With countless attractive sports bikes available on the market, choosing the best bike can prove to be a headache. Buyers typically consider factors such as performance, handling, style, and popularity. Most riders will opt for a Kawasaki Ninja 650, Yamaha YZF-R1M or Ducati Panigale V4S. Not like we can blame them; these sports bikes work well and are popular.
However, the market has overlooked some bikes despite their incredible power, handling and style. Some of these sports bike models have been made by the best manufacturers in the industry. Interestingly, there are quite a few of these sports bikes that sell for a low price. We don’t know why these beasts are unpopular, but they prove that a bike’s popularity doesn’t necessarily say much about its quality. Therefore, in this list, we take a look at nine of the most underrated sports bikes ever made.
9
1998 Honda CBR900RR
Otherwise known as the Fireblade, Honda’s CBR900RR is a 900cc displacement sports bike. The manufacturer introduced the CBR900RR in 1992 and continued to produce them until 2003. Honda fitted the 1998 CBR900RR with an inline four-stroke engine that produces 130 horsepower and 92.0 Nm of torque.
Each cylinder of the motorcycle has four valves and the CBR900RR uses a 6 speed gearbox. As for the brakes, there are dual disc brakes at the front and single disc brakes at the rear. The 1998 CBR900RR has an impressive acceleration of 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 170.9 mph.
8
2003 Yamaha R-1
Yamaha began manufacturing the R-1 model in 1998, and production continues to this day. The R-1 is an open class sports bike with near perfect handling. In its first generation, the R-1 sported semi-floating disc brakes. Incredibly, the bike could accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.0 seconds, joining the league of bikes that could challenge supercars.
The 2003 Yamaha R-1 features a fuel injection system, improved handling and reduced weight. A liquid-cooled four-stroke engine with five valves per cylinder was used for the model. In addition, the R-1 also has 152 hp, 194.9 Nm of torque and a 6-speed transmission.
7
BMW S1000XR
The BMW S1000XR is a sport touring motorcycle, but most of the time it is marketed as an adventure motorcycle. BMW introduced the bike model in 2015, and over the years the S1000XR has reached a top speed of 170 mph. The sports bike is equipped with a liquid-cooled 999cc four-stroke engine with sixteen valves.
The S1000XR uses four-piston caliper brakes at the front and single-piston caliper brakes at the rear for the braking system. With competitors like the Triumph Tiger 900 and Ducati Multistrada 950, it’s easy to see why the BMW S1000XR is underrated.
6
2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200
Suzuki has been making the Bandit model since 1989, and to our knowledge, sport cruiser motorcycles are excellent. The automaker used air-cooled and oil-cooled inline four-stroke engines for their 2000 Bandit 1200 model. Suzuki’s Bandit 1200 is an easy-to-ride bike with a well-positioned saddle.
The cruiser has 98.0 horsepower, 91.0 Nm of torque, a top speed of 144 mph and a 5-speed chain drive system. You can get a used Bandit 1200 for around $ 3,000.
5
Ducati GT 1000 Sport
At a base price of $ 9,995, the Ducati GT 1000 Sport is not a cheap motorcycle. However, you are bound to get what you pay for. The GT 1000 Sport is equipped with a 992 cc engine with two valves per cylinder. Inspired by the 750 Sport model from the 1970s, the GT 1000 Sport has a retro design.
Ducati included a bag and a windshield on the bike. The GT 1000 has a top speed of 135 mph, 67 lb-ft of torque, and uses a 6-speed transmission system.
4
Kawasaki Z900
After Kawasaki stopped producing its Z800 model, they replaced it with the Z900 in 2017. The Kawasaki Z900 is equipped with a liquid-cooled 948cc four-stroke, 16-valve engine. Like all other sport bikes produced by Kawasaki, the Z900 is well designed.
The bike rides well and is suitable for long distances. A torque of 98.6 Nm stimulates the bike as it moves along the road. The Kawasaki Z900 uses a 6-speed gearbox and has a top speed of 157 miles per hour.
3
2004 ZX-10R
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is a well-sculpted sports bike. The new marks of the model have wing-like structures added for aerodynamic purposes. Kawasaki first introduced the Ninja ZX-10R in 2004, and the model features an inline four-stroke engine.
With 174.03 horsepower at 11,700 rpm, 115 Nm of torque at 9500 rpm and a top speed of 185.7 miles per hour, the ZX-10R is quite capable. The Kawasaki Ninja uses a wet clutch and a 6-speed gearbox. For acceleration, the Ninja can run from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.12 seconds.
2
Triumph Speed Triple 2006
Triumph introduced their first Speed Series bike in 1994. The 2006 Triumph Speed Triple is known as a Streetfighter sports bike. The 2006 Triumph Speed Triple features a liquid-cooled 1050.0 ccm inline three- and four-stroke engine.
When the 2006 Triumph Speed Triple was released, its main competitors were the 2006 Yamaha FZ1 and the 2006 Ducati Monster 1100. The engine produced 130 horsepower and 105.0 Nm. There are dual disc brakes at the front and single disc brakes at the rear. The 2006 Speed Triple model also uses an electric starter like most bikes.
1
Yamaha Tmax
The Yamaha Tmax is a sporty maxi scooter designed for comfort. Yamaha first introduced the Tmax in 2001, but it was last produced in 2021. The Tmax demands attention wherever it is. When designing the Tmax, Yamaha merged the characteristics of motorcycles and scooters.
As a sports bike, the Yamaha Tmax has also prioritized performance. The manufacturer fitted the Tmax with a 30.5 cubic foot water-cooled four-stroke engine with an output of 45.9 hp and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. There are also CVT and later models that come with a power outlet.
Read more
About the Author
