If someone asked you to put a price on speed, would you be able to do it? Pose the question to an avid biker, one who's been riding motorcycles for a long time, and they'll probably tell you that it's what you make of what you have at your disposal. So we decided to test that theory and returned with quite a few motorcycles that are seriously quick but on a serious budget. That's also the beauty of an evolved market with a thriving used motorcycle selection.

UPDATE: 2024/01/15 08:43 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

Speed doesn't necessarily have to be restricted to one section of buyers. Given the fact that the selection of fast motorcycles is constantly evolving, we have updated this list of fast motorcycles for 2024.

At the same time, there are also those for whom money is no object, and for them, we've also rounded up a selection of some of the most outrageously valued motorcycles. The common link here is that cheap or expensive, the motorcycles on this list will be quick and include all the usual suspects from the likes of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Triumph, among others. With that out of the way, here are seven quick-budget motorcycles and six absurdly expensive fast motorcycles.

How we got our model selections: HotCars went through several used motorcycle listings to compile this list. The priority was to ensure a good selection of fast motorcycles starting under $5,000 for the first part of the list. It should be noted here that only used motorcycles have been considered. The other section of the list also prioritized fast motorcycles, but a budget was taken out of consideration. The supercar we are comparing the second lot of motorcycles to is the iconic Lamborghini Gallardo. Lastly, all the entries have been organized in increasing order of their current values.

13 Yamaha YZF-R3

Used Price Range: $1,900-$6,400

This YZF-R3 is Yamaha’s lightweight sports bike that borrows its styling cues from YZF-R1 and R6. Its power comes from a 321cc twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, and while you can buy one new, a used example in good nick will slot in anywhere between $1,900 and $6,400. It packs top-notch components like the potent KYB fork, LCD instrument panel, and ten-spoke cast-aluminum wheels.

The Yamaha YZF-R3 is even listed in Yamaha’s Blue Cru emergency program for road racing. This tells you that this is not just an inexpensive bike; it's an exhilarating ride that can be counted on to win a race. The R3 is available in Team Yamaha Blue/Matte Silver, Raven, and Rapid Red models.

2017 Yamaha YZF-R3 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from MCN

12 Suzuki SV650

Used Price Range: $2,500-$6,500

The Suzuki SV650 is the pride of the naked bike world. It's a perfect choice for an all-around motorcycle that will serve you very well in your everyday commuting and also in long-distance touring if well-equipped. It is also quite a capable race bike. The SV650 is designed with different front fairing and clip-on handles, allowing for a more aggressive riding posture and a sportier appearance.

If you take the plunge on a used example, the second-generation model produced between 2003 and 2012 is particularly worth it. It features upgraded features like the frame and electronic fuel injection.

2008 Suzuki SV650 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

11 Suzuki GW250F

Used Price Range: $2,700-$3,200

This near copycat of Suzuki’s B-king model features a 248cc twin-cylinder engine and a 6-speed transmission. It also comes with fuel injection. Its engine’s performance is not as good as a sports bike should be, but it’s a compact and very comfortable motorcycle that new riders can use to get themselves acquainted with the art of riding big bikes.

The used price range indicates plenty of options within the $5,000 mark, which is great news for anyone keen on the GW250F.

2015 Suzuki GW250F Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from MCN

10 Triumph Speed Triple

Used Price Range: $3,000-$4,500

There's a lot to like about this early rendition of the Triumph Speed Triple. It was renowned for its smoothness, handling, and, most importantly, making a decent chunk of power, too.

The 885cc liquid-cooled triple engine was good enough to give the Speed Triple some solid shove for its time, and it also featured 43mm front forks and a mono-shock at the rear that could be adjusted for preload and rebound damping. And despite being more than 20 years old now, it's admittedly aged quite graciously.

1998 Triumph Speed Triple Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

9 Yamaha Road Star Warrior

Used Price Range: $3,300-$12,500

Originally, the Road Star Warrior retailed for over $12,000. Twenty years later, they're finally affordable, with used prices starting at the $3,300 mark. The 1,670cc displacement provided by a two-cylinder engine propels puts out 99.5 lb-ft of torque, which is quite impressive on a more prominent profile such as the Road Star Warrior.

The Yamaha Road Star Warrior produced 84.3 horsepower from the generous displacement. Furthermore, the five manual gears are wide, which provides unparalleled cruising capabilities. Not only is it one of the fastest, but it's also one of the most fun.

2002 Yamaha Road Star Warrior Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

8 Honda Super Hawk

Used Price Range: $3,700-$8,700

This bike was for those who couldn’t afford a Ducati in the 1990s. Many called it the poor man’s Ducati, and it was actually doing way better than Ducati in the late ‘90s. The Super Hawk is a sports motorcycle powered by a 90-degree V-Twin engine and is a bit of a favorite in the under $5,000 category.

The only negative thing that can be said about it is its gas mileage and range, but this doesn’t disqualify it from being among the best in any way. In fact, this bike is slowly increasing in value.

2005 Honda Super Hawk Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

7 Yamaha FZ1

Used Price Range: $4,000-$9,000

A few examples of Yamaha's FZ1 are now available for less than $5000, and it's a good thing, too, as this bike is quite fast. The FZ1 features a 998cc inline-four that pushes riders to a top speed of 153 mph.

Starting in 2004, the Yamaha FZ1 received an ECU update that provided a better mid-range throttle response. The result was smoother acceleration and even power delivery. Given what it provides, this is well worth looking into.

2006 Yamaha FZ1 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

6 Ducati Desmosedici D16RR

Value: $72,500-$120,000

Ducati is among the most celebrated sports motorbike producers globally, and their brands are easily recognizable. The Desmosedici D16RR NCR M16 is one of Ducati's classic models, designed with carbon fiber fenders and finished with a strikingly bright red. It also involves other high-end materials like titanium, aluminum, and avionics.

The Desmosedici was a MotoGP prototype designed for speed and intended to compete in the MotoGP championship. Despite all these materials, it is quite a light bike. It can reach a maximum speed of 190 mph. Only 1,500 of these were manufactured, and not many riders can afford them at this price.

2006 Ducati Desmosedici D16RR Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

5 Arch 1s

Value: $128,000 Onwards

The Arch 1s is quite a unique motorcycle, not to mention bespoke. The team makes an effort to personally customize aspects of every built-to-order example to ensure a custom fit for every customer.

Needless to say, it's a quick motorcycle, but it's far from a one-trick pony. There's also bespoke suspension, a Bosch ABS system, and a chassis made from a combination of a steel mainframe with a machined-billet aluminum subframe. You're shelling out a lot of money for it but also getting a lot of bike for it.

2018 Arch 1s Specs

Specs sourced from FastestLaps

4 MTT Turbine Streetfighter

Value: Upto $200,000

This is a hybrid superbike that can run on either kerosene or diesel. It can also run on jet fuel. The MTT Turbine Streetfighter is powered by a turboshaft Rolls-Royce engine. The most interesting thing about the MTT Turbine Streetfighter is that you must place a special order to have one. You cannot find them in bike showrooms.

Its potent V8 engine can produce a maximum of 420 horsepower and around 500 lb-ft of torque. The engine has a two-speed transmission, aluminum frame, and carbon-fiber wheels.

2001 MTT Turbine Streetfighter Specs

Specs sourced from MTT

3 Ecosse Titanium Series FE Ti XX

Value: $300,000

This is a one-of-a-kind bike that is unique and overtly stylish. Priced at $300,000, the Ecosse Moto Works FE Ti XX is reportedly worth every dime because of the amount it packs in. Its manufacturer, Ecosse, has a reputation for building a wide range of highly powerful bikes, and the Moto Works FE Ti XX is among the best and most expensive in the Titanium series.

To win the hearts of most motorbike racers who run for the best power-to-weight ratio, the Ecosse Moto Works FE Ti XX is designed with a lot of carbon fiber to minimize its weight. Its finishing touches, however, are what makes it outstandingly unique.

2007 Ecosse Titanium Series FE Ti XX Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

2 Dodge Tomahawk V10

Value: $550,000

This one looks like it comes straight from a movie. With four wheels, the Dodge Tomahawk V10 superbike is a motorcycle of the future, and if you’re looking for something similar, this one may be more than you can handle.

It's on the heavier side, weighing in at an absurd 1,500 lbs, and among the fastest on the road. It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds. The saddest part is that we may never have a chance to ride it on our streets. It remains banned from public roads due to certain road regulations.

2002 Dodge Tomahawk V10 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

1 Ecosse ES1 Spirit

Value: $3.6 Million

Ecosse is known for super-powerful bikes, and the ES1 Spirit is yet another one from their factories. And being the most expensive on this list at $3.6 million, it is not a bike everyone on the streets can ride.

Its front design looks like a jet, and this is a feature we can confidently associate with its absurd top speed of 230 mph. Ecosse based the creation of this on Formula 1 race cars, which further explains the speed.

Being among the most exclusive superbikes in the world today, Ecosse ensured that their rarity remained strong by building only ten units of it.

2010 Ecosse ES1 Spirit Specs

Specs sourced from Bikez

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• Source for features: Respective manufacturers' websites
• Sources for technical specifications: Motorcycle Specs, MCN, Bikez, FastestLaps
• Source for used prices: Cycle Trader