Used bikes with 150 hp at a low price

There was a time when 150 hp was an output that turned heads even among superbikes. Today, you can sometimes get into this performance bracket on the used market for the price of a new mid-range bike or even well below that. The R1, Blackbird, K 1200, GSX-R and ZZR show just how differently manufacturers put serious power on the road 20 to 30 years ago.

When Yamaha unveiled the first YZF-R1 in 1998, it changed the superbike world for good. Around 150 hp met a bike that was extremely compact and light by the standards of the day, and it's exactly this combination that still gives the RN01 in particular its legendary reputation. The RN04, introduced in 2000, refined the concept without losing its fundamentally wild character. There are no riding modes, no traction control and no electronic safety net the throttle and your right hand settle the matter. The carburetted four-cylinder loves revs, the short bike still feels remarkably serious decades later, and the early R1s now also have a certain modern-classic appeal. At the same time, surprisingly affordable examples are still out there: on 1000PS, a 2001 R1 with 150 hp was recently listed for 3,500 euros: Buy a used Yamaha R1.

The Blackbird takes a completely different approach. In the mid-1990s, Honda didn't simply want to build a powerful bike, but one of the fastest production bikes in the world without sacrificing everyday usability and quality. The 1,137 cc four-cylinder delivers 152 hp, yet the CBR1100XX doesn't stage its power with the nervousness of a superbike. Instead, it pulls with enormous composure, runs smoothly and can cover long distances in a thoroughly relaxed manner. That's exactly where its appeal lies today: the Blackbird is a relic from the era of the big high-speed sport touring bikes, combining enormous performance with classic Honda solidity. Used examples remain amazingly affordable; current listings on 1000PS start at around 4,350 euros: Buy a used Honda Super Blackbird.

Anyone who automatically thinks of laid-back boxers when it comes to old BMWs will be set straight by the K 1200 S and its naked sister, the K 1200 R. The transversely mounted four-cylinder marked the start of a new performance era at BMW. The fully faired K 1200 S produces 167 hp and combines this power with a long wheelbase, Duolever front suspension and shaft drive. The result is less lively than a Japanese superbike, but enormously composed at high speed. The K 1200 R transfers the same basic idea into an idiosyncratic naked bike and, both visually and technically, ranks among the most extravagant bikes of its time. The K 1200 S in particular is a remarkable horsepower-per-euro tip today: on 1000PS you'll find examples from around 4,000 euros, while the K 1200 R currently starts a little higher: Buy used BMW K 1200 models.

When it comes to getting as much performance for your money as possible, the GSX-R1000 really can't be missing from any list. Even the first generation from 2001 set benchmarks with around 160 hp and very low weight, quickly making it clear that Suzuki intended to dominate the open litre class. Unlike the Blackbird or the BMW, the GSX-R is uncompromisingly built for sport: low clip-ons, direct responses, little comfort and an engine whose brutality, given the low vehicle weight, is still impressive today. The early K1 to K4 models in particular offer an extremely analogue superbike experience, while later generations became considerably more powerful still. Used examples prove that such a bike doesn't necessarily have to be expensive: a 2002 GSX-R1000 was recently listed on 1000PS for 3,700 euros, and even younger machines sometimes pop up just above 5,000 euros: Buy a used or new Suzuki GSX-R 1000.

The Kawasaki ZZR1200 is perhaps the insider tip of this round-up. It stands somewhat in the shadow of the more famous Hayabusa and the Honda Blackbird, yet it offers exactly the mix that fans of classic high-speed tourers are looking for. Its 1,164 cc inline four-cylinder delivers around 150 to 160 hp depending on the source and, above all, mighty pulling power. The ZZR is less about maximum agility than about speed with a big tank, usable wind protection and ergonomics that are surprisingly relaxed for this performance class. Technically, it's gloriously old-school: four big carburettors feed the engine, and electronic rider aids play no role whatsoever. As a result, the ZZR1200 today offers a riding experience that is practically extinct among modern bikes a big, heavy, analogue powerhouse that seems to charge forward endlessly with a twist of the throttle. ZZR1200s continue to turn up on the current used market too: Buy a Kawasaki ZZR1200

What makes these bikes so appealing isn't just the raw power, but the completely different ways they put it on the road. The R1 is the raw superbike milestone, the GSX-R1000 perhaps the most uncompromising performance offering, while the Blackbird and ZZR1200 combine their power with long-distance qualities. BMW, in turn, shows with the K 1200 S and K 1200 R just how technically sophisticated an interpretation of high performance can be. If you're willing to ride a bike that's 20 years old or more, you can sometimes get performance for around 4,000 to 6,000 euros today that once belonged to the absolute top tier.

Feeling tempted? Here you'll find more exciting bikes around 150 hp: Affordable used bikes with 150 hp and more.