Which 90s sportsbike?

[srob]

Assuming you have say, 7 grand to buy something from the 90s what would you have? Something to keep, enjoy a little fly about on and not lose too much money on.

So far my shortlist is:

Aprilia RS250
Bimota BB1
Ducati 748
Honda RVF400
Honda NSR250
Suzuki Goose
Yamaha TZR250

They’re all things I either had or nearly had back in the day, wonder what I’ve forgotten

[Welshbeef]

Can you really get a Ducati 748 in that budget?

I’f so what a stunning machine looks incredible looks like it’s won every race without moving.

I think the 996 D is arguebly the best looking but that’s NOT in budget

[Turn7]

Aprilia RS250 - will likely need powervalve rebuild and rings etc
Bimota BB1 - cant buy any spares for it
Ducati 748 - rockers will likely need replacemnet
Honda RVF400 - not bad but likely to be rough these days
Honda NSR250 - as above
Suzuki Goose
Yamaha TZR250 - best cheap option, but will still need £££

No Rgv ? Would be my choice in this segment. PV assemblies were prone to seizure and kissing pistons (see RS250 as same setup), but great fun, fast,and nimble.

[srob]

Turn7 said:

Aprilia RS250 - will likely need powervalve rebuild and rings etc
Bimota BB1 - cant buy any spares for it
Ducati 748 - rockers will likely need replacemnet
Honda RVF400 - not bad but likely to be rough these days
Honda NSR250 - as above
Suzuki Goose
Yamaha TZR250 - best cheap option, but will still need £££

No Rgv ? Would be my choice in this segment. PV assemblies were prone to seizure and kissing pistons (see RS250 as same setup), but great fun, fast,and nimble.

For me at the moment the BB1 is winning. The engine’s common with the BMW F650 I believe (amongst other things) and the running gear is largely bought in. The electronics is likely to be the bigggest issue but probably overcome able?!

The RS250 I had wasn’t too bad to own, didn’t cost silly amounts to have it rebuilt by someone who wasn’t a main dealer and charging their prices!

[trickywoo]

Welshbeef said:

Can you really get a Ducati 748 in that budget?

I’f so what a stunning machine looks incredible looks like it’s won every race without moving.

I think the 996 D is arguebly the best looking but that’s NOT in budget

There is no shortage of low mileage 748 and 996 below £7k.

[Walter Sobchak]

If it was me I think it would be between the NSR250-the one with the single sided swingarm think it's the MC28?, and the RS250.

[Condi]

Early fireblade.

[Turn7]

Walter Sobchak said:

If it was me I think it would be between the NSR250-the one with the single sided swingarm think it's the MC28?, and the RS250.

.
Pretty sure thats Nc....

[bluezedd]

For the 90s I'd go for the '98 R1. It's a boring choice, but cheap enough (excluding the white and red painted ones). The rest could go on fuel/consumables/trips/trackdays.

I've not ridden a 90s ducati, and while I love the looks, I have my suspicion I might be underwhelmed with the power of a 748.

[neutral 3]

I had a G reg 90 model RGV-250 VJ21 , in the black / grey, loved it, but cramped and it had to have its neck rung to get it to go.

My choice would be a 98 R1. Practical ( for a sports bike ( its rear under seat area is just So handy ) good riding position, good parts back up and with a few tweaks they are an Awesome ride.

[dern]

bluezedd said:

I've not ridden a 90s ducati, and while I love the looks, I have my suspicion I might be underwhelmed with the power of a 748.

I was. Lovely to look at though.

[Zarco]

Condi said:

Early fireblade.

This for me.

[anonymous-user]

I really liked my Thunderace. YZF750 frame with a 1000 Exup motor. I had one new back in 1996 and it was pretty good. They even raced them at the TT!

[200Plus Club]

My 748 was beautiful but cost 500 quid a pop for servicing and needed a rocker or two. Beautiful ornaments !

[Esceptico]

How much use will it get and how good are you with the spanners?

I have had a 748 and an RS250. Liked the former loved the latter but don’t think they are cheap to maintain. Having said that I wish I hadn’t sold it.

Early R1 or early Fireblade is a good shout.

[Grindle]

Get the latest Fireblade you can haggle a deal for. Forget the 90s and get a 2014 for that money. If it really must be earlier then get an RD500, there are a few needing very little work for that money and they will only ever rise in value.

[Grindle]

748/916 i'd ignore. I had the former, (748R) and it was the most uncomfortable bike i've had probably. The less horny looking 749 or 999 were much better bikes in reality albeit without the iconic early looks.

[RizzoTheRat]

An RS and a TZR in the OPs list, but no KR-1S?

[Birky_41]

RizzoTheRat said:

An RS and a TZR in the OPs list, but no KR-1S?

Seems funny that 20 years ago when I first started road riding KR1s, zxr400s etc were just 'what you bought' and now some are real collectible

I owned a 748 for a very short period and personally didn't like the ride... Loved the look though but chopped it in for a gen 1 mille

In that list the Aprilia would be what I'd want all day long

[200Plus Club]

Grindle said:

748/916 i'd ignore. I had the former, (748R) and it was the most uncomfortable bike i've had probably. The less horny looking 749 or 999 were much better bikes in reality albeit without the iconic early looks.

Have to agree if you are going to use it rather than polish and look, the wrist position is hard for town work. Great ride when you are on it but hard work rest of time.