Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Here is a simplified version of the story contents: Here is a lighthearted take on the story contents:
All the way through the 90s, the superbikes got more and more powerful, and with all this power top speeds rose to previously unimaginable heights. Tire and safety technology had not caught up with the sheer speed these bikes were capable of, and in the wrong hands these bikes were just dangerous. By the 00s, top speed was infamously limited to 186 MPH and all of a sudden, manufacturers had an incentive to produce bikes that could handle as well as go fast in a straight line. Between the aging speed queens and the new liter-class sports bikes, the 00s proved to be a decade of plenty for speed junkies. Today, many of these old bikes are pretty affordable, yet in the right hands, they will show a new sports bike a clean pair of heels.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Cycle World and KBB. Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.
10. 2002 Honda CBR1100XX
Price Range $2,000 – $4,000
Back when it came out in the 90s, it was the fastest motorcycle on the planet for a time. Today, the use case for a bike like this is somewhat different. Most buyers use these as sport tourers, and have racked up hundreds of thousands of miles. As long as you take care of basic maintenance, these bikes will go forever with the added benefit of having access to incredible speed one twist of the wrist away.
Engine Type Inline-4, liquid-cooled Displacement 1137cc Max Power 164 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 563 lbs
9. 2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
Known to be a little twitchy at high speed, these were scary fast motorcycles. It might not have as much power as a modern liter-bike, but it is at least twice as scary to ride. The throttle (at least in stock form) was a little abrupt and with this much power and a light frame, slow-moving traffic is not going to be your friend. But, once you get into the twisty bits – or ideally a track – all that will be forgiven and forgotten.
Engine Type Inline-4, liquid-cooled Displacement 998cc Max Power 179 HP (with ram air) Transmission 6-speed Weight 370 lbs (dry)
8. 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa (First Generation)
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
No matter how ugly, the first generation Hayabusa sold in huge numbers. If you are willing to settle for something that has been modified out of all recognition (possibly not a bad thing?), you will certainly find one for less than the specified price range. Getting a bike that has only been lightly modified is going to be the best bet, though, because finding one that is stock is almost impossible.
Engine Type Inline-4, liquid-cooled Displacement 1299cc Max Power 173 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 474 lbs (dry).
It might not be the “fastest motorcycle in the world” today, but the ‘Busa is still a force to be reckoned with 25 years on
7. 2004 Kawasaki ZX-12R
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000*
With this coming out just as the Gentleman’s Agreement came into effect, we will never really know what it was capable of in an official capacity. Unofficially, this is a 200 MPH superbike. It never sold quite as well as the Hayabusa, but with the limiter removed, it will be faster, and is objectively the better-looking bike, too. Prices for these vary wildly, but for a good one expect to pay close to \$8k.
Engine Type Inline-4, liquid-cooled Displacement 1199cc Max Power 190 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 545 lbs
6. 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (K5)
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
While the aforementioned Ninja may have moved the superbike needle in 2004, Suzuki hit back that much harder in 2005. On paper, not much separates the two bikes, but the Gixxer was just that much more usable. Today, these bikes have seen a lot of abuse over the years and anything under the \$5k mark will need to be inspected carefully. While durable, twin-spar aluminum frames will eventually crack or bend. As a rule, spend more on a bike that has been looked after.
Engine Type Inline-4, liquid-cooled Displacement 999cc Max Power 178 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 366 lbs (dry)
5. 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14R
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Technically, you can still walk into a Kawasaki dealership and get the new version of one of these. A used bike from its first year of production will cost less than half the price of the new bike, but you won’t be getting any of the modern tech that has been added over the years. This might not be the cheapest bike on this list, but the value on offer is hard to ignore.
Engine Type Inline-4, liquid-cooled Displacement 1352cc Max Power 190 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 593 lbs
4. 2009 Ducati 1198
Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
The words “Ducati” and “affordable” are not often found in the same sentence, but the 1198 really is affordable now. It also represented a pretty impressive leap forward in terms of performance, and, thanks to its torque-rich V-twin, it will hang with some of the fastest modern superbikes. It is worth mentioning that it is especially uncomfortable to ride for extended periods and, like any older V-twin, it will get pretty warm in traffic.
Engine Type L-Twin, liquid-cooled Displacement 1198cc Max Power 170 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 373 lbs (dry)
3. 2010 BMW S 1000 RR
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
Engine failures tend to live long in public consciousness, and in 2012 some loose conrods put the S 1000 RR under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. BMW processed the recall, but all first-generation bikes were suddenly guilty by association, and while not without their quirks, their engines won’t all suddenly explode! The bike itself was revolutionary. It featured all sorts of new technology never before seen on a superbike, including ride modes and traction control as an optional extra.
Engine Type Inline-4, liquid-cooled Displacement 999cc Max Power 193 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 450 lbs
2. 2013 KTM 1190 RC8 R
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
While BMW was busy trying to march the industry forward, KTM built us a throwback, devoid of any modern safety nets. It is a raw superbike, which only got the luxury of a slipper clutch in 2012. Today, these bikes represent KTM’s only ever superbike and, in the right hands, it will make some of the latest sports bikes look a little silly.
Engine Type V-Twin, liquid-cooled Displacement 1195cc Max Power 173 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 410 lbs (dry)
1. 2014 EBR 1190RX
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
The most interesting part about this motorcycle is the fact that the revived Buell company recently relaunched a re-skinned version as the Hammerhead. That fact only serves to underscore how competitive this bike still is, even a decade after it first came out. By modern standards, it is pretty raw, but if you are after something a little different, this offers astonishing bang for the buck.
Engine Type V-Twin, liquid-cooled Displacement 1190cc Max Power 185 HP Transmission 6-speed Weight 419 lbs
-
No RSVR, RSV4, R1, F4, or CBR1000RR which are all faster and cheaper than many bikes on this list.
Yet a ZX12R and a ZX14R which are essentially the same bike, as well as an obscure Buell that nobody bought. Where did you get this “expert”?
