Top 5 sports bikes for under £5K

While it’s true full-on, ultra-exotic, 1000cc superbikes of the type that contest World Superbikes racing are more expensive than ever while the middleweight, 600cc Supersport class, which was the UK’s most popular category back in the 1990s, is now virtually non-existent, there are still plenty of new, affordable sports bikes available – especially in the more entry-level A1 125cc and A2 categories, for sports nuts starting out in biking.
For younger riders getting onto two wheels for the first time, whether that is via an A1 licence at 17, a 47bhp A2 through or a novice-friendly middleweight once those hurdles have been leapt, sports style machines are still very popular. Nearly all of the ‘Big Four’ Japanese manufacturers have introduced new or updated sports A1 125s recently; there’s plenty of choice in the 250/400 A2 category as well and there’s not just singles but twin cylinder bikes to choose from as well – all for under £5000. What’s more, if you look hard enough, there’s a tempting choice of barely used secondhand sporty middleweights available within this budget, too. But what’s out there, what do you get for your money, and which should you choose? Here’s AutoTrader’s current pick of the best to help you decide…

Yamaha’s handsome ‘mini R1’ has been widely considered the best sports 125 available ever since the original’s launch back in 2008 as the YZF-R125 due to its combination of full-size good looks, a novice-friendly, easy-going ride, decent handling and performance and quality features – so much so it proved a best-seller despite a fairly hefty ticket price. While the latest version, launched in 2019, and now renamed the R 125, is even better yet with new ‘mini R1’ styling, an improved engine, uprated chassis, which now holds a fat 140-section rear tyre and a stylish new digital LCD dash. It’s still not cheap, now starting at £5000, but it has it all – and if cheaper is what you want from a Japanese sports 125, Suzuki and Kawasaki’s more basic GSX-R125 and Ninja 125, now at £4699 and £4299 respectively, might appeal. But the Yamaha is the Japanese 125 every sports-mad 17-year-old now wants.
Find a Yamaha R 125 for sale on Auto Trader

The 125cc A1 learner class remains your best bet if you’re new to biking and want a sports style motorcycle – but the ‘Big Four’ Japanese factories led by Yamaha (above) aren’t the only ones with sports machines under £5000. Austrian off-road and sports specialists KTM have their RC125, which is basically s more sporty, faired version of its punchy, fine-handling 125 Duke super naked, although recent price rises mean it’s now £5049, so just outside our budget here. But fear not, another very tempting sports 125 is the RS 125 made by Italian sports experts Aprilia. Now powered by a liquid-cooled, four-stroke single, although not quite as well-specced and regarded as the latest Yamaha, it’s a truly mouth-watering sport machine with a gorgeous chassis, excellent manners, great reputation and true MotoGP-alike looks. Best of all, starting at £4850, it’s even cheaper than the Yamaha, although if you want the ‘GP Replica’ version, that does eat up the full £5000 budget.
Find a Aprilia RS125 for sale on Auto Trader

If a 125 isn’t a big enough sports bike for you, stepping up to 300 or even 400cc can give you more performance, presence and excitement – although it has to be said that, due to recent price rises, popular A2-category sportsters such as Kawasaki’s recently revived Ninja 400 twin, Yamaha’s 300cc R3 and KTM’s RC390 are all now outside our £5000 budget, being currently priced at £6099, £5950 and £5649 respectively – although a recent used example should be within reach. But again, if after a new, A2 class sportster, help is again at hand – this time from rising and respected Chinese manufacturer CF Moto. In many ways the 300 SR is like a more budget RC390 but, considering the £4195 price, there’s nothing wrong with that. Styling is by Kiska Design, which also pens KTMs, there’s a similar tubular steel frame and the liquid-cooled engine is a reworked version of the old KLX300 single. As a result, with 28bhp, it hasn’t quite the power of more expensive rivals and its cycle parts and ride quality hasn’t the same class, but this is compensated for with great looks, decent spec including a smart TFT dash and, of course, its price. A recent, used, R3 or Ninja may be a better bike but if you want new (and a four-year warranty), the 300 SR’s worth a serious look.
Find a CF Moto 300SR for sale on Auto Trader

We’ve raved about Honda’s A2-specific 500cc twin family before and the only reason to change our view now is, sadly, the price. The sports version, the CBR500R, of the trio (there’s also a roadster CB500R and adventure style CB500X, now costs £6599 – but don’t write it off yet.
All are based around the same, purpose-built, 47bhp parallel twin in a roomy, full-sized but easy to ride chassis. Although the sportster of the bunch, the CBR500R is a doddle to ride yet, thanks to its 471cc twin, flexible, smooth and long-legged as well. First launched in 2014 it was sharpened up with new styling in 2016 then updated again for 2019 with a few engine tweaks, slightly adjusted ergonomics and styling and a new dash – but all are great buys and £5000 will easily get you a 2019 example with as little as 3000 miles on its clocks. Find a Honda CBR500R for sale on Auto Trader

We have to include the odd used recommendation and, when it comes to affordable sports bikes, there’s none better than Honda’s just again updated CBR650F/R. Although no full-on supersports in the vein of the now-deleted CBR600RR, the F/R is more a sports/all-rounder – and one that, thanks to its 90bhp, four-cylinder engine, sweet handling, practical ergonomics and semi-Fireblade styling more than reminds of the brilliant CBR600F from the ‘90s which was a UK best-seller. This time round it’s been designed to be affordable, user-friendly and versatile, but with a decent sporting edge and has been continually updated since its original 2011 introduction. Updated again for 2019 with a new dash and slightly uprated engine and renamed the CBR650R it now costs a more hefty £8499 new. But we’ve also seen good, clean, used examples from, say 2016 with as little as 8000 miles under its wheels and rock solid reliability, for as little as £4999 – and there’s plenty to choose from, too.
Find a Honda CBR650F for sale on Auto Trader