If you want a 180bhp superbike, you're not going to get much change from £15,000. So ask yourself, do you really need the latest lightweight this and cutting-edge that to get your kicks? Clearly, the answer is no.
If you like your sportsbikes fast but slightly roomier and not just designed for out-and-out fast laptimes, then your choice is wider than the sky. But what if you're on a tight budget, like £3,000?
Can you get an affordable fast sportsbike that's capable, easy to live with and will stand out from the crowd? Clearly, the answer is yes.
Here are our top five practical sportsbikes for under £3,000.
Honda 929 FireBlade
With 130bhp the 929 FireBlade is still more than enough for Sunday blasts. With a 140 mile tank range and comfortable riding position it’s more than capable of whisking you to the south of France. Owners have rated them in our reviews section for their handling and riding position along with Honda’s build quality and reliability. We found an 8,000 mile example for just £2,395. Chances are you could run this bike for a year or two and still get your money back on it.
Click to see our Honda 929 FireBlade review
Suzuki TL1000S
If you want character the TL1000S has bags of it, mainly thanks to its 1000cc V-Twin that produces effortless torque. You can rack up triple-digit speeds without chasing banzai rev-limits, like you would with a modern superbike.
The rotary rear shock was meant to be ground-breaking but in reality it was only owners who ended up broken. When hot, it doesn’t work well but plenty of affordable replacements shocks are available. The ‘S’ has a cult following so good ones are holding their value and may even be an appreciating classic. We found a completely original example with just 9,900 miles on the clock for just £1,999. Own a bike with a reputation of a Rottweiler but with the bite of a puppy.
Click to see our Suzuki TL1000S review
Yamaha YZF-R1
Yamaha got the R1 right first time. It was light, flickable and had more midrange than you could shake a Fireblade at. It’s easily more trackday than touring, however it has just enough comfort for day-long blasts. We found a completely standard ‘99 example with just two owners for £2,875. You might be tempted to buy one for closer to £2,000 however the R1 was so popular and many have had numerous owners which translates into patchy service history and possibly a chequered past.
Click to see our Yamaha YZF-R1 review
Aprilia SL1000 Falco
If you like your fast with a healthy dose of stealth, then Aprilia’s Falco is the one for you. At its heart is a Mille engine, tuned for more torque. Couple this with versatile suspension and stonking brakes and you’ve got a recipe for bothering the latest sportsbikes. We found an absolutely mint 2001 Falco with just 5,400 miles on the clock for £2600. What we like about the Falco are its plain paint-schemes which don’t allude to just how quick it’ll get you from A to B.
Click to see our Aprilia Falco review
Kawasaki ZX-7R
With looks like this it’s no wonder the ZX-7R remained unchanged since its launch in 1996. Often referred to as the thinking man’s sportsbike; what the 7R lacks in power it more than makes up for in handling and all-round road manners. A favourite among racers, the list of tuning parts available is longer than a blue whale’s bath time. We didn’t have to look far to find a stock 2002 model with just 2,800 miles on the clock for just £2,699. An appreciating classic, but one you can tear down country roads on and not just admire in your garage.
Click to see our Kawasaki ZX-7R review
