Yamaha Mt-07 Tracer

"The smartest used middleweight tourer under five grand, full stop."

The Tracer 700 is one of those bikes that makes you wonder why you ever spent more money. That CP2 parallel-twin pulls cleanly from 3,000rpm and doesn't run out of breath until the redline — it's genuinely engaging without being exhausting on a three-hour stint. The semi-faired bodywork actually works, cutting wind blast meaningfully above 70mph, and the adjustable screen gives you real options rather than just two bad positions. Used examples need scrutiny though. Check the screen adjuster mechanism — it strips easily and replacements are annoying to source. Front fork seals are a known weak point after 20,000 miles, so grab the seller's service history and look for oil weeping at the lower legs. The stock suspension is also on the soft side for anyone over 180lbs, so budget for a rear spring swap if you're carrying luggage regularly. Overall the value proposition on the used market is hard to argue with. You're getting a genuinely versatile middleweight that'll handle commuting, weekend blasts, and light touring without complaining.