10 sports bikes you should buy second-hand in 2026

Throughout the 90s and 00s, sport bikes were the kings and queens of the motorcycle world. Virtually every major manufacturer has tried to build a superbike or an agile supersport. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and the appetite for such dedicated motorcycles has all but dried up.

Versatility has – understandably – become more and more of a priority these days, and the current crop of sports bikes are either tame or expensive. If you’re looking for an affordable sport bike, the used market is littered with dozens of highly capable options. A word of warning though. Some of these bikes are now getting quite old and if neglected they can be really dangerous. For the sake of variety, we have limited it to one bicycle per brand.

In order to provide you with the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources including KBB. Buying a used motorcycle always comes with some risk, so do your research and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.

10

2004 Honda RC51 (SP2)

Price range: $4,000 – $6,000

At first glance, most will assume this is just another replica racer, but it’s actually a genuine homologation special. While there are some preserved or restored models (like the bike pictured) that are getting expensive, you can still find bikes that have been used regularly and sell for around $5,000. This is a great opportunity to own a real WorldSBK title winning motorcycle for the price of a new CBR500R.

Specifications

9

2006 Yamaha YZF-R6

Price range: $4,000 – $6,000

Over the past twenty years, the R6 has become the default choice for anyone building a track bike. It was never the fastest supersport, but it was always at the cutting edge of performance while being the most durable machine. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better sports bike than these old R6s, but because it’s such a popular model for track enthusiasts, it’s not easy to find one that hasn’t been abused.

Specifications

8

Aprilia RSV 1000 R from 2007

Price range: $4,000 – $6,000

In the past, buying an old Italian sports bike was equivalent to investing in very expensive garden art. Depending on the condition of the wiring this may still be true, but the mechanical reliability of the RSV 1000 R was exceptional. This is largely due to the fact that the engine is Austrian and not Italian. Rotax built these high-performance twins, but by the late ’00s Aprilia realized it had reached its performance ceiling and subsequently switched to the V4 configuration found in modern motorcycles.

Specifications

7

2008 Suzuki GSX-R750 (K8)

Price range: $5,000 – $7,000

Back in 2008, the GSX-R750 was already an industry legend, and aside from a few cosmetic changes here and there, not much has changed since then. With the razor-sharp chassis of a 600-class supersport, combined with the power of a liter engine, we can see why Suzuki chose not to fix something that clearly isn’t broken. If you can find one in good condition, it’s a bargain at this price.

Specifications

6

2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Price range: $5,000 – $7,000

If you were to find one that was already equipped with ram-air – many bikes were – this would be a 200 hp motorcycle. It’s also important to remember that this was before Kawasaki overhauled the ZX-10R platform in 2011 and added modern electronics in an effort to keep up with the competition. This is an analog beast, with no rider aids. In the wrong hands, or simply in the wrong condition, this is a dangerous motorcycle.

Specifications

5

BMW S1000RR from 2010

Price range: $9,000 – $11,000

On paper, this was the fastest and most powerful motorcycle of the ’00s. BMW had blatantly ignored the “Gentleman’s Agreement” the brand once lobbied for, with the S 1000 RR achieving an independently verified top speed of 186 mph. Admittedly, this was only two kilometers per hour above the agreed 186 kilometers per hour, but it was enough to grab the world’s attention. It was the new king and backed its speed with impressive technology that made its power more accessible.

Specifications

4

Ducati 848 EVO from 2011

Price range: $7,000 – $9,000

At a time when manufacturers were strictly adhering to racing class displacements, the 848 EVO really stood out. Although it has slightly more displacement than the average supersport, it was also lighter than the average supersport. This is a bike you would buy mainly because of the chassis, which is razor sharp. In the right hands, this bike will outshine modern machines. The suspension was good for the time, but will almost certainly need maintenance, and these high-strung twins weren’t even that reliable when new. Suffice to say, this is only worth considering if you like Italian bikes.

Specifications

3

2013 Triumph Daytona 675R

Price range: $6,000 – $8,000

This latest version of the Daytona 675 was, and still is, an exceptional alternative to the Japanese 600-class supersports. Brembo brakes and a fully adjustable Öhlins suspension all became standard equipment for the “R” model, but unlike the Japanese bikes they will have an odd quirk. Age and lack of maintenance tend to accentuate these quirks, so a good test drive will tell you just about everything you need to know.

Specifications

2

2014 KTM 1190 RC8 R

Price range: $11,000 – $13,000

When KTM finally decided to build a superbike, the end result was nothing short of phenomenal. By modern standards this is a raw beast, but with a dry weight of just 410 pounds and over 170 horsepower, this V-Twin will make many modern superbikes look a little sluggish on the track. The LC8 engine has been used in all kinds of bikes and remains reliable, contrary to what most people expect from the Austrian brand these days.

Specifications

1

EBR1190RX from 2014

Price range: $11,000 – $13,000

The EBR 1190RX represents Erik Buell’s life’s work, poured into one motorcycle. It is light, fast and has a razor-sharp chassis. It’s also virtually devoid of any modern electronics, so it’ll take an experienced hand to get the most out of it – like most of the bikes on this list – but for the right buyer, this modern classic is well worth the price of admission.

Specifications