If you have been reading Motorcyclist for the past 20 years, you can tell we love sportbikes. Our editors have shredded so many sets of tires at racetracks and roads across the globe that there is no way to accurately document the glory of the good old days. But what we do recall is that there was a time when the electronics had not become commonplace and it was on the rider to control traction, wheelies, slides, and braking levels rather than relying on an IMU to cover their butt. And that's where these low-tech bargains come into play.
The point is, sportbikes, both open class to supersports, are so much fun to ride and we recently had a discussion about how many good deals there are in the used-bike market these days that we decided to compile a short list to help get you pointed in the right direction. The following motorcycles were selected based on their ongoing value, durability, and smile-per-dollar ratio on both road and track, plus they are all built prior to the era of overwhelming electronic rider-assist technology.
We expect that riders searching for a good way to get into sportbikes without plopping down $15K on a new motorcycle will find this article helpful as they search for that diamond in the rough. Whether you plan to use your bike as a daily rider or to start hitting trackdays and are looking for a cheaper way to get into the mix, we offer the following badass sportbikes for your consideration.
If you are looking for an open-class motorcycle and you have a tight budget, we would like to introduce you to a legend of the sport: the 2002–2003 era Yamaha R1. This is the third generation of the R1, and the first to incorporate fuel injection. It has the monster midrange that made it a hit back in the day even though it lacked some top-end in stock trim. This Yamaha still look great and as a general rule they are amazing motorcycles if you can find one in good shape. They are still a blast at the dragstrip and are capable of mid-10-second passes, plus they are dang near bulletproof. On the track they are low-tech so it's easy to sort out as your speed and experience increase. You can pick these up for $2,500–$3,000 these days, and that is a real bargain.
Years Built: 2002–2003 Engine: 998cc inline four-cylinder Price: $2,500–$3,000
Considered the best GSX-R1000 ever built, the 2005–2006 Suzuki Gixxer was a dominant force on the racetrack, claimed the majority of the 1000cc sportbike comparison tests in those prime years, and was a huge sales success for Suzuki dealers as well. These bikes are still excellent trackday bikes and even better streetbikes for those of you looking to get your best bang for the buck. One of the great things about this era GSX-R is that it was easy to ride fast and it has an engine that has proven to be indestructible over the years as well. There's also a huge aftermarket following so replacement parts and farkle are readily available. Generally you can find a good, clean example of these bikes for anywhere from $4,000–$5,000 if you are patient. High-mileage cream puffs with more than 20K can be found on the low side of the price range while the low-mileage units start getting more expensive.
Years Built: 2005–2006 Engine: 998cc inline four-cylinder Price: $4,000–$5,000
When the Triumph Daytona was first introduced, it was an instant hit with the motorcycle magazine editors. The howling fast triple and sexy bodywork were just what we all wanted from a supersport bike, and that's what Triumph gave us. It won almost every comparison test around the globe, but it never quite received the same accolades on the track. Sure, it is a fine trackday bike, but the lack of a solid racing contingency program and limited aftermarket parts means there are a lot of these motorcycles still on the road. And they still kick ass. If you are looking for a great middleweight sportbike, these first-generation Daytonas can be found for $3,500–$4,500. They make excellent daily riders and insurance premiums do not correlate with the performance potential. Triumph didn't make many substantial changes on the Daytona for the first few years, so take your time and locate one with an owner who adored it, maybe didn't even ride it on the track. They're out there and they are as fun to look at as they are to ride.
Related: 2008 Triumph Daytona Review
Years Built: 2006–2008 Engine: 675cc inline-triple Price: $3,500–$4,500
Looking for a great trackday bike? The 2006–2009 era R6 is arguably one of the best middleweight trackbikes ever made. This generation Yamaha R6 ushered in the era of high-revving supersport engines with its screaming 17,000 rpm redline, so it is more suited for the track than the street. Combine that with racer-sharp handling, track inspired, and a unique design that helped set it apart from the crowd and you have a recipe for success…on the track. Sure, people ride them on the street but the lack of low-end power gets tedious in traffic, however if that's no big deal, then you can scoop one of these ripping-fast 600s for anywhere from $3,500–$4,500 all day.
Years Built: 2006–2009 Engine: 599cc inline four-cylinder Price: $3,500–$4,500
Got Duc? If you have ever been a Ducati sportbike fan, then you likely know how awesome the 848 is. It rolls on the same chassis as the 1098, has a 130-hp 90-degree V-twin engine, and looks like a superbike. This is the working man's entry point to the Ducatisti lifestyle that includes uncomfortable riding position, sweltering hot seat, and expensive replacement parts. But it also includes a single-sided swingarm, dual exhaust, and unmatched attention to detail, fit, and refinement, plus a twin-cylinder engine that makes this bike so much fun to ride. This is a streetbike that looks and sounds like a superbike, plus it is another great trackday motorcycle as well. The brakes are awesome compared to other middleweights in the category and the 848 features a wet clutch so it's more durable than the dry clutch on the open-class version. You can pick up a 848 for as low as $5,000 these days, with really clean examples starting at $6,000.
Years Built: 2009–2010 Engine: 848cc 90-degree V-twin Price: $5,000–$6,000
Before Kawasaki redesigned the ZX-10 in 2011, this bike had been so well dialed in from the factory that it had praise heaped upon it by magazines and websites everywhere. It was the last ZX-10 to be built without all the traction control and wheelie control gadgets that make the new bikes so much more expensive. As it was a decade ago, the 2008–2010 Kawasaki ZX-10 offers up 160 hp at just 435 pounds, and is still an amazing trackday bike. However, it is also a very good streetbike with not bad ergos considering it's a repli-racer and the controls were all light and effective. Clutch pull is easy, brakes are superb, and wind protection isn't too shabby either. To our surprise, you can locate used examples of the ZX-10R for as low as $4,000. You will pay a bit more for cleaner bikes, but for what you are getting, this is just about the best bargain in this article.
Years Built: 2008–2010 Engine: 998cc inline four-cylinder Price: $4,000–$5,000
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