The verdict
We’re not going to lie; buying a used sportsbike for around a grand can go spectacularly wrong. A minefield full of absolute shitters is always going to be mixed with the odd gem. But going to a friendly dealer (like our buddies at Bransons and Frasers), or striving to find a full service history, alleviates some of the ball-ache and likelihood of finding yourself in a financial hole, but look out for obvious signs of ex-racers and regular trackday specials.
If the bike looks good, but the tyres look shoddy, don’t be afraid of taking a punt – or asking the dealer to fit new rubber. A set of dodgy hoops can make an exemplary model handle like a drunken crab on ketamine. Tyres often have the final say...
If the modern equivalent costs over £10,000, in many ways the performance deficit of the ZX-9R is comparable with the cost – as in you’re getting a tenth of the performance and equipment of today’s material. For a grand, you can’t really complain at what’s on offer here. The big Kwacker is bulletproof and presents a certain niche to a certain rider. And up until a few years ago, a ‘retuned’ ZX-9R motor was being housed in Kawasaki’s Z1000.
What else can you get for a grand? If it’s the size and sheer mass that deters you from a 9R, then there’s a myriad of CBR600s and ZZR600s available. If you think you’ve spotted a bargain because a bike is a few grand cheaper than it should be, it’s probably a howler with hidden secrets and wobbly wheels...
Upwards on the performance spectrum is the FireBlade. Still one of our favourite Fireblades/Fire Blades is the 954, but they’re fetching strong mullah – as much as £4,500 – whereas the 929 is an excellent road hack. So long as trackdays aren’t a priority, you won't need to spend much on sorting one.
Hondas are far from unreliable, but there was a fork recall for the early noughties models (so check it's been done/not an import), and watch out for water ingress on the fuse boards that can cause a fault. Cam
sensors have also been known to fail occasionally. Other than that, just enjoy feeding the 'Blade petrol, that sexy front-end and kicking the tyres.
For us, it’s virtually impossible to split the GSX-R750 and Aprilia RSV Mille in terms of performance. It’s all down to what type of thrills you’re after – v-twin boom or howling four-pot, but the Aprilia is still far cheaper. Although the hefty ZX-9R's and Mille's weights are very similar, one hides its mass superbly, the other doesn't. One is a bus, the other copies a GPwinning machine.
And don't be put off by misconceptions surrounding reliability. 20,000 miles on the dash, and Phil's Mille is still getting a daily spanking, with no signs of retirement. We've heard of plenty of other RSV owners with similar stories to tell. Miles means smiles!
The Mille R, with its Öhlins blingery and OZ wheels, is another option, but you’re running out of v-twin alternatives at this price point. As previously mentioned, Ducatis are commanding big money for looking pretty and not handling as well as the Mille, and TL1000Rs just
aren’t as proficient as the base Mille.
The Mille also boasts the best steering lock ever to grace a sportsbike! But besides this really useful trait, it's a bike that delivers so much – both on and off track – and rarely lacks performance against the fresh kit of today, as does the GSX-R750...
Fast Bikes test results are determined by pure dynamics and outright pace, and this seals the deal for the Suzuki. In many ways, it's more enjoyable than the newer Suzuki models and with a smidgen of coin spent, you'll have a serious weapon in your hands.
It's still commanding respectable money, so expect to pay around two grand for a decent private sale. Just be aware of headlight protectors and anodised tat!