These days, motorcycles – like just about everything else in this world – are getting expensive. If you are an experienced rider shopping on a budget, there still are several fun bikes to choose from, but none of them have more than 100 horsepower. If you are after something more powerful, you have no option but to look to the used market. There are actually several powerful motorcycles that can be found on the used market for less than $7k. From torque-rich cruisers to high-powered superbikes, there is a powerful used motorcycle out there for just about every kind of rider. Not all is equal in the world of reliability, but for some the potential reward is indeed worth the risk.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including KBB. Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list are ranked according to power.
2009 Aprilia Tuono 1000 R
Power: 137 Horsepower
By 2009, the old Rotax V-twin was nearing the end of its service life, and had more or less reached its performance ceiling. Back then, the Tuono resembled an alternative choice. Today, it just looks like a bargain. Naturally, with it being an aging Italian bike, there will always be an element of risk attached to this purchase. While the Rotax engine was mechanically reliable, 16-year-old Italian wiring is not for the faint of heart.
2005 Triumph Rocket III
Power: 144 Horsepower
When the Rocket III first came out, it had the biggest engine ever put in a production motorcycle. This record was only broken when the next generation Rocket 3 came out. 144 horsepower is also only the tip of the iceberg, it also has more than 160 pound-feet of torque. For all those cruiser lovers out there after more torque, nothing beats this at this price point.
2011 Ducati Diavel
Power: 162 Horsepower
Generally speaking, it is advisable to avoid any bike in its first year of production. It is also wise to steer clear of old, highly strung Italian V-twins. This just happens to be both of those things, but it is in our price range, and it makes the chromed-out Rocket III look like it was designed in the dark ages by comparison. This is a thoroughly modern cruiser, but it is also cheap for a reason. Approach this one with extreme caution.
2010 Honda VFR1200F
Power: 170 Horsepower
Rather surprisingly, there is even an overpowered touring bike within our rather limited budget. This is a bike that puts the word “sport” in sport tourer. Even by today’s lofty performance standards, this is a fast motorcycle. That immense V4 will power this 600-pound hulk to a quarter-mile time of just a shade over 10 seconds. In a straight line, it will embarrass a few modern 200 horsepower superbikes.
2005 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
Power: 172 Horsepower
Honda finally entered the full liter class with the 2004 Fireblade. It brought Honda back into the conversation in a big way, and while it lived in the shadow of the other superbikes of this era, it was no slouch. Most of these Japanese superbikes remain remarkably reliable, all things considered, but at this end of the market, you need to check the bike carefully because it is highly likely that they will have seen some level of track use.
1999 Suzuki Hayabusa (1st Generation)
Power: 173 Horsepower
The Hayabusa is in no danger of having lived out a previous life out on track, but there could have been a number of other things done to it depending on the kind of modifications you find. If you want one that is still in original condition, be prepared to pay more. Our budget sort of dictates that we will need to accept the fact that it won’t be in perfect shape, over two decades of regular use will add up.
2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (K5)
Power: 178 Horsepower
Even after 20 years, the 2005 Gixxer is still one of those bikes people actively search for. With 178 horsepower and a razor sharp chassis, this was a bike that took Suzuki to new, previously unimaginable heights. All this power was also affordable back then, too, but that is a double-edged sword. These bikes often fell into the wrong, inexperienced hands, and novice riders paid the price. Finding one that hasn’t been for a long slide is not easy.
2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Power: 179 Horsepower*
This actually came out just before the Gixxer, but much like the aforementioned Fireblade, it is not remembered quite as fondly. The spec sheet will only tell a portion of the story. With ram-air, it had just as much power, and it was just as light, but its chassis was still a little unrefined. As a result, it was known to be a little twitchy, and its accelerator was also more like a hair-trigger. Certain modifications will help, but it is still a pretty crazy bike no matter which way you look at it.
2004 Yamaha YZF-R1
Power: 180 Horsepower*
Even though the R1 had quite literally just reshaped the superbike as we knew it, by 2004 it was already getting its second major overhaul. In an effort to stay ahead, the Deltabox frame was revised, and it also got the most powerful version of the Genesis 20 valve engine. While it had more power than its contemporaries, it was also heavier, which resulted in both Kawasaki and Suzuki overtaking the R1. But only by the smallest of margins.
2001 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
Power: 190 Horsepower*
For a time, this was the single most powerful motorcycle money could buy. Today, it is actually pretty hard to believe how little these bikes are worth. Naturally, much depends on the condition of the bike. With it being an analog machine, some road rash is to be expected, so bikes that have all their plastics intact will be worth a bit more than the indicated price.
*with ram air