The historical past of the superbike section is fascinating. It started with the Honda CB750, the primary bike with a transverse-mounted inline-four engine that prioritized velocity, adopted by the Suzuki GSX-R750, which laid the groundwork for modern superbikes with its race-derived fairing and character. What adopted was a slew of bikes from the most effective producers — bikes that threw practicality out of the window and aimed to be the quickest, most superior within the biz. Some of the notable superbikes embody the Honda CBR900RR FireBlade, Ducati 1098, Ducati 1299 Superleggera, Kawasaki ZX-10R, and BMW S1000RR.

Of the numerous superbikes we’ve seen in the previous few a long time for the reason that inception of the CB750, most of them have been mind-blowing bikes. These specimens supply extra capabilities than most riders can ever extract, and they’re nonetheless largely attainable with just a few years of laborious work. Heck, you may get an old-school superbike now for under $5,000 if you happen to look laborious sufficient. But there are just a few bikes which are so uncommon and distinctive, that they’ve appreciated in worth. And buying them within the used market can price you greater than among the greatest trendy superbikes. These are among the prime traditional superbikes that break the bank immediately — the final word funding on two wheels.

UPDATE: 2024/04/27 16:45 EST BY UTKARSH SOOD

Superbikes come from a wealthy historical past due to Japanese technological evolution, however they are not the one ones to have produced among the greatest names within the trade. We have up to date this text with recent info, together with 5 new entries – all for the sake of conserving our readers knowledgeable.

In order to provide the latest and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from the producers and different authoritative sources, together with Iconic Motorbike Auctions and Motorcyclespecs.com. The bikes on this record are ranked as per their (lowest) used promoting worth, in rising order.

We begin this record with a generational superbike – the first-generation Hayabusa. Granted, that is one superbike you can get even immediately in its newest avatar, however why would you try this when you may get your arms on a pristine 1999 mannequin? Its superb prime velocity — which was meant to exceed the Honda Super Blackbird on the time — was the impetus for the renowned Gentleman’s Agreement, which continues to be relevant to most superbikes.

Although it had the most important displacement engine obtainable on a sports activities bike on the time, it wasn’t intimidating to experience. But all that would change rapidly if you happen to did not acknowledge the throttle. Even although the Busa’s design has aged with time, it is likely one of the uncommon bikes the place the present technology is unlikely to outsell the unique one.

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14 Honda CB750

Used Selling Price: $8,456

The Honda CB750 is on no account a superbike by trendy requirements, however it’s usually considered the primary superbike ever created. This bike was Honda’s marketing campaign in opposition to the British singles and twins that dominated the western market again within the day. Thanks to the first ever transverse-mounted inline-four engine, this bike was higher than something on the time. The bike was unparalleled (pun meant) by way of refinement and efficiency and set the stage for a brand new period of bikes: the velocity wars. It’s one of many cheaper bikes on the record, however little question a traditional that’s sure to understand even additional in worth.

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13 Yamaha FZR1000

Used Selling Price: $8,667

With the introduction of the FZR1000 within the late Nineteen Eighties, Yamaha fully reworked the sports activities bike market. With 148 horsepower and a peak velocity of 167 MPH, the FZR1000 was a formidable machine that mixed progressive expertise with a shocking look. Its cutting-edge expertise, such because the EXUP exhaust setup, made for an exciting and highly effective using expertise. Even trendy bikes can’t match the FZR1000’s aerodynamic and streamlined construction, which has twin headlamps and an entire fairing. It is honest to say it created a brand new benchmark for sports activities bike esthetics.

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12 Kawasaki Z1

Used Selling Price: $13,750

The Kawasaki Z1 is one other superbike from a time when race bikes didn’t have any aerodynamic fairings. This was the bike Kawasaki introduced in response to Honda’s CB750, including gasoline to the velocity struggle hearth. When it was launched, the Z1 was essentially the most highly effective four-banger bike that received a number of races, plus the Machine of the Year title by The Motorcycle News for times. Fortunately, this bike wasn’t a uncommon piece, so you possibly can nonetheless get your arms on one with out promoting your own home. It’ll nonetheless be costly, however not as costly as what follows on the record.

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11 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade

Used Selling Price: $10,000 – $25,000 (relying on situation)

Halo sports activities bikes had been large, heavy beasts that did not give a rattling about dealing with or stopping energy until the CBR900RR came along. The man behind the Fireblade, Tadao Baba (pictured), sought to create a motorbike that prioritized acceleration along with light-weight and maneuverability. When the 1992 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade lastly arrived, it fully modified the sports activities bike trade.

Its engine, which surpassed 120 horsepower, was an engineering marvel. Reduced weight, improved aerodynamics, and a small type issue, all contributed to the Fireblade’s exceptional energy with out sacrificing agility. It has been 30 years since Tadao and his workforce set the superbike requirements for liter-class bikes, all due to the CBR900RR, which changed our perception of what a modern supersport should be.

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10 Ducati 916

Used Selling Price: $10,000 – $35,000 (relying on situation and mannequin)

Ducati 916 wants no introduction — this is arguably the most beautiful Ducati ever produced, however its magnificence by no means got here between its efficiency. This superbike was designed to ship a blistering efficiency, and whereas it was not as highly effective as its Japanese rivals, the omnipresent torque made this bike exit corners like its tail was on hearth. This is a motorbike that was bred for the tracks however has turn out to be one of many quintessential museum items, and we don’t blame anybody — we’d like to hold it in our lounge. The solely factor getting in our manner can be the value tag.

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9 Kawasaki ZX-7RR

Used Selling Price: $15,000 – $25,000 (relying on situation)

We all know that the Ninja series has a wealthy historical past, but it surely was the ZX-7R, which was released in the 1990s, that cemented Kawasaki’s fame for producing high-performance bikes. However, it was the extra radical ZX-7RR that was truly designed to dominate the monitor. It had fully adjustable suspension entrance and rear, a solo seat, 41 mm Keihin flat slide carbs, Nissin brakes (6-piston calipers up entrance), a quick-ratio gearbox, and an adjustable steering head angle compared to the usual ZX-7R. All issues stated, the ZX-7RR was difficult to experience comfortably at low RPM on roads because of its flat-slide carbs however contemplating it was meant to be a monitor weapon, this was a minor difficulty.

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8 MV Agusta F4 1000 Tamburini

Used Selling Price: $25,000 – $45,000 (relying on situation)

Massimo Tamburini has blessed many motorcycles with breathtaking designs, however none come near his magnum opus, the MV Agusta F4. It’s a design so iconic and forward of its time, MV Agusta nonetheless hasn’t fiddled round with it a lot even in trendy F3 supersports. The MV Agusta F4 1000 Tamburini is the model’s homage to the legendary designer, however solely 300 of those had been ever produced, making it one of the vital sought-after Italian superbikes ever. Good luck discovering one on Craigslist and even at an public sale place. This bike will most likely promote earlier than you possibly can kind, “Hey, what’s the lowest you can go on this one?”

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7 Ducati 750 Sport

Used Selling Price: $26,750

There is a motive the Ducati 750 Sport is taken into account a legend. The major aim of this bike, which was constructed on the 750GT (Ducati’s first V-twin bike), was to compete within the burgeoning sports activities bike market. The 750cc V-dual engine remained the identical, but it surely was adjusted to provide 60 horsepower as an alternative of 57. It additionally had clip-on handlebars with rear set foot pegs, and as an possibility, a half-fairing and twin entrance disc brakes. The 750 Sport developed into the Imola race bike, which in flip gave delivery to the 750 Super Sport mannequin. It was essentially the most potent and quickest highway bike Ducati had ever made. And on condition that it was initially priced at $1,964, that’s one heck of an appreciation!

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6 Honda VFR750R RC30

Used Selling Price: $43,870

Who knew Honda may make such unique bikes which are collectibles immediately? The RC30 was a limited-run WSBK homologation particular, constructed by Honda Racing Corporation, and it was a race-ready machine for the track. The RC30 received the WSBK championship title and two Macau Grand Prix titles, and it additionally set the Nürburgring quickest bike lap report on the time. With solely 3,000 of those ever constructed, the VFR750R RC30 had the credentials to demand $15,000 again within the day, which is near $40,000 in immediately’s cash. But you’d be fortunate to get one for $40,000 immediately.

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5 Yamaha YZF-R7 OW02

Used Selling Price: $51,895

Wait, how’s this a superbike? You see, earlier than the Honda CBR900RR FireBlade was conceived, the superbike section was more-or-less a 750cc class. The YZF-R7 OW02 was the most effective in that section. This was the most bonkers Yamaha you could get at the time. Unfortunately, the identical can’t be stated concerning the new YZF-R7. But its efficiency isn’t what makes this bike so troublesome to purchase; it is a limited-run homologation particular and solely 50 models made their approach to the States, making it not solely one of the vital costly superbikes of the time but in addition one of many most expensive superbikes on the used market immediately.

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4 Ducati Desmosedici RR

Used Selling Price: $45,000 – $90,000 (relying on mannequin quantity)

When it got here out, the Desmosedici RR was the closest factor to a MotoGP bike, providing the final word Ducati expertise each by way of its mechanics and aesthetics. This was additionally one of the vital costly bikes of the time, however for what it supplied, it was greater than price it. Everything on this bike served efficiency, together with the Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and Marchesini wheels. But its extremely practical design additionally made it one of the vital stunning bikes ever produced. You’d be fortunate to even see one in motion, and ultra lucky to get a chance to own one.

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3 Britten V1000

Used Selling Price: $100,000

Many storage builders have tried to construct race bikes, however few have come near the success the Britten V1000 has achieved. This motorcycle was a dreamchild of the Kiwi craftsman, John Britten, and his group of friends, and it was all the pieces they hoped to attain. This superbike took two podiums on the Battle of Twins at Daytona together with many different race wins and world velocity information again within the 90s. The Britten V1000 is an unconventional motorcycle but has a charm of its own — we’d pay half the value only for the headers! Unfortunately, solely 10 of those had been ever constructed, and the bike has been assigned to museums immediately. Good luck getting your arms on certainly one of these.

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2 Honda NR750

Used Selling Price: $85,000 – $125,000 (relying on situation)

Some would possibly suppose Tamburini obtained the inspiration for the Ducati 916 straight from Venus herself, however the fact is, the Honda NR750 impressed him. Yep, this boxy, retro-cool Honda superbike lent many design cues to the 916, together with the under-seat exhaust and squinty headlights. But what made the NR750 particular was its oval-piston V4 engine, and it was the first bike to get carbon fiber bodywork, USD forks, and electronic fuel injection. No doubt, that is the second most ravishing Honda ever constructed and value each penny you pay for it.

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1 Honda RC213V-S

Used Selling Price: $265,000 (In crate)

So, what’s essentially the most ravishing Honda ever constructed? Say hiya to the RC213V-S. This is a literal MotoGP bike for the streets, and those who have ridden this bike claim the riding experience is surreal, due to its terrifying powerband, telepathic dealing with, and eargasmic exhaust observe. Even when it was model new, its price ticket made it unattainable for many bikers, and immediately, it stands as one of many most expensive modern motorcycles you should purchase at an public sale. Unfortunately, the bike by no means reached the meant manufacturing and solely round 123 had been constructed, most of which have now turn out to be storage beauties for the 1%.

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