There are about a million types of motorcycles for a million types of riders. Some are for riding off-road exclusively. Others are meant for commuting and not much else. You may even be lucky enough to have more than one in your garage. But ask of these folks, and they’ll tell you nothing matches the thrill of having a go on a true Superbike. Even if you never come close to a proper racetrack, there are plenty of curvy roads in the world where you can get your kicks on these thrilling knee draggers.
There is just one thing, however. It’s no big deal, really. Just a nosebleed of a price tag, that’s all. To be fair, manufacturers tend to fit these bikes with the very best, modern technology they have available. And as a result, the prices tend to be out of reach for most of us. Fortunately, there are plenty of terrific, used choices on the market, from the likes of Honda, Kawasaki, and even Ducati. If that’s made your heart skip a beat, you’ll love the list below. After all, these superbikes come for just under $7,000!
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 Motorcycle.com and Motorcyclenews.com. We’ve ranked these bikes by price, using our proven methodologies.
Things-You-Should-Know-Before-Riding-A-200-HP-Superbike
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2012 Ducati 848 EVO
Used Price: $7,000 / Original MSRP: $13,995
A decade-old Ducati is still a Ducati. Let’s not pretend that they’re anything but the pinnacle of motorcycling, at this point. The Italian brand has been knocking it out of the park for almost a hundred years now. And the 848 EVO is no slouch when it comes to being a capable superbike. Its playful V-twin rips hard, with 126 horsepower on tap, reaching 166 miles per hour. That’s not a speed that the vast majority of us will ever achieve on the road. Regardless, at $7K a pop, this middleweight beast has more than enough mojo to blow our eyes straight out of the back of our heads.
Engine Specifications
2009 Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory
Used Price: $7,000 / Original MSRP: $17,999
The other Italian brand that’s also known for hair-raising thrills is Aprilia. A used RSV 1000 R Factory, though a bit older at the same used price, is more powerful and quite a bit faster than the Ducati 848 EVO. Aprilia is known for building exciting racing bikes, famous for their playful character, delicious V-twin noise, and superb handling capabilities. So if you can’t find yourself a used Ducati, there’s certainly no reason to feel like you’re getting second best when you opt for an RSV 1000 R Factory instead.
Engine Specifications
2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
Used Price: $6,500 / Original MSRP: $11,499
Developed specifically to attack the venerable Suzuki Hayabusa, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R came out with guns blazing. Arguably better looking than the divisive ‘Busa, this Ninja is tailor-made for the drag strip, and can be just as comfortable on a daily commute. Modern-day versions are nearing the $18k mark, but clean first-generation versions can be had for around half of that price.If you want to show up the local ‘Busa boys and girls at your bike night, there’s nothing better than showing up on one of these absolute units.
Engine Specifications
2004 Honda RC51
Used Price: $6,500 / Original MSRP: $11,599
Nothing says ‘Superbike’ quite like having it be designed specifically to compete (and win) in the World Superbike Championship. And that’s precisely what Honda did with the RC51 (otherwise known as the RVT1000R). This is as close as you’re going to get to a pure racing machine on a budget. The 2004 edition was part of the SP2 designation, which saw upgrades to the fuel-injection system, making it more reliable in the process. If you want to own a piece of history, the RC51 is just the right amount of crazy power and ageless design that would still look good in anyone’s garage.
Engine Specifications
Honda RVF750 RC45
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2002 Ducati 900 SuperSport
Used Price: $6,499 / Original MSRP: N/A
2002 was the last of the Ducati 900 SS (SuperSport) production years. Having been around since the early nineties, Ducati was ready to sunset this bike in favor of newer models. Which, for an intrepid used motorcycle buyer on a hunt for a good deal, is a true blessing. The 2002 900 SS is arguably the best possible iteration of the model, loaded with top-performance components and technology of the time. Sure, it has nowhere near the power and speed of contemporary bikes, but the 80-horsepower V-twin can still reach 140 miles per hour. Which is a respectable speed, if nothing else.
Engine Specifications
2006 Honda CBR1000RR
Used Price: $6,200 / Original MSRP: $11,299
The Honda Fireblade has been around for a hot minute or two. Certainly long enough to become a legend in its own right. The CBR1000RR, an evolutionary step for the Fireblade, is a screaming steal on the used market, provided you can find a well-taken care of example. Chances are, however, anyone that’s parting with one of these bad boys has probably ridden it to within an inch of its life. The inline-four that’s packed into the CBR1000RR has an impressive 170 horsepower, which is nothing if not perfect for the racetrack. So make sure to really inspect any too-good-to-be-true listings, before dropping the kind of money that could buy you a brand new Kawasaki Ninja 500 instead.
Engine Specifications
2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000
Used Price: $5,995 / Original MSRP: N/A
Where would any self-respecting superbike list be without a GIXXER on it? The GSX bikes have long since been branded as the epitome of the “squid missile”. It’s an unfair label, perpetuated into infinity by a few flip-flop-wearing bad apples. Beneath all of that baggage sits a thrilling ride that handles well and could still hold its own on any given Sunday at the track. With prices under $6k for certain models, there’s no reason to really consider anything else. Unless you spot the next bike on our list.
Engine Specifications
A Suzuki GSX-R1000R Motorcycle
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2005 Yamaha YZF-R1
Used Price: $5,200 / Original MSRP: $10,999
The spec sheets are just about the same between the GSX-R1000 and its contemporary rival, the Yamaha YZF-R1. Yet, we can’t help but feel that the R1 was always just a bit more refined. Maybe it’s the aforementioned “GIXXER bro” stigma that followed Suzuki around. Or maybe Yamaha just built them better than Suzuki. But take a gander at the lineup of bikes at the local track, and the R1s just seem to stand out a bit more. Of course, that’s subjective, but there’s no denying its popularity in the riding community. The sad news is that Yamaha is retiring the R1, at least for now. So you better snap one up, before the prices skyrocket.
Engine Specifications
1998 Suzuki TL1000R
Used Price: $4,999 / Original MSRP: $10,616
The sad truth is that the smaller your budget is, the older you’ll have to go to get yourself a superbike. And with older bikes come a plethora of problems. High mileage, unseen engine issues, and cracked fairings can be just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. But if you’re willing to wade through all of that, bikes like the Suzuki TL1000R can be had for less than $5k in some cases. It is a motorcycle that was also designed to compete in the World Superbike Championship and is worthy of the SBK moniker. In good condition, the TL1000R can still outperform a slew of modern bikes on the track.
Engine Specifications
1998 Honda VTR1000 SuperHawk
Used Price: $3,250 / Original MSRP: $9,899
Honda introduced a ton of new design concepts when they developed the VTR1000, otherwise known as the SuperHawk. One of the design innovations, that we all take for granted now, was the introduction of the engine as a stressed member. Such frames existed before in other bikes, but this was Honda’s first attempt, and the motorcycle was a thing of beauty and performance as a result. It’s a little wheezy when compared to modern superbikes, but what else do you expect from a motorcycle from the 90s? Then again, for under $4k, we’re willing to forgive some of the aging aspects of the VTR1000, which still looks pretty damn great.
Engine Specifications
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