250 (EX250L) ranked 15th and 18th, respectively, the Ninja 400 (EX400G), a 400cc class model, ranked 5th in the ranking, is thought to have attracted attention for its specifications, which allow sporty riding thanks to its high output 400cc engine, while maintaining the Ninja looks that have made it so popular and widely distributed.

No. 3 HONDA CB400 Super Four (NC42)

The "CB400 Super Four" motorcycle was introduced in 1992, and was manufactured for 30 years until 2022 while continuing to evolve.

The NC42 model became the NC42 from the 2007 model year, with the most significant difference being the adoption of an electronically controlled fuel injection system (PGM-FI) instead of the previous carburetor. The official name of the vehicle is “CB400SUPER FOUR HYPER VTEC Revo,” and as the name suggests, the engine incorporates “HYPER VTEC,” a valve control system that switches the number of operating valves per cylinder from 2 to 4. The lineup will also include the CB400SUPER FOUR HYPER VTEC Revo ABS, equipped with combined ABS (Combined Brake System), which combines the front and rear wheel-linked brake system CBS (Combined Brake System) and ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).

The frame is a steel double cradle type, with an upright type front fork and twin type rear shock for a naked-like design. The wheels, initially a 3-spoke type, were changed to a 10-spoke type in 2014, and the side covers and tail cowl were also redesigned.

Even as an NC42 model, it has been in production for about 15 years, but used motorcycle prices are on the rise as 4-cylinder 400cc naked models have disappeared from the lineups of various companies.

No. 4 HONDA CBR250RR (SC51)

The SC51 CBR250RR, known as the "Nidabo" model, was introduced in 2017 and is the most popular model in the 250cc supersport category with a 2-cylinder engine.

The engine is a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, in-line 2-cylinder 249cc engine, with maximum output of 28kW (38PS)/12500rpm and maximum torque of 23N-m (2.3kgm)/11000rpm in the initial model, one step ahead of rivals at the time. In 2023, along with exterior design changes, the maximum output was further increased to 31kW (42PS)/13500rpm and the maximum torque to 25N-m (2.5kgm)/10750rpm. The power has been further increased.

The frame is a steel diamond truss type, and the swingarm is an aluminum gull arm. The front is equipped with an inverted fork, front and rear brakes are disc brakes, and a model with ABS is also available. The result is a finish that is worthy of the term "supersport."

No. 5 Kawasaki Ninja 400 (EX400G)

The Ninja 400 is popular with a wide range of users, from veterans to beginners, thanks to its sporty Ninja series design, easy-to-use engine, and comfortable position for a sports model.

The Ninja 400, which was fully remodeled in 2018 and became the EX400G model, shares bodywork and other features with its sibling, the Ninja 250, rather than the previous ER-type bodywork. The frame is a steel trellis type, with front and rear disc brakes and ABS as standard equipment. The design is of the ZX-10R supersport series, and LED headlights are used.

The engine is a liquid-cooled, DOHC 4-valve, in-line 2-cylinder 398cc engine that produces a high output of 35kW (48PS)/10000rpm and maximum torque of 28N-m (3.9kgm)/8000pm. The Ninja 400 weighs 167 kg, while the Ninja 250, which shares the same chassis, delivers 27 kW (37 PS) at 12,500 rpm and maximum torque of 23 Nm (2.3 kgm) at 10,000 pm, so its superiority is clear.

The Ninja 400 is a rare motorcycle that combines the performance of a 400cc engine with the versatility of a 250cc engine in a chassis that is similar to a 250cc class motorcycle.

The Following Models Ranked from 6th to 20th

The ranking of the top 6 and below is as follows: 250cc models abound, with the Ninja 250 and YZF-R25 both new and old models; the large Z900RS is ranked 10th, showing the popularity of this model. Also not to be overlooked are the single-cylinder "GB350" and "SR400" ranked in the top 10. Harley-Davidson's "XL1200X" and "XL883N" ranked in the list shows the popularity of the discontinued air-cooled Sportster series.

Hikaru Miyagi, Director of the Motorcycle Future Research Institute, Point of View

The lineup was different from the resale price ranking because the motorcycles were actually sold at the store, and it was interesting to see the actual needs of prospective riders.

I often ride in the 400cc class and above, so this was interesting to me, but I felt that the ranking was realistic, with six of the top 10 being light motorcycles that do not require vehicle inspections. In recent years, the light motorcycle class has seen many attractive models that remind us of the 400cc class in its heyday, and the price range is also balanced enough to satisfy many users. With many choices, reasonable prices, and the number of motorcycles available, users may feel that they are highly satisfied even with second-hand models.

It is also important to have a chance to meet the motorcycle that will become your partner, and it is important to have the motorcycle in the store at the time you want to buy it. Popularity of new motorcycles = large number of motorcycles available = customer needs met... This is one of BIKE O's unique strengths.

As for the motorcycle models, it makes sense, especially in terms of the number of revs seen on the street, that the revs are in first and second place. Its good footing and user-friendliness would also support the debut of many riders. In the middle class, the Yamaha SR400 is easy to ride and ranked 11th overall, even though it has long since been discontinued. As for the larger models, we can sympathize with the fact that the Kawasaki Z900RS is accepted by many riders and is a Japanese standard model.

It is interesting to note that two Harley-Davidson motorcycles are ranked among the ranks of the comparable Japanese models in the ranking. Although only Harley-Davidson is ranked in the Top 20 for machines with a displacement of 1,000 cc or more, it is the top motorcycle in the ranking for 1,000 cc or more alone, and because it is second hand, it can be said to be the motorcycle that will give you the motorcycle you have always wanted.

While most new motorcycle buyers go to a dealer with a specific motorcycle in mind, I felt again that the selection process for a used motorcycle is different. At a motorcycle store like BIKE O, where many makes, models, and color variations are available, you can choose the motorcycle that best suits your needs in terms of price range, appearance, and suspension. Although there are many different factors to consider when purchasing a motorcycle, the ranking of the best-selling motorcycles among Japanese and foreign manufacturers reflects the needs of today's riders, and may be a useful reference for riders looking for a motorcycle, whether new or used.

See KAWASAKI Moto Index Page
See HONDA Moto Index Page
See HONDA CBR250RR Parts & Accessories Page
See HONDA CB400SF Parts & Accessories Page
See HONDA REBEL 250 Parts & Accessories Page
See KAWASAKI NINJA400 (2014-) Parts & Accessories Page