Japan is famous for a lot of things, one of which is its fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. These qualities are what make Japanese motorcycles some of the best in the world. We have compiled a list of the Five best Japanese sports bikes on the market.
KAWASAKI Ninja 250
If you are a beginner interested in sports bikes, chances are you have test rode or, at the very least, heard of the Kawasaki Ninja 250. It has become almost a rite of passage for young sports bike enthusiasts to have one as their first bike before progressing onto bigger bikes. The ninja was first released in 1984 and actually covers several series of Kawasaki sport bikes.
Honda CBR
Honda had the spotlight for their almost unbeatable litre bikes from 2000-2010. Now they are back and are the brand to beat after the release of their completely redesigned CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. This bike is not for the faint-hearted; with every inch of this bike designed for speed, from the downforce-generating winglets to the near 190hp it puts out, it has a top speed that exceeds 186mph. Naturally, this is a once in a lifetime kind of bike and has a price tag to match. The CBR1K Triple R is currently one of the fastest motorcycles being produced.
Yamaha R6
The Yamaha R6 was first released in 1999 and perfected (at least in our opinion) in 2006.
The 2017 release of the R6 is everything you need in a sports bike if you are looking to upgrade from your first bike. It is based on the 2006 version with the addition of modern safety features and newly designed body work. One drawback of any Yamaha R6 is the aggressive body position. It can be incredibly hard on the shoulders and wrists when riding for long periods of time. As a result, this is not a practical bike for a daily or urban rider.
That being said, if you are aware of the drawbacks and don’t mind, this is the kind of bike you can ride for years and never get bored.
KAWASAKI ZX-25R
Kawasaki has proven itself time and time again in the 250cc class. Once again, they have stepped up and released the only inline-four in its class. The ZX-25R is a 249 cm3 liquid-cooled DOHC In-Line Four engine powerhouse in a small frame. Its high-performance engine offers pure power and a rev range that extends beyond 17,000 min-1. To put that into perspective, that is 2,000RPMs faster than a modern formula one car. It also has some goodies that are typically reserved for bigger bikes, such as a slipper clutch and electronic tractions control.
Now, this bike is definitely not for beginners; it is a great option for anyone wanting to come down in size but not power.
SUZUKI HAYABUSA
The Suzuki Hayabusa has pretty much been in a class of its own since its release in 1999. They one-upped Hondas Blackbird during the aptly named “speed wars” in the 1990s. The Hayabusa (the Japanese word for “Peregrine Falcon,” which is a bird that literally preys on Blackbirds) has become known for its speed and stability. The latest generation, the GSX-1300R, was unveiled by Suzuki in early 2021. As a 1.3 sport tourer, it is perfect for any seasoned rider looking to combine comfort with speed.
Japan has been producing quality bikes for decades; they are some of the best on the market! If you are looking to sell a sports bike, talk to one of our experts to get the process started.
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