These discarded delights are victims of Euro5+ regs, but I reckon that makes them epic used buys!
With the introduction of Euro5+ emission regs, manufacturers are cutting the dead wood from their ranges. Amid a tough new bike market, models that aren’t selling well simply don’t warrant the investment to make them compliant.
And while the rules do allow some to be sold in 2025, most are for the chopping block. Here are five great used bikes that have been discontinued for 2025 but are worth considering either used or even, if you are lucky, preregistered with their RRP’s slashed.
Read my expert guide to 2025’s discarded delights!
MCN Recommended: 2018 – 2024 Honda CB1000R- £4999 – £9999
MCN’s Best Buy
Spec:
- Power: 143.5bhp
- Engine capacity: 998cc
- Seat height: 830mm
- Kerb weight: 213kg
The Honda CB1000R received a ‘neo retro’ redesign in 2018 alongside an engine, electronics and chassis upgrade, making this surprisingly unpopular naked bike really rather good. With far more character than the original CB1000R, this generation looks great, has a stomping motor with genuine spirit and sporty yet not over-the-top handling. A really lovely roadster with a proper sting in its tail when wound up and good build quality, there’s lots to love about the CB. And they’re great value now the new CB1000 Hornet has buzzed onto the scene.
Honda CB1000R used buying advice
- The CB1000R+ is just a stock bike with the accessory quickshifter and a few official bolt-on parts.
- While the CB has an RRP of £11,649, you can get preregistered examples for under £10,000 if you shop around. Possibly even less.
- The Black Edition is a CB in black and not worth paying extra for.
- Check the eccentric hub is moving freely. Look at the C-spanner adjuster ring for signs of it having to be forced and ask the seller to demonstrate it moving. If the pinch bolts are incorrectly torqued (they should be 74Nm) they can damage the hub.
2016 – 2024 Triumph Thruxton 1200 – £5999 – £10,500
Retro racer cool done to parallel-twin perfection
Spec:
- Power: 95.6bhp
- Engine capacity: 1200cc
- Seat height: 810mm
- Kerb weight: 218kg
Triumph called time on their Thruxton with the 2024 Final Edition. Released in standard and R form in 2018, the Thruxton not only looks fantastic, it rides really well with its thumping parallel twin (in HP form) delivering lots of easy-going drive. More than happy to carve up a twisty B-road, the Thruxton may look old-school but it is bristling with modern tech and components.
Triumph Thruxton 1200 used buying advice
- The R model adds fully adjustable inverted Showa BPF forks and Öhlins shocks alongside Brembo brakes, a clear anodised aluminium swingarm and classier details. The RS (released in 2019) is the top-spec model and comes with increased power over the R, a 6kg weight loss and uprated chassis components.
- It was recalled for an engine stalling issue on pre-2018 models.
- Check for loose spokes and corrosion on the wheels, it’s a fairly common issue on the Thruxton.
2015 – 2024 Yamaha R1 – £9999 – £15,000
The sharpest R1 ever and last of its road-going breed
Spec:
- Power: 197bhp
- Engine capacity: 998cc
- Seat height: 855mm
- Kerb weight: 201kg
The demise of the litre sportsbike market has seen Yamaha take the decision to make the R1 track-only, much like they did with the R6. Hardly a surprising move, it is still a shame. That said, if you want a litre bike that will blow your mind, and sound like a MotoGP bike (well, until that goes V4) while doing so, the most recent R1 is phenomenal. Cramped, harsh and aggressive but absolutely amazing.
Yamaha R1 used buying advice
- The original generation ran from 2015-2019 when an update saw it gain subtle electronic upgrades.
- In 2018 Yamaha added an up/down quickshifter, before it was up only.
- The top-spec R1M adds semiactive Öhlins, carbon bodywork, a polished aluminium tank and datalogging as standard. Prices start at £12,000.
- Watch out for the 24,000-mile service, it involves the valve clearances being checked and is very costly at roughly £1000.
2018 – 2025 Suzuki SV650X – £3500 – £5500
A bit of V-twin retro style – if you squint
Spec:
- Power: 75bhp
- Engine capacity: 645cc
- Seat height: 785mm
- Kerb weight: 200kg
Suzuki haven’t officially killed off their evergreen V-twin but it hasn’t been made Euro5+ as yet and if it is updated, there is no way the SV650X will continue past 2025. The X is basically an SV650 with a set of uncomfortable clip-ons, small nose fairing and new seat in an effort to create a ‘café racer.’ It’s cheap, oddly cool and handles fine but in truth, the stock SV is a wiser buy.
Suzuki SV650X used buying advice
- Inspect the exhaust system for leaks (the welds are known to crack).
- Ideally, fit a fender extender to stop dirt and grime being thrown up at the front cylinder. Over time this causes the stick coil to corrode and fail, leading to a misfire.
- Don’t pay Suzuki’s RRP of £7999, you can easily get a preregistered SV650X with one mile on its clocks for £5500 with some dealers even dropping to £4999.
- Always perform an HPI check to reveal any outstanding finance.
2022 – 2024 GasGas SM 700 – £5999 – £9999
A properly hardcore supermoto
Spec:
- Power: 73.8bhp
- Engine capacity: 692cc
- Seat height: 898mm
- Kerb weight: 163kg
With GasGas now concentrating on off-road, the bonkers road-legal supermoto has been discontinued. Powered by KTM’s LC4 single, the SM 700 is a hardcore supermoto that is an absolute backroad weapon. Far from practical, the SM’s light weight and pinpoint handling make it a riot to ride but the seat is rock hard and it’s very full-on. Makes a great second bike.
GasGas SM 700 used buying advice
- The gearbox isn’t great and the quickshifter (up and down) can take its toll. Check all is well and the bike doesn’t hop out of gear.
- Don’t worry if you hold an A2-licence, the SM can be restricted down via an A2-legal engine map.
- Inspect head and wheel bearings, the SM 700 does like to wheelie.
- If you aren’t a GasGas fan, the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto and KTM 690 SMC R are basically the same bike with different bodywork and still current models.
