Modern power and the $3,000 superbike.

    Can a used bike satisfy your need for speed? Do you need to spend $20k, $30k, or more to be able to solidly hit triple speeds on a race track? With interest rates going sky high these days, is a home equity line credit the only way you can go fast? I say no to all of those. For $3,000 you can get much more bike than people think. I don't believe the overall performance of motorcycles has changed all that much over the last 20 or 30 years. With ever tightening emissions standards and the proliferation of cheaper, high power electronics, the performance differences are more the usability of that performance and the refinement of that performance. Let me present my case, enjoy!

    Case point #1: 2000 Yamaha YZF-R1. Here is a pretty damn good looking 23, going on 24 year old bike for the low, low listed price of $3,250. Just going by the pictures and description, this looks like a great candidate for a quick refresh. If its issues are truly that it has been sitting dormant for a while, I'm guessing a carb clean and battery charge would be enough to get it started. If it runs right, fresh oil, plugs, and an air filter along with some new tires and a brake fluid flush would be all that's needed. You'd have a very fast, high performance bike for little money. Negotiate down to a flat $3k and thorw in some extra cash and for $4,000, you could have so much more high performance fun than the Honda boys or Mustang bros. 

2000 Yamaha R1 (Photo from SOLD Facebook Marketplace listing)

    Comparing the 2000 R1 to a current year one, both have a 998cc inline 4 engine. Both have 6 speed transmissions. The 2000 has 148hp at the crank with 138hp at the rear tire. The 2024 has jumped up the hp figures to 197hp with that horsepower coming on 3,000 rpm higher at 13,500 vs. 10,500 for the 2000 R1. The curb weight of both bikes is comparable with the 2000 coming in a bit lower at 423 lbs. to the 2024's 448 lbs. 50 horsepower may seem like a huge gain and it is when it is 25% more powerful. However, 150hp is nothing to sniff at. The engine in the 2000 is the same engine in my 2004 FZ1 and I can tell you that it has plenty to get up and go. Now to seal the deal. If you pay the seller listed price, the difference in that 50 hp will cost you $16,436! That is $328 per horsepower. Since most people have no idea how to properly use 150hp, let alone 197hp, you can't go wrong with the used bike.

    How about something red with a V-4 engine. Well in Case point #2, you could get this 1994 Honda VFR750. 105hp and 498 lbs curb weight. Listed top speed of roughly 145 mph. The used VFR is listed for $3,750. The only red, V-4 sportbike to compare it to would be the 2024 Ducati Panigale. For the $24,995 MSRP you'd get a red, V-4 sportbike with 215hp and a ride ready weight of right around 400 lbs. This combo could give you a top speed of 187mph. Again, while objectively 105hp and 42mph is a big difference. The difference is not something most mortal motorcyclists know how to use to its fullest potential. 

1994 Honda VFR750 (Photo from current Facebook Marketplace listing)

    At this point I think I'll rest my case. Ever since I purchased my FZ1 for around $4,000 I have believed that $4,000 is a great way to get into high performance motorsport. With a sub-$4k entry point, you can get out and have the excitement of a very fast bike with performance levels that meet or exceed most modern cars and are the equivalent of the highest end of current motorcycle technology. 

    For any long term readers, this is probably old news and nothing you didn't know already. For those new to motorcycling, I hope that you get excited about the possibility of throwing a leg over a 100hp machine and ripping it up for the same money as braces for your 13 year old (ask me how I know!). So get out and search your local online ads for something fun. You may be surprised at what is out there to snatch up for cheap. Good luck folks!

Mat