After years of gloom over the future of mid-range sports bikes they’re back with a bang for 2025.

While the old four-cylinder, 600cc supersports class characterised by the likes of Suzuki’s GSX-R600, Yamaha’s YZF-R6, Honda’s CBR600RR and more, largely fell by the wayside in the last decade due to a combination of high prices, declining demand and an inability to meet the latest Euro regs, in recent years a new breed of sub-130bhp sportster has been making a comeback.

In the 47bhp A2 licence category, Honda’s popular CBR500R has been joined by the likes of Kawasaki’s Ninja 500 and, for 2025, Aprilia’s all-new RS457.

‘First big bike’ sports machines such as Yamaha’s twin-cylinder R7 were joined last year by Suzuki’s GSX-8R and Triumph’s new Daytona 660.

While, most excitingly of all, along with the revival of four-cylinder supersports such as Honda’s CBR600RR and Kawasaki’s ZX-6R, 2025 also sees the introduction of Yamaha’s new MT-09-based, three-cylinder R9 and a new lighter, more affordable Ducati Panigale V2.

So, what ‘sub-130bhp sports bikes are out there in 2025, what do they offer and how much do they cost? Here’s our round-up, in price-ascending order…

449cc twin * 46.2bhp * 29ftlb * 179kg

CF Moto is one of the most successful and credible of the new, emerging Chinese motorcycle brands and, through its partnership with KTM not only now builds the Austrian marque’s more affordable, ‘entry-level’ 790 Adventure but also now has its own adventure offering, the 800MT, based around a variant of the same parallel twin engine. The 450 SR is its A2-licence compliant (ie under 47bhp), entry-level, sports offering as introduced in 2023 and is well-priced, smartly styled and has some quality components, such as Brembo radial brake calipers and a colour TFT dash. But although on par if not better than some of its more proven Japanese competition, it’s also not that much cheaper than some, hasn’t the proven reliability or residuals, nor as slick a dealer network – but it’s getting there.

457cc twin * 47bhp * 32ftlb * 175kg

Launched in 2024, the 457 is an all-new, A2-specific sports twin that has all the Italian style, handling and chassis excellence we’ve come to expect from Aprilia, but in a more affordable, lighter package. A little brother to Aprilia’s £9700 RS660 (which, with 100bhp is also worth considering here), it has a new, smooth and strong parallel twin engine, slick aluminium chassis, nice touches such as a 5-inch TFT dash and will surely make any owner the envy of all their mates. But perhaps most impressive of all is the price – at just £6630 it undercuts even Honda’s arguably dowdier CBR500R!

471cc twin * 47bhp * 31.7ftlb * 192kg

Still the benchmark A2 class sportster – and with good reason. Honda’s A2 specific CBR was originally launched in 2014 (alongside the CB500 roadster and CB500X adventure bike) with all featuring a purpose built, easy going but still invigorating parallel twin engine that produced bang on the 47bhp A2 limit, novice-friendly manners and enough kit and quality to satisfy. Updated and facelifted three times since (most recently in 2022), it’s remained on top with the deserved popularity and sale to match. No, the most exciting or sexy, perhaps, but the CBR is effective, proven, friendly, has as much performance as any and there are plenty out there to choose from. Incidentally, it’s closest rival is probably Kawasaki’s Ninja 500 which, though slightly less convincing, is slightly dinkier and cheaper so may suit smaller or female riders better.

660cc triple * 93bhp * 51ftlb * 201kg

Introduced in 2024 based around the three-cylinder engine from British firm’s Trident roadster, the Daytona is unique in this segment in being a triple (well, it was until the imminent arrival of Yamaha’s new R9, although, at £12K+, that bike is significantly more expensive and aimed at more experienced riders) which for some offers an appealing blend of character and performance twins or fours can’t match. The result looks good, is decently priced and reasonably lively, although it’s also softer, more basic and more friendly than previous, more hardcore supersports machines such as Triumph’s own Daytona 765 but for many that will be a big part of its appeal.

649cc four * 94bhp * 46.5ftlb * 207kg

One of the first, more novice-orientated ‘first big bike’ sportsters, the CBR was first introduced as the CBR650F in 2014 (as a successor to the preceding CBR600F) and was intended as a softer, cheaper more friendly alternative to the then CBR600RR. As the only four-cylinder sportster in this segment at the time it proved popular as a steppingstone up to bikes like the Fireblade, was updated in 2017, then became the CBR650R in 2019 and has been updated a further two times since. Stylish, affordable, ‘meaty’ as only a four can be plus proven and versatile it offers a true four-cylinder ‘first big bike’ experience and now also comes with the option of Honda’s novel new semi-automatic ‘E-Clutch’ system for £130 more.

399cc four * 76bhp * 29ftlb * 189kg

Here’s a revived supersport no-one saw coming. Back in the early 1990s, alongside four-cylinder supersport 600s a popular four-cylinder supersport 400 category was briefly rampant based on Japanese domestic market machines which became available in the UK as grey imports exemplified by Honda’s VFR400R, Yamaha’s FZR400RR and Kawasaki’s ZXR400. This all-new ZX-4RR is a revival of the spirit of those machines this time developed from the no-UK ZX-25R. The result delivers the same, rev-hungry four-cylinder thrills, is bang up to date with things like a colour TFT dash and traction control, handles sweetly and is well-specced and priced. It’s also more tractable and practical than you might expect, although you will have to ask yourself how much you want that screaming four-cylinder sensation when larger bikes with fewer cylinders are probably better all-rounders.

776cc twin * 82bhp * 60.2ftlb * 205kg

Also launched in 2024, the GSX-8R is a fully faired, sports sibling to Suzuki’s all-new GSX-8S roadster which debuted the previous year. As such it shares the same gutsy, entertaining parallel twin and many cycle parts as that bike and is also comparable to Yamaha’s R7 which debuted in a similar way in 2022 as a budget but sporty version of Yamaha’s popular MT-07 roadster twin. The Suzuki stands out for being newer, having an engaging powerplant, and also being accessible and versatile. On the slight downside, it’s not as cheap (or arguably as pretty) as the Yamaha and struggles slightly for compelling appeal in a class that’s now more competitive than ever.

Honda CBR600RR

599cc four * 119bhp * 46ftlb * 193kg

For the best part of 20 years Honda’s GP-inspired CBR600RR was the definitive 600 supersports – a screaming, high spec, fine handling mini-MotoGP bike that was big success on road and track. Dwindling relevance (and sales) and difficulties in meeting Euro emissions regs led to its demise in 2018 all of which made its reinvented return this year a welcome surprise. Although updated and facelifted its appeal is much the same as ever. But most impressively Honda has managed to keep its price under £11K which has resulted in decent sales. Another bike worth considering here is Kawasaki’s own supersports 600 reincarnation – the £10,599 ZX-6R.

890cc triple * 117.3bhp * 68.6ftlb * 195kg

One of the most eagerly-anticipated new bikes of 2025 and one which is so new, as I write, we haven’t actually ridden it yet – but all the signs are mouth-watering. Although the new R9’s recipe is similar to that of the preceding R7 (ie, in being a sports bike based on an existing, popular roadster package, in the R7’s case the MT-07 twin, here, on the MT-09 triple), the R9’s execution is significantly different. Where the similarly styled R7 remains a slightly budget machine, costing £8916, the new R9, although still 117bhp like the MT-09, boasts a significantly more sophisticated specification with the result being a notably more premium machine. It has a bespoke aluminium Deltabox frame, fully adjustable KYB suspension, the latest Brembo Stylema brakes, lean-sensitive electronic riding aids and even ‘aero’ winglets! Add all that to the already brilliant MT-09 triple and we should be in for a treat!

890cc V-twin * 120bhp * 68.8ftlb * 179kg

Another new sports bike due next year that looks set to prove that sub-130bhp performance is more than adequate, thankyou. For 2025 Italian superbike maestros Ducati has completely readdressed its more junior, V-twin version of its Panigale V4 superbike. Where those old Panigale V2 was effectively its bigger V4 brother but with a 955cc V-twin engine producing 153bhp and costing £16,995, this new one is less… but looks to be ‘more’ in many ways, too. Designed to be more road-relevant and affordable, and also to replace the outgoing 950 SuperSport model, the new bike is now just 890cc and has 30bhp less but is also lighter and significantly cheaper while still offering bags of inimitable Ducati style and V-twin character. We can’t wait!