Sports bikes, or crotch rockets, have always been considered cool rides. Next to sportscars, they are always featured in action-packed films where they are shown in exciting action sequences with the lead actor. In real-life, a number of A-list Hollywood stars are avid bikers who own a vast collection of motorcycles and sports bikes.
You may wonder what it is about crotch rockets that makes them attractive to both the famous and the not-so-famous. Well, for one, they are super-fast. They give speed junkies that thrill whenever they feel the need for speed. They are also very easy to maintain. Crotch rockets are made to be pushed to their limits. No matter how hard you hurl them around on the road, they will not need as much tuning as vintage and luxury motorcycles. Of course, they are natural head turners. You will look cool just by standing beside them.
If you’re still not convinced, read on and get a look at some of the craziest, coolest, and most expensive crotch rockets ever made.
MV Agusta F41000
The MV Agusta F41000 is a gorgeous crotch rocket designed by Ferrari engineers. But if there is one other unique feature the MV Agusta F41000 has, it’s a radial valve engine.
This crotch rocket started out as an adorable sports bike but it wasn’t considered powerful enough. That all changed when MV Agusta transformed its 750-class F4 into a liter bike. Ergonomically, the Agusta F41000 offers a comfortable yet powerful riding experience due to its raised, re-angled clip-ons and adjustable foot pegs. Besides the speed, the Agusta F41000 is amazing at building its power on a racetrack and even during everyday riding. It’s flexible and quite track-oriented, making it the most user-friendly crotch rocket. If you do buy one, just be wary of the heat coming from its fairing. As a tip, try not to wear jeans when you get a chance to ride it.
Vyrus 989 C3 4V
Aptly named, the Vyrus 989 C34V is a speed virus that can infect anyone who drives it. It will definitely become one of your dream bikes by the end of this review, so you better brace yourselves for its powerful specs and features.
The V4 is the lightest and most powerful of its kind. Its 100 brake horsepower two-valve 1000DS air-cooled Ducati engine is its secret weapon. The only downside of purchasing this sports bike is the waiting time until its delivery. Its limited production and high exclusivity will require you to wait patiently for four months before it gets delivered to you. However, Vyrus reassures its buyers that the 4V will be worth the wait. Therefore, if you have already fallen victim to the Vyrus and are planning to purchase one, then you better have the patience to wait for it.
Icon Sheene
Once priced at $160,000, this beautiful crotch rocket was built in honor of racer Barry Sheene. We know it’s too expensive, but what is great about this is that yours will never be the same as anyone else’s. It will be custom-built only for you.
The Icon Sheene is built with a 1.4-liter turbocharged, inline 4-cylinder engine that generates 250 horsepower. It has a custom-made tubular aluminum frame, a hand-beaten aluminum fuel tank, and a body made of hand-laid carbon fiber panels. This crotch rocket is truly meant for macho men, as each unit will be designed with an image of a playing card held by a girl who is wearing a bikini. So far, there are only about 52 Icon Sheenes in the world—we just don’t know if all 52 have already been sold. If you are interested, then you better prepare for the legwork, as it can be challenging to find one at the moment.
Buell Firebolt XB12R
Before Buell shut down, it left sports bike enthusiasts a masterpiece called the Buell Firebolt XB12R. This sports bike is a special one as it employs the Buell Trilogy of Technology principles—rigid frame, responsive handling, and low unsprung weight and mass centralization.
For a Buell masterpiece, this sports bike offers a unique riding experience. It is well-balanced, powerful, reliable, and affordable that has won many championships around the world. Some of its features that make it a unique sports bike include its 1203cc Buell Thunderstorm V-Twin engine that is capable of generating 103 horsepower and 84 pound-feet torque. It also has a Buell Interactive Exhaust System that can adjust exhaust flow and optimize engine power. The Buell Firebolt also has clip-on handlebars, and aerodynamic quarter-fairing with dual projector-beam headlights, and a covered passenger pillion. No wonder Britain’s Bike magazine crowned this crotch rocket “The Best Cornering Motorcycle of All Time.”
Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille
The Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille may be too impractical and expensive for a sports bike, but its beauty can make up for these flaws. And despite failing to achieve what the Ducati 916 and WSB did, the Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille is still a fantastic sports bike to be had.
This crotch rocket is the most ambitious bike in the list, and despite failing to make it as the best European sports bike ever, it is still a well-built, high-powered, and well-equipped Italian alternative to the Ducati. Its Rotax-developed V-twin engine is more reliable than its Ducati competitor, making it capable of traveling for miles without experiencing any issues. It is also installed with top-quality tires. All in all, this superbike is a temptation to sports bike enthusiasts, especially for riders who are taller and larger in build.
Roehr 1250 SC
This American crotch rocket is a symbol of new life for Roehr, and the labor does not come cheap. It is priced at a whopping $40,000 but is definitely worth the splurge. Dubbed as the first American superbike by its creator Walter Roehrich, this crotch rocket boasts a supercharged V-Rod.
The story of the Roehr 1250 SC is much like a success story of a former underdog. Prior to the upgrades made with this sports bike, it had a laughable 1130cc Revolution motor that was not powerful enough. It was also too heavy for its own good. It was only when American engineer Walter Roehrich stepped up and took the challenge of improving this bike that it was given enough power with matching handling and braking capacities. Now, its V-Rod engine’s capacity is at 1250cc, which is way better than the previous one.
Ducati 1098
The Ducati 1098 is the best-looking crotch rocket in this list, but it is clearly more than just a pretty face with its high torque-to-weight ratio. Aside from topping the looks and torque-to-weight ratio departments, it also has one of the best technologies. MotoGP and WSB technology have been used in its engine, chassis, and electronics.
This crotch rocket is also the type that likes to be pushed to its limit. The more you push it, the better it performs, which is how sports bikes are supposed to be. They are more than just the cool rides you take on date nights or casual rides on the streets of LA. They are meant to work hard and get dirty, and for that they seem even cooler. The Ducati 1098 is definitely one of these bikes who are set up for performance and not just for a test run.
Suzuki GSXR 600
The Suzuki GSXR 600 is also one of the fastest sports bikes around, but compared to others, it is more affordable for the common folk without looking like one. With this crotch rocket, owning a super-fast sports bike for cheap has been made possible.
Among its key features are its lightweight yet nimble quality, incredible braking system, decent power, and bright headlights. The only downside of riding this crotch rocket is that it is quite uncomfortable for riders, and if you have a bad back, we would suggest not riding it if you still want to be able to walk. But if you are OK with sacrificing comfort for looking like a million bucks, then do purchase one for yourself. It would be a welcome addition to your collection of sports bikes or a great first sports bike you can own.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
Although the Kawasaki Ninja is not as fast as Hayabusa, it can still knock the wind out of you with its speed. It is said to rocket to 60 miles per hour in just 2.5 seconds. Ever since its release in 2005, the Kawasaki Ninja has been a favorite of sports bike enthusiasts all over the world. It was built to give you a powerful sports bike feel without making you feel uncomfortable during long trips. Kawasaki wanted to create a crotch rocket that does not only perform well on a racetrack but also on ordinary streets.
The Kawasaki Ninja’s secret to a fast yet comfortable ride is its single-piece, broad riding saddle. However, it has other cool features that make it worthy of being part of this list. These features include its twin headlights, analog speedometer and tachometer, 22-liter fuel tank, exposed drive chain, and V-shaped LED tail light.
Suzuki GSX 1300R Hayabusa
The Hayabusa is hands down the best crotch rocket ever; whose speed remains unparalleled even in the 20th century. Suzuki released it in 1999 with the hope of dethroning the Honda Super Blackbird as the fastest sports bike ever made. The word Hayabusa in Japanese means “the peregrine falcon.” This bird dives for its prey at a speed of 200 miles per hour. Guess what it usually preys on? That’s right—a blackbird.
With a top speed limit of 186 miles per hour, the Hayabusa was able to beat the Super Blackbird by 10 miles per hour. Suzuki surely showed Honda who’s at the top of the food chain, and it remained the speed king of the 20th century. Because of the Hayabusa, both Japanese and European manufacturers agreed to a 186 miles per hour speed limit for all their bikes. This just proves how influential the Hayabusa was at breaking rules and making new ones.
