Superbikes are more powerful than ever, but even with engines generating more than 200 hp, they still have a top speed of 186 mph, or 299 km/h.
The reason for this can be traced back to the Suzuki Hayabusa and the war of speed and power between the Japanese motorcycles. Fearing a government ban on superbikes, they entered a gentleman’s agreement that limited these bikes to 186 mph.
Over the last couple of decades, many bikes have touched this magical limit, and you don’t need a ton of money to exceed 180 mph, as proven by these 10 cheap superbikes.
2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R — $6,000
Kawasaki dominated superbike racing with its 750cc ZX models, and they also offered a 900cc ZX9R, but the Japanese company was late to the liter bike party. However, when they finally built a full-on liter bike, it immediately challenged the status quo.
The 2004 ZX10R wasn’t the most powerful model in the segment, nor was it the lightest, but somehow, it was most certainly among the fastest. Its 998cc engine produced 179 hp with ram air, giving it a top speed of 186 mph.
2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 — $6,000
The 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000, lovingly referred to as the K5 Gixxer, was so good that many sportbike enthusiasts still swear by it today and prefer it to the newer models.
Hidden underneath the sleek fairings, it has a 999cc four-cylinder engine pumping out 180 hp. Not bad for a bike that’s almost 20 years old.
2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade — $7,000
In 2008, Honda introduced an all-new, ninth-generation Fireblade, and it’s an astonishing machine.
The Fireblade’s 999cc engine generated 176 hp and offered plenty of power and torque from as low as 2,000 rpm all the way to the 13,000 rpm redline. It also offers agile yet forgiving handling, making it a solid choice for both road and track use.
2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 — $9,000
Yamaha released an all-new R1 in 2009, featuring engine technology from the brand’s M1 MotoGP bike ridden by Valentino Rossi. This was the first production sportbike fitted with a crossplane crankshaft, giving it smoother power delivery and more torque at lower rpms.
For racers and track day enthusiasts, that means they can get on the throttle earlier in a corner, but the biggest benefit for road use is its amazing soundtrack. Its 998cc engine sent 182 hp to the rear wheel, giving it a top speed of more than 180 mph.
2010 MV Agusta F4 — $9,000
The MV Agusta F4 is the work of legendary motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini, the man behind the Ducati 916, and both bikes are commonly referred to as the world’s most beautiful motorcycles.
The F4 was around for a long time, and the second generation F4 that arrived in 2010 received plenty of engine and chassis updates. It’s not as fast as a Kawasaki Ninja ZX10-R or BMW S1000RR around a racetrack, but it’s certainly no slouch, as its engine generates around 200 hp.
2013 KTM 1190 RC8 R — $10,000
KTM introduced the 1190 RC8 in 2008, and early models can be picked up for less than $10 grand, but if you want a slipper clutch, you’ll need one built after 2012.
Unlike the previous bikes on this list, the KTM 1190 RC8 doesn’t have an inline-four engine, but a V-twin churning out 173 Austrian ponies. It’s also not as easy to ride as some of the other bikes on this list. However, if you want a stripped-down European performance machine that’s destined to see its price increase, the RC8 is well worth looking into.
2008 Ducati 1098R — $10,000
After people complained about the Ducati 999’s design, the Italian bikemaker returned to the drawing board and came up with the Ducati 1098 in 2007. Its design was more like that of the 916-996-998 generation than the 999, and the Ducatisti loved it.
There really is a lot to love about the 1098, as it came jam-packed with industry-first tech and an L-twin engine. Despite its name, it didn’t have a 1,098cc engine. Weirdly, it was 1,099cc, or in the case of the 1098R, 1198cc, producing between 160 and 180 horsepower, depending on spec. As with any Ducati, maintenance is key, and it’s best to walk away from a bike that hasn’t been looked after. It will most likely be expensive to maintain, but can you really put a price on happiness?
2009 Aprilia RSV4 — $10,000
So far, we’ve covered superbikes with inline-four and V/L-twin engines, but the Aprilia RSV4 uses a combination of the two — a V4 mill. Like any thoroughbred Italian exotic, the RSV4 packs a serious punch, and it can also be very costly to maintain.
The RSV4 is Aprilia’s flagship bike, and if you go for one of the top-spec versions, you’ll discover that they really went above and beyond when building it. This is an exclusive beast that offers excellent handling and insane speed, not to mention it has an exquisite soundtrack. The bike has seen a few updates during its production, and in 2021, the engine was increased from 1,000cc to 1,100cc.
2010 BMW S 1000 RR — $10,000
BMW initially launched the S1000RR in 2009 as a homologation special, but the Bavarians quickly realized they were onto something, so they put it into mass production in 2010. With superior power, handling, and tech, the S1000RR was a total game changer and made the competition look like dinosaurs.
Buying a new S1000RR means selling a kidney, but it’s possible to swing a leg over the first-gen model for a fraction of the price. As with any European sportbike, buy one that’s well-maintained and accident-free, or the bills will quickly add up.
2012 Kawasaki ZX-10R — $10,000
After the BMW S1000RR left the entire superbike world stunned, the German manufacturer was allowed to run pretty much unopposed until Kawasaki launched its new ZX-10R in 2011. With 200 horsepower and more electronics and rider assists than any other Japanese bike, the ZX-10R was the new king of the hill.
There’s no doubt that it has all the performance you’ll ever want. However, it’s more of a fine-tuned, highly focused track weapon rather than a well-rounded everyday bike. It’s also not particularly comfortable if you’re taller than 6 feet.
