The Aprilia RS 660, the Yamaha R7, and now the CFMoto 450SR have all just entered the market. Is there a renaissance in the works for the lightweight to intermediate sports bike category?

Do you have a need for speed? Are you looking for a motorcycle that can provide an adrenaline-pumping, heart-racing experience? If so, you might want to consider a lightweight sport motorcycle. These machines are designed for speed, agility, and performance, and they’re perfect for riders who crave the thrill of the open road. In this post, we’re going to showcase the 10 best lightweight sport motorcycles of 2023, based on our thorough research and testing. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a newcomer to the world of motorcycles, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye on this list. So, fasten your helmet, rev up your engine, and get ready to discover the most exciting lightweight sport motorcycles of the year!

The Best 10 Lightweight Sports Bikes to Buy in 2023

The Energica Ego

The Energica Ego is now the most pricey option in the fully-faired segment, but the company may have been an early pioneer in the idea that an electric vehicle and a sportsbike may function together in smoothly-accelerating harmony.

To fill a somewhat less daunting EV sportsbike brief, Zero Bikes, the other veritable’veteran’ electric two-wheel manufacturer, has created the Zero SR/S.

The Zero SR/S stands out from the crowd as a faster, more rounded take on the tried-and-true (though aging) SR/F roadster. But, the SR/massive S’s bodywork and dated finish around the headlamps give it a less than sprightly appearance.

It’s hardly a good first impression, especially before you find out it costs £23,995. By over £10,000, it’s the most costly model in this Top 10, but its low operating expenses more than make up for the difference. You’d have to have a serious passion for the environment to explain the Zero’s canyon-sized price difference from its closest competitors, such as the Honda CBR650R and the Kawasaki Ninja 650.

Honda’s CBR500R

The Honda CBR500R is our top selection among Honda’s midi-sportsbikes despite having a smaller engine displacement than its sibling, the CBR650R. Its engine is based on Honda’s superb 500 chassis and is done up as a mini-Fireblade.

Both models compete in a same market and are difficult to tell apart at a glance, but the CBR650R has two more cylinders than the CBR500R while the latter is more compact and agile thanks to its smaller engine displacement.

The CBR500R, which can be ridden by anyone with only an A2 license, is a lot of fun to ride and looks the part, while its 47-horsepower engine is peppy and hungry enough to make you want to go faster.

The CBR500R is the clear winner in this comparison since it is £2,000 less expensive than its more powerful sister.

KTM RC390

Although it is now successful in MotoGP, the company’s lineup lacks a really powerful sportsbike with the retirement of the eccentric-turned-cult RC8 990cc V-twin superbike. The RC 390 (and the smaller RC 125) deliver beginner legal thrills, so KTM hasn’t completely given up on its racing credentials.

The good news is that a revised second-generation model, with updated aesthetics (including MotoGP-inspired color schemes), is now available in the UK.

Despite the superficial changes, the 375cc single-cylinder engine that produces 44 horsepower is still housed in the original’s diminutive, space-saving chassis. The new edition of the KTM RC390 has vastly improved ergonomics over the previous model, making it a slingshot quicker than practically anything on tight and twisting B-roads.

CBR650R Honda

It is not a coincidence that Honda’s new inexpensive four-cylinder middleweight sports offering calls to mind the ubiquitous CBR600F of the ’90s.

It was designed to be a more accessible, beginner-friendly alternative to the then-full-on supersports CBR600RR, and it succeeded in doing so because to its successful amalgamation of practicality, athletic ability, and affordability.

The Honda CBR500R was updated in 2014 (from 500cc to 650cc) and again in 2017 (with more power and other upgrades), and now in 2019 it has been dubbed the Honda CBR650R after adopting a look reminiscent of the Fireblade. A lot of its success may be attributed to the fact that it is a fair price, has a powerful four-cylinder engine, and combines Honda’s engineering brilliance with enough of the sacred Fireblade blessing.

It’s not going to wow you, but it also isn’t suitable for too confident newcomers.

Ninja 400 by Kawasaki

While the ZX-6R has been retired, Kawasaki is continuing its racing legacy with the upcoming release of the Kawasaki ZX-4R four-cylinder screamer.

While it’s likely that it’ll make this list of ten at some point, we’re going to do our research and wait till we can get our grubby paws on it before we get too excited. Kawasaki Ninja 400, the cheaper sister.

With its 399cc engine making the most of its small weight and eager 45bhp to guarantee swift progress, the Ninja 400 is less terrifying and more polished to ride every day than the extreme Beast that was the ZX-6R.

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is a fantastic option for anybody wishing to upgrade from a 125 or 250cc, thanks to its sturdy construction and eye-catching green paint job and affordable price tag of just £6,099.

450cc CFMoto SR

CFMoto’s 450SR follows the company’s earlier 300SR as the second model in the company’s foray into the sportsbike market.

The 450SR’s sharp, aggressive family face – one that will expand across next to the 800NK due shortly – and understated handsomeness stem from its inspiration, the rakish and stunning CR-21 concept.

The 450 cc engine will produce a maximum of 50 horsepower, giving it a modest power advantage over the Honda CBR500R and Kawasaki Ninja 650, while also undercutting them in the market with a price tag of just £6,199.

At that price, it comes with some unexpectedly high-end features like Brembo brakes, a 5″ TFT dashboard, and Bluetooth connectivity, and it’s also available in a configuration that’s suitable for those with an A2 license.

MV Agusta F3 800

The MV Agusta F3 800 is the pinnacle of the mid-capacity sportsbike class, boasting a look and performance that are both refined and wild.

The F3 has replaced its 675cc single-cylinder engine with a 798cc triple-cylinder unit, increasing power to 147 horsepower and allowing it to compete with bikes with more than twice the displacement.

The MV Agusta F3 800, which is propelled by a welcome burst of meaty torque, is not as agile and sure-footed as the less powerful, though still riotously entertaining Aprilia RS 660. Yet, if your priority is feeling special in addition to thrilled, then the F3 800 is the clear winner…. even at £14,840.

The Ninja 650 from Kawasaki

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a twin-cylinder, beginner-friendly middleweight sportster that, at first glance, doesn’t have the most impressive specifications, but upon closer inspection, reveals itself to be a temptingly fantastic value, warm-to-hot active sportsbike.

The 2023 Model Year (MY) Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a fantastic motorcycle that offers lots of pleasure from its 67 horsepower 649 cc twin-cylinder engine, enough to guarantee it lives up to its rich Ninja heritage, but it has lately climbed in price to sit at £7,649.

The Ninja 650 is an exciting companion on the tight terrain and thrives on enthusiastic rpm; its well-balanced chassis helps, too.

Yamaha R7

Yamaha’s superb but pricey R6 was discontinued in 2020, with the model being reduced to track-only RACE form. This happened after Yamaha had fought the purge sweeping over the supersport class, which had already claimed Suzuki and Triumph competitors.

De facto replaced by the R7, Yamaha’s rich ‘R’ sportsbike bloodline lives on. However, the Yamaha R7 is best described as a ‘warm’ sportsbike, with its 682cc engine toning down the shrill with a modest but eager-to-please 72.3bhp, though it does a decent job of replicating its involving riding dynamics.

In any case, the Yamaha R7’s price of £8,200—some £4,000 less than the R6—should swiftly dry any tears brought on by those performance numbers and the rather contentious look.

The Aprilia RS 660

There have been few bikes in recent years that have garnered as much excitement as the Aprilia RS 660, so needless to say, there was enthusiasm when we finally got our opportunity to throw a leg over it at the formal press launch.

The Aprilia RS 660 has the potential to play a major role in the motorcycle industry for a number of reasons. First, it doesn’t have a direct competitor because it doesn’t ape the ZX-6R/R6 scaled-down superbike for the road model. However, it is more powerful than a 650 Ninja/CBR650R and costs more due to its 100 horsepower and 169-kilogram weight.

That said, Aprilia does raise the bar a little further by cramming in all manner of clever tech to make its RSV4 big brother proud, and the end result is a model that deserves to stand in its own unique place and could well inspire other manufacturers to shuffle things closer to its low weight, responsive useable power, and exceptional handling.

There is a lot riding on the RS 660, since it will form the basis for a whole family of models including a naked Tuono and an adventure-ready Tuareg, but Aprilia can rest certain that it has not only nailed this one, but may have rescued the entire class.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of lightweight sport motorcycles is thriving in 2023, with a wide variety of impressive models available to riders of all skill levels. From the sporty and sleek Aprilia RS 660, to the powerful and high-tech Energica Ego, there is truly something for everyone. The Yamaha R7 and Ninja 650 from Kawasaki are excellent choices for riders seeking a balance of performance and comfort, while the MV Agusta F3 800 offers unmatched Italian style and precision. Those on a budget will appreciate the affordability and impressive capabilities of the 450cc CFMoto SR and Ninja 400 by Kawasaki. The CBR650R from Honda and KTM RC390 offer impressive performance and handling, while the CBR500R is an excellent option for riders looking for a balance of power and comfort. Overall, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, these lightweight sport motorcycles are sure to provide you with the thrills and excitement you crave on the open road.