Used 600cc Motorcycle: Models, Costs and Licence

Looking for a used 600cc motorcycle usually means looking for the sweet spot between power, weight and running costs. In everyday talk the label also covers 650s and 700s, so you will find the best-selling used nakeds alongside track-bred supersports that demand a lot more experience. This guide explains how to choose, what you will realistically spend, and which licence and insurance rules you need to understand before signing anything in Italy.

What a used 600 actually means

The 600 tag is a market label more than a precise measurement. Three very different families sit under it:

• Mid-size twin nakeds, such as the Yamaha MT-07 (about 76 hp), Suzuki SV650 (76 hp V-twin) and Kawasaki Z650 (68 hp): easy, light and cheap to run.
• Four-cylinder nakeds, such as the Honda CB650F (94 hp inline-four): smoother and rounder, but 20-25 kg heavier than the twins.
• 600 supersports, such as the Honda CBR600RR or Suzuki GSX-R 600: built for the track, with a demanding riding position, pricier insurance and, often, a hard life behind them.

Before opening a single listing, decide how you will use the bike: commuting, touring with luggage, mixed riding or fun on mountain roads. The answer narrows the field immediately.

The A2 licence and 600s: what you may ride

This is where most misunderstandings begin. The A2 licence, available from age 18, allows bikes up to 35 kW (about 47.6 hp) with a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg. In practice a 35 kW bike has to weigh at least 175 kg. No 600 meets those limits as built, but many can be restricted.

The rule to remember: a restricted bike is accepted for the A2 only if the engine originally produced no more than 70 kW (roughly 95 hp). So a restricted MT-07 or SV650 qualifies, while a supersport with higher factory output does not. Some sources also list the Suzuki GSX-R 600 among restrictable models, but always verify case by case on the registration document and the restriction certificate, not on an online list.

Also remember that for the first three years after passing, new riders in Italy face reduced speed limits: 90 km/h on main extra-urban roads instead of 100, and 100 km/h on motorways instead of 130.

If you buy an already restricted bike, ask for the paperwork certifying the work and check that it is recorded on the registration document. A non-approved restriction can mean a fine and trouble with your insurer after an accident.

Models and prices: what to expect

Used prices move quickly, so treat the figures below as orders of magnitude drawn from the guides and listings consulted for this article. For a current number, compare model-and-year valuations on specialist portals with real listings.

• Yamaha MT-07: a Motorbox guide put older examples around 4,000 euro and 2018 models close to 5,000. A recent private listing for a 2014-2016 bike with about 20,500 km asked 5,300 euro, which suggests the market has moved up.
• Suzuki SV650 ABS: the 2017 model year was listed at a little over 4,500 euro in the same guide. It is valued for low running costs.
• Honda CB650F (2015-2017): between 4,300 and 5,000 euro according to the guide.
• Honda CBR600RR: a 2007-2008 example with about 8,300 km was offered at 5,600 euro by a private seller, while a 2009-2012 bike with about 39,000 km was 8,000 euro at a dealer. That spread shows that mileage and history matter more than the year.

A practical tip: set a budget that includes 500-800 euro of cushion for servicing, tyres and small jobs, because very few used bikes can be bought and ridden with no costs in the first months.

Naked or supersport?

For daily road use, a 600-700cc naked is almost always the rational choice. The Kawasaki Z650 has a low seat (68 cm) and a gentle character, though it feels cramped above 1.80 m. The MT-07 is easy and light, even if the chassis shows its limits when pushed. The SV650 has a linear character and low costs. The CB650F is comfortable with room for a passenger, but heavier and less suited to beginners.

A 600 supersport makes sense only if you already know what you want: the riding position tires you in traffic, insurance costs more and many examples have seen track use. If you go that way, prioritise a documented service history and no signs of a crash.

What to check before buying

An essential checklist for any used 600:

1. Paperwork: registration document or ownership certificate, frame number match, and any administrative lien. Always verify ownership before paying a deposit.
2. Mileage and servicing: ask for invoices. A skipped service on a high-revving engine is expensive.
3. Frame and forks: look for crash marks, bent parts, pitted fork tubes and leaking seals.
4. Chain and sprockets: if they need replacing, the kit typically costs a few hundred euro.
5. Tyres: check the production date (DOT code) as well as the wear.
6. Brakes and fluids: discs, pads, fluid level and colour.
7. Test ride: cold start, exhaust smoke, drivetrain noise, gears jumping out, a slipping clutch.

If you do not feel confident, bring a mechanic or an experienced friend. A few extra minutes at the viewing can save months of regret.

Insurance: the cost people overlook

Engine size affects the third-party premium, and for a 600 the bill can be significant. According to a 2022 Trend-Online analysis, a 600 runs from about 500 euro up to 900, and even 1,200 euro in high-risk areas; the average quoted for northern Italy is around 300 euro for motorcycles in general, while in the south many offers exceed 600-700 euro. For a new rider it can be higher still. These are 2022 figures, so use them only as a reference and always collect several current quotes.

The starting merit class for a new policyholder is 14. Under the Bersani law you can inherit the merit class of a cohabiting family member, provided the vehicle is not already insured and someone in the household holds an active policy. For transfers between different vehicle types, such as car to motorcycle, check directly with the insurer, because conditions vary.

The practical takeaway

For a first purchase between 18 and 25 on an A2 licence, aim for a mid-size twin that can be restricted, such as the MT-07 or SV650, and verify on the registration document that the restriction is approved. With a full A licence, decide by use: a naked for the road, a supersport only if you can handle it. Either way, get an insurance quote before booking the viewing, keep a cushion for initial expenses, and never pay a deposit before checking the paperwork. And if you are selling your old bike to fund the purchase, an honest description and clear photos make all the difference.

Further reading

1. Comparasemplice, Moto guidabili con patente A2: i modelli migliori
2. Motorbox, Moto naked usate: cosa offre il mercato con 5.000 euro
3. Trend-Online, Prima assicurazione moto? Ecco quanto ti costa all'inizio