Getting one of these incredible machines will mean shelling out some serious money.
Collecting Cars
If we look back at the history of motorcycling and especially concentrate on sport bikes, we have much to appreciate and be grateful for. It’s easy to take today’s tech marvels for granted, but without the groundwork laid by some of the bikes on this list, we’d be nowhere in terms of the capability and technical prowess that today’s sport bikes from the likes of Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki display in abundance.
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While there’s a case to be made for every kind of manufacturer, big and small, having made a considerable contribution, there’s no denying that the Japanese bike makers pushed the boundaries of what’s possible more than most. We’ve progressed to better machines today, but that’s not at the cost of forgetting what their predecessors were worth. This article, then, looks to celebrate those incredible '90s sport bikes that have unsurprisingly skyrocketed in value.
How we got our model selections: To compile this list, HotCars thoroughly scanned all the prominent Japanese motorcycle manufacturers and their vintage sport bikes. To narrow the options further, we limited our selections to anything made before 1990, showing a marked uptick in its value today compared to its original value. Auction houses, private sales, and reputed used sellers were used to assess their current value. Also, the entries have been organized in increasing order based on their current market value.
The Yamaha MT-10 SP wins HotCars Best Japanese Motorcycle Award as it has a few technological tricks up its sleeve, making it impressively adaptive.
10 Honda VF1000R
Current Maximum Value: $13,000
Mecum Auctions
The ’85 Honda VF1000R had a potent V4 engine that made 130 hp and 63.7 lb-ft of torque, and the latter was especially impressive for its time.
However, the VF1000R had its work cut out, thanks to rivals like the Kawasaki GPZ900R and the Yamaha FJ1100. Nonetheless, it still brought enough to the table to leave a great impression, and there are plenty that would pay nearly thrice what it was originally valued at.
This was a lightweight, tech-rich, nimble handler by a Japanese legend, and its performance was incredible for the time. The impact of this bike on subsequent GSX machines is undeniable, and while it may be one of the least ‘expensive’ on this list, there’s no denying its effect.
Honda’s CX range was quite a head-turner when it came out in the early ‘80s. The CX500 Turbo was the world’s first factory-spec turbocharged motorcycle, but it was the following CX650T that really stole the show.
It was bigger and better in every conceivable way and made impressive power and torque. For the time, there was nothing else like it. And seeing how it’s aged over the years, it’s doing quite well for itself in terms of value.
For some select riders the fastest motorcycle is the best motorcycle and for an even more select group the naked motorcycle is the only way to go.
7 Suzuki RGV250
Current Maximum Value: $19,000
Collecting Cars
If you were to consider getting yourself the closest possible thing to a race bike in the late ‘80s, the Suzuki RGV250 was the best bet.
These 250cc race replicas were incredibly potent and featured great handling and performance. It even looked fairly good, but thanks to its V-twin engine, you were nothing but a blur for anyone to appreciate the bike’s aesthetics. Unsurprisingly, these things go for a pretty penny today.
A lot of things can be said about the Honda CBR900RR Fireblade, but one of the things that sticks the most is that it was a game-changer.
Honda wanted to ensure that the CBR900RR played the dual role of being as powerful as a 1,000cc sportbike while being as light as a 600cc one. Suffice it to say that they managed the feat. It was light, powerful, aero-efficient, and an absolute weapon in the right pair of hands. All these years later, it’s no wonder the kind of value it commands.
Japanese motorcycle manufacturers are known for a lot of things, but design? This list proves they’ve got that down, too.
5 Honda CB1100R
Current Maximum Value: $25,000
Iconic Motorbike Auctions
The ‘80s Honda CB1100R was an important bike for the Japanese manufacturer. It helped them respond appropriately to the competition and put them on firmer ground than the CBX.
It produced a commendable 120 hp and 72.5 lb-ft while weighing a commendable 513 lbs. All this meant the CB1100R was quick, to say the least, and it was an admirable response to the likes of the Kawasaki Z1000 and the Suzuki GS1000 of the time.
The Kawasaki H1R was the Japanese manufacturer’s attempt at making an out-and-out race bike in the ‘70s, and it did a rather good job of it, too.
It featured a 498cc inline 3-cylinder engine that produced 75 hp and 44 lb-ft of torque. These numbers were beyond impressive for the time and gave the H1R an unmistakable presence in the racing scene. Finding one today for under $50,000 will be a tough ask.
It might not be obvious to everyone, but the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers mastered a formula back in the ‘70s that would devastate its rivals.
3 Kawasaki KR250
Current Maximum Value: $65,000
Bonhams
As far as dominant race bikes go, the ’75 Kawasaki KR250 is among the most memorable. It was such a force to be reckoned with that it won an incredible eight world championships between 1978 and 1982.
Power came from a 249cc parallel-twin engine that made 45 hp and 26.7 lb-ft, but what truly tipped the scales in its favor was its 293 lb dry weight. Some examples have recently gone for as much as $65,000, which shows just how collectible the KR250 is.
The ’82 Kawasaki KR500 is best described as the flawed champion. It indeed came to be known as one of the most fierce Kawasaki race bikes, but it never really lived up to its full potential, despite the efforts of the legendary Eddie Lawson.
Despite improvements to its engine and chassis, suspension issues persisted with the KR500, which stopped it from being unbeatable. Even with all that, the KR500 remains an extremely coveted bike today, with some examples selling for as much as $110,000.
The Honda VFR750R seemingly did it all: world championships in the World Superbike Championship in ’88 and ’89 and success in the Isle of Man TT, which is no mean feat.
It was powered by a 748cc V4 engine that made 112 hp and 53 lb-ft. Impressive though they were, they paled compared to the reputational boost it provided Honda. The production run was limited to about 5,000 units, so today's extraordinary value is understandable.
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