7 – Honda CBR250RA
Until the recent arrival of the Ninja 300, no other ride in this category could rival the riding dynamics of the bigger, more expensive bikes. Confident, efficient, and fun to ride, the CBR250RA, at $4,999, manages to hold its own thanks to its well-designed frame, modern engine, C-ABS brake system, and one of the overall sportier designs. To top it all off, it’s the only bike in the 125 to 300 cc category to offer the fit and finish and build quality of the more expensive rides.

Photo: Honda