Want to start bike riding but don’t have a big budget? Worry not as we list down six best used bikes for all you avid newbies!

As the cost of living continues to rise, many working Malaysians are now feeling the pinch. Perhaps one of the best ways to solve this financial crisis lies in switching your mode of daily transport, and what better way to save cost than to downsize yourself from four to two-wheels.

The easiest way here is to get a B2 class license first, which is a relatively inexpensive investment. This grants you the opportunity to own and ride any bike with a capacity no larger than 250cc.

Fortunately, you’d be glad to know that the Malaysian used bikes market has a rich and healthy array of choices abound for both commuters and hobbyists. You can definitely kick-start your life as a biker on a budget, and here’s our list of some of the best starter bikes you can buy in the used bike market for less than RM20,000.

Commuters – Scooters and mopeds (kapcai)
Here’s an interesting fact: the small-capacity segment fuels 90% of all bike sales in Malaysia. So it is no surprise that there are as many of them in the used bikes market as well, with many of which being relatively inexpensive to own and run.

Also abundant here are the type of bikes available, but we’ll narrow it down to the two most popular genres, those being scooters and mopeds, with the latter type fondly referred to as kapcai bikes. Here are some of the best ones we found currently in the used bike market.

1. Yamaha 135LC & Nouvo LC

Standing as the two best-selling models offered by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM), the Yamaha 135LC kapcai and its Nouvo LC automatic scooter-moped hybrid sibling has populated our roads in great numbers over the years.

Merging high reliability and low-cost maintenance with a slight dash of power from its 134cc mill, both models turned into top favourites amongst many Malaysians riders, especially newbies.

Good condition models that aren’t too old will cost anywhere between RM3,000 to RM4,000 on average. Here are some good examples we found on local classifieds Mudah.my that we reckon are worthy.

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2. Honda Super Cub

Fancy something that’s a little bit more timeless in its looks? Then look no further past the legendary Honda Super Cub. The brand that literally got Malaysians moving on two-wheels still has a solid reputation for some of its older Cub models such as the EX-5 and Super Cub.

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Bulletproof reliability and highly efficient, nothing else comes close to this modern classic. We found this example on sale through specialist bike classifieds BikeTrader.com.my that’s on sale for RM4,289. That may be a little steep for a classic moped, but its timeless outlooks will beg you to consider it anyways.

3. SYM VTS 200

Want something that’s both larger with some added practicality and comfort? Then you best pick yourself an entry-level maxi-scooter such as the SYM VTS 200 model. This particular Taiwanese brand has gained in popularity on our soil over recent years, with the VTS 200 being one of its best-sellers.

What makes this bike special is its offer of the practical and comfortable maxi-scooter package on a budget. Furthermore, its 171.2cc mill has also proven to be quite perky for short- or medium-distance hops on our major highways. This was something we discovered first-hand when we had one SYM VTS 200 amongst the team at BikesRepublic.com not too long ago.

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Though it is relatively inexpensive to buy it brand new, you can get good condition used ones at half price. One example is this 2013 model we found on Mudah.my that’s going for a reasonable RM6,500.

Starter fun bikes – sports, nakeds and scramblers
Of course, not all bikes are built with all-out commuter practicality in mind. Some offer a little bit of fun for the weekends without compromising too much when tasked as a daily workhorse. Though these bikes are small in capacity, there are big on fun factor levels, especially for many weekend hobbyists.

1. Kawasaki Ninja 250R series

For the B2 license holder, perhaps some of the best 250cc sport-bodied bikes comes from one brand – Kawasaki. Since the late 1980s, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R has been at the forefront in providing newbies with the thrill of speed and handling without breaking the bank.

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Even this pair of the previous generation Ninja 250R and EX250-J models we found on BikeTrader.com.my do not feel out of place amongst its current generation rivals. Packing a perky 250cc parallel-twin, both of these should suffice at being a solidly reliable commuter whilst doubling as fun weekend toy as well, making them worthy of their respective asking prices of RM11,800 and RM15,500.

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Even the current version of the Ninja 250 is abundant in the used bikes market too. Instead of paying its approximately RM25,000 when new price, good condition used ones with low miles are priced much lower like this example we found on BikeTrader.com.my that’s going for RM18,800.

With many of these being traded-in by owners upgrading to larger bikes, you can find plenty of good bargains with relatively low-miles and in excellent conditions as well.

2. KTM 200 Duke

Want a stylish European starter supermoto with excellent handling qualities? Then look no further past the famed Austrian marque KTM. Since the brand began locally assembling its small capacity models in Jitra, Kedah, the KTM 200 Duke has garnered a strong fan-base here and flooding our market.

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With many owners upgrading to the larger 390 and 690 versions, you can find plenty of bargains for good condition used 200 Dukes on sale. This fairly recent 2013 KTM 200 Duke model we found on Mudah.my is one such example that is priced at a bargain of RM9,000.

Light, nimble and rather stylish, this pint-sized Euro still packs a decent punch from its thumpy 200cc single-cylinder heart. Though it runs out of breath when tasked with highway hops, the 200 Duke’s brilliant performance qualities in the urban commute and twisty B-road charges will convince you otherwise.

3. Kawasaki KLX 150

Lets say speed and handling isn’t top priorities for you, but the ability to go just about anywhere does. Your best option is perhaps a scrambler like the Kawasaki KLX150. With the newer version’s arrival in showrooms not too long ago, prices for the previous versions in good condition have dropped below the RM10,000 mark within the used bikes market.

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One such example is this 2010 model priced at RM4,000 we found on Mudah.my. Though it considerably lacks in the areas of practicality and range, the KLX 150 will go just about anywhere on any sort of surface easily. Furthermore, all it takes to convert this dirt-buster into an on-road supermoto is a just a mere tyres and wheels swap.

Perhaps such a bike is perfect for the serious hobbyist who doesn’t mind getting down and dirty whilst tackling the unpaved wilderness on the weekend whilst retaining a decently capable on-road bike for short daily commutes. This is dirt-biking on a budget at its best indeed.