Why This Affordable Under-$5K Sport Bike Still Dominates More Expensive New Bikes

Once the dust had settled from the Speed Wars of the 90s, the big four Japanese manufacturers desperately needed to find a new way to sell high-performance motorcycles in the early 00s. Decades worth of research and development couldn’t simply go to waste, so it was almost universally decided that they would refocus all their attention on liter-class sports bikes.

While the other three manufacturers were busy obsessing over top speed, Yamaha had effectively already cornered this end of the market with the now legendary first-generation R1, but that didn’t last long. Suzuki was the first to hit back with what was effectively a stroked-out Gixxer 750, then Honda came to the party with the first 1000cc Fireblade. But, when the Ninja ZX-10R came out in 2004, it took quite literally everything to another level. It was lighter, faster, and more powerful than anything that came before.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various authoritative sources, including KBB. Whereas, the opinions are our own. Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution.

If you are willing to look at a used superbike, there really is such a thing as power on a budget. You get loads of variety, too!

The 2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Is The Forgotten Sports Bike Under $5,000

Price Range: $3,000 – $6,000

After battling on for around a decade with the ZX-9R, Kawasaki were the last Japanese manufacturer to enter the new 1000cc superbike class. Back then, the ZX-10R was like bringing a gun to a knife fight. It was an absolute rocket ship. It wasn’t just fast, either, it was also genuinely affordable. More than two decades have passed since this was introduced at a price of $11k, so it is easy to understand why it isn’t exactly a collectible bike.

Kawasaki sold thousands of these bikes and the vast majority were ridden into the dirt. Trade value is set at a meager $3,810, but we doubt that any dealer would even consider trading a bike this old. The resale value of around $5,500 is more relevant. With most riders gravitating towards more versatile bikes these days, there will certainly be a little room for negotiation when it comes to an old superbike like this.

In the world we live in today, where 200-horsepower superbikes have become the norm, this power figure might not seem all that impressive. This is why context is so important. This is a motorcycle with no electronics, no rider aids, and no safety nets whatsoever. The only “rider aid” here is biological, which is the information your brain sends to your right wrist. Even the throttle itself was not particularly smooth on these first-generation bikes. Even so, in the right hands, these old superbikes will lap faster than several of the newer, significantly heavier modern superbikes.

The Very Definition Of “Scary Fast”

This kind of motorcycle is not for everyone. While it rewards skill, it also punishes any mistakes severely. All the way through the 00s these liter-class sports bikes were infamous for ejecting riders who got on the throttle a fraction of a second too early, or got on the brakes a fraction of a second too late. Knowing this was always part of the thrill, simply being able to ride one of these superbikes without ending up in a ditch was something of an achievement.

The ZX-10R Is Not For Beginners

Even when the ZX-10R was new, it was relatively affordable. Today, the same is true, but that doesn’t mean it is in any way accessible. It comes as no surprise that you can find low-mileage examples like the bike pictured. People quickly grew tired of this kind of rider experience, where virtually any fast-paced street ride can turn into a near-death experience.

More At Home On Track

While the chassis isn’t all that advanced by modern standards, it did help make the bike incredibly light. At 433 pounds, the ZX-10R was actually lighter than most contemporary 600cc supersports. It still makes several modern superbikes look heavy by comparison. A set of decent modern tires and a few suspension updates will transform one of these bikes into a fantastic track bike, and we feel this is where it will be most at home.

There Are A Couple Of Well-Priced Alternatives

The flaws of these incredible superbikes from the 00s are all well-documented today. For many riders, the thrill is worth the potential risk, and for under $5k, these bikes are an absolute bargain for the right buyer. All of them are from the same country, too.

2004 Yamaha YZF-R1

With ram-air, the same model R1 had just as much power as the green monster. It was just that the Genesis engine had already hit its performance ceiling, and the Kawasaki’s engine was brand new, and still had a fair bit more potential. Back when they were new, the R1 was second best, but there is very little between the two bikes today.

2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (K5)

Usually, we like to include the same year model, but the K5 Gixxer is a legend within the industry. It came out just one year after the ZX-10R, and was even better. Power and weight figures looked more or less the same on paper, but on track, it was clear that the Suzuki had the better chassis. Finding one in good shape is even harder and will cost more.

Over the past two decades, the motorcycle landscape has changed immeasurably. We have a huge selection of motorcycles to choose from, all safer and more sophisticated than ever before. Unfortunately, that sophistication costs rather a lot, and often detracts from the overall experience. For the right, more experienced kind of rider, one of these affordable old superbikes offers the kind of thrill ride that just can’t be replicated by the modern equivalent.