I remember watching these bikes win World Superbike titles, and now you can buy one from just £3800!

Rather than exotic prototypes, the ethos behind World Superbikes was the fact that you could ride to the circuit to watch bikes very much like the one you arrived on. During the 1990s the series’ popularity exploded as wild characters such as Fogarty, Russell, Haga, Gobert, Kocinski and more put on one hell of a show.

• Related: Best kit for sportsbike riders

Still very much a production bike-based class, even more so nowadays, if you want to own a bike that both looks and feels like a racer, then a WSBK-based sportsbike is for you.

Read on for our expert guide to the best used WSBK-inspired sportsbikes!

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MCN Recommended: 2009-2011 Aprilia RSV4 Factory – £6000-£8000

Aprilia’s V4 race bike… with lights and a numberplate

Spec:

• Power 177bhp
• Engine capacity 999cc
• Seat height 845mm
• Kerb weight 203kg

Scooping three WSBK titles thanks to Max Biaggi (twice) and Sylvain Guintoli, the Aprilia RSV4 Factory is essentially a race bike with a set of lights fitted. The V4-powered Aprilia is a staggering bike to ride but it does have a few issues. Small, compact and very track-focused, the RSV4 requires a dedicated owner and reliability concerns are always a factor. If you get a good one, they are incredible to ride and also extremely good value. But a bad one will rapidly empty your wallet.

Aprilia RSV4 Factory used buying advice

● There have been several camchain tensioner updates on the RSV4 engine, so ensure the bike is running the latest spec because they are known to fail. Replacement units are about £80 each but are best fitted by a professional.
● Always check the gearbox – they are prone to wear, especially if the bike has a quickshifter fitted.
● Most RSV4 models get accessorised, with loud pipes and tail tidies common additions. If any extras are fitted, just check their legality and loudness for when it comes to the next MoT.

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2009-2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 – £6000-£9000

Crossplane beauty just like the one ridden by Ben Spies

Spec:

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

American superstar Ben Spies arrived in WSBK in 2009 and on the all-new crossplane R1’s debut year he scooped the title – and then cleared off to MotoGP. As a road bike there’s lots to love about this R1. Fairly roomy, it can feel a touch lardy on track but on the road it has a very assured feel and the crossplane engine is a beauty. It is well built and generally reliable.

Yamaha YZF-R1 used buying advice

● Yamaha didn’t offer a quickshifter for this generation of R1. Aftermarket ones can put strain on the gearbox, so check carefully.
● Some R1s suffer from clutch judder. It’s not a massive issue and can be sorted through aftermarket clutch plates, but always feel for any judder when pulling away.
● The R1 can cook your leg in summer. An ECU re-flash can lower the point where the cooling fan kicks in, and removing the cat’ will help stop your leg getting roasted.

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2004-2007 Honda Fireblade – £3800-£6000

As ridden to title glory by our own James Toseland

Spec:

• Power 172bhp
• Engine capacity 998cc
• Seat height 828mm
• Kerb weight 205kg

Honda’s sole inline-four WSBK title came thanks to the ‘underseat pipe’ Fireblade and James Toseland in 2007. The 2004-2007 Honda Fireblade not only looks great but is also a very sorted road bike with a solid reliability record and impressive handling. In the used market it’s a high-value sportsbike that will give you a buzz yet won’t leave you feeling too battered and bruised.

Honda Fireblade used buying advice

● The engine is solid but owners report the stator can fail, which costs nearly £427 from Honda or closer to £150 for a pattern unit.
● The paint is quite thin on the ‘tank’ cover and wears where the rider’s knees rub, so be cautious of any bikes with adhesive grips fitted as they may be covering marks.
● Inspect the radiator for damage and check it isn’t blocked with grime. The Blade can run quite hot and a clogged radiator only exacerbates the issue.

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2011-2019 Kawasaki ZX-10R – £6500-£9999

The bike that became a dominant force in World Superbike

Spec:

• Power 197bhp
• Engine capacity 998cc
• Seat height 813mm
• Kerb weight 198kg

With seven titles under its belt (six for Jonathan Rea, one for Tom Sykes), the Kawasaki ZX-10R dominated racing in the 2010s. Always a very track-focused bike, the 2011 Ninja elevated Kawasaki’s sportsbike from an also-ran into a winner. Despite enormous peak power, the inline-four is rev-happy and lacking in midrange while its chassis is small, focused and aggressive.

Kawasaki ZX-10R used buying advice

● Check for both crash damage and signs of track use as the Ninja is often taken on circuit. Look at the MoT history to see if anything looks suspicious and always check for scrapes behind the fairing.
● There are reports of the fuel pump playing up on older Ninjas. It’s about £50 for a pattern part or £550 from Kawasaki!
● Inspect the discs to see if they are approaching their minimum wear level, replacement petal discs from Kawasaki are £260 a side.

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2006-2008 Ducati 1098 – £7000-£8500

The bike that rekindled Ducati’s World Superbike fortunes

Spec:

• Power 160bhp
• Engine capacity 1099cc
• Seat height 840mm
• Kerb weight 188kg

OK, technically it was the 1098R that Troy Bayliss and Carlos Checa won their titles on but unless you have £25k kicking around, you will be looking at the standard Ducati 1098 rather than the homologation special. It blends the styling of the 916 with a thoroughly modern Evoluzione engine. And if you want some extra bling, you can always opt for the higher-spec S model.

Ducati 1098 used buying advice

● Check the shock’s lower mount: water can become trapped in the swingarm’s recess on early models, leading to rust forming. Later bikes have drain holes to prevent this.
● If the bike feels lethargic, chances are that the fuel breather pipe has become blocked.
● The 1098 requires cambelts swapping every five years (or 15,000 miles) while the valve clearance check is every 7500 miles and is not time-sensitive. It’s still costly but not as bad as it was!