With the popularity of V4s and parallel-twin engines at a rise, the number of inline-four bikes on the market seems to be at an all-time low. Yet, such four-pot machines continue to attract true enthusiasts and hold a decent market share. Accordingly, most of your favorite bikemakers still have attainable machines with inline-four engines. The Big Four from Japan lead this space, but you will be surprised to see a couple of European names in the mix, too. Oh, and understandably, most of these bikes are nakeds. After all, they cost less to manufacture than a full-fledged track-focused faired superbike. Let’s dive in without further ado.
Honda CB650R E-Clutch
Price: $8,699
What you’re looking at is the most affordable inline-four motorcycle on offer today. Period. That is thanks to a sizable price cut by Honda, where the price has dropped from $9,399 to $8,699 for the 2026 model year. At the same time, there is no catch. You still get a really capable motorcycle with thoroughly modern equipment from head to toe. This includes Showa USD forks, a Showa monoshock, a twin-spar chassis, and a few modern features. The latter includes:
- 5-inch TFT instrument cluster
- Display modes
- Traction control
- Dual-channel ABS
- All-LED lights
The USP, though, is its powerhouse. You get an inline-four 649cc engine, good for over 90 horsepower and 45 pound-feet. Unlike usual inline-four mills, most of the power is concentrated under 10,000 RPM for extra tractability. The engine also joins hands with Honda’s new E-Clutch technology. This omits the use of the physical clutch lever while going up/down the transmission, and even when starting off from a standstill. You can always turn it off if you want to do things the usual way.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
649cc, inline-four |
93 HP |
46 LB-FT |
Six-speed |
Why This Kawasaki Ninja Is The Forgotten Inline-Four Motorcycle That’s Still Stupid Fast
It boasts the largest inline-four engine in a motorcycle today
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R
Price: $9,299
The Ninja ZX-4R is not only the smallest inline-four motorcycle in Kawasaki’s lineup, but it is also the cheapest. That doesn’t tell the full tale, though. Back upon its debut, it cost $9,699. Then, Kawasaki slashed the prices down to $8,999 in an attempt to boost sales. Now, 2026 has brought the price back over $9,000, and it should only go higher from here.
What do you get for the money, you ask? Well, the only sub-400cc inline-four engine on the market in the US. This is good for a peak output of almost 80 horsepower with RAM air, while screaming to over 15,000 RPM. You also get quality Showa suspension and a steel trellis chassis. Topping all this off is a set of modern features, such as:
- Two power modes
- Three traction control settings
- Ride modes
- Smartphone connectivity
- TFT instrument cluster
Want more? Then, Kawasaki has the ZX-4RR for you. The extra R brings preload adjustability for the front forks, a more premium BFRC monoshock (similar to the ZX-10R), and a quickshifter as standard. Sweetening the pot are three special liveries: Lime Green, Metallic Matte Graphenesteel, and Pearl Robotic White. All the raises the MSRP to $9,999–the same as the Kawasaki Z900!
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
399cc, inline-four |
56 HP |
26.5 LB-FT |
Six-speed |
Suzuki GSX-S1000
Price: $11,989
Unlike its Japanese contemporaries, Suzuki has somewhat neglected its middleweight inline-four range. The focus has been on its new parallel-twin lineup instead. As a result, the cheapest inline-four Suzuki today is the GSX-S1000. It costs close to $12,000 and belongs to the liter-class segment. You get a GSX-R-derived inline-four engine, retuned to produce 150 horsepower and 78 pound-feet. Much of this is present below 10,000 RPM, so there is oodles of punch for regular riding.
A recent update has also made the GSX-S1000 more modern. The basic LCD has made way for a full-color TFT resembling the GSX-S1000GT’s setup. It gives you access to three ride modes and five modes of traction control, but there is no six-axis IMU or smartphone connectivity. A two-way quickshifter and slipper clutch round things off.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
998cc, inline-four |
150 HP |
78 LB-FT |
Six-speed |
10 Powerful Inline-Four Motorcycles That Are Not Sports Bikes
The most powerful inline-4 motorcycle here is a gorgeous-looking Italian naked bike with 208 horsepower.
Yamaha MT-10
Price: $14,999
Like Suzuki, Yamaha has ditched its middleweight four-pot platform in favor of parallel-twin and inline-triple bikes. So the cheapest inline-four bike in its portfolio is the $14,999 MT-10. Yes, that’s a lot of money, but the MT-10 justifies the price quite well. Much of that is thanks to its brilliant CP4 engine. It is a 998cc, inline-four unit sourced from the YZF-R1, featuring a MotoGP-derived crossplane crankshaft.
That ensures a more punchy power delivery compared to regular inline-four engines to boost overall tractability and performance. Speaking of which, you get 164 horsepower and 82 pound-feet—higher than all of its inline-four rivals.
Elsewhere, the MT-10 impresses with its features and underpinnings. The former comprises YZF-R1-derived electronic aids, which are segment-leading amongst Japanese makers. Power modes, engine brake control, slide control, wheelie control, traction control–you name it, and the MT has it. All of it is accessed via a 4.2-inch TFT, meanwhile.
Coming to the underpinnings, these are R1-derived, too. An aluminum twin-spar chassis takes center stage, paired with fully adjustable KYB forks and a KYB monoshock. There’s an SP version that brings Ohlins electronic suspension for extra money as well.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
998cc, inline-four |
164 HP |
82 LB-FT |
Six-speed |
BMW S 1000 R
Price: $15,385
If you want a European inline-four experience from a popular brand, the S 1000 R is where it starts. For the $15,385 MSRP, you get a premium experience from head to toe. The engine starts things off here. This is a 998cc, inline-four engine from the S 1000 RR, but without the ShiftCam technology. That means you’ll have to rev the mill to enjoy all the 170 ponies and 84 pound-feet. BMW has shortened the final drive, though, which should equate to hard acceleration and more usability.
Elsewhere, the aluminum twin-spar chassis joins hands with an aluminum swingarm and subframe, while being suspended on beefy 45 mm USD forks and a monoshock. The suspension also offers full adjustability. These bits, along with the 17-inch aluminum wheels, limit the curb weight to just 438 pounds fully fueled. This is almost 30 pounds lighter than the Japanese rivals you see above.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
998cc, inline-four |
170 HP |
84 LB-FT |
Six-speed |
The Largest Displacement Inline-Four Motorcycle Engine Ever
You might find it surprising that the biggest inline-four engine actually debuted over a decade ago
MV Agusta Brutale 1000RS
Price: $24,098
Last but not least, we have some Italian representation. With Ducati and Aprilia favoring V4s, the cheapest inline-four bike from Italy is the MV Agusta Brutale 1000RS. And interestingly, the MV is actually cheaper than the Ducati Streetfighter V4. There’s a lot to like, too. For instance, the inline-four engine has a whopping 208 horsepower and 85 pound-feet. That makes it one of the most powerful naked bikes on the planet, and MV proudly claims a top speed of over 186 miles per hour.
The underpinnings are top-shelf, too. The bikemaker has chosen a steel trellis frame instead of the usual aluminum twin-spar setup. This joins hands with a single-sided swingarm (something the Ducati no longer has), Marzochhi forks, and a Sachs monoshock. Brembo Stylema calipers help shed speed up front, while an Ohlins steering damper keeps tank-slappers in check. Last but not least, the electronic aids follow the same brief. You get everything you’ll ever need, along with extras like cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, app-controlled electronics setup, and Mobisat anti-theft device.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
998cc, inline-four |
208 HP |
85 LB-FT |
Six-speed |
Source: Various manufacturers