However, sports bikes are also very attractive. So what do you do when you want something reliable and sporty? Fortunately, there are certain sports bikes that do the same thing. There are many sport bikes that offer a worry-free ownership experience and, if properly maintained, will last as long as any other type of motorcycle.
Yamaha YZF-R3
Price: $5,499
The R3 recently received an update to the Cyclops look, bringing it in line with Yamaha’s current styling philosophy for its sports bikes. It also gets a gold inverted fork, Y-spoke alloy wheels and the muffler has been made smaller. There are no mechanical changes, however; you still get the 41 hp engine and the 6-speed gearbox with slipper clutch. There haven’t been any mechanical changes in a while, so you know the YZF-R3 is going to last.
Engine type | 180° I2 |
Displacement | 321cc |
Maximum power | 41.5 hp at 10,750 rpm |
Maximum torque | 21 LB-FT @ 9,000 rpm |
Honda CBR300R
Price: ~$5,200
The CBR300R has been officially discontinued. But you can still pick up a new copy while supplies last. If you are a beginner or just new to the sports bike segment and want to try it out in a cheap way, then there is nothing better than the CBR300R for you. It has a single-cylinder engine shared by a number of small Hondas, it makes a decent amount of power to keep you engaged around town, and the handling is good and predictable. Buy hard for a discount and try to find one with the optional ABS if you can!
Engine type | Single cylinder |
Displacement | 286cc |
Maximum power | 30.4 hp at 8,500 rpm |
Maximum torque | 19.9 LB-FT @ 7,250 rpm |
Honda CBR500R
Price: $7,399
With the discontinuation of the CBR300R, the CBR500R is now Honda’s most affordable sport bike. It’s not a bad way to start. It has a parallel twin engine, but an older 180-degree firing order, so you have to rev it up a lot to get maximum performance. Honda has ensured that the other components match the engine’s 47bhp output, with Showa inverted forks with large pistons up front and a rear shock with five steps for preload adjustment. A 5-inch TFT screen rounds out the features, but the CBR500R isn’t about the features; but the ease of ownership.
Engine type | 180° I2 |
Displacement | 471 cc |
Maximum power | 46.9 hp at 8,600 rpm |
Maximum torque | 31.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 rpm |
10 most overlooked sports bikes that will last a lifetime
In the world of sport bikes, reliability is not always a priority, which is why these motorcycles continue to be overlooked
Kawasaki Ninja500
Price: $5,399
Kawasaki offers the Ninja 500 in different versions. They all have the same engine, transmission, suspension and brakes, meaning they will all be extremely reliable. It’s the feature set that sets them apart. Add $400 to the base price and you can get ABS. For $1,100 above the base price you can get a TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity and navigation, keyless ignition, a larger windshield, and a passenger seat hood, among other things.
Engine type | 180° I2 |
Displacement | 451cc |
Maximum power | 51 hp at 10,000 rpm |
Maximum torque | 31.7 LB-FT @ 7,500 rpm |
Kawasaki Ninja650
Price: $7,599
The Ninja 650 is a simple but usable sports bike that Kawasaki has been offering for a long time. It was recently updated with a by-wire throttle, which brought traction control and a TFT with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation. However, ABS is still a $600 option. Suspension consists of conventional forks and a monoshock with adjustable spring preload. Dual front brake discs with conventional calipers complete the simple yet durable bike parts.
Engine type | 180° I2 |
Displacement | 649cc |
Maximum power | 67 hp at 8,000 rpm |
Maximum torque | 48.5 LB-FT @ 6,700 rpm |
Honda CBR650R E-clutch
Price: $9,499
The CBR650R is only available with the E-clutch in the US market. This makes it possibly the most practical sports bike on the market. The E-clutch system is the equivalent of a semi-automatic gearbox; you still have to shift gears yourself, but the clutch lever is completely optional. This can also be disabled. Couple this with features like ABS, a TFT color display and a four-cylinder engine that focuses on drivability rather than pure power, and you have a recipe for a product that will last.
Engine type | i4 |
Displacement | 649cc |
Maximum power | 93.8 hp at 12,000 rpm |
Maximum torque | 46.4 LB-FT @ 9,500 rpm |
10 affordable sports bikes that refuse to break down
These super sports offer an ideal balance between performance, reliability and affordability
Honda CBR600RR
Price: $11,499
The CBR600RR is the opposite of the CBR650R E-clutch. This product was created solely for the purpose of attacking buds, giving up virtually everything else in this single-minded pursuit. 600cc supersport motorcycles have some of the highest specific performance of naturally aspirated engines in history, but considering we have the older generation CBR600RR that has been on the market since 2013, it’s safe to say that it will last a very long time. ABS is a $1,000 optional extra, but it should be standard, with all the electronics it has.
Engine type | i4 |
Displacement | 599cc |
Maximum power | 113 hp at 13,500 rpm |
Maximum torque | 47 LB-FT @ 11,250 rpm |
Suzuki GSX-R750
Price: $13,249
The GSX-R750 is one of the OG supersport bikes. It’s been around longer than the CBR600RR, and if you’re looking for a pure sportsbike experience, there’s probably nothing better. It’s a 750, so you get a great mix of power and torque wherever you ride, and you know you’re the one who’s the hero. That said, we wish Suzuki would just give it a simple ABS to make it more usable in different situations, because it’s a motorcycle that can handle any punishment you throw at it.
Engine type | i4 |
Displacement | 749cc |
Maximum power | 148 hp at 13,200 rpm |
Maximum torque | 63.7 LB-FT @ 11,200 rpm |
Honda CBR1000RR
Price: $16,999
If you see a pattern here, it’s because it’s true. Honda has once again eschewed a main power figure for practical reasons. The CBR1000RR produces just over 180bhp, which is a figure that a liter naked now surpasses with impunity, and is a whopping 30bhp (you read that right) less than the most powerful liter sports bikes on sale today. This means that the Fireblade is not only more practical for everyday use, but also stress-free. This means that of all liter bicycles, these last the longest. Again, ABS is a $300 option on a liter-class rocket.
Engine type | i4 |
Displacement | 999cc |
Maximum power | 183 hp |
Maximum torque | 76.7 LB-FT |
10 Best Budget-Friendly Inline-Four Motorcycles
It’s no secret that manufacturers are slowly phasing out inline-4 engines, but for now we still have some great bikes to choose from
Suzuki Hayabusa
Price: $19,499
The Hayabusa has one of the largest displacement inline four-cylinder engines ever seen on a motorcycle, and yet the official figure is barely more than the Fireblade above. This is because the new model focuses on torque over peak power. However, there is an entire industry dedicated to tuning Hayabusas to within an inch of their lives and making them drag cartoon monsters. This can’t be possible without an engine and chassis that can take the punishment, which is why the ‘Busa in stock form will likely last forever.
Engine type | i4 |
Displacement | 1,340 cc |
Maximum power | 186 hp at 9,700 rpm |
Maximum torque | 110 LB-FT @ 7,000 rpm |
Sources: Honda Honda Powersports, Suzuki bicycles
#sport #bikes #work #basic #maintenance