10 Fastest Motorcycles You Can Buy For Less Than A Used Civic
At some point in our lives we will all be forced to make a sensible decision, choosing pragmatism over our passion. While a Honda Civic may not be at the top of anyone’s list of dream cars (well, we suppose a Type R might be, but we are not talking about hot hatches here), it is a practical runabout. The Japanese econobox in question is 12 years old, has around 120,000 miles on the clock, and is currently on the market for $9k.
Technically, this is a practical way to spend $9k. But, we can all dream. For the same money, you can also choose something wildly impractical: a superbike capable of doing over 180 MPH! Some of the bikes on this particular list will actually sell for a lot less than the aforementioned Civic, and could theoretically go even faster than 200 MPH if their limiters were removed.
Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from slowest to fastest.
10
2009 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
Top Speed: 181 MPH l Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Out of all the impractical superbikes you can choose, this is arguably the most sensible. Honda were always slightly off the pace back in the 00s, but by most measures, the Fireblade from this era was the better bike. It offers the kind of build quality we have come to expect from any Honda (Civic notwithstanding) and can still do a quarter mile in under 10 seconds. It is also marginally more comfortable than the other bikes competing in this track-oriented class, which is a major point of difference if you plan on riding it more often than just the occasional track day.
9
2004 Yamaha YZF-R1
Top Speed: 184 MPH l Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
You can technically go a little newer, but the only way to own a faster R1 is if you are willing to spend more than $10k. At least one that is in the kind of condition that would allow it to reach its top speed. By 2002, these incredible 20-valve inline-four engines already had fuel-injection, so you won’t need to learn how to balance carbs. A factor that does count against some of the bikes here.
8
2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (K5)
Top Speed: 184 MPH l Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
Things were moving pretty rapidly back in the 00s, but one of the superbikes that really stand out from this period is the K5 GSX-R1000. It offers a power-to-weight ratio that is almost impossible to beat, and a chassis that was just one or two steps ahead of the competition. It made the bike more rideable, but many overly ambitious riders were still able to prove that you could most certainly still crash this analog machine.
7
2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Top Speed: 185 MPH l Price Range: $7,000 – $9,000
Even though the Japanese bikes in this price range are getting on a bit, the RSV4 is still going to be less reliable. It is important to remember that this V4 was still in its early stages of development back in 2012. So, you need to manage your expectations, most especially at this price point. Even a good one will work just fine one day, then almost inexplicably not start the next morning. Still looks fantastic, and when it does go, it will make some new superbikes seem slow by comparison.
6
2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Top Speed: 186 MPH l Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
On paper, the Ninja ZX-10R may not seem any scarier than the bikes it was competing with, but you need to understand that it was nothing like any of the other 1000cc Japanese superbikes. While the other bikes offered some level of composure, this was pure analog madness. It had a hair-trigger throttle and a raw, unrefined chassis, yet by most accounts, this is the one to have. You can get a slightly newer version within the allocated budget, but those bikes all lost the unhinged X-factor of the original.
5
2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
Top Speed: 186 MPH l Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
The Ninja ZX-12R was meant to be the fastest motorcycle on the planet back when it was released. Unfortunately, the Gentlemen’s Agreement had already come into effect, so its top speed was restricted to 186 MPH. We are fairly confident that these bikes would do 200 MPH, but this only amounts to hearsay, because the whole top speed debate has long since been rendered moot.
4
2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
Top Speed: 186 MPH l Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Once again, it feels wrong having the Ninja ZX-14R here. We are fairly certain a derestricted bike will easily surpass 200 MPH, but when you can do a quarter mile in 9.5 seconds, who really cares? It is astonishingly fast, and by 2012 it was also very much the finished article. At this price point, it offers exceptional bang for the buck.
3
2010 BMW S 1000 RR
Top Speed: 188 MPH l Price Range: $9,000 – $11,000
Rather ironically, one of the brands that actually lobbied for the whole Gentleman’s Agreement was the first to officially break it. Albeit only by 2 MPH, and the S 1000 RR was never intended to simply be a speed queen. It was the next step in the evolution of superbikes, packed with all sorts of tech that made it safer and more accessible than any of the overpowered analog machines on this list.
2
2008 MV Agusta F4 R 312
Top Speed: 193 MPH* l Price Range: $9,000 – $11,000
We need to clarify that this is a slightly controversial top speed claim. Unlike the aforementioned BMW, this top speed was a manufacturer claimed top speed, and was never independently verified. It is safe to say that under the right conditions, these bikes could do 193 MPH, but first they need to actually run. Something MV’s don’t always do, and at this price point, expecting anything more than wonderful yard art might be asking for too much.
1
1999 Suzuki Hayabusa (1st Generation)
Top Speed: 194 MPH l Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
From the sublime to the ridiculous (or is it the other way around?). While that MV “might” do 193 MPH and look fantastic while doing it, the first generation Hayabusa would do 194 MPH, and look positively awful while doing it. This purpose-built speed queen is now ridiculously cheap, almost too cheap. Paying a little more for a bike in good shape is most certainly prudent.
Sources: Cars.com and KBB
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