You won't be able to get any bikes in it, but you could probably find an RV-4 in the ~$25k range.
No. Freggin. Way. To the comment on RV-4 or Glasair I FT for 25K. Point me to where either of these samples are selling in airworthy condition for 25K and I have a wad of cash to take them off your hands. You won't find it. Those are both 40K+ samples.
I'm in the search for a similar mission as the OP, except I'm looking primarily at experimentals and no taildraggers; not landing in the bush (sts), don't care for the liability of landing in reverse, taxi visibility/crosswind-landing shortcomings, increased insurance premium and no benefit other than subjective aesthetics, but I'll gladly take an RV-4 for 25K...
None of the trike RVs are anywhere near my budget. The only airplane that fits the mission and budget is the varieze but I wrote it off once I researched the corroding wing attach fitting time bomb problem.
I used to own a C150, and I knew I wasn't going to meet my mission profile at 95kts in no wind. Although in hindsight my ownership cost was low as advertised for the C150, certified aviation left a great deal of frustration in terms of unjustified parts and avionics price premiums.
Anybody care to speak about the Pulsar series or the Europa. Have instructed a guy in the Europa, so have some experience with it. Loved it except for that ridiculous finger brake setup (who comes up with that $%^^ anyways), but I figured it'd be easy to retrofit the airplane to toe brakes, particularly being experimental and actually being allowed to do so. They seem to be pricy last time I checkd but I cannot find them for sale much at all. Mostly a European market for these things (go figure).
Pulsars, nobody has been able to tell me anything reliable about their cruise speed. With an 80hp engine it can't go that fast or climb much at all. I'd only consider one if I could do 120KTAS, I know the Europa makes that. Pulsar is another one I cannot find much information at all in the market. These models aren't anywhere as widespread as the RVs.
Anybody care to throw these samples into the discussion. Or send me the link to that elusive RV-4/Glasair I for 25K...because at that point I can tell you I have FOUND my airplane. LOL