The A2 bikes actually worth your money in 2026

The A2 class used to be where manufacturers dumped their cost savings. Now it is where they fight hardest: the margins are thin, the buyers are young and loud online, and a bad first bike loses a customer for life. These four are the ones our scoring keeps ranking at the top of their classes.

The all-rounder: KTM 390 Duke

The 390 Duke does everything well and one thing better than anyone: electronics. Cornering ABS, traction control and a real TFT at 6,299 EUR embarrasses bikes costing twice as much. The 15 litre tank finally fixed the range complaint. If you can only own one bike on an A2 licence, this is the default answer, and the Svartpilen 401 comparison shows how close its Swedish twin runs it.

The budget pick: Triumph Speed 400

The Speed 400 gives up 5 hp to the KTM and answers with a 5,745 EUR price, 16,000 km service intervals and build quality that reads a class up. It is the bike for riders who want to spend money on fuel and trips instead of options lists.

The weekend toy: KTM 390 SMC R

Nothing on an A2 licence is more fun per corner than the 390 SMC R. It is also the least practical bike here: 890 mm seat, 9 litre tank, token pillion pad. Read the supermoto showdown before deciding whether that trade is your trade.

The distance machine: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

The Himalayan 450 is slow by this list's standards and does not care. Nearly 500 km of range, a three year warranty, and comfort the sportier bikes cannot touch. Against the sharper KTM 390 Adventure R it loses the spec fight and still wins a lot of buyers, which tells you something spec sheets cannot.

Every claim above links to the underlying data. Disagree with a ranking? Check the methodology, find the weight you would change, and at least we will be arguing about the same numbers.