10 Motorcycles That Deliver Big-Bike Speed Without The Big-Bike Weight

Over the last few years, we have seen interest in more versatile motorcycles skyrocket, while interest in more dedicated, high-performance motorcycles has waned somewhat. Even within the sports and naked bike segments, we have seen evidence of this, as consumers favor bikes with more comfort-oriented ergonomics and more usable powertrains. All this is understandable, but we are grateful that there is still space for the odd halo model.

These impressive machines allow manufacturers to showcase what they can do. Combining exotic materials with all the latest tech to come up with bikes that are genuinely special, giving us access to enormous speed without the burden of added weight. For the sake of this list, we didn’t consider any models that weigh over 450 pounds, a weight figure more commonly associated with middleweight bikes.

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Suzuki GSX-R750

MSRP: $13,449

Suzuki

This year, the venerable GSX-R750 gets a special livery to celebrate the fact that this model line has been around for 40 years. While it has been around for quite some time in its current form, there is little need to fix something that really isn’t broken. Tech is kept to a minimum here, but its chassis is excellent. It actually weighs less than most of the 600cc supersports on the market, yet has almost as much power as a liter bike.

Suzuki

Specifications

Honda CBR1000RR

MSRP: $16,999

Honda

With a wet weight figure of just 432 pounds, the previous-generation Fireblade is astonishingly light for a liter bike. Unlike the more expensive models, you won’t find any exotic materials here, just a great aluminum twin-spar chassis, and a potent inline-four. Honda also leaves off some of the more desirable modern features, and although there is a variant equipped with ABS, it weighs more.

Honda

Specifications

BMW M 1000 R

MSRP: $22,695

BMW Motorrad

While the M 1000 R certainly is not cheap, it does represent something of an exotic machine that is priced pretty well. At this price point, you will be saying no to pretty much every hypernaked from Japan, including the supercharged Z H2. But, for the “added lightness,” we feel that it is a price worth paying.

BMW Motorrad

Specifications

Tyler Rousseau

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Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1100

MSRP: $26,499

Aprilia

The only difference between this and the base model is its semi-active Öhlins suspension. For budding racers, it might well be worth the extra outlay, but for the rest of us, the regular RSV4 is the better buy. Both bikes are packed with tech, yet remain astonishingly light, and with 220 horsepower added to the mix, there are very few motorcycles on the planet that can keep up with either of them.

Aprilia

Specifications

Ducati Streetfighter V4 S

MSRP: $29,995

Ducati

The latest Streetfighter is very much a traditional naked sports bike in the sense that it is just an undressed Panigale. While you get slightly more comfortable ergos, it retains the same advanced monocoque chassis, and that beast of a V4 in the same tune as the superbike. At this rather lofty price point, you get semi-active suspension, as well as all sorts of modern safety tech. Tech you will truly appreciate on a bike this light and powerful.

Ducati

Specifications

MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR

MSRP: $33,098

MV Agusta

This is, by any measure, a truly sensational motorcycle, which offers impeccable finishing and unrivaled exclusivity. The RR is significantly lighter than the RS thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber. While carbon fiber may reduce the weight, it also adds to the cost. At this price, there are several great options to choose from, at least one of which is all the bikes already mentioned.

MV Agusta

Specifications

MV Agusta F3 Competizione

MSRP: $33,998

MV Agusta

The limited edition F3 Competizione might look like a race bike and perform like one, but it is actually fully street legal. The Öhlins suspension and its razor-sharp chassis combine to make this a truly exceptional supersport that will show most liter bikes a clean pair of heels out on track. But, with it being a limited edition MV, you do need to pay for all that performance.

MV Agusta

Specifications

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BMW M 1000 RR

MSRP: $35,395

BMW Motorrad

Unlike other manufacturers that split their resources between MotoGP and superbike racing, BMW is fully invested in WorldSBK. This is the homologation bike used for that competition, among other local superbike race series, and while there will obviously be several key differences between this and the actual race bikes, it certainly isn’t far off. At this price, the M 1000 RR is actually one of the more affordable homologation bikes.

BMW Motorrad

Specifications

Ducati Panigale V4 R

MSRP: $49,995

Ducati

The V4 R will make as much as 240 horsepower in race spec. That is an immense amount of power for a bike this light. It also introduces a racing transmission on a road-going motorcycle for the first time, with first gear above neutral instead of between first and second. This prevents false neutrals and improves engine braking on tight first gear corners.

Ducati

Specifications

Bonus: Bimota KB998 Rimini

MSRP: N/A

Bimota

Kawasaki is finally putting Bimota to good use. While the Japanese giant has owned the esteemed frame builder for several years now, this is the first genuine race bike to come out of the partnership. Unfortunately, this will not come out in the US, but can be had for a mere – this is a Bimota after all – €43,990 throughout Europe largely thanks to the WorldSBK price cap.

Bimota

Specifications