All superbikes should offer blistering performance but I think the great ones have something more...

Riding a bike shouldn’t just be about headline power figures, it needs to be about how the machine feels, what it responds like and even how it sounds. And on this front, these five used bikes are winners.

Related: MCN’s pick of the best homologation superbikes on the used market right now

These sportsbikes were never quite the fastest in their day, but they do deliver something a bit special and memorable. That’s not to say any are slugs, far from it, but when you don’t feel like using their blistering performance, you can take things a bit easier and enjoy their character instead.

Read on for our expert guide to superbikes with more than speed and power on offer!

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MCN Recommended: 2008 – 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R – £5000 – £7000

A tempting blend of performance and attitude

Spec:

• Power 185bhp
• Engine capacity 998cc
• Seat height 830mm
• Kerb weight 196kg

The third generation ZX-10R struck a balance between the insanity of the original and the assured feel of the second generation. Its inline four has good midrange for relaxed riding and a searing top-end for when you want to go ballistic. On the road the handling is sharp without being too lively (an Öhlins steering damper calm things) and the suspension, although firm, has a degree of compliance. If you want an old-school litre bike, this is the best generation of pre-digital Ninja.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R used buying advice

● The exhaust valve, which is located at the point the exhaust meets the silencer, likes to seize shut. Check it is moving freely by watching the cables when the motor is revved, it should open at around 5000rpm.
● The black finish on the frame and swingarm can wear thin, especially in areas where boots rub. If the bike has any stickers, check beneath them for marks and watch out for any signs of black touch-up paint.
● Inspect the fairing, paying attention to the areas where lugs attach and brackets are located. The plastic is brittle on the Ninja.

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2008 – 2013 Ducati 848 – £4999 – £8999

Meet what could be the ideal middleweight sportsbike

Spec:

• Power 134bhp
• Engine capacity 849cc
• Seat height 830mm
• Kerb weight 186kg

The 848 is a fabulous bike and remarkable value for money. Powered by a smaller-capacity version of the Testastretta Evoluzione V-twin, the 848 has no major reliability issues and with 134bhp on tap, is hardly short of power. Glorious to ride with bags of soul thanks to that thumping motor, the 848 eats corners with unflappable poise.

Ducati 848 used buying advice

● Don’t directly jet wash the dash! There are a few reports of early 848 displays letting in water.
● An unreliable 848 is generally the result of poor relays. It’s a good idea to swap the fuel pump and ignition relays every service, this is a simple and cheap job with new relays costing less than £5 each.
● The EVO model is a step up but not leagues ahead. The EVO Corse has traction control and a quickshifter, while the Corse SE adds an Öhlins shock and more.

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2009 – 2016 KTM RC8 R – £7000 – £11,000

Austria’s first superbike didn’t quite hit the mark

Spec:

• Power 175bhp
• Engine capacity 1195cc
• Seat height 825mm
• Kerb weight 202kg

The RC8 R arrived in 2009 but it should have been released about four years earlier to stand any chance against Ducati. That said, it’s a beautifully old-school V-twin that sounds incredible (the Akrapovic full system is catastrophically loud) and rides wonderfully. Designed with road riders in mind, the RC8 R isn’t too extreme and still looks fresh.

KTM RC8 R used buying advice

● Check the area around the water pump as the seal is a known weak point, often failing and allowing coolant to leak past. It’s a cheap fix.
● The composite tank is known to expand with age as modern fuels react with it. It won’t split but can be a real pain to get back in place once removed for maintenance.
● The original RC8 is 1148cc while the R is 1195cc. The base bike is cheaper with prices starting at just £5500, but it isn’t as reliable and lacks the R’s mid-range.

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2009 – 2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 14BE – £4800 – £9000

The soul of a twin – but with four cylinders!

Spec:

• Power 182bhp
• Engine capacity 998cc
• Seat height 835mm
• Kerb weight 206kg

If you like an inline four yet are a bit tired of a wailing exhaust note and rev-happy motor, try the crossplane R1. Not only does the off-beat exhaust note sound stunning, the whole engine’s character is so appealing. Smooth on a constant throttle yet lumpy like a twin when you accelerate, the crossplane’s midrange drive makes it ideally suited to road riding.

Yamaha YZF-R1 14BE used buying advice

● Avoid aftermarket shifters as they can cause premature wear.
● Many get the ECU remapped for a smoother throttle response. Another good mod is to remove the catalytic converter through a de-link pipe as it tends to trap heat, leading to a cooked leg in summer.
● The original clutch plates on the R1 are a trifle weak. If you can detect a judder when you are pulling away, assume the clutch pack will need replacing. This will set you back around £100-£150.

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2001 – 2006 Triumph Daytona 955i – £2500 – £4000

Well matured British beef is mighty fine value…

Spec:

• Power 147bhp
• Engine capacity 995cc
• Seat height 815mm
• Kerb weight 211kg

The last of Triumph’s large capacity sportsbikes is a real beauty and prices are remarkably low. You can easily pick up a beauty for just £3000, which makes it very tempting. Powered by a soulful triple, the Daytona is big, roomy and very comfortable while its suspension is plush. A great road bike, it looks a bit dated but rides really well and sounds great.

Triumph Daytona 955i used buying advice

● Reg/recs and stators are notoriously weak on the 955i and often fail. It is always best to catch them before they go wrong.
● Always check the eccentric adjuster in the hub is moving freely and isn’t seized, and also that the pinch bolts haven’t been over tightened as this can lead to a damaged hub.
● The gearbox can be a weak point on the Daytona, so take it for a test ride and check it doesn’t hop out of gear under acceleration.