SPORTS Bike Reviews
New riders
Rated at least
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HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP (2014-2017)
New price: N/AUsed price: £9,900 - £10,300- 999cc
- 178 bhp
- 42 mpg
- Medium seat height
The most desirable Blade in its 21-year history
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DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R (2013-2015)
New price: N/AUsed price: £18,000- 1198cc
- 195 bhp
- 30 mpg
- Medium seat height
Spectacular track version of Panigale aimed at racers or collectors
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MV-AGUSTA F3 800 (2013-on)
New price: £11,499Used price: £6,900 - £10,000- 798cc
- 148 bhp
- 45 mpg
- Medium seat height
Now positioned as the entry-level bike in MV's range but not a bike for novices – it's got seriously impressive performance
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SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2012-2016)
New price: N/AUsed price: £5,000 - £8,700- 999cc
- 182 bhp
- 50 mpg
- Medium seat height
An exceptional road bike with real world manners
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LEXMOTO XTR 125 (2012-on)
New price: £1,250- 124cc
- 9.7 bhp
- 65 mpg
- Medium seat height
Cheap and cheerful Chinese-built CBR125R-alike
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BMW S1000RR SPORT (2012-2014)
New price: N/AUsed price: £5,800- 999cc
- 193 bhp
- 33 mpg
- Medium seat height
"The 2012 S1000RR is a giant leap forward, thanks to a host of small, but important mods"
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RIEJU RS3 125 (2013-on)
New price: £3,399- 124cc
- 15 bhp
- 66 mpg
- Tall seat height
"Fast engine and good looks let down by poor build quality and bad handling"
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MV-AGUSTA F4 1000RR CORSACORTA (2011-2019)
New price: N/AUsed price: £12,200 - £18,000- 998cc
- 201 bhp
- 28 mpg
- Medium seat height
The most powerful and refined F4 MV Agusta has ever produced
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HONDA CBR250R (2011-2013)
New price: N/A- 249cc
- 26 bhp
- 46 mpg
- Low seat height
Simple, easy to ride, modern-dressed sportster. Since superceeded by CBR300R
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HONDA CBR600F ABS (2011-2013)
New price: N/AUsed price: £3,600 - £4,500- 599cc
- 100.6 bhp
- 42 mpg
- Medium seat height
Hornet-based all-rounder was Honda's first stab at reinventing the classic 600F. Superceded by the better CBR650F version
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KYMCO KR SPORT 125 (2010-on)
New price: £2,599- 124cc
- 13 bhp
- 68 mpg
- Medium seat height
"A very decent sporty 125 with great equipment and good handling that's let down by an inflated price tag"
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KTM RC8R (2011-on)
New price: £13,499- 1195cc
- 175 bhp
- 29 mpg
- Medium seat height
More power, better fuelling with the same stunning looks and responsive handling
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APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY SE (2010-2012)
New price: N/A- 998cc
- 180 bhp
- 31 mpg
- Tall seat height
"This special edition version has moved road-going superbikes on as much as the BMW S1000RR did"
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DUCATI 1198SP (2010-2012)
New price: N/AUsed price: £13,000- 1198cc
- 170 bhp
- 33 mpg
- Medium seat height
Short of the homologation-special 1198R Corse, the SP is the ultimate evolution of the 1198
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BIMOTA DB8 (2010-on)
New price: £22,500- 1198cc
- 170 bhp
- 37 mpg
- Medium seat height
"Easily the best Bimota we've ridden"
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DERBI GPR125 (2010-on)
New price: £3,819- 124cc
- 13 bhp
- 65 mpg
- Medium seat height
"Derbi's learner sportsbike gets an all-new design with a four-stroke engine"
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MV-AGUSTA F4 1000 (2010-2013)
New price: N/A- 998cc
- 186 bhp
- 28 mpg
- Tall seat height
Not as soft or cuddly as a Japanese 1000, but it has considerably sharper teeth and is a thousand times more exclusive
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MOTO-HISPANIA RX125 (2009-on)
New price: £2,999- 125cc
- 16 bhp
- 88 mpg
- Medium seat height
"A stylish, sports learner 125 with a Yamaha-alike four-stroke engine"
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YAMAHA FZR400 (1988-1994)
New price: N/A- 399cc
- 64 bhp
- 45 mpg
- Medium seat height
"Always over-shadowed by the class-leading Hondas, but attracted hooligans with its high revving engine, sharp handling and corner speed"
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SUZUKI GSX-R400 (1990-1996)
New price: N/A- 400cc
- 60.6 bhp
- 50 mpg
- Low seat height
Not as sought after as the other Japanese 400cc imports, but that keeps prices low