Little can match the style, performance or sensations of a sportsbike. And as a nation raised on race replicas, most of us have memories of sunny antics on wriggling B-roads and roundabouts.
But, with the average rider age creeping up, the prospect of a sporty riding position can be too much. Good news: there’s a breed of bikes delivering the image and feel with a liberal dollop of practicality too.
Read on for our expert guide to road-focused sportsbikes for £7000!
Click here to read the full review of the Ducati Supersport
Top end of the budget, but it’s worth borrowing a bit more or selling the kids as the SuperSport is brilliant. The air-cooled motor is no Panigale , but makes up for it with flexibility, feel and levels of refinement that make riders of the old SS weep.
Handling is light and accurate (with plenty in reserve for a brisk trackday), and the looks, singlesider and noise are pure Ducati. Yet the SuperSport is also comfortable, with a just-so riding position that blends comfort and connection. Class.
Click here to read the full review of the Honda CBR650R
Fond memories of steel-framed CBRs from the mid-90s? Get one of these. The latest 650R has all the ease of use, do-it-all charm and real-road pace of the 90s icon, but with capable modern suspension, Blade-inspired styling, traction control, tasty dash, and more. Perfect for grown-up supersport junkies.
Click here to read the full review of the Street Triple 765 RS
Will Triumph reintroduce the Daytona ? No need: they already have a sportsbike. The RS is a different animal to the 2008 original, with track-ready gearing and weight distribution, stiff set-up and the same power-to-weight as the Speed Triple . Sharp? Yes…but with an upright perch, smooth flexibility and great headlight.
Click here to read the full review of the Suzuki GSX-S1000F
Imagine a GSX-R1000 K5 with high ’bars, more weather protection and plusher suspension. That’s the GSX-S (near enough). The motor’s a smooth, surging reminder of how fast yet flexible big inline fours can be, the chassis puts road comfort ahead of lap times, and it’s better made than the flimsy 90s Suzukis responsible for their reputation.
Click here to read the full review of the Honda VFR800F
These were astoundingly cheap new (£9999 list, with dealers doing them under £9k), so used values are ridiculously low. Bad news for sellers, brilliant news for buyers. The 800 has the legendary VFR charm (touchy-feely V4 power, high quality chassis, refinement) with a modern air. There’s no one standout feature, but the overall package delivers high-reward ownership.
Mike, editor of Bike Magazine, is a trained mechanical engineer and lifelong motorcycle enthusiast. He began riding on a battered Honda C90 and has since ridden everything from 1920s pioneers to championship-winning race bikes. A full-time motorcycle journalist since 2001, Mike’s past roles include road test editor at Performance Bikes and executive editor at Classic Bike. He prioritises how bikes feel and are built over modern tech features. Passionate about two-strokes and '80s–'90s classics, he owns several vintage machines and a heap of MZ parts. He's also a self-confessed terrible drummer.
Passionate about two-strokes and '80s–'90s classics