TOP 12 BEST BUDGET SPORTBIKES
When it comes to budget sportbikes, there are a lot of great options out there that are eager to please and won’t leave you feeling shortchanged. So, which one should you choose?
The old saying goes, “You can buy a bike on Monday if you win on Sunday.” But many motorcyclists dream of owning the streamlined and powerful sportsbikes they see at the top end of the market. However, factors like budget, license restrictions, and practicality mean that for most people, a budget sportbike is a more realistic option.
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But that doesn’t mean you should feel shortchanged by a less powerful motorcycle. There are plenty of cost-effective, lightweight, and eager-to-please fully-faired motorcycles that pack a punch above their weight. So don’t despair if you can’t afford the bike of your dreams. With a little research, you can find an excellent budget sportbike that will suit your needs and exceed your expectations.
We’ve got a range of engine sizes and budgets featured here so that there is something for everyone, whether you’re just starting out on a 125 or you’re looking for something more powerful without breaking the bank.
So, who will be crowned the champion in our Top 10 Best Budget Sportbikes of 2022 rundown? Read on to find out!
CFMoto 300SR
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Out of all the Chinese manufacturers gaining popularity in European markets, CFMoto has been the most ambitious and successful with its entry-level sportsbike – the 300SR.
With strong ties to a number of other manufacturers, the CFMoto 300SR is a well-rounded machine with a Kawasaki engine and KTM mechanicals. The company has even tapped into KTM’s preferred stylist, Kiska, to give the bike a distinctive and good-looking finish.
The 300SR may not look like the newest model on the block, but it’s still a great bike. The engine is powerful and fast, while the 300SR can handle any bend with ease.
While some people may not have confidence in Chinese-built motorcycles in the past, the 300SR is a well-built and solid bike. With a price tag of only £4,099, it’s a great deal compared to similar models from Yamaha and Kawasaki.
Suzuki GSX-R125
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The GSX-R125 from Suzuki is a hugely popular choice for beginner riders, thanks to its rich heritage in sportsbikes. The Japanese company has produced some of the best-loved and most revered road racers ever, and this model is no exception. It’s a great choice for those just starting out, and it’s popular enough to outlive most of its siblings.
The GSX-R125 is starting to feel its age next to many of its rivals, with its last big update coming back in 2018. However, it remains a stylish and attractive option, with the pronounced snout and curved fairing arguably more attractive than the GSX-R1000. It also looks resplendent when specified with the blue and silver livery that pays homage to both Suzuki’s racer origins and its title-winning MotoGP effort.
The Kawasaki Ninja 125 is still the better value for money, but the GSX-R125 is a keen performer in its own right. It’s very lightweight at just 137kg, and its 15bhp engine is very powerful for its size. Plus, the Suzuki engineering is very robust and reliable, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your bike will last.
Sinnis GPX125
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Sinnis, a burgeoning budget brand, has been making headway into the growing and increasingly competitive low capacity, low cost end of the market. The dynamic looking GPX125 is its newest offering.
While the fixtures and fittings are assembled in China, Sinnis is actually a British brand. It cultivates this combination to weave British design know-how into cost-effective manufacturing.
The Sinnis GPX125 is a smart and stylish sportbike that’s easy to ride and get comfortable on. It’s powered by a 12.7bhp liquid-cooled engine, and while it’s not as powerful as the Yamaha R3 or Kawasaki Ninja 125, it’s a great value at £3,399.
Kawasaki Ninja 12
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The Ninja 125 has inherited some impressive features from its big brother, the WorldSBK title-winning ZX-10R/RR. Lightweight and easy-to-ride, the Ninja 125 is a great choice for beginners or experienced riders who want a bike that’s fun and easy to handle. With its sprightly handling and eager engine, the Ninja 125 is a blast to ride whether you’re just starting out or looking to push your limits.
The Ninja 125 is a great looking bike, especially when you add the white, black, and day-glo orange decals. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular options on the market.
Better still, it’s great value for money. For just over £4,000, you’re getting a well-built and engineered bike.
FB Mondial Sport Classic 125 / 300
FB Mondial’s Sport Classic, also known as the Pagani 1948, is perfect for anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd. This historic Italian company’s motorcycle is attractive and reminiscent of FB Mondial’s World Championship-winning racers from the 1940s and 1950s. The cowled front fairing and porthole headlight give it a cafe racer look, but the Sport Classic is a true sportsbike at heart.
The Sport Classic – available in 125cc or 300cc engine variations – looks and feels like a quality product, with elevated tank badges and sharp short exhausts among its defining features.
The more powerful 300cc engine provides a more refined experience, even if it doesn’t quite match the bike’s impressive exterior design. Meanwhile, the Piaggio-sourced 125cc engine might be a touch too nostalgic for younger buyers seeking something trendier. However, nothing else in this sector can match the Sport Classic’s charm.
Honda CBR500R
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The Honda CBR500R is a motorcycle that appeals to a lot of riders because it’s a very well-rounded machine. It’s powered by a 500cc engine, which is a happy medium between smaller bikes and larger bikes. This makes it a great option for riders who want the best of both worlds. The CBR500R also has great handling and braking, making it a joy to ride on both the street and the track.
The practical Honda CB500F, the brilliant Honda CB500X, and the sporty CBR500R are the result. The CBR500R is the milder-mannered and more usable sibling to the CBR650R. Even though it might not have the same power output, it makes up for it in other ways. It’s fun to ride, feels quicker than its 47bhp might suggest, and stays as refined and composed as a much bigger Honda sportsbike.
The Honda CB500X costs £6,499, which is a modest premium over its 125 and 300cc rivals. Its A2 compatibility, quality feel and the peace of mind that comes with owning a Honda make it a great choice if you can afford it.
We’re surprised that Honda’s rivals haven’t been able to offer a comparable product at a similar price point.
Yamaha R3 / Yamaha R125
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Yamaha has a long and successful history of building sportbikes that dates back many decades. This experience and expertise is evident in all of its models, from the flagship R1 to the mid-weight R6 sprinter, down to the smallest bikes in the lineup, the R3 and R125. Yamaha’s sportbikes are some of the best machines on the road, offering thrilling performance and razor-sharp handling. Whether you’re looking for a race-bred machine or a nimble and fun streetbike, Yamaha has you covered.
The ladder approach that Yamaha has taken with the R125 means that even buying the entry-level model makes you feel like you’re in good company. The looks of the R1 have been handsomely translated onto a smaller bike, and as with every Yamaha, the R125 and R3 are well-engineered and thoughtfully designed. This goes some way to help justify the R125’s price tag of £5,000, while the R3 – which offers 42PS to its sibling’s 15PS – is just under £1k more.
The engine is spirited and the dynamics are engaging, making you feel like a racing legend in no time.
KTM RC390 / RC125
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KTM’s RC390 and RC125 models are still going strong, even though the company has ducked out of the big sportsbike segment for now. These smaller bikes satisfy the demand for KTM’s distinctive, low-capacity offerings alongside the Duke and Adventure models. The RC390/RC125 twins received a much-needed update for 2022, with revised styling, tweaks under the skin, and more generous gadgetry.
The RC pair has been given a more angular look with a re-designed nose and sculpted fairing, while KTM has improved performance on the road with a 44bhp engine that takes advantage of the well-balanced handling. It’s also surprisingly sophisticated for such a small motorcycle, with features like WP Apex suspension and a slick quickshifter that give it a premium feel. That’s just as well, because at £5,649 for the RC390 and £5,049 for the RC125, it’s quite a bit more expensive than its predecessors.
Aprilia RS125
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For decades, the Aprilia RS GP has been the poster child of the baby sportsbike segment. Its screaming, rev-happy two-strokes of the 1990s tore up the streets in a haze of smoke and vapour.
Times have changed and today’s RS GP is a more sophisticated machine, drawing inspiration from the RSV4 – one of the most premium and honed big sportsbikes on the market.
The Aprilia RS125 is a top-of-the-line 125cc sportsbike that is sure to put a smile on your face. With its inverted forks, 14.7bhp engine, and top-notch specs, the RS125 is a looker with its distilled RSV4 touches. You won’t get much change from £5,000, but if you can stretch to it, the RS125 is almost neck-and-neck with the Yamaha R125 as the best 125cc sportsbike around.
Kawasaki Ninja 650
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Kawasaki’s Ninja 650 may be pushing the boundaries of what a “budget” sportsbike is, but at £7,299 it’s still a great deal for what you’re getting. It’s comfortably the most expensive sportsbike on the market, but with its 650cc engine it packs a serious punch. If your budget can stretch a bit further than the £5,000 that would get you a top-of-the-line 125cc sportsbike, the Ninja 650 is definitely worth considering.
The Ninja 650 is a fantastic alternative to the Kawasaki ZX-6R for those who want a more accessible and less intimidating ride. It’s perfect for anyone who wants the best of both worlds in a motorcycle – the sensibilities of a tourer combined with the pulsating heart of a sportsbike. You’ll love the modest design that’s been livened up by Kawasaki’s signature green livery. And because it’s been made by a company that knows how to make a good sportsbike, you can rest assured that the quality is excellent.
The Ninja 650 is a great option for riders looking for a bike that can handle both everyday commuting and weekend rides. It’s got a powerful engine and great handling, and it’s also priced competitively against other bikes in its class.
Yamaha YZF-R1
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After Honda astonished the public in the early 1990s with their original CBR900RR FireBlade, other motorcycle companies had to retaliation and come up with their own creative ideas. It took some time, but Yamaha fought back in the best way possible. By increasing the displacement to 1000cc and still managing to keep the weight of a 750cc bike, they were able to surpass Honda and nearly everyone else, which then led to them establishing the liter bike class as we know it today.
Honda VTR1000 SP2
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This bike is interesting because it is so different from any other Honda bike. Honda developed these bikes to beat Ducati on track. It worked, and the homologation bike also sold in huge numbers because it was so affordable. It is still affordable, but make no mistake, this is a track focused machine with no comfort of fuel efficiency to speak of.
