On Two Wheels: Testing Two Sub-$10K Sportbikes

It is no secret that motorcycles have gotten more expensive over time and that sticking to a budget has only gotten tougher. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some great value propositions in the modern world though, and as street-focused, mid-displacement sportbikes continue to grow in popularity, some might even say it’s becoming easier to find a fun, capable sportbike for under $10,000.

The best part of being a shopper in today’s middleweight category is, of course, that there’s something for everyone, with companies like Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha, and others finding unique ways to attack the modern, small- to mid-displacement sportbike category. The question then becomes: Which sportbike would you pick if you had $10,000 to spend?

In this case, we opted to go with Kawasaki’s ZX-4RR and Suzuki’s GSX-8R, two newer sportbike offerings that not only fit the bill, but would also allow us to argue over the differences between parallel twins and four-cylinder engines over dinner, after a trackday and a few days of street riding.

Related: 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition Preview

The Kawasaki ZX-4RR is arguably the more unique option, since it’s powered by a model-specific, extremely oversquare (large bore, short stroke) 399cc engine, which harkens back to the 400cc sportbikes that dominated Japan’s domestic market in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Add ride modes, traction control, and fully adjustable suspension, and you have a motorcycle that sits somewhere between an entry-level lightweight and today’s latest middleweights, even if it takes a more sport-focused approach than most of the “street-oriented” competition. Pricing has been a moving target since the 4RR was introduced, and admittedly, you’re still forking out a decent amount of money for what 400cc bike, but with a current price tag of $9,699 and all of that aforementioned uniqueness, the bike is an interesting solution for a certain group of riders.

Suzuki’s GSX-8R takes a more traditional approach to the new-school middleweight sportbike category. Powered by a street-friendly, 776cc 270-degree crank parallel twin, the 8R ditches clip-on handlebars and high-mount footpegs for a more accommodating rider triangle, making it a less focused and more versatile machine than the fully faired bikes that once dominated the sportbike category. The 8R’s less aggressive, more price-conscious build means you get nonadjustable suspension front and rear, sure, but you also get multiple ride modes, traction control, and a bidirectional quickshifter for less than $10,000 (2025 models sell for $9,669).

Related: This Is What You Need to Know about Suzuki’s GSX-8R

Since part of our experiment revolved around engine architecture, it’s important to remember that there are big performance differences between a 270-degree parallel twin and the high-revving inline-four found in Kawasaki’s ZX-4RR. As an example, the increased noise produced by the ZX-4RR is punished by the EPA in America, restricting the ZX-4RR to 15,000 rpm (versus 16,000 rpm in other parts of the world). And while you can get your ECU flashed in the aftermarket, your bike will no longer be road legal. The benefits? The inline-four’s balanced firing order will theoretically create less vibration than a twin, and it’s hard to argue with the sense of excitement that comes from a fast-revving, high-rpm screamer.

On the other hand, parallel twins are cheaper to manufacture and easier to design around current emissions regulations, which is why many of the new middleweight sportbikes are using twin-cylinder engines, like the Aprilia RS 660, Yamaha R7, and Triumph Daytona 660. The added torque, at least compared to an inline-four, will theoretically make a parallel twin better for street use, plus a twin is narrower than an inline-four, which generally allows for the bike’s midsection to be more narrow and give the bike a less cumbersome feel.

As significant as those differences are on paper, they feel even more pronounced on the road—or, in our case, at the dragstrip, racetrack, through the canyons, and on city streets, which is where we tested the bikes during our time with them.

The Kawasaki’s sharper, inline-four-fueled personality was the first to make its presence felt, with the 4RR requiring its rider to pay more attention to revs and to be diligent with the clutch as they launched the bike at the strip. On the other hand, the torquey GSX-8R launches effortlessly from a stop, without requiring as much focus from its rider, which pays dividends at the strip, but also translates to an easier ride in stop-and-go riding on congested city streets. That theme carried through our entire test, with the ZX-4RR offering a sense of excitement and thrill that the 8R doesn’t always have, but also being more work to ride. You’re always trying to keep the engine in its happy place, and constantly fighting a lack of torque.

Related: 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R Review With Videos

Suzuki’s less aggressive approach to the 8R’s design means the bike doesn’t feel as sporty or at home on a racetrack, and the 4RR has an advantage chassis-wise, with quicker steering and exceptional feedback from the front end. You still have to work to keep the Kawasaki’s engine in its relatively small operating window, but hit your marks, pick the throttle up early, carry your corner speed, and there’s some serious fun to be had. The experience ends up being completely different, with the 8R rider feeling less exhausted after a day of riding, but the Kawasaki-mounted rider feeling a sense of accomplishment from getting the most out of the high-strung package. For experienced riders, that may be enough to lean Green, but for the more casual rider, the added versatility of the 8R might make it the more enjoyable trackday bike.

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to street riding, too, with the 8R’s more relaxed ergos and torquey, twin-cylinder engine making it a much easier bike to get along with during casual street riding. While the 4RR’s agility makes it a joy to ride on tight canyon roads, maintaining forward momentum requires liberal and aggressive use of the throttle. On public roads, this often feels like drawing unnecessary attention to yourself just to keep up with your buddies. Sure, you’ll love the agility and excitement, but at what point does the added commitment turn your ride into laborious work? That’s without factoring the more committed ergonomics too.

Related: Cheap vs. Expensive Adventure: Honda XR650L & BMW R 1300 GS

The beauty of having bikes like the ZX-4RR and GSX-8R available alongside each other is that there is something for everyone. If you’re not afraid of the added commitment that comes with trying to get everything out of the ZX-4RR, you’ll enjoy your trackdays and the occasional, more-spirited street ride. And if you’re all about practicality, Suzuki’s GSX-8R is going to be right up your alley.

The best part, of course, is that these are only two examples within the modern-day light- to middleweight sportbike category, and there are a handful of other options floating around the $10,000 mark. Times have definitely changed, but if you know what experience you’re after, it’s easy as ever to find a bike that works for you without completely breaking the bank.

For even more, head to the Motorcyclist Magazine YouTube channel and watch the full episode of On Two Wheels.