At first glance, the term “liter bike” seems fairly simple. A bicycle with a relocation of 1,000 cc, and that should be around. In reality it is slightly more nuanced than that, because not all 1,000cc bicycles are the same. When we refer to a “liter bike”, it is almost always a completely cleared sports bike that can handle well, and the displacement must be around 1,000 cc, but even that can be a bit controversial.
It is quite difficult to determine exactly what the very first bike was called a liter bike, but we have a fairly good idea that people define the class. All the way through the 90s and early 00s, Japanese manufacturers dominated this space, and their bikes dominate this list, with a few unique exceptions. The only thing that these bikes have in common is the fact that they all offer amazing value for money.
To give you the most up -to -date and accurate information, the data used to collect this article from various websites of the manufacturer and other authoritative sources, including KBB. Buying a used motorcycle has always confirmed an element of risks, so do your research and continue with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from the oldest to the newest.
1989 Yamaha FZR1000R
Price range: $ 3,000 – $ 5,000
At the back of the 1980s, speed had become an obsession, almost all the other, including handling, took a rear seat. The FZR1000 was not the first sports bike of the Literklasse Die Trend Buck. Although the legendary 20 Valve Genesis Engine was incredibly powerful, it was the new Deltabox frame that made it special. According to modern standards, this is still a heavy bike, but on a winding road it will leave many of his contemporaries in his fabric.
Specifications
Engine type | Inline four, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 1002cc |
Max Power | 145 hp |
Transfer | 5-speed gearbox |
Weight | 520 pounds |
1994 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R
Price range: $ 3,000 – $ 5,000
When Honda launched the original Fireblade – which some people perhaps consider the first liter bike – all other manufacturers saw answers. Kawasaki had none. It was heavier and slower than the Honda, but, but, looking at the bike that looks objectively today, everything you will see is a fantastic value. It is still a powerful motorcycle that handles his age relatively well.
Specifications
Engine type | Inline four, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 899cc |
Max Power | 139 hp |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 474 LBS (dry) |
1996 Honda CBR919RR Fireblade
Price range: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000
The first generation of Fireblade is perhaps the original liter bike, but it has since become a collectable classic. If you find one for less than $ 5K, it probably has a cracked frame or missing Kuipers. The 919 is an objective better motorcycle than the bike of the first generation, it treats better and is even marginal lighter. Yet it still falls within our $ 5K budget.
Specifications
Engine type | Inline four, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 919cc |
Max Power | 130 hp |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 400 lbs (dry) |
1998 Suzuki TL1000R
Price range: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000
This V-twin can still be found in the new V-Strom ADV, and it has a decent background story. The Japanese manufacturers were muscled by Ducati in the WorldSBK championship. Suzuki was planning to use this as a homologative bike, but it flattered to cheat in testing because the team could not get fast enough to be competitive. The project was abandoned, but Suzuki, not someone who wasted good tooling, decided to put the bike into production. It may not be the best track bike – by Suzuki’s own recognition – but it is fun and today, pretty cheap.
Specifications
Engine type | V-twin, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 995cc |
Max Power | 133 hp |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 434 LBS (dry) |
2000 Aprilia RSV Mille R
Price range: $ 3,000 – $ 5,000
Until the 90s, Aprilia was more focused on producing small racing bikes with two stroke. The RSV Mille Superbike was unknown territory for the small manufacturer from Noale. Although it looked the role, it only served as a more exotic (also better -looking subjective) choice. It was more expensive than the more powerful Japanese alternatives. Mechanical reliability was never a problem thanks to the Rotax supplied twins, but the Italian wiring from this era is notorious.
Specifications
Engine type | V-twin, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 998cc |
Max Power | 128 hp |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 463 pounds |
2002 Yamaha YZF-R1
Price range: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000
In our opinion, the original Yamaha YZF-R1, which was released in 1998, is a class-defined motorcycle. While other bicycles have come for it, the R1 will always be the first bike that comes to mind when discussing Literklasse Sports bikes. By 2002, this class -determining motorcycle had already received a new frame and fuel injection, a fairly important update for the time because carbohydrates were still the norm.
Specifications
Engine type | Inline four, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 998cc |
Max Power | 150 hp |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 412 lbs (dry) |
2002 Honda RC51 (SP2)
Price range: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000
Just like Suzuki, Honda has also tried to build a V-twin sports bike that could take on the Ducatis. Honda’s bike was not only competitive, it was dominant. It struggled the crown away from Ducati and also proved that homologation specials do not have to be expensive. In the early 190s it was really affordable and today it is a bargain in the used market.
Specifications
Engine type | V-twin, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 999cc |
Max Power | 133 hp |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 440 LBS (dry) |
2004 Suzuki GSX-R1000
Price range: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000
In short, the 03/04 Gixxer is not entirely at the same level as the 05 (or K5), but it is still a pretty impressive bike, and you can have it for less than $ 5K. If you find a K5 bike within your budget, there is every chance that there will be hidden damage. These bikes are just as powerful and must be treated with respect or things will soon go sideways.
Specifications
Engine type | Inline four, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 988cc |
Max Power | 162 HP |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 370 lbs (dry) |
2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Price range: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000
It is quite hard to believe that the aforementioned ZX-9R was still for sale in 2003, but when this came out in 2004, the script turned completely. With Ram-Air this was a superbike of 180 hp. The ultra -light chassis in combination with all that power made it both incredibly effective on the right track, and incredibly Twitchy almost everywhere else. This may not have as much power as modern super bikes, but without rider aids in sight, it is certainly narrower.
Specifications
Engine type | Inline four, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 998cc |
Max Power | 179 HP (with RAM Air) |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 370 lbs (dry) |
2008 Buell 1125R
Price range: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000
This can be a somewhat controversial inclusion, given that its relocation is 125cc over the 1,000 cc. But it is a liter bike according to a different measure. Lighter than most of his contemporaries, his couple-rich V-twin gives the incredible gear. Just like Aprilia, Buell turned to Rotax for the motorcycle help, and it is quite reliable. Unfortunately, just like the Mille, the wiring is not.
Specifications
Engine type | V-twin, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 1125cc |
Max Power | 146 HP |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
Weight | 375 LBS (dry) |
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