Here Are The 8 Most Affordable Sports Bikes In 2022

Hyper-performance super bikes can often cost an arm and a leg, but these affordable options can take you for some pretty thrilling rides.

Thrilling fun and fast speeds don’t always have to come at a price. Of course, while there are plenty of blisteringly fast motorcycles which are breathtaking to look at, most of them come with hefty price tags. In fact, a brand-new superbike might even cost more than a used supercar at times, which then makes it a bit of an obstacle to enter the world of sports bikes for beginners. When it comes to sports bikes, the problem of justifying something like a Yamaha R-1 or a Suzuki Hayabusa is a very real one. However, there are several options on the market which could give you the thrill of speed without weighing down too much on your wallet.

If your mind is set on bringing home a brand-new bike instead of a pre-owned one, there are many affordable options that won’t shatter your budget. While these might not be the most powerful or outlandish bikes out there, they get the job done, and then some. Many of these bikes have proven themselves for years on the racetrack, which makes them great to consider and bring home. Without further ado, here are the 10 most affordable sports bikes in 2022 that you could bring home brand-new.

RELATED: SuperSport Showdown: Yamaha R3 Vs KTM RC 390

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Yamaha YZF-R3 ($5,499)

Yamaha Motorsports

A miniature clone of its top-of-the-line sibling the YZF R-1, the Yamaha YZF-R3 does possess enough DNA from the liter-class R1 to make this bike a remarkable starter sports bike. A brilliant bike, the R3 has a great chassis and suspension, which enhance the sports bike feel of this vehicle and make it quite a ride on the highway as well as the track.

Yamaha Motorsports

Fitted with a parallel twin engine which produces 42 horsepower, the R3 has enough performance in it to keep any rider happy, and even for a beginner, doesn’t feel too underpowered even after they have mastered the craft. The Yamaha R3, at $5,499, is a great bike to have, especially because it is capable of going head-to-head with bigger bikes, and definitely punches above its weights thanks to the great engineering of this motorcycle.

KTM RC 390 ($5,799)

via: KTM

KTM is not just a great off-road and adventure bike manufacturer, but they also know how to craft some truly phenomenal road-going sports bikes. The RC8 and 1290 Super Duke R are some pretty great testaments to that. Furthermore, the brand did manage to win the MotoGP in just their fourth season as an entrant. The RC 390, then, like the Yamaha R3, is one of the best starter bikes and its performance reaches close to that of bigger bikes as well.

via: KTM

Thanks to a great power-to-weight ratio and a 44 hp engine, the bike looks the part as well, with great looks fused onto an excellent chassis and suspension combo. This makes the KTM RC 390 handle sharply, and it is a great track toy to have. Electronics make the RC 390 even better, with cornering traction control and ABS making the entire package more well-rounded. At $5,799, the RC 390 is a great sub-$6000 sports bike to bring home.

Kawasaki Ninja 400 ($5,799)

via: Kawasaki

The segment of baby super bikes ends with the Kawasaki Ninja 400, which is perhaps the best option out there, for it blends the best parts of the Yamaha R3 and the KTM RC 390 quite beautifully. Riding on a 399cc parallel-twin engine, the Ninja 400 cranks out 44 horsepower, but its biggest pull factor is by far the excellent build quality and reliability.

via: kawasaki

Easy to live with, the Ninja 400 also looks the most like a big bike when compared to its two formerly-mentioned competitors. The parallel-twin brings in a refinement and character to the bike that feels missing in the KTM, and a 119mph top speed is great for a starter bike. Brilliant handling rounds out the package, and the Ninja 400 also proves itself a remarkable tourer thanks to a suspension which soaks up bumps easily.

RELATED: Here’s Why The Kawasaki Ninja 400 Is The Best Beginner Sports Bike

Honda CBR 500R ($7,199)

via: Honda

The Japanese have entered the chat, and Honda’s CBR 500R is a great sports bike that is also a lot better-suited to long highway rides than some of its competitors. While it is heavier than its immediate rival, the Ninja 400, the CBR 500R’s 471cc two-cylinder engine also makes a little more horsepower than the Kawasaki.

via: Honda.co.uk

The Honda CBR500R is also one of the most refined sub-600cc bikes out there, with remarkable refinement, thanks to great craftsmanship and the two-cylinder setup. A smoother suspension also makes the CBR vibrate considerably less when you’re trying to push the speedometer to its max. At $7,199, the Honda CBR500R might be a bit on the expensive side, but its refinement and GT-esque looks make it worth the price tag.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 ($8,299)

via kawasaki

In the super sports segment, and especially the 600cc segment, perhaps no bike is as popular worldwide as the Kawasaki Ninja 650. A 67-horsepower two-cylinder engine develops 47 lb-ft of torque in the Ninja 650, and blends comfort and great performance in a fantastic manner. The chassis and riding dynamics of the Ninja 650 make it a great track toy while also ensuring that it remains a commendable tourer as well.

via: Kawasaki

With tech like Bluetooth connectivity and a configurable TFT screen, the Ninja 650 also offers an upgraded suspension for those looking to take it to the track. At $8,299, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 is perhaps one of the most well-rounded supersport bikes in the market, which offers a refined ride, great track dynamics, and plenty of punch and performance.

RELATED: Yamaha R7 Vs Kawasaki Ninja 650: Which Is The Better Middleweight Sportbike

Yamaha R7 ($8,999)

Via yamahamotorsports.com

The Yamaha R7 is truly an iconic motorcycle, and is one of the best bikes for those trying to tread the middle ground between uncompromising liter-class sports bikes and beginner-friendly sports bikes. The new Yamaha R7 shares its engine with the MT-07, and the parallel twin-engine makes 72 horsepower with 49 lb-ft of torque.

Via: Yamaha

The R7’s chassis ensures that no matter how fast or slow you go on the bike, it remains comfortable. The bike itself looks remarkably stylish in its new and refreshed avatar, and most importantly, sitting a peg below the liter-class bikes, the Yamaha R7 is also quite relatively affordable with its $8,999 price tag. Quite an accessible bike thanks to its relaxed riding position, the R7 is a phenomenal track toy as well as an obedient highway-rider.

Honda CBR 650R ($9,799)

Via: Powersports. Honda

Honda’s CBR650R is definitely a lot different from its younger sibling the CBR500R. A supersport bike, the CBR650R has a four-cylinder 649cc engine, which delivers 85 horsepower to the wheel with 42 lb-ft of torque. The CBR650R, especially in comparison to the CBR500R, is a noticeably sporty bike with distinctive GT design.

via: Honda

In its latest avatar, the Honda CBR650R has refreshed design, great new suspension and chassis components which make the handling and riding dynamics of this bike better than ever. One of the most agile bikes in its class, the CBR650R is definitely a lot more expensive than the other bikes of its class at $9,799, but it manages to take the fight to bigger bikes with ease, thanks to the great riding dynamics and track-friendly body.

RELATED: 8 Things Motorcycle Enthusiasts Should Know About The Honda CBR650R

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ($10,499)

Via: Kawasaki

One could be forgiven for assuming that the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and the Ninja 650 share the same engine, but they do not. While these two bikes do share the Ninja nameplate, the ZX-6R has a 636cc four-cylinder engine which churns out 134 horsepower, making it the strongest contestant on this list.

Via: Kawasaki

The ZX-6R is also a lot sharper than its Ninja sibling, and with an electronic quick-shifter, LED lights and a TFT display as standard, it is also one of the best-equipped bikes you could get. Traction control, too, is standard, and the Showa suspension on the ZX-6R is also completely adjustable. While the bike is most certainly a phenomenal track toy to play around with, it also rides remarkably well, and on-road behavior and comfort in the ZX-6R is great enough that it could even be a commuter with the right suspension adjustment. One of the best-priced middleweight bikes, the Ninja ZX-6R should be on every biker’s list.