10 Most Value-For-Money Inline-Four Motorcycles On Sale Today
For the longest time, inline-four motorcycles sat at the top of the motorcycle market. They were pricey to produce and only present in flagship products. With good reason, too, as these engines were usually used for racing duties. Now, though, you can find an inline-four serving duty in nearly all cubic capacity ranges. Add to that the recent part-sharing trend, and you can find some really high-value inline-four bikes across segments. We’re talking about 10 such bikes with varying purposes. Unsurprisingly, most of them belong to Japan.
Honda CB650R E-Clutch
Price: $8,699
We start with the most affordable inline-four motorcycle you can take home today. This title is thanks to Honda’s new pricing strategy, where the MSRP has dropped by a sizable $700. At the same time, the package remains the same as before. It comprises a 649cc inline-four engine, producing just over 90 horsepower. This comes paired with a first-in-segment E-clutch tech.
It lets you roll off from a standstill without using a clutch, while also allowing clutchless upshifts and downshifts for the six-speed transmission. The rest of the package is pretty decent as well. Suspension comes from Showa, the brakes from Nissin, and there’s a TFT instrument cluster with phone connectivity in the cockpit.
Honda CBR650R E-Clutch
Price: $9,199
Like the CB650, the CBR650R has also received a price cut. It drops to under $9,500, which makes it brilliant value not just by inline-four standards but in general by mid-weight sports bike standards. After all, the MSRP is lower than most of its triple-cylinder and parallel-twin rivals. As for the details, the bike has the same 649cc engine as the CB and in the same exact tune.
The suspension, wheels, and brakes are also shared between the two. What does change is the riding triangle. Your hands go on clip-on handlebars and feet on higher-set footpegs for a slightly more aggressive posture. Emphasis on ‘slightly’, as this is still one of the comfiest sports bikes out there.
Kawasaki Z900
Price: $9,999
This right here is the most powerful motorcycle under $10,000, regardless of the category or engine type. While that alone makes the Z900 a highly VFM product, its latest updates only improve its case. Speaking of which, the mid-weight Z now takes a more minimalistic approach, shedding notable pounds over its previous self. At the same time, Kawasaki has thrown in a new TFT instrument cluster and a six-axis IMU to make the package safer overall.
All this while, you still get the same inline-four engine we’ve all loved over the years. This is a 948cc powerhouse, tuned to produce usable power first and chasing redline later. The exact figures lie at 123 horsepower and 73 pound-feet, where the latter kicks in at just 7,700 RPM. That’s a parallel-twin-like peak torque RPM from an inline-four!
Honda CB1000F
Price: $10,599
If you’re into liter-class retro roadsters, the new CB1000F is the most high-value machine in the segment. It is based on the CB1000 Hornet’s platform, but with several changes to tone down the package for the retro vibes. That includes a new subframe, relaxed ergonomics with lower pegs, and a retuned inline-four engine. The latter comprises new camshaft timings for exhaust and intake valve timing, a longer intake funnel length with a smaller diameter, and a new airbox.
What comes as a proper surprise, though, is the electronics package. This includes a six-axis IMU–something that’s absent on the pricier Hornet SP–to enable three levels of cornering traction control, cornering ABS, engine brake control, and power modes. A beautiful dual-tone livery with retro lights rounds things off.
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Price: $10,999
For the longest time, the GSX-S1000 reigned supreme as the value king in the liter-class naked bike segment. But last year, Honda took matters into its own hands, giving us the new CB1000 Hornet SP. It bears a scarcely believable $10,999 MSRP, which is not only $1,000 less than the GSX-S but even undercuts premium middleweight nakeds like the Yamaha MT-09 SP, Triumph Street Triple RS, and KTM 990 Duke R easily.
There’s some premium equipment, too, which only makes matters sweeter. The rear suspension comprises an Ohlins shock, while the front brakes are made up by Brembo Stylema calipers. Also present are five ride modes, dual-channel ABS, quickshifter, and a TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity via the RoadSync application. Six-axis IMU and a blipper seem like misses, though.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
Price: $11,599
The ZX-6R has become a few hundred dollars pricier over the past couple of years. So much so that it sits $100 more than the Honda CBR600RR right now. But even then, there’s nothing in the supersport inline-four class that comes close to the value proposition. This is largely due to two reasons: the lack of updates for its rivals and a notable update for the 6R in 2024.
So while the GSX-R600 and CBR600RR remain the same as their decade-old selves, the 6R has been polished and improved in its recent avatar. The updates comprise a retuned engine for more usability, integration of electronic rider aids, a new design, and a TFT instrument cluster. All that for a sub-$12,000 MSRP makes it brilliant value.
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Price: $14,399
On paper, the Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX undercuts the GSX-S1000GT+ by around $400. But look closer, and you’ll realize the GT+ is the more value-for-money sport-tourer between the two. Not only do you get a more powerful superbike engine on the Suzuki, but you also get hard saddlebags as a standard inclusion. These saddlebags alone cost around $900 extra on the Ninja 1100.
Elsewhere, the GT+ also gets the touring basics right. Full bodywork with a swept-back windscreen helps keep windblast low, the cruise control works even if you change gears, and the seats are broad and thick enough to keep you comfortable for hours. A 6.5-inch TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity and a suite of six-axis IMU-aided electronics sweeten the deal further.
Suzuki GSX-R1000
Price: $16,399
Suzuki dropping the price of the 2027 GSX-R1000 despite all the upgrades is simply a pleasant surprise. And this is really a “new” machine, thanks to a handful of internal changes, even though the aesthetic isn’t all that different. The engine is where most of the work has been done, with changes like:
- New crankshaft with thicker journals
- New crankcases
- Wider cam chain
- New head gasket
- New piston circlips
- Revised head gasket shape
- New single-stage funnels for first and fourth cylinder
- Higher compression ratio
Besides that, the electronic aids are all more refined. Suzuki claims a new six-axis IMU works in tandem with the ECU now. This enables updated settings for the traction control (10 modes), wheelie control, cornering ABS, and roll-torque control. A revamped launch control system and two-way quickshifter are included, too. The brakes, suspension, chassis, and wheels are all carried forward, meanwhile.
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+
Price: $18,749
The GSX-S1000GX+ undercuts its two arch-rivals: the Versys 1100 SE LT and S 1000 XR. Yet, the equipment on offer is right up there with the two, if not better. This starts with the same GSX-R-derived powerhouse as the GT+, topped with a twin-spar aluminum chassis. The party trick, though, is the inclusion of the Showa electronic suspension.
This allows adjustment on the fly, varying semi-active suspension modes, and different preload settings depending on the load. It’s loaded in other regards, too. Quick-release hard saddlebags are standard, alongside a luggage rack, adjustable windscreen, cruise control, and hill hold. Topping things is a set of electronic aids that work in tandem with ride-by-wire and a six-axis IMU.
BMW S 1000 RR
Price: $19,975
Over the last two years, the S 1000 RR’s MSRP has jumped nearly $1,500. Ideally, that should mean its value proposition should decrease. But that’s not the case, thanks to recent updates. Not only has BMW introduced new WSBK-inspired wings for extra stability, but you also get previously optional bits like Race Pro modes, launch control, lightweight battery, GPS lap trigger, dynamic slide control, and a quick action throttle as standard now. No other inline-four superbike can match this sophistication under $20,000.
Another big plus is the advanced powerhouse. Although an inline-four, this has BMW’s ShiftCam tech embedded into it. So all the 205 horsepower and 83 pound-feet are spread across the rev range, unlike any other inline-four. In fact, the system is so good that the RR produces more power in the lower revs than some of its V4 rivals. It’s safe to declare this is the most complete inline-four superbike under the $20,000 mark.
Source: Various Manufacturers
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